General Information

Religion and Culture is a two-year Master’s degree programme offered by the Faculty's Graduate School of Theology and Religious Studies (ThRS). In the best traditions of studentship in the humanities, teaching and research are closely related as the programme is taught by senior professors of the three research groups of the Faculty's Centre for Religious Studies ( CRS ):

These groups have an outstanding national and international reputation in the fields of religious studies and theology.

The Research Master is offered especially to highly qualified and motivated students, both foreign and Dutch, who have a wide-ranging interest in religion and who wish to study in a challenging academic environment that stimulates personal ambition and development. Admission to the programme is competitive and selective.

Aims

The purpose of the programme is to equip and prepare advanced students to carry out postgraduate academic research in the PhD programme of the Groningen Graduate School ThRS or in that of any other School. The programme is English spoken and offers a thorough training in the theories and methods of the various subdisciplines of theology and/or of religious studies, focusing on skills, knowledge and understanding.

The Research Master's Degree

Successful conclusion of the programme brings the degree of Research Master in Religious Studies or Theology. This degree enables you to apply worldwide to positions for which academic research skills and experience are required. Graduating implies that you have acquired at least the following competences in the field of theology or religious studies:

Field-specific competences

broad historical, systematical and methodological knowledge of the field in question, as well as insight in the ways in which its subdisciplines are related;
in-depth knowledge of at least one theoretical and methodological approach;
familiarity with the theories, interpretations, methodologies and techniques and the ability to apply them critically;
ability to keep abreast of the latest developments in the chosen field of concentration;
experience in elaborating a clearly formulated and innovative research problem.

General competences

the ability to participate actively in a research group working on an academic project;
the ability to cooperate with fellow students and members of staff in carrying out a research task or project;
the ability to participate in academic debates in the chosen field of concentration;
the ability to present an academic problem to specialists and non-specialist audiences, both orally and in writing.