Pre-master

If you do not have a bachelor's degree in either the Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences, you will first need to complete a pre-master's programme before you can enter one of the tracks of the master's programme in Theology and Religious Studies.

Pre-master's programme

There are several electives you can choose from, depending on the track of your choice. Below, you will find the complete programme.

1st semester (30 ECTS)

• Concepts and Methods 1: Study of Religion
• Rituals in Theory and Practice or Judaism (R&P)
• Hinduism and Buddhism
• Anthropology of Religion (RHW) or Hebrew Bible and Ancient Judaism (R&P)

2nd semester (30 ECTS)

• Christianity
• Religion, Media and Popular Culture (RCH) or Religion and Politics (RCG) or Psychology and Sociology of Religion (RHW)
• Islam
• Ethics and Secularity

RCG = Religion, Conflict and Globalization
R&P = Religion and Pluralism, Ancient and Modern
RHW = Religion, Health and Wellbeing: Ethics and Diversity
RCH = Religion and Cultural Heritage

If you have followed minor courses in Theology or Religious Studies, it might be possible to follow a shorter pre-master's programme. Please contact our student advisors to see what the options are.

For the Dutch taught specialization in Spiritual Care, you need to follow a different pre-master's programme.

For the pre-master's programme, you will pay a so called compensation in stead of regular tuition fees. This compensation is the same for both EU and non-EU students.

Corona & admission with a HBO-degree

If you want to be admitted to the pre-master's programme for the MA programme in Theology and Religious Studies based on your HBO degree programme for the academic year 2020-2021, you are allowed to have 15 ECTS of your HBO degree programme left. You must provide a statement of your HBO degree programme in order to finish your degree programme in the academic year 2020-2021 (closure statement). You have to complete your HBO degree programme before September 1, 2021, otherwise you are not allowed to continue the pre-master's programme or to start with the master’s programme.

Application in Studielink

For the pre-master's programme for the English taught master's tracks, you apply in Studielink for the premaster's programme of the BA in Religious Studies.

For the pre-master's programme for the Dutch taught track in Spiritual Care, you apply in Studielink for the pre-master's programme of the BA in Theology.