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Seminaries

Within the School of Religion and Theology, nine seminaries are affiliated with various ecclesiastical and religious traditions. These seminaries offer diverse training pathways that prepare students for their future roles as spiritual caregivers, spiritual leaders, pastors, or ministers within their own faith traditions. Each seminary does this with specific attention to its own theological identity and practice.

The different seminaries each provide their own component of education. Starting from the bachelor's programme in Theologie en Religiewetenschappen (in Dutch), they contribute to the training, with the aim of optimally preparing students for the master's program. The master's and/or post-academic tracks at each seminary offer further deepening and specialization, aimed at spiritual ministry or other theological-professional roles.

Each seminary offers its own specific educational path, which varies by tradition and program. Below, the different paths are explained. We encourage you to contact the seminaries directly for more information about their specific programs and opportunities.

Seminaries

  • Baptist Seminary

    The Baptist Seminary runs the degree programme for future theologians and pastors in Dutch Baptist and Cama churches, and increasingly for the broader setting of free and evangelical churches.

  • The Buddhist Seminary

    The Buddhist Seminary provides education for Buddhist Spiritual caregivers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Buddhist spiritual caregivers (also known as Buddhist chaplains) play a crucial role in providing support during crisis situations and addressing existential questions.

  • Centre for Theology of Migration

    The CThM offers a one-year post-academic ministerial training program for international/migrant pastors and church leaders, commissioned by SKIN (Samen Kerk in Nederland). CThM focuses on the study of migrant churches both as an academic discipline and as preparation for, or a complement to, practical ministry. In addition, CThM aims to be a center of expertise for education and academic research in the field of migrant churches.

  • Centre for Islamic Theology

    The CIT offers an Islam-track within the Bachelor program Theology and Religious Studies. The Bachelor Islamic Theology is the first officially recognized and the only university program for Islamic theology in the Netherlands. The Center also offers a Minor on Islam and a Minor in Arabic and Sources of Islam. At the Master level, the CIT offers the one-year Master program in Islamic Spiritual Care within the Master program in Theology & Religious Studies: Spiritual Care. Graduated students can subsequently pursue the one-year Islamic Post-Academic Training (Ambtsopleiding). The Islamic Post-Academic Training also offers the opportunity for further training and professionalization for imams, spiritual leaders, administrators, and spiritual care counselors. Furthermore, it is possible to pursue the Research Master's in Theology & Religious Studies with focus on Islam.

  • Mennonite Seminary

    The Mennonite Seminary (Doopsgezind Seminarium) is the academic institution of the General Mennonite Society (ADS) for theological education, research and training from an Anabaptist-Mennonite perspective in an ecumenical and multi-religious context.

    The focus is on History, Peace & Justice and Philosophy on a basis of theological reflection, knowledge, competence and inspiration.

  • Restored Reformed Seminary

    The Restored Reformed Seminarium provides the theological education of the Restored Reformed Church at VU Amsterdam.

    Within the bachelor's degree in Theology and Religious Studies and the master's degree in Theology and Religious Studies, students can follow a track that, in terms of ecclesiastical requirements, is tailored to those of the Hersteld Hervormde Kerk.

  • Hindu Seminary

    The Hindu Seminary is proud of its collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The seminary offers high-quality academic programs with a focus on Hindu spirituality, yoga, business and leadership, sustainability, and spiritual care. Also available are courses and guidance in bachelor's programs, pre-masters, master's programs, and offer post-academic programs inspired by classical Hindu texts, traditions, and contemporary Hindu perspectives and practices.

    The courses are designed for students and professionals from diverse backgrounds—whether they aspire to a career in spiritual care or seek a deeper understanding of and engagement with Hindu worldviews. 

  • International Baptist Theological Study Centre

    The International Baptist Theological Study Center Amsterdam (IBTS) and the School of Religion and Theology of VU Amsterdam together offer PhD programs. Our students conduct research and publish on a wide range of historical, missiological, ethical and theological topics. In addition, there is an English-taught Master in Baptist Histories and Theologies.

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