Theology and Religious Studies: Research

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)

  Students holding a Bachelor's degree in Theology or Religious studies, Philosophy or Humanistic Studies from a Dutch University are directly eligible for admittance in this Research Master's programme, if they can show

  • an average of 7.5 in their Bachelor's degree programme;
  • or  an average of 7 in the Bachelor’s degree programme, combined with at least an 8 for the Bachelor’s thesis or an accepted academic article in the field of study
  • or an average of 7 in the Bachelor’s degree programme, combined with a Bachelor’s degree in another discipline
  • a letter in which the applicant explains which religious subdiscipline they want to study in their programme, and how this topic relates to the research conducted at the faculty

  Admission to the programme on the basis of another Bachelor’s degree will be assessed by the Admissions Board.

  If you have lower grades, apply for admission in the one-year master Theology and Religion and if your average grades are 7.5 or higher in the first semester, you can request a switch from the one-year master to the Research Master by the first of February. The Examination Board has the final say regarding the switch.

  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)

  A pre-master's programme is not available since applicants must have a university degree to apply for admission to the Master of Arts in Religion and Theology (research).

  However, if you do the general pre-master's, apply for admission in the one-year master Theology and Religion and your average grades are 7.5 or higher in the first semester (four courses, together 24 EC), you can request a switch from the one-year master to the Research Master by the first of February. The Examination Board has the final say regarding the switch.

• Application with a Dutch degree

  If you want to apply for and enrol in a Master's programme at VU Amsterdam, the procedure you need to follow depends on your prior education and whether you obtained your diploma in the Netherlands or abroad.

  Please first check whether or not you are eligible for this programme and then apply.

  You can apply for the Master's programme Theology & Religious Studies: Research via Studielink. The application deadline is: 1 June.

  If you have a Dutch diploma, follow this application procedure.

• 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 

  • Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. 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.  
  • Your grade average needs to be equivalent to (or higher than) a 7.5 in the Dutch grading system. 

  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.

• Tuition fees

  On this page you can find all information about tuition fees at VU Amsterdam.