Since time immemorial, there has been a tension between 'us' and 'them'. Which role did in- and exclusion play in antiquity? What are the boundaries of tolerance in societies, in past and present?

In Europe, this tension is strongly felt in relations between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Partly due to present migration from Islamic countries, questions of political identity and 'belonging' are still strongly linked to religious persuasion. This MA-track focuses on the (internal) diversity, existence and coexistence of the three major monotheistic religions, and how these relationships have shaped our contemporary societies. You will explore the impact of religious diversity on social identify formation across the Graeco-Roman world, Late Antiquity, the medieval era, and the modern period, analysing the role of tolerance acceptance, as well as rejection and exclusion, in their mutual relationships over the past two thousand years.

You will focus on a historical and philological analysis of the textual sources documenting the contacts among these religious traditions, by approaching them from different angles and with diverse methods: archaeology, codicology, paleography, epigraphy, textual analysis and interpretation.

Facts & Figures

Degree: MA in Theology & Religious Studies
Course type: Master
Duration: 12 months (60 EC)
Croho code: 60824
Language of instruction: English
Start: September
Faculty: Religion, Culture and Society

Apply now

Why study this programme in Groningen?

integrated approach of religious pluralism, politics, and their many global interfaces
focus on historical context of modern societies
taught by internationally recognized experts in the field
opportunity to pursue your own research interests
expertise on various religions, taught at non-denominational university
possibility to combine with study of religious diversity in the modern world
part of Double Degree Programme Religion and Pluralism with the University of Córdoba

Programme

The programme consists of one core module on Religious Diversity in the Greco-Roman World (10 ECTS), research methods (5 ECTS), three electives (5 ECTS each), a thesis (20 ECTS), and a placement (10 ECTS).

Through electives, you specialise in either the 'Ancient' or the 'Modern' variant. Below is a selection of the courses you can choose.

If you would like to write your theses from a social scientific approach, you may choose the course 'Social Scientific Research Methods' instead of the course 'Fragments and Ruins: Heritage and Historical Approaches to the Past'.

	Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >	1a	1b	2a	2b
Core Module: The Construction of Religious Identities in Europe: Religious Diversity in the Greco-Roman World (10 EC) This foundational seminar explores religious diversity in the Greco-Roman world with a particular focus on the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. We examine the impact of political and social changes for cultural interaction; the emergence of new ideas and practices; the significance of translation and re-interpretation for cultural change; and knowledge-transfer across borders and across periods.
Elective: Dark Heritage: Memorialising Death and Disaster (5 EC, optional) Many, perhaps most, of the items and phenomena we study as 'heritage' are death-related. This course offers the much-needed tools to analyse this important category of heritage. At the same time, the course offers students the opportunity to learn new skills, such as producing a documentary film or curating a 3D virtual exhibition.
Elective: Material Religion: Things, Performances and Belief (5 EC, optional) What can things and their uses teach us about religion? This course focuses on material culture as a way of approaching religious heritage. We learn from material culture theory, and apply what we learn in a community-based material heritage project.
Elective: On the move: People(s), Cultures, and Religions (5 EC, optional) How does the movement of peoples, cultures and religions shape social, political and cultural change, historically and in the contemporary world? This course explores how change has occurred at micro, meso and macro levels, through lenses of culture, migration, and religion. Through engagement with various anthropological and political theories of change, students will analyse diverse processes of transformation across different cases and contexts. At the end of the course, students will be able to develop their own policy recommendations or original scholarly contribution, assessed through a policy paper or research essay and accompanying oral defense.
Elective: Apocalypse and Politics (5 EC, optional) This course examines the profound impact of apocalyptic views on contemporary politics. Topics covered include the concept of apocalypse and messianism in both Islam and Christianity, their influence throughout history, on the rise of both populism and neo-conservatism, its impact on contemporary geopolitics, and its ramifications in the Middle East.
Elective: Growth and Expansion of Religious Identities: Religious Disputes in the Formation of Christianity and Islam (5 EC, optional) A course description will follow soon.
Elective: Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding (5 EC, optional) This course deals with fundamental questions at the intersection of the discourse and practice of religion, violence and conflict transformation. It will examine how these concepts interrelate and will investigate assumptions that lie behind their use, as well as how they are put into practice. The following elements will be interrogated: the discourse and practice of peacebuilding and conflict transformation; the history and development of religious violence and religious peacebuilding/conflict transformation; religion and reconciliation; transitional justice and religion; religion and conflict; fundamentalism and religious violence; women, religion and peacebuilding; religion, ritual and peacebuilding. Case studies such as South Africa, Israel/Palestine, Zimbabwe, and Northern Ireland inter alia against the backdrop of globalization shall be deployed to facilitate analysis. Various religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and African Religions shall be referred to whenever relevant.
Elective: Religion, Gender and Sexuality: from Politics to Everyday Life (5 EC, optional) Across the globe, we see that religion plays an important role in key controversies around gender and sexuality. In this course, we will dive deeply into the background, tracing the links between everyday lived experience in specific cultural and religious contexts and large-scale political developments such as nationalism, the global campaigns for LGBTQI+ and sexual and reproductive health and rights. This will help us understand the current era of backlash against these progressive agendas. How are religious ways of being gendered? Why are gender and sexuality so often the subject of controversy? Why do religious actors so often play a role in these controversies?
Research Methods: Fragments and Ruins: Heritage and Historical Approaches to the Past (5 EC) This interdisciplinary course addresses a central topic to textual, historical, heritage, and material approaches to the past: much of what survives is in fragments and ruins. What questions does this fragmentary and ruinous survival raise both for scholars and for those working in the field of heritage or history? The course introduces heritage-based and historical/textual approaches to the theoretical concepts of fragments and ruins, and analytical approaches from across disciplines. Students are required to prepare a field-review related to their research interests, and to draft a research proposal.
Internship (10 EC) Instead of an internship, you have the option to do a research project.
Master's Thesis + thesis seminar (20 EC) During the seminar meetings, you will discuss and practice specific aspects of the writing, planning and researching process involved in producing a thesis on a master level. Through peer-review, you will benefit from regular feedback. Methodologies to be discussed and practised include interviewing, observation, discourse analysis and statistical analysis.

Study load

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.

For part-time options, please contact the study adviser.

Curriculum

You can also follow this track within the two-year Research Master's programme in Theology and Religious Studies. See: https://www.rug.nl/masters/theology-religious-studies-research/

Programme options
Double Degree Programme Religion and Pluralism (track) If you wish to understand religious pluralism throughout history, you might consider doing this track as part of the Double Degree Programme Religion and Pluralism with the University of Córdoba. The Double Degree Programme consists of two Master's Programmes: Religion and Pluralism, Ancient and Modern (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) and Religious Pluralism: Jews, Greeks, and Arabs from the Post-Classical Era to the Early Modern Period (University of Córdoba, Spain). The full programme takes 18 months and consits of 90 ECTS. More information about this option

Programme options

Double Degree Programme Religion and Pluralism (track)

If you wish to understand religious pluralism throughout history, you might consider doing this track as part of the Double Degree Programme Religion and Pluralism with the University of Córdoba.

The Double Degree Programme consists of two Master's Programmes: Religion and Pluralism, Ancient and Modern (University of Groningen, The Netherlands) and Religious Pluralism: Jews, Greeks, and Arabs from the Post-Classical Era to the Early Modern Period (University of Córdoba, Spain). The full programme takes 18 months and consits of 90 ECTS.

More information about this option

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional
For an average of 20 weeks
Maximum of 30 EC

We have various exchange contracts with universities both inside and outside Europe, enabling students to follow part of their degree programme at a foreign university. Another option is to take an internship or to do part of the research work abroad.

For an overview of our exchange partners, see: https://www.rug.nl/ggw/education/exchange-programme/partner-universities

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or another Bachelor's degree in Arts, Humanities, Philosophy or Social Sciences. 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. If you have completed a Bachelor's degree other than in one of the disciplines described above, you still have direct access to the MA if you: have completed the university minor Anthropology, Religion in the Modern World, or Art and Religion as well; or can demonstrate the completion of 30 ETCS worth of subjects in the previous degree programme that have introduced you to Archaeology, Ancient History, Ancient Languages, or Ancient Philosophy. Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme. A selection of previous education programmes is shown below under 'Transfer options'. However, this list is not complete. If your study programme is not listed, this does not automatically mean that you will not be admitted to the Master's programme. In case of doubts or questions, feel free to contact the study advisor: studyadvice.rcs rug.nl
grade list	An overview of the courses from the bachelor's programme followed with an explanation of these 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); Pearson Academic: 66 (62 on Reading, 54 on Listening and Speaking, 62 on Writing); LanguageCert Academic: 70 (65 on each part). Exemption granted if: You are a native speaker of, and have completed your full secondary level education in: the USA, Canada (only when taught in English), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. You have completed a full-time Bachelor programme (nominal duration of at least three years) in: the USA, Canada (only when English taught), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. 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.
other admission requirements	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.

Transfer options

Transferring from...

All Research universities

Leiden University

VU University Amsterdam

Maastricht University

University of Groningen

University of Amsterdam

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Arts and Culture	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Liberal Arts and Sciences	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
European Studies	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Sociology	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Interdisciplinary Social Science	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Arts and Culture Studies	All Research universities	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
European Languages and Cultures	All Research universities	No additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Classical Studies	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
History	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Middle Eastern Studies	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Ancient Near Eastern Studies	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Archaeology	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Religious Studies	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken.
Filosofie	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Political Science	Leiden University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Philosophy, Politics and Economics	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Classical Studies	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
History	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Philosophy	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Political Science	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Archaeology	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Ancient Cultures	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Theology and Religious Studies	VU University Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
No education title found	Maastricht University	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Classical Studies	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
History	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Philosophy	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Middle Eastern Studies	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Archaeology	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Religious Studies	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken.
Theology	University of Groningen	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken.

Study programme	Organization	Transition
Classical Studies	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
History	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Arabic Language and Culture	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Political Science	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Archaeology	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken. Afhankelijk van de gevolgde opleiding en vakken wordt een leeslijst verstrekt ter bestudering. De kennis uit de leeslijst wordt voorondersteld bij aanvang van de opleiding.
Religious Studies	University of Amsterdam	Additional requirements More information: Een overzicht van de vakken uit de gevolgde Bacheloropleiding met een toelichting op deze vakken.

Registration procedure

International students and Dutch students with non-Dutch qualifications are not automatically admitted to a Master's degree programme at the University of Groningen. The full registration procedure will take longer than for Dutch students with regular Dutch qualifications and consists of three steps: application, admission and registration.

After you submit your application in Studielink, you will receive a message from Studielink stating that the University of Groningen (UG) has to verify your educational background through the Progress Portal. You will receive a separate email with your login details (make sure to also check your spam folder).
Check the application guide for international students for more information about the admissions procedure.
Students with a Dutch bachelor's degree send all the documentation by mail to studentoffice.rcs@rug.nl.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
EU/EEA students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026

Admission requirements

Specific requirements	More information
previous education	Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or another Bachelor's degree in Arts, Humanities, Philosophy or Social Sciences. 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. If you have completed a Bachelor's degree other than in one of the disciplines described above, you still have direct access to the MA if you: have completed the university minor Anthropology, Religion in the Modern World, or Art and Religion as well; or can demonstrate the completion of 30 ETCS worth of subjects in the previous degree programme that have introduced you to Archaeology, Ancient History, Ancient Languages, or Ancient Philosophy. Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme. A selection of previous education programmes is shown below under 'Transfer options'. However, this list is not complete. If your study programme is not listed, this does not automatically mean that you will not be admitted to the Master's programme. In case of doubts or questions, feel free to contact the study advisor: studyadvice.rcs rug.nl
grade list	An overview of the courses from the bachelor's programme followed with an explanation of these 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); Pearson Academic: 66 (62 on Reading, 54 on Listening and Speaking, 62 on Writing); LanguageCert Academic: 70 (65 on each part). Exemption granted if: You are a native speaker of, and have completed your full secondary level education in: the USA, Canada (only when taught in English), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. You have completed a full-time Bachelor programme (nominal duration of at least three years) in: the USA, Canada (only when English taught), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. 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.
other admission requirements	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.

Language requirements

Exam	Minimum score
IELTS overall band	6.5
IELTS listening	6
IELTS reading	6
IELTS writing	6
TOEFL internet based	90

Registration procedure

International students and Dutch students with non-Dutch qualifications are not automatically admitted to a Master's degree programme at the University of Groningen. The full registration procedure will take longer than for Dutch students with regular Dutch qualifications and consists of three steps: application, admission and registration.

After you submit your application in Studielink, you will receive a message from Studielink stating that the University of Groningen (UG) has to verify your educational background through the Progress Portal. You will receive a separate email with your login details (make sure to also check your spam folder).
Check the application guide for international students for more information about the admissions procedure.
Students with a Dutch bachelor's degree send all the documentation by mail to studentoffice.rcs@rug.nl.

Application deadlines

Type of student	Deadline	Start course
Dutch students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
EU/EEA students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026
non-EU/EEA students	01 May 2026	01 September 2026

Tuition fees

Nationality	Year	Fee	Programme form
EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 2601	full-time
non-EU/EEA	2025-2026	€ 19200	full-time

Talent Grant and NL Scholarship are available for non-EU students.

All applicants with a non-Dutch qualification will have to pay an application fee.

Practical information for:

Dutch students International students

After your studies

If you want to become a teacher of religion in secondary education you can additionally follow the Educational Master's programme.

Job prospects

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 our alumni end up after graduating on our alumni page.

Job examples

Consulting & Policy

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.
Media & Journalism

The current debate often refers to perceived historical realities. Your expertise in the formative periods of 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.
Education

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.

Research

Variant Ancient

When you take part in this MA programme, 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.

Lecturers and their expertise

Kim Fowler is Assistant Professer of New Testament.
Seyfeddin Kara is Assistant Professor of Islamic Origins. He specialises in the study of early Islam, the Qur'an, hadith, Sunni and Shiʿi Islam, as well as the study of Muslims in Europe.
Lautaro Roig Lanzillotta is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity. He specializes in alternative Christianities with a focus on the Nag Hammadi library and the Apocryphal Acts of Apostles.
Mladen Popović is Professor Old Testament and Early Judaism, with special attention to Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Variant Modern

Lecturers who teach the course units of the Modern variant, are mostly members of the Department Comparative Study of Religion . In this department, religion is addressed in all its forms and appearances. The focus lies on lived religion: religious practices and discourses as part of the daily lives of people, embedded in diverse socio-cultural and political frameworks around the world.

Research Institutes

This MA programme connects with the research of:

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Contact

Kees van den Ende MA (study advisor)
Email: studyadvice.rcs rug.nl
Telephone: 050-363 9382
Dr. Seyfeddin Kara (MA coordinator)
Email: s.kara rug.nl
ambassadors (our student ambassadors are happy to tell you more about the MA programme)
Email: prospectives.rcs rug.nl

Testimonial of Laura Osigwe (The Netherlands)

There is a lot of freedom within the programme. I learned Coptic, for instance, so I can now read the texts I am most interested in.
– Laura Osigwe (The Netherlands)

I have chosen to study the MA Religion and Pluralism because since high school I have been fascinated by the huge amount of non-canonical writings that never appeared in the bible, but are very important for the lives of religious people in many early Christian districts.

A unique part of this Master is the small number of students, this makes conversations during lessons easier which makes room to go in-depth on topics and also to approach topics from different perspectives. This MA gives you the space to fill in your internship. I learned Coptic, so I could rea d the texts I am most interested in.

One of the most important things I learned was how important the role of religion is when it comes to the identity of a particular group of people. This MA showed me to read these writings deeper to find a polemic between different groups of believers. I also learned to look at specific ways in which these traditions are rewritten and what the implications are for the self-image that a group of people carry out.

My favorite course was 'Reception and Re-Use of Authoritative Texts'. This subject covers a lot of non-canonical writings, which is where my interests lie. topics like pseudepigraphy were discussed, and the way the writings play a role in forming and reforming the identity of a group of Christians.

This MA made me realize that I want to learn more about this field of expertise, specifically the non-canonical writings. That's why I started the Research Master, which is completely focused on working with these writings. After finishing this MA I hope to be able to do a PhD in this discipline.

Testimonial of Arturo Diaz Guttierez Barriga (Mexico)

One of my interests in religions is how they help in the formation of identities.
– Arturo Diaz Guttierez Barriga (Mexico)

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.

Testimonial of Addy van der Woerd (The Netherlands)

Unique perspective on historical-political issues and social inequality.
– Addy van der Woerd (The Netherlands)

I chose the Master's degree programme in Religion and Pluralism, Ancient and Modern because I saw it as a logical continuation of my Bachelor's programme in Theology at this Faculty, and the BA Philosophy of a specific discipline (Theology) at the Faculty of Philosophy. I was particularly excited by the part-historical, part-philosophical approach to substantive concepts such as 'religion'.

Every course unit has a specific focus (historical, conceptual, thematic). You are free to choose the topics of your essays, and I seized the opportunity with both hands, thoroughly enjoying writing essays on a wide range of subjects. Writing essays helps you to develop your organizational skills and discipline. If you know that planning isn’t your strongest point, don’t be afraid to say so. A bit of help from other people can go a long way!

It’s fascinating to merge various approaches and fields of interest in my Master’s thesis. That’s why I combined early Islam with my interest in philosophy and hermeneutics, and ended with the ninth-century Arabic scholar Al-Kindi. He was the one who introduced Aristotelian concepts into Islamic ideology.

The Master’s programme helps you develop a critical attitude and analytical skills. This gives you a unique perspective when it comes to historical-political issues and social inequality. If I can combine this with my placement field (a television company), I might soon find a job making documentaries. But I also have ambitions in politics, journalism and teaching.

Testimonial of Sara Vaz Velho de Noronha Penaguião (Portugal)

I wanted to study the social aspects of religion.
– Sara Vaz Velho de Noronha Penaguião (Portugal)

Previously, I studied Anthropology at the University of Lisbon (ISCSP) in Portugal and so I had come across pluralism before. Added to this, I knew that I wanted to study the social aspects of religion and find a course that looked at pluralism in history and debated it with reference to contemporary issues.

I have particularly enjoyed this mixture of historical and contemporary debate in the course. A huge amount of information is covered in the year-long course and I am presently working on my thesis before embarking upon my MA placement.

The Netherlands has proved to be a good context in which to study religion and pluralism. My thesis involves research with young people in the Groningen Feminist Network and the academic research tools taught at the University of Groningen have been very instructive to my research. Our studies have included looking at both gender and sexuality, which are topics that both feed into my thesis and are large parts of many current debates- the small size of classes and quality of the lecturers have also really contributed to my experience.

I hadn’t previously been to Groningen, and have been really happily surprised by the young spirit of the city. It’s the perfect combination of a small city where everything can be reached by foot or on bike whilst at the same time being full of life with a lot to explore. Overall, my experience has been extremely positive; both academically and for meeting people from lots of different countries and backgrounds. In the future I hope to work in education, and the MA here at the UG is setting me up well for this.

Pre-master's programme

If you do not have a bachelor's degree in either the Humanities, Arts, Philosophy, or Behavioural and Social Sciences (see the section 'entry requirements' above), generally speaking you will first need to complete a pre-master's programme before you can enter this master's programme. However, there are exemptions. For example, if you have completed one of the university minors of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society.

See our website for more information about the pre-master's programme, and the excemptions for following a pre-master's programme.

Other degree programmes in religion

If you are interested in a master's degree programme in religion, you might also consider one of our other master's programmes:

Study associations

Gerardus van der Leeuw

Gerardus van der Leeuw is the study association of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society at the University of Groningen.

Besides broadening activities (for example, lectures or career events) for both the Religious Studies and Theology programs, they organize relaxing activities such as get-togethers and trips abroad.

http://www.gerardusvanderleeuw.nl/

Student profile

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.

Study support

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, students who gained their Bachelor's degree at a different faculty or university as well as international students 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.

Religion and Pluralism, Ancient & Modern

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After your studies

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Research

Variant Ancient

Lecturers and their expertise

Variant Modern

Research Institutes

Contact

Pre-master's programme

Other degree programmes in religion

Study associations

Gerardus van der Leeuw

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