Theology and Religious Studies: Spirituality and Religion

In the Religious Studies Master’s programme you will study the changing role of religion and spirituality in contemporary societies and their historical roots. The programme trains students to use historical methods in tandem with social-scientific ones. Within the programme, you choose to specialise in Spirituality and Esotericism in Western Culture or in the study of Religion and Spirituality in Contemporary Societies. There is also the possibility to specialise in Spirituality and Religion in Islam.

You will learn to conduct research from a critical perspective, to work with archival and other primary sources, and to present your results in an elaborate,  coherent way. Upon completion of the programme, you will have a firm grasp of the historical roots of spirituality and the changing role of religion in society. You can use this in your future careers in such fields as research, policy, education, or in the cultural sector.

The Master’s in Spirituality and Religion at the University of Amsterdam is unique in the world in its exclusive focus on spirituality and religion. It offers, among others, courses on Western esotericism and on the changing place of spirituality and religion in contemporary society. This one-year programme is taught in English, and welcomes both Dutch and international students from a broad range of disciplines.