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Discover the role of religion in people’s lives

Theology and Religious Studies

Please note this Bachelor’s programme will only be available in Dutch for students who start the programme from September 2025 onwards. The last cohort in the English programme started in September 2024.

For more information on the programme in Dutch, please go to this page.

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.

Different religions under one roof: dialogical learning in an interfaith setting

In this 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.

Specialisations

  • Theology
    Prefer to focus on the theology of 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 Restored Reformed seminary, the Protestantse Theologie or the Mennonite-Anabaptist seminary.  You can also opt for following an Evangelical-Reformed track within this profile. 
  • Islam
    Want to delve into the Koran and Hadith? Select Islamic profile courses. 
  • Religious Studies
    Interested in academically studying religion in historical and contemporary contexts? Do you want to specialise in Buddhism or Hinduism? Select this profile.

Read more about the content for each specialisation below. 

Facts and Figures

Choose a specialisation

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.

Change your future with the Theology and Religious Studies programme

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. The programme trains you to listen without judgement. 

With your broad 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.

Explore your future prospects
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