How are religion, conflict, and peace related? How can anthropological research contribute to a better understanding of lifeworlds? And what are the boundaries of tolerance in societies?
Religion matters in society: approximately 85% of the world's population identifies with a religion. And religion is an important factor in many national and international political, cultural, and social issues, such as climate change, sexual health, meaning-making, heritage, radicalization, migration, integration, conflict and peacebuilding, and discussions about religious diversity and identity.
Experts in the field of religion are therefore needed in a world where religion is an integral and permanent part of everyday life.
At the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society, we offer various specialization tracks within the one-year MA in Theology and Religious Studies. Each track takes an interdisciplinary approach and studies the phenomenon of religion in relation to specific topics:
Will you join us in making a difference? Challenge yourself and study the role of religion in culture and society.
The tracks comprise of several course modules (30 ECTS in total), an internship (10 ECTS) and a master's thesis (20 ECTS).
All English taught tracks are fulltime. For part-time options, please contact the study advisor.
40 hours of class and self-study per week on average
1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains of 60 ECTS. In the first year, 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.
Check the individual websites of our tracks for specific information.
| Programme options |
|---|
| Anthropology of Religion and Culture (track) What if you could see the world from different perspectives? What can we learn from cultural differences? How can these insights contribute to understanding local, regional, and global challenges? In a world of religious and cultural diversity, understanding cultural differences is key to addressing challenges such as migration and climate change. This Master's programme trains you to study various lifeworlds in all their complexity. You explore how religion and culture shape societies, and how everyday practices, from food and sexuality to ritual and belief, are embedded in broader cultural contexts. Through this process, you not only gain deeper insight into others, but also into yourself. This Master's programme in the anthropology of religion and culture (ARC) is unique in the Netherlands and is characterized by three approaches:* Holistic: you explore themes as they are embedded within the totality of local lifeworlds.* Comparative: you identify and analyse similarities and differences across cultures.* Ethnographic: fieldwork is a core aspect of the programme, allowing you to gain insight into people's lived experiences and ways of living. The ethnographic hands-on experience is an integral part of the programme.You also critically reflect on the 'traditional' anthropological method itself. Anthropology challenges you by making the strange familiar and the familiar strange. |
| Religion, Conflict and Globalization (track) How are religion, conflict, and peace related? How does globalization affect local religious traditions? And how do religious and secular groups interact in debates on conflict, migration, and gender? Religion influences societies in a variety of ways. It is involved in many of the major conflicts that the world is currently facing, and at multiple levels. At the same time, it is an essential part of many people's lives and an important source of solidarity between people all over the world. Despite the importance of religion in society and politics, NGOs, governments, and journalists often misunderstand the role of religion in the modern world and the significance it holds for various communities, with their views often based on simplistic and outdated assumptions. This can lead to misunderstandings, tensions, and missed opportunities for dialogue, potentially resulting in far-reaching consequences. This Master's track equips you to critically analyse the role of religion in global dynamics and its impact on contemporary conflicts. You explore how religious interests, practices, and diverse identities intersect with conflict and peacebuilding. The programme is interdisciplinary and comprehensive, encompassing political, social, psychological, cultural, and legal dimensions. During the year, you can specialize in themes such as conflict and peacebuilding, migration, and gender. |
| Religion and Pluralism, Ancient & Modern (track) Throughout history, individuals, communities, and societies have drawn the distinction between 'us' and 'them'. What role did in- and exclusion play in antiquity? What are the boundaries of tolerance? In Europe, the distinction between ‘us' and ‘them' is particularly evident in the relationships between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Partly due to ongoing migration from the Arab world, questions of identity and belonging remain closely connected to religious identity. This Master's track focuses on the diversity within and between the three major monotheistic religions, and on how their interactions have shaped our contemporary societies.You explore the impact of religious diversity on the formation of social identities across the Graeco-Roman world, Late Antiquity, the medieval era, and the modern period. Particular attention is paid to the tension between tolerance and acceptance on the one hand, and rejection and exclusion on the other, across the past two thousand years.The programme trains you to analyse textual sources that reflect encounters between these religious traditions, using a wide range of methods and perspectives, including archaeology, codicology, paleography, epigraphy, and philology. |
| Heritage and Religion (track) How can museums deal with collections from colonial pasts? What role does religious heritage play in a secular society? And how is heritage used by minorities to protect their traditions? Heritage has become a prominent topic in today's political and cultural debates. Across Europe, many religious buildings are losing their original function, while governments and the EU are investing millions in conservation and adaptive re-use. Meanwhile, the increase in tourism and pilgrimage to religious objects, sites, and festivals is raising urgent questions about the sustainability and cultural impact of heritage.At the same time, migration and secularization reshape religious identities of communities and their relationship to the past. War, displacement, demographic change, and climate crisis place both material and immaterial heritage at risk. Efforts to preserve heritage are becoming increasingly urgent, yet resources are limited and competing interests often clash. How can these tensions be navigated?This is a unique interdisciplinary track at the interface of religion, identity, history, politics, and heritage studies. You are challenged to develop your own perspective and contribute to societal debates. During your placement, you will apply your critical and analytical skills to the real-world dilemmas and challenges facing the heritage sector. |
| Spiritual Care (track) "De mens kan niet leven van brood alleen", wordt weleens gezegd. Maar wat geeft het leven dan nog meer betekenis? Hoe ervaren mensen zin in hun leven, ook bij moeilijke of ingrijpende gebeurtenissen? Iedereen wordt voor keuzes gesteld op het terrein van gezondheid en ziekte, leven en dood. Als student Geestelijke Verzorging verdiep je je in de cruciale rol van zingeving en levensbeschouwing bij ingrijpende gebeurtenissen. Je leert mensen bij te staan, te begeleiden en te adviseren in crisissituaties - zowel in de eerste lijn als binnen zorginstellingen. Tegelijk ontwikkel je tijdens de opleiding een diep begrip van je eigen levensbeschouwelijke identiteit en leer je dit duideljk en krachtig te verwoorden. Zo ben je uiteindelijk in staat creatief en deskundig in te spelen op de zin- en levensvragen van anderen.De master is beroepsgericht, met een open, kritische en wetenschappelijke benadering van het werkveld van geestelijke verzorging. De opleiding is geaccrediteerd door de SKGV (Stichting Kwaliteitsregister Geestelijke Verzorgers), en kan ook in deeltijd worden gevolgd.Deze opleiding in Groningen is niet gebonden aan één specifieke religie of levensbeschouwing. Wie een ambtelijke functie binnen een levensbeschouwelijk genootschap wil bekleden, heeft aanvullende scholing nodig. |
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
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Enrollment in the MA is possible if you hold a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, Theology, or another Bachelor in Arts/Humanities (for instance International Organizations, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy), Political Sciences or Social Sciences (for instance Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology). A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, 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:
Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme. NB: There are specific admission requirements for the Dutch-taught Master's track Spiritual Care (Geestelijke Verzorging). For more information, see the programme page of this track: www.rug.nl/gv 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 |
| language test |
Please note: an English language test for Dutch students is only required if you do not have a Dutch diploma. Language requirements:
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. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Culture | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Hebrew Language and Culture | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Classics (part-time), Classical Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| History, History (part-time) | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Arabische Taal en Cultuur | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Islam en Arabisch | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Middle Eastern Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Ancient Near Eastern Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Sociology | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Ancient Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Religious Studies | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Theology | All Research universities |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
| Study programme | Organization | Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | University of Groningen |
No additional requirements More information:A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature. |
All students need to apply via Studielink.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| Specific requirements | More information |
|---|---|
| previous education |
Enrollment in the MA is possible if you hold a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, Theology, Arts/Humanities (e.g. International Organizations, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy), Political Sciences or Social Sciences (e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology). A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, 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:
Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme. NB: There are specific admission requirements for the Dutch-taught Master's track Spiritual Care (Geestelijke Verzorging). For more information, see the programme page of this track: www.rug.nl/gv 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 |
| language test |
Language requirements for students with an international diploma:
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. |
All students need to apply via Studielink.
| Type of student | Deadline | Start course |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| non-EU/EEA students | 01 May 2027 | 01 September 2027 |
| Nationality | Year | Fee | Programme form |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 2694 | full-time |
| non-EU/EEA | 2026-2027 | € 19900 | 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:
If you want to become a teacher of religion in secondary education you can additionally follow the Educational Master's programme. If you want to pursue an academic career, you can follow one of the tracks track as a specialization within the Research Master's programme.
With a degree in Theology and Religious Studies, you can work as an advisor or policymaker. You can find a job in the media and in journalism, or enter the field of education. You can also pursue a research career at a university or research institution. As a spiritual caregiver you can work in care facilities.
Check our alumni page to find out where our alumni ended up after graduating.
The programme directly benefits from cutting-edge research carried out within the three departments of the faculty:
The course units are taught by internationally recognized scholars. They will provide you with an up-to-date overview of the state of the art of the subjects you are studying, often drawing on their own research.
Much of the research connects with the activities of:
These centres and research groups regularly invite speakers and organise events where students, PhD students and staff engage in lively discussions.
If you do not have a bachelor's degree in either the Humanities, Arts or Behavioural and Social Sciences, generally speaking you first need to complete a pre-master's programme before you can enter this master's programme. Below, you will find the complete programme of the English taught tracks of the one-year master's programme in Theology and Religious Studies..
1st semester (30 ECTS)
2nd semester (30 ECTS)
For the Dutch taught track Spiritual Care (Geestelijke Verzorging) also applies a pre-master programme, generally speaking. You can read more about the details - and the exemptions - on this page.
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.
