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Theology and Religious Studies: Research, Master Degree, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time, Part-time	2 years	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 17480 per year

About Theology and Religious Studies: Research, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Master's programme Theology and Religious Studies: Research engages you with ins and outs of academic research in a specialized area within theology or religious studies. Your religious convictions are the starting point of a journey, in which you will learn to critically develop your own worldview in dialogue with others.

Endorsing dialogue about theology and religious studies among (young) academics of diverse religious convictions is the first aspect that make this programme unique. Second aspect is developing a sustainable Talent Policy which trains you in the ins and outs of academic research.

Next to compulsory courses, during your Research Master's programme you will enroll in a number of specializations in your field of interest. And, note, there is a lot of freedom in how you will finally organize your programme. We encourage our students to become a community of learners and to engage with the Faculty's life and research.

We offer ten subjects that you can study in depth, but you can also put together a study package that suits your interests:

Biblical studies and digital humanities

Conflicting Identities in early Christianity

Contextual bible interpretation

Bible translations

History of religious migration

Interreligious Studies

Reformed and evalangical theology

Peace, trauma and religion

Buddhism in the west

Islam in the west

Learn more about Theology and Religious Studies: Research, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty's Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

In order to gain admission to one of our Master's programmes, you will need to have at least a Bachelor's degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent.

Specific admission requirements for the Master's Programme Theology and Religious Studies

Students with a Bachelor's degree in Theology or Religious Studies from a university abroad will only be admitted following an assessment of their degree by the admissions board. Your grade average needs to be equivalent to (or higher than) a 7.5 in the Dutch grading system.

General English language proficiency requirements

VU Amsterdam requires all applicants to take an English test. You can, however, begin your application without having the test results. Exceptions are made for students who have completed a bachelor or master in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia.

The minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to this master programme are:

IELTS: 6.5 overall
TOEFL Internet-based test: 92 overall
Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Need financial assistance? Read about scholarships: Scholarships for Master's programmes

Student reviews of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.