Eleventh Top Degree Programme Award in a row for Theology!

In the 2023 edition of the Higher Education Guide for Universities ( Keuzegids Universiteiten 2023 ), which was published on 24 November 2022, our Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies’ BA in Theology has been designated a Top Degree Programme ( Topopleiding) for the 11th consecutive time.

The Keuzegids Universiteiten has been awarding the Top Degree Programme quality label to the highest quality degree programmes for 11 years now. Our Bachelor's degree in Theology has been designated a Top Rated ‘5 star’ degree programme every year so far, closely followed by our BA in Religious Studies that has been honoured with this award an amazing nine times!

One of the best places to study Theology and Religious Studies

Prof. Dr Erin Wilson, Vice Dean and Director of Education of the University of Groningen’s Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, is delighted with the award: ‘We’re so proud of this recognition. As a Faculty, we are committed to always providing the very best quality educational experience for our students. This recognition shows that students see and appreciate that, and that we are one of the best places in the country to study Theology and Religious Studies. Our lecturers are some of the finest researchers, but also some of the best people I know and that shows in their dedication to sharing their knowledge, preparing students for life after university, and in the support they give to our students.’

Cooperation with the PThU

The University of Groningen is a public university and does not train pastors, imams, or priests. To ensure that students can continue with the pastoral Master's degree programme (predikantsmaster) at the Protestant Theological University (PThU) immediately after their Bachelor's degree, the PThU offers an optional part of the UG’s Theology Bachelor's degree programme. In 2024, the PThU will be moving to Utrecht, however the UG-PThU cooperation in the BA programme will continue in exactly the same way.

From strength to strength

Prof. Dr Wilson: ‘There has been a lot of speculation recently about what the move of the PThU away from Groningen will mean for our BA Theology. We will keep offering this top quality Bachelor's programme in this beautiful Faculty, which has been acknowledged by this award for its content, its lecturers, its assessment, and the atmosphere in which we deliver the programme. This Topopleiding award – awarded for the 11th time in a row – shows that we have an outstanding programme, and it continues to go from strength to strength.’