Theology and Religious Studies: Religious Studies (research)

Religious Studies fosters an interdisciplinary approach to religion: theories and methods from the social sciences, literature, cultural analysis, history and philosophy are taught and discussed.

The focus of the Research Master's programme Religious Studies is on religious plurality in the Western world: differences within religions, differences between religions, and new phenomena such as radical individualisation that reshuffle the religious landscape. The programme not only studies official doctrines and established traditions and institutions, but also gives due attention to the whole spectrum of religious experience and practices in Western societies. The programme fosters an interdisciplinary approach to religion: theories and methods from the social sciences, literature, cultural analysis, history and philosophy are taught and discussed. The programme gains coherence through the combination of an empirical focus on religion within Western cultures, a theoretical focus on religious plurality and a methodological focus on interdisciplinary research.

The Research programme in Religious Studies prepares participants for entry into a related PhD programme. The programme strives to integrate seminars, tutorials and research. Courses are related to the teaching staff's research, and students can join in research activities initiated by staff. They can specialise in a social science, literary or historical track and can also choose to focus on a specific religion through electives and tutorials (see the one-year programmes in Religious Studies and Western Esotericism).

Programme outline

The Research programme in Religious Studies yields 120 ECTS credits:

• 36 credits for core courses
• 36 credits for electives
• 18 credits for tutorials
• and 30 credits for a Master's thesis or internship/ research report

The specific number of credits a student is required to obtain through coursework is determined by the admissions committee and is based on the student's previous qualifications. Fulfilment of all the requirements will take at least two years. Students with a related Master's degree should be able to complete the programme in one year (66 ECTS credits: 36 credits for core courses and 30 credits for a Master's thesis).

Electives

Students can choose courses from one or more of the programmes within the Master Theology and Religious Studies. Options currently offered in English are Religious Studies (including the specialisations in Biblical Studies and Religious Pluralism in Europe) and Western Esotericism. Additional Dutch-taught programmes are: Islam in de moderne wereld and Religie en identiteit in de moderne wereld. The flexible set-up also accommodates combinations of these options.

Tutorials

Tutorials are given in small groups of up to five students and supervised by specialists. They provide students with the intellectual skills necessary for working in a specialised area within an interdisciplinary context. They also offer an intellectually challenging and stimulating environment in which students can study, discuss and gain specialised insight into topics and projects that are of interest to them.

The tutorials that are offered vary according to the number of students enrolled in the programme and the students individual research interests. In the study plan that students submit with their application they can indicate which topics are of particular interest to them.

Thesis

The Master's thesis reports on research carried out by the student under the supervision of two academic staff members involved in the programme. The subject of the thesis must be mutually agreed upon by the student and the academic adviser(s).

Degree requirements

Students who successfully complete this programme receive a Master's degree in Theology and Religious Studies and the title Master of Arts (MA).

Credit transfer

Students who show exceptional promise during a regular or professional Master's programme are encouraged to continue their studies in a Research programme. Once students are admitted to the Research Master's programme, they can transfer credits earned during their previous course of study towards their Research Master's degree. The examination committee determines which courses qualify for transfer.

Written request: State in about 300 words why you wish to attend this specific programme. In addition: A sample of your best academic written work in English of ten to twenty pages maximum. This may be (an extract of) a paper or thesis written by you in English or an English summary of a paper/thesis written by you in another language. Previous education: The Research Master’s in Religious Studies is open to all students with a Bachelor’s diploma from the UvA, or a recognised equivalent from another accredited university in: - Religious Studies Or a university Bachelor’s diploma in: - The Humanities* - The Social Sciences* - Law* *Only if you successfully followed courses in Religious Studies worth 30 ECTS credits. The level of the Bachelor's diploma from a foreign higher education institution must be equal to three years of Dutch university education (to be judged by the Examinations Board). Prospective students with Bachelor’s degrees (university) other than those mentioned above can nonetheless apply for admission to the programme. The Examinations Board will in such cases take a look at the content of the prospective student’s Bachelor programme, his/her study results and general motivation. Language test: IELTS: average score 7 TOEFL: score 100 Cambridge Advanced English: score A Cambridge Proficiency in English: score B Grade average: If you wish to apply for a Research MA programme you are expected to have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least: - A/3.8 (American system), - 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system), - B (ECTS-system), or 7.5 (Dutch system). Admission will not be granted based on a sufficient grade point average only. Additional language requirements:Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A2Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: B1IELTS overall band: 7IELTS listening: 7IELTS reading: 7IELTS writing: 7IELTS speaking: 7TOEFL internet based: 100 English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test: 100

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Scholarships / Grants:

The University of Amsterdam:
The University of Amsterdam provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships have specifically been designed to offer talented, ambitious and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue a Mast
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Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: The Netherlands