Theology and Religious Studies: Exploring a Discipline

Check whether you meet the programme requirements and apply

• I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor’s degree (VU Bachelor’s degree, VU pre-master's or Bachelor’s degree at another university)

  To be accepted for one of our Master’s tracks, you need to have at least the following two qualifications: 

  • a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Social Studies or related studies, Humanities, Psychology or Law; this will need to have been obtained from an accredited research university. You must have at least three full years of academic study, amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. You may also apply if you have a Bachelor’s degree in a different discipline provided it is from a research-oriented university; in this case you will need to do a pre-master’s programme (in Dutch) in Theology and/or Religious Studies.
  • an introduction to World Religions, non-Christian Religions or Religious Literacy. This could be part of your Bachelor’s degree, a separate course or the do-it-yourself course Religious Literacy. If you do the Harvard mooc, make sure that you do the test and receive a certificate in time.

  You are directly admissible if you have a:

  • a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (CHE) Hogeschool Viaa, or Hogeschool Windesheim, with an integrated academic minor (academische opstapminor)
  • a HBO degree from the Reinwardt Academie with the minor Religieus Erfgoed in Amsterdam

  English Language Requirements

  If you are applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results.  

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page

• I have a Dutch higher vocational education (HBO) Bachelor’s degree (pre-master's)

  Dutch students with a related HBO degree can apply for a pre-master’s programme in Theology and/or Religious Studies. Entry requirements are mentioned on the  pre-master’s programme in Theology & Religious Studies. Our Admission Board will have to approve your application. 

  Registration via Studielink for the pre-master's Theology & Religious Studies is possible until 1 August at the latest. First select 'Bachelor's or other non-master's programs' in Studielink and then the pre-master's.

  Dutch students with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at the Christelijke Hogeschool Ede (CHE) Hogeschool Viaa, or Hogeschool Windesheim with an integrated academic minor (academische opstapminor) can be accepted into the MA programme.

  Dutch students with a HBO degree from the Reinwardt Academie with a completed minor Religieus Erfgoed in Amsterdam can be accepted to the MA programme; track Exploring a Discipline.
  
  How to apply

  1. Apply for the Premaster or Master’s programme in Studielink. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your VU Dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your VU Dashboard and complete your application: Application file pre-master or Application file Master

  Please note: students of the School of Religion and Theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam do NOT need to upload the application file. However, students need to complete the application. Choose the option to upload the documents at a later time

  3.   Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed and you will be notified whether you have been admitted or whether you must first meet additional requirements.

  4.   Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Master or pre-Master’s has been received by 31 August so that you can complete your registration by then.

  5.Please check if you have to take an English language test. See the English language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

  English Language Requirements

  This pre-master's programme prepares students for an English specialization of the MA Theology and Religious Studies.

  When applying for one of our English-taught Master's degree programmes you will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency by submitting English test results.  

  Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted. 

  You can find an overview of all accepted tests and scores that can be used to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page

• Application with a Dutch degree

  How to apply

  1. Apply for the Premaster or Master’s programme in Studielink by 1 August. After applying in Studielink you will receive login information for your VU Dashboard. See also Additional information on the enrolment procedure.
  2. Add the requested Application File to your VU Dashboard and complete your application: Application file pre-master or Application file Master

  Please note: students of the School of Religion and Theology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam do NOT need to upload the application file. However, students need to complete the application. Choose the option to upload the documents at a later time

  3.   Upon receipt of your application, your admission request will be processed and you will be notified whether you have been admitted or whether you must first meet additional requirements.

  4.   Ensure that your payment of tuition fees for the Master or pre-Master’s has been received by 31 August so that you can complete your registration by then.

  5.Please check if you have to take an English language test. See the English language requirement page for the steps you need to complete.

• I have an international degree

  Students must meet the following admission requirements:

  1.  Academic requirements

  Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years). Please find more information about your admissibility with a non-Dutch degree here. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score. 

  2. Programme-specific requirements 

  • 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.  
  • Students with Bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines are also welcome to apply, provided that the degree obtained is from a research-oriented university. Before the start of the academic year the student needs to have an intake with the coordinator of the specialisation. The aim of this intake is to discuss possible deficiencies in theological knowledge of the student. 

  How to demonstrate that you meet the above requirements 

  You are required to indicate how you meet the programme specific admission requirements in your Application Form. The Admission Board will evaluate your Application Form and decide if your academic background is sufficient to gain admission to the programme. 

   3. English-language proficiency requirements  

  You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.  

• Application with an international degree

  Application documents

  To apply you are required to provide the following documents:

  • Scan of your passport or national ID card (ID for EEA students only) valid at the start date of the programme
  • Master Application File please download the correct file from this page. In this file you can see which documents are required to apply for your programme.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if already obtained): upload your proof of English language proficiency or English language test results. Please find the English language requirements here.

  After having prepared the required documents, please follow the online application procedure. 

  Application fee & deadlines

  All students seeking admission to an international Master’s programme with an international degree are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee. Only after you have paid this fee will we be able to start the evaluation of your application file. If you are applying for more than one programme, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Your application fee payment is valid for two years.
  
  Information on how to apply with an international university degree and deadlines can be found here. 

  Grants and scholarships

  As an international student planning to study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries. Detailed information about scholarships and deadlines can be found on www.vu.nl/scholarships or www.grantfinder.nl.

  International Student and Alumni Ambassadors 

  Our International Student and Alumni Ambassadors are happy to tell you all about their experiences with studying at VU Amsterdam and living in Amsterdam.

  • Our Student Ambassadors are current students at VU Amsterdam that represent a wide variety of programmes and countries.
  • Our International Alumni Ambassadors are VU Amsterdam graduates who are currently either working in the Netherlands or abroad, or doing a PhD or (second) Master's.

  You will find the full overview of our Ambassadors here: vu.nl/ambassadors. There you can chat with them directly.