Studying within the Faculty

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies offers the following degree programmes:

Theology and Religious Studies (Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes)
Spiritual Care (Master’s degree programme; taught in Dutch)
Religion & Culture (Research Master’s degree programme)

Religion and culture

Religion is all about people, culture and history, and about change. Religions can be entirely different from each other, but they can also be quite similar. They are associated with symbols and rituals. They develop in a mutual relationship with the environment in which they are experienced. Religions stimulate development. They bring people together, but they also play a role in conflicts, and time after time they lead to public debate. Our Faculty focuses on the dynamic interaction between religion, culture and society, which you will learn to analyse, understand and explain to others in the course of your studies.

Academic approach

In our teaching and research programmes we follow an academic approach that is not committed to any creed. You are welcome to join us, no matter what you believe. It is important though, that you are interested in learning how to develop an academic approach towards religion, culture and society. You will learn different ways of exploring and examining religions and religious phenomena, through subjects like History, Cultural Anthropology, Biblical Studies, Philosophy, Ethics and Sociology.

A high standard of education

Our teaching and research programmes have an excellent reputation. This was once again confirmed by the Keuzegids Hoger Onderwijs Universiteiten 2010 (a guidebook for higher education). According to its recommendations our Theology and Religious Studies degree programmes are the best you can find in the Netherlands.

A personal and social approach

Our Faculty has an open character, and we like our students and staff members to be directly involved with each other. Lecturers know their students, and vice versa. The introductory weekend will take place on one of the Frisian Islands, Schiermonnikoog.

Because we work in small groups, students receive more personal attention. There are also a lot of social activities for students to get involved in: our Faculty has an active student society and there are several debating societies.

In the heart of the city

The Faculty is located in the medieval Court of Justice, in the city centre of Groningen. The Academy Building and University Library are within walking distance.