Western esoteric currents and traditions tend to place a strong emphasis on personal religious experiences as an avenue towards true knowledge about the nature of human beings, the world, and the divine or spiritual reality that is believed to exist behind the screen of appearances. Because such 'mystical' knowledge is assumed to go beyond rational understanding and common language, esoteric currents often express themselves through symbols and myths. This combination has often been seen as problematic by the representatives of mainstream Christian theology, rational philosophy, and modern science. Nevertheless, esoteric spiritualities have been highly influential throughout Western culture – not just in the domains of religion and philosophy, but also in the visual arts, literature, music, and even the natural sciences.

This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate. 

Study schedule

Related Master's programmes

This minor may serve as a good preparation for academic Bachelor’s students who want to apply for admission to a Master's programme in Religious Studies, e.g.: Spirituality and Religion or Religious Studies (Research Master's). Always check the entry requirements on the Application and Admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.

Entry requirements

This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme. 

The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. If you are an HBO student and if you are looking to do a Master's programme at the UvA, please check out our pre-Master's programmes, as completing a minor is not enough to grant you access to Master’s programmes. 

Registration and placement

The registration period for a minor in the academic year 2025-2026 is 1 April - 13 May 2025.

This minor has a limited number of places available. If there are more applications than available places, a lottery will be held. The timing of your application within the specified period will not affect your chances of being placed.

Are you not a UvA student? Please check here for which Bachelor's programme you need to register at the UvA as an elective course student.