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Theology and Religious Studies: Religious Studies (research MA) – (M.A.)
University of Amsterdam
Graduate School for Humanities
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| Application Deadline: | Start in 1 September: April (non-EEA: April). | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 1,771 ≈ € 10,500 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Amsterdam / Netherlands / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Amsterdam
The programme not only studies doctrines and established traditions and institutions, but gives due attention to the whole spectrum of religious experience and practices in Western societies.
The focus of the Research Master's programme in 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.
Contents
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.
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
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 an 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.
Written request: Motivation letter 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: Applicants for the Master's programme should have at least a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in a relevant field. The level of the Bachelor's degree must be comparable to that of a Dutch Bachelor's degree. Students belonging to one of the three categories below are eligible to apply for the two-year Research Master's programme in Religious Studies: ââ students who have completed a Dutch university Bachelor's programme in Religious Studies ââ students who have completed another Bachelor's (or equivalent) degree in the humanities (including theology), law or social sciences, which included at least three courses, equalling 30 ECTS credits, in the area of religious studies ââ students who do not meet the formal criteria of the two previous categories but who have completed a Bachelor's programme judged to provide sufficient preparation for the Religious Studies Master. In such cases the admissions committee determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Additional language requirements:
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: A2
- Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English: B1
- IELTS overall band: 7
- IELTS listening: 7
- IELTS reading: 7
- IELTS writing: 7
- IELTS speaking: 7
- TOEFL internet based: 100
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 7.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade A (Score: 80) |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 100 |
Accreditation
Accredited by: NVAO in: Netherlands
Funding details
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
For additional information: Website
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