Double MA Degree on the Religious Origins of Modern Society at University of Groningen (UG) and Córdoba University (UCO): Identity, Exclusion, Integration, and Coexistence from Antiquity to Modernity.
The religious origins of modern society are richly diverse. Over centuries, Greco-Roman religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam actively contributed to the construction of modern culture, attitude and character. This DD MA delves into the history of these four religious traditions’ coexistence.
UG focuses on Judaism and Christianity in the Greco-Roman World, and the rise of Islam in (late) antiquity. The historical and philological analysis of their testimonies highlights the difficult first contacts, the lapses and relapses of their relationships and the resulting construction of the self and the other.
UCO explores the cultural contacts among them during the Middle Ages and beyond, their cohabitation in the Iberian Peninsula, and the tensions and eases of their coexistence. Most importantly, it analyzes the role of Judaism and Islam in the absorption and transformation of ancient knowledge, and its transfer to the Christian West, hereby contributing to the early modern and contemporary world.
The DD MA includes two programmes:
You start the programme in Groningen (UG) and do your second semester in Córdoba (UCO).
Of the UG programme, the core modules 'The Construction of Religious Identities in Europe: Religious Diversity in the Graeco-Roman World' (10 ECTS) and ' New Historical Methods for the Study of Christian Pluralism' (5 ECTS) are compulsory. You can choose three electives of 5 ECTS each from either the Ancient or Modern variant. Below, you will find an overview of the variant Ancient. For the electives of the Modern variant, see the second table on this page.
Semesters | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | 2a | 2b |
Compulsory: The Construction of Religious Identities in Europe: Religious Diversity in the Greco-Roman World (UG) (10 EC) You will explore the root belonging-categories of ethnos and polis by studying primary sources from the classical period through the conquests of Alexander and the Romans. | ||||
Elective: Texts of Terror (UG) (5 EC, optional) Does monotheism necessarily have violent consequences? You will investigate this question by studying selected texts from Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the contexts in which violence, power, and politics have exploited them. | ||||
Compulsory: New Historical Methods for the Study of Christian Pluralism (UG) (5 EC) You will follow the development of idealist, romantic, positivist, and other approaches to study. You will also interpret history and gain critical self-awareness about the methods we use in our research. | ||||
Elective: Apocalypse and Politics (UG) (5 EC, optional) This course examines the profound impact of apocalyptic views on contemporary politics, and explores the application of Artificial Intelligence techniques into the analysis of modern political discourse. | ||||
Elective: Interreligious Debates and Otherness in Iberian Societies (UG) (5 EC, optional) Key topics of discussion during this course are: the distance between religion and culture, the nature of the relationships between the dominant and subordinate groups, and the relationships between religious minorities in pre-modern and early-modern Iberian societies. | ||||
Compulsory: From Athens to the West: the Transfer of Greek Knowledge to Renaissance Europe (UCO) (4 EC) You will make a comprehensive diachronic journey of the Greco-Roman religious ideas coming from the Late Antiquity to the European Renaissance. | ||||
Compulsory: From Baghdad to Cordoba: The Cultural Contribution of Al-Andalus Judaism (UCO) (4 EC) The course units focuses on the history and characteristics of the so-called “the three cultures”. | ||||
Compulsory: From East to West: The Reception of Knowledge in Al-Andalus (UCO) (4 EC) You will study the contextualization of the Pre-Islamic History and the emergence of the Islam. Plus the relationship mainly between the Christian and Hebrew cultures, but also with some other groups in the Middle East. | ||||
Compulsory: Religious Minorities on the Iberian Peninsula from the15th to the 18th Century (UCO) (4 EC) You will define and analyze the main minorities in the Iberian Peninsula since the beginning of Renaissance to the Modern Age, and the main moments and/or processes related to these minorities, such as the Inquisitional repression. | ||||
Compulsory: The Structure for Knowledge Transfer (UCO) (4 EC) This deals with the basics related to the topic of the transference of knowledge, one of the capital phenomena for the study of the history of Mediterranean cultures and religions. | ||||
Compulsory: Sources for the Research on Ethnic-Religious Minorities in the Iberian Peninsula during 15th to 18th (UCO) (5 EC) The course unit begins with an introduction to the specific documents regarding religious minorities, and then focuses on some of the most interesting sources, such as the Inquisitorial documents. It finishes with an example of research by reshaping some secret communities of the 15th and 18th century. | ||||
Compulsory: The Universalism of Scientific Knowledge. The Arabic and Jewish Philosophy and Science in the Latin World (UCO) (5 EC) This course unit starts with highlighting the relevance of the translational movement in the Iberian Peninsula from the classical languages into Arabic. The second part explores the principal doctrines and philosophical issues raised up in the Medieval Age. |
You do your second year either in Córdoba (UCO) or in Groningen (UG). In that year, you do an internship or research project, and write your master's thesis.
Semesters | ||||
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CoursesCourse Catalog > | 1a | 1b | ||
Internship (UG/UCO) (10 EC) You do one internship for both programmes | ||||
Master's Thesis (UG & UCO) (20 EC) You write one thesis for both programmes |
40 hours of class and self-study per week on average
1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains of 60 ECTS. You will have on average 6 hrs. of lessons per week at the Faculty, the rest of the hours is reserved for preparation of the classes and studying.
The course units of the programme in Groningen are taught in Semester 1 (September - February). The course units of the programme in Cordoba are taught in Semester 2 (February - July). You will write your thesis (20 ECTS) and do an internship (10 ECTS) as part of the Groningen and Córdoba programme. Please note: you need to be enrolled in both programmes at the moment of graduation.
You follow part of your programme abroad. You can also do your internship abroad. In the past our students worked at the Dutch embassy with the Vatican, in Israel and Argentina. You can also opt for an internship at an NGO, like European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI), Amnesty International, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Or at the UN, for instance with the High Commissioner for Human Rights or the United Nations Development Programme.
Study programme | Organization | Transition |
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Religious Studies | All Research universities |
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Theology | All Research universities |
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Theology (joint degree) | All Research universities |
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Theology and Religious Studies | All Research universities |
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Philosophy | All Research universities |
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History (part-time) | All Research universities |
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Classics (part-time) | All Research universities |
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Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology | All Research universities |
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Arts and Culture | All Research universities |
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European Studies | All Research universities |
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Islam en Arabisch | All Research universities |
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Arabic Language and Culture | All Research universities |
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Hebrew Language and Culture | All Research universities |
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Ancient Near Eastern Studies | All Research universities |
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Political Science | All Research universities |
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Ancient Cultures | All Research universities |
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International Studies | All Research universities |
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International Relations and International Organization | All Research universities |
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Specific requirements | More information |
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previous education |
Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Arts, Philosophy or Social Science (e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology). Depending on your former study and courses a reading package will be provided. We assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. Students with another bachelor's degree may be admitted via a pre-master's programme. |
grade list |
An overview of the courses from the bachelor's programme followed with an explanation of these courses. |
Curriculum Vitae (CV) | |
language test |
An English language test for Dutch students is only required if you do not have a VWO-diploma. IELTS: 6.5 (6.0 on each part); TOEFL: 90 internet (18 on Reading and Listening, 20 on Speaking and 21 on Writing). Exemption granted if:
If English was the medium of instruction during your previous education, but you do not meet any of the above mentioned requirements, you are still required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. |
(motivation-) letter |
A letter to the admissions board, outlining your interest in the Double Degree programme, including your motivation and expectations, and in what way your previous education matches with this programme in terms of contents and/or methodology (max. 1 page). Please also send in a writing sample of an academic paper, preferably your Bachelor's (or Master's) Thesis. |
other admission requirements |
These entry requirements also apply to the programme in Cordoba. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree in Arts/Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences may be exempted from the requirement to complete the pre-master programme under certain conditions. |
On this page, you will find the procedure for applying in Groningen. When you graduate you need to be enrolled in both programmes.
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
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Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
Specific requirements | More information |
---|---|
previous education |
Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Arts/Humanities, Philosophy or Social Science (e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology). Depending on your former study and courses a reading package will be provided. We assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. Students with another bachelor's degree can be permitted via a pre-master's programme. |
grade list |
A grade list of the marks of your bachelor's degree programme with an explanation of the followed courses. |
language test |
An English language test for Dutch students is only required if you do not have a VWO-diploma. IELTS: 6.5 (6.0 on each part); TOEFL: 90 internet (18 on Reading and Listening, 20 on Speaking and 21 on Writing). Exemption granted if:
If English was the medium of instruction during your previous education, but you do not meet any of the above mentioned requirements, you are still required to provide proof of your English language proficiency. |
(motivation-) letter |
A letter to the admissions board, outlining your interest in the Double Degree programme, including your motivation and expectations, and in what way your previous education matches with this programme in terms of contents and/or methodology (max. 1 page). Please also send in a writing sample of an academic paper, preferably your Bachelor's (or Master's) Thesis. |
other admission requirements |
These entry requirements also apply to the programme in Córdoba. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree in Arts, Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences may be exempted from the requirement to complete the pre-master programme under certain conditions. |
Exam | Minimum score |
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IELTS overall band | 6.5 |
IELTS listening | 6 |
IELTS reading | 6 |
IELTS writing | 6 |
IELTS speaking | 6 |
TOEFL internet based | 90 |
You apply in Groningen. On this page, you will find the procedure for applying in Groningen. Please note: When you graduate you need to be enrolled in both programmes.
Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
---|---|---|
Dutch students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2025 | 01 September 2025 |
Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
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EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 2530 | full-time |
non-EU/EEA | 2024-2025 | € 18700 | full-time |
The showed tuition fees are the fees for the programme in Groningen. The fees in Cordoba for EU/EEA-students are € 1061,60 per year.
Talent Grant available for non-EU students for the programme in Groningen.
All applicants of the University of Groningen with a non-Dutch qualification will have to pay an application fee.
Practical information for:
If you want to become a teacher of religion in secondary education you can additionally follow the Educational Master's programme (in Dutch).
As a graduate you can become an adviser and policymaker on interreligious issues and multicultural society. You may work in cultural organisations and companies in the public sector. In addition, you can work in the media. You can become a teacher of religion or philosophy. If you want to pursue an academic career, you can follow this track as a specialization within the Research Master's programme.
Check where the Groningen alumni end up after graduating on our alumni page.
You are able to provide well-founded advice on interreligious issues and multicultural society. You can use this expertise in an advisory position at cultural organizations, in companies or in the public sector. Your knowledge equips you for policymaking positions in this field.
The current debate often refers to perceived historical realities. Your expertise in Judaism, Christianity and Islam enables you to ask critical questions concerning modern-day claims about these religious traditions. You can use your knowledge and skills as an editor at a publishing company, broadcasting company, newspaper or news and current affairs magazine. You could also work as a freelancer.
Once you have completed this Master's programme you will have enough knowledge of the subject to become a secondary school teacher in the subject of Religious Studies and Philosophy or Social Studies. You could also opt for a position in higher vocational education, for example teaching Theology at a university of applied sciences. As you also need didactic skills as a teacher, it is advisable to do a Master's in Education after you have completed your regular Master's programme.
When you take part in this MA programme in Groningen, you will benefit from the expertise of the scholars in the Department of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Origins of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society of the University of Groningen.
The Department is a major European centre for the study of the origins and cultural contexts of the three religious traditions and is unique in its combined focus on the multi- and interdisciplinary analysis of the texts and artifacts of these traditions. Traditional disciplines such as history, archaeology, philology, literary analysis and interpretation, codicology, palaeography, and epigraphy are combined with cutting-edge developments in fields such as artificial intelligence and forensics with a view to cracking the mysteries of the ancient religions of the Mediterranean and Near Eastern worlds.
Besides the study of the foundational texts of the Jewish and Christian Bibles, and the Quran, the department puts a strong focus on the alternative traditions not included in the official Jewish, Christian, and Islamic scriptures, but recorded in the famous Dead-Sea scrolls, Jewish and Christian apocrypha, the Nag Hammadi collection, pre- and early Islamic inscriptions and Quranic manuscripts.
The lecturers in Cordoba are part of the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities. Some of the lecturers work at other institutions, but teach in this programme at Cordoba University.
One of my interests in religions is how they help in the formation of identities.
I chose the program at the University of Groningen for two reasons: The historical and social approach that the program has (other universities have a more theological approach), and the opportunity of studying the three monotheistic religions (other programs are focused on Christianity or Islam). Also, I like the courses on texts studies.
My master’s thesis is about the split between Jews and Samaritans. Both religious communities share several beliefs, texts, practices, origins, and yet they are not the same. I chose this topic because one of my interests in religions is how they help in the formation of identities. For my internship, I will work at a historical research agency concentrating on museum design and exhibitions. They are currently working on the exhibition at the Jewish Museum in Groningen, and I will help with research. I will be a comparative study on several Jewish museums based in synagogues and how the religious aspect of the building might influence its use for cultural activities.
I did my bachelor's in History at the Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City, and besides the cultural shock and the evident differences regarding the weather, living in Groningen has been a marvelous experience. The international environment in such a small city and its student essence makes studying at Groningen a great experience.
After graduation, I would like to do research and teach at a university. The field of Religious Studies in Mexico is far from being developed and accepted at the universities. I want to help this to change. Also, as a former worker at a Research and Documentary Center of the Jewish Community, which also organizes cultural events, I want to collaborate on the planning of courses and activities for promoting an inter-religious society.
Both programmes complemented each other well.
After finishing my Bachelor's in Cultural Management at the University of Córdoba (Spain), I wanted to do a master's, but I was unsure which one. I found out about the Double Degree Programme in Religion and Pluralism thanks to the suggestion of my thesis tutor and, after looking at the programme, I decided to choose this one.
Contentwise, there are differences between studying in Groningen and In Córdoba . In Córdoba you mostly learn about culture itself. How the societies lived, some customs and the legacy these cultures left us. In Groningen the programme is more focused on the sources themselves. So both programmes complemented each other well.
I wrote my thesis about Roger Bacon's defense of astrology against religion. In the course unit we had related to medieval philosophy, I wrote an essay about necromancy in the Middle Ages, which I found surprisingly interesting. I then asked that professor to be my tutor and whether it was possible to do my thesis on a matter related to Astrology. So that's what I ended up doing.
I did my internship at the Synagoge in Groningen. There, I wrote some blog articles after doing research, helped with the promotion of some events, and aided in the presentation of an exhibition of paintings. I also organized my own Jewish poetry event, which was a great experience.
Currently, I am studying to take an exam and become a museum curator. It was an option I never thought of before and this programme aided me to consider it .
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 this master's programme. There are several electives you can choose from. Below, you will find the complete programme.
1st semester (30 ECTS)
2nd semester (30 ECTS)
Students without a bachelor's degree in Arts Humanities or Behavioural and Social Sciences may be exempted from the requirement to complete a pre-master's programme first under certain conditions.
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.
You have reason to think that the origins of things, particularly of the monotheistic religions, still matter for understanding them and their place in the world. You suspect that historical-contextual study might make possible insights not obvious from traditional narratives and claims. You have a curiosity about human experience that extends beyond your own time and place to worlds truly different—but still consequential for our times.
You wish to study the full scope of religious pluralism throughout history and want to experience for your self what it is like to live and study in another country and culture.
In Groningen, Master's students are expected to show a large degree of independence. If necessary you can make use of various forms of study supervision and study support. For example, you can contact a mentor or your study advisor. While writing your thesis, you will receive personal supervision from one of the lecturers.
Immediately after arrival in Groningen, students who gained their Bachelor's degree at a different faculty or university will be allocated a mentor who will help them get to know the Faculty. You can also go to the study advisor if you have doubts about your abilities or for whatever reason run the risk of study delay. You will receive intensive supervision while writing your thesis. The Master's programme includes a thesis seminar, where attention is paid to how to tackle writing a Master's thesis, and where the progress of the process is monitored closely. You will also receive structural supervision from the lecturer who is the specialist in the field of your thesis.