Discover the role of religion in people’s lives
Different religions under one roof: dialogical learning in an interfaith setting
When you choose Theology and Religious Studies, you enter the rich and fascinating world of religion and faith. VU Amsterdam is known as a safe space where different religions coexist, side by side. You develop an academic view of what religion and theology mean. You are in constant dialogue with your fellow students.
In the Theology and Religious Studies programme, you can choose your own path. The programme consists of core courses, in-depth courses related to your profile, and electives. The core courses are taught in English and followed by all students, meaning that you study alongside students from different countries, cultures, and faiths. You will learn about the principles and practices of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. Attention is paid to historical developments, doctrines, ethics, and the shared practices and imagery of different religions. You also delve into hermeneutics and the social sciences.
The courses linked to your profile familiarise you with specific disciplines. There are three options:
- Interested in academically studying religion in historical and contemporary contexts? You can focus on courses in Religious Studies. If you want to specialise in Buddhism or Hinduism, select this profile.
- Want to delve into the Koran and Hadith? Select Islamic profile courses.
- Prefer to focus on the theology of a the Christian tradition? Then the theological profile is for you. If you want, you can choose to follow courses within the tradition of one of the Christian seminaries, such as the Baptist seminary, the Evangelical-Reformed, or the Mennonite-Anabaptist seminary. You can also opt for following an Evangelical-Reformed track within this profile.
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Choose a specialization
Religious Studies
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion.
Islam
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam.
Theology
In the first year, you take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology.
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion. You will study diverse religious traditions intensively and learn to study them comparatively. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab.
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a profile: Theories of Religion
- Historical roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Christianity
- Judaism
- Islam
- Religious, Myths, and Rituals
- Research Lab
Second year
In the second year, you will learn religious studies and social science methodologies. Much attention is paid to understanding contemporary religion. You will select three electives from a range of options, such as Buddhism, Mindfulness & Psychology, and Yoga, Business and Leadership.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
Third year
In the first semester, you follow a minor of your own choosing. In the second semester, you take the courses in interreligious relations and comparative religious ethics. You also work in the Research Lab and write your Bachelor’s thesis.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
1st year
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Theories of Religion. You will study diverse religious traditions intensively and learn to study them comparatively. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab.
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a profile: Theories of Religion
- Historical roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Christianity
- Judaism
- Islam
- Religious, Myths, and Rituals
- Research Lab
-
2nd year
Second year
In the second year, you will learn religious studies and social science methodologies. Much attention is paid to understanding contemporary religion. You will select three electives from a range of options, such as Buddhism, Mindfulness & Psychology, and Yoga, Business and Leadership.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
3rd year
Third year
In the first semester, you follow a minor of your own choosing. In the second semester, you take the courses in interreligious relations and comparative religious ethics. You also work in the Research Lab and write your Bachelor’s thesis.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam. You will take courses such as Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah, History of Islam before 1800, and Islamic Philosophy. Other courses include World Religions, Christianity, and Judaism. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab. This profile is bilingual (Dutch and English).
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a Profile: Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah
- Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Christianity
- Judaism
- History of Islam before 1800
- Islamic Philosophy
- Religions, the Media, and Popular Culture
- Research Lab
Second year
In the second year you will study Arabic Tajwid (Quran Recitation). You will study the sources of Islamic law and exegesis (Usūl al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usūl al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’); other courses include (Inter)Religious Hermeneutics and Diversity, and Social Sciences.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
Third year
In the final year, you will follow the Islam minor. Courses include Islam and European Culture, Hadith Studies, Islamic Ethics, Usūl al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usūl al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’ II, Kalām (Islamic Theology), and History of Islam after 1800. You will also take a course on Hinduism. Additionally, you will work in the Research Lab and write your bachelor’s thesis.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
1st year
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Islam. You will take courses such as Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah, History of Islam before 1800, and Islamic Philosophy. Other courses include World Religions, Christianity, and Judaism. You will also work on your research skills in the Research Lab. This profile is bilingual (Dutch and English).
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a Profile: Introduction to the Quran and Sunnah
- Historical Roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Christianity
- Judaism
- History of Islam before 1800
- Islamic Philosophy
- Religions, the Media, and Popular Culture
- Research Lab
-
2nd year
Second year
In the second year you will study Arabic Tajwid (Quran Recitation). You will study the sources of Islamic law and exegesis (Usūl al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usūl al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’); other courses include (Inter)Religious Hermeneutics and Diversity, and Social Sciences.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
3rd year
Third year
In the final year, you will follow the Islam minor. Courses include Islam and European Culture, Hadith Studies, Islamic Ethics, Usūl al Fiqh ‘Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence,’ Usūl al-Tafsir ‘Exegesis of the Quran’ II, Kalām (Islamic Theology), and History of Islam after 1800. You will also take a course on Hinduism. Additionally, you will work in the Research Lab and write your bachelor’s thesis.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology. You will learn Hebrew and focus on Biblical Theology and Old Testament. In addition, you will learn about world religions, philosophy, and the historical roots of contemporary issues.
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a profile: Christian Theology
- Historical roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Hebrew + OT I
- Hebrew + OT II
- Hebrew + OT III
- Dogmatics or a Tradition-Specific course
- Research Lab
Second year
In the second year, there are three modules on Greek and New Testament. You will develop exegetical skills and take courses on Practical Theology and Dogmatics, next to courses such as (inter)religious hermeneutics and social sciences. If so desired, you can study the contested history of religions in Amsterdam. You can also take tradition-specific courses.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
Third year
In the third year, you will select a minor, write your bachelor’s thesis and work in the Research Lab. You will also take Exegesis at an advanced level.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
1st year
First year
In the first year, you will take courses in theology and religious studies and explore a profile, Christian theology. You will learn Hebrew and focus on Biblical Theology and Old Testament. In addition, you will learn about world religions, philosophy, and the historical roots of contemporary issues.
Subjects
- World Religions
- Exploring a profile: Christian Theology
- Historical roots of Contemporary Religious Issues
- History of World Philosophies
- Hebrew + OT I
- Hebrew + OT II
- Hebrew + OT III
- Dogmatics or a Tradition-Specific course
- Research Lab
-
2nd year
Second year
In the second year, there are three modules on Greek and New Testament. You will develop exegetical skills and take courses on Practical Theology and Dogmatics, next to courses such as (inter)religious hermeneutics and social sciences. If so desired, you can study the contested history of religions in Amsterdam. You can also take tradition-specific courses.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
-
3rd year
Third year
In the third year, you will select a minor, write your bachelor’s thesis and work in the Research Lab. You will also take Exegesis at an advanced level.
Subjects
You can peruse the complete course overview for this year in the Course Catalogue
Change your future with the Theology and Religious Studies programme
In Theology and Religious Studies, you develop an academic vision of what religion and theology mean. You are in constant dialogue with your fellow students. You retain your own individuality, while also looking beyond the borders of your own religion. You are encouraged to go abroad during your studies, and to get involved in the international research of your lecturers. To prepare you for your later work in international field, many courses are taught in English—after all, the future of theology and religious studies is global.
The programme gives you a wide-ranging perspective on world events and trains you to listen without judgement. With your broad, international Bachelor’s degree, you could work as a consultant, journalist or pioneer in a religious community. Alternatively, you can opt for one of our Master’s programmes.
