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We advise that you submit your application as well as the application documents as early as possible, rather than wait until the application deadline. The sooner you enrol, the sooner we will be able to inform you about your enrolment request.

Application deadlines

Please check the deadlines below very carefully, because they are strict. Missing one of the deadlines means that your application cannot be processed. 

  • I have a Dutch nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 3 of the application process)
    8 May 2025, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 5)
    15 May 2025, 23:59 CET

  • I have an EU/EEA-nationality

    If you wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 3 of the application process)
    23 February 2025, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 5)
    1 March 2025, 23:59 CET
     

    If you do NOT wish to apply for housing

    Register in Studielink (see step 3 of the application process)
    8 May 2025, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 5)
    15 May 2025, 23:59 CET

  • I have a non-EU/EEA nationality

    Register in Studielink (see step 3 of the application process)
    23 February 2025, 23:59 CET

    Submit complete application (see step 5)
    1 March 2025, 23:59 CET

    If you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January, and register in Studielink by 8 January. Learn more at:

Application process

Please make sure to follow the steps of the application process carefully to ensure that your application can be processed.

  • 1. Check entry requirements: prior education

    You are eligible to apply for admission if you hold an academic Bachelor's degree from an accredited research university in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law or Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of Religious Studies or any other area (such as history, cultural studies or art studies) that is pertinent to the study of Spirituality and/or Religion.

    If you obtained your degree outside the Netherlands, the minimum level of your diploma should be at least equivalent to or comparable to three years of a Dutch research-oriented university. The assessment of whether your degree is considered equivalent will be completed by professional diploma evaluators according to the guidelines set forth by Nuffic, the independent organisation for internationalisation in education in the Netherlands. More information on this assessment can be found on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

    Pre-Master’s

    If you do not meet the entry requirements above, for example if you have a relevant degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) or an equivalent thereof, you might be eligible to eliminate your deficiencies by completing the pre-Master’s programme in Spirituality and Religion first. The Admissions Board will determine if your academic background is sufficient for admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme. Admission to the (pre-)Master’s programme is not guaranteed.

  • 2. Check entry requirements: language proficiency

    New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully on the page below whether:

    • you already meet the English language requirements based on your prior education; or
    • you need to arrange to take an official English language test. If you have serious reasons to believe you should be exempted from taking an official English language test, you will need to file a strongly motivated, official exemption request at the Graduate School of Humanities’ Examinations Board. Please note that there is a strict deadline in place for such a request, which is one month prior to the Master's application deadline.
  • 3. Register for the Master's in Theology and Religious Studies in Studielink
  • 4. Pay the application fee (international prior education only)

    All students applying for a Master’s degree programme with an international bachelor’s diploma are required to pay a non-refundable €100 application fee*. Only after you have paid this fee, the UvA can start to process your application.

    Applying for programmes at multiple Graduate Schools?

    It can take up to 24 hours for your fee payment to be registered in SIS and you are able to submit your application in MyInfo or Datanose. Make sure to pay your application fee at least 24 hours before the application deadline of your programme.

    You do not have to pay the application fee:

    • If you have or will obtain a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO).
    • If you have already applied and have paid the application fee for another master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2025-2026.
    • If you are an exchange student.
    • If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF).

    Please note that the application fee is non-refundable. You are not entitled to a refund even if you do not submit your application form, if you submit an application form after the deadline (which will not be taken into consideration) or if you submit an incomplete application.

  • 5. Submit your application form in MyInfo

    After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

    Application documents

    Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

    • curriculum vitae;
    • proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
    • transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
    • diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
    • translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French).

    This programme does not require additional programme-specific documents, such as a motivation letter. Only the above-mentioned documents are taken into consideration by the Admissions Board.

    *Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 August.

After submitting your application

Once we have received your complete application, it will be evaluated by our Admissions Board. This programme offers rolling admissions, meaning you will receive an admission decision within 10 to 12 weeks. It is therefore advisable to complete your application well before the deadline.

If you are admitted to the programme, you will receive a letter of conditional acceptance. In order to proceed with your enrolment, you must accept this offer at your earliest convenience. Read more about the steps you need to take after (conditional) acceptance on the website of the Graduate School of Humanities:

Frequently Asked Questions
  • What knowledge, insight and skills should I have?

    As a student in the Master’s programme in Spirituality and Religion you are expected to have the following knowledge, insight and skills:

    • You are expected to have an awareness of basic theoretical notions in the study of religion and religious traditions.
    • You are familiar with basic concepts and have basic knowledge of some religious traditions or the role of religion in society.
    • You are interested in questions relating to spirituality and its interplay with religion. You have a strong interest either in esotericism and spirituality, spirituality and religion in contemporary societies, or Islamic spirituality and religion. 
    • You have an inquisitive mind and enjoy doing historical, cultural or social scientific research into religion, and wish to communicate your research.
    • You want to contribute to a better understanding of how the role of religion in society is changing today.
  • Can I apply for more than one Master's programme?

    Yes, you can apply for up to a maximum of four Master’s programmes. Some Master’s programmes offer different tracks. You indicate in Studielink which track you want to follow, and for this you submit an application file via MyInfo. It is possible to submit a second preference for a track within the same master via the contact form. Please note that we will only look at the second track if you are not (conditionally) admitted to the track of your first preference. If you are (conditionally) admitted to the track of your first choice, this does not mean that you will also be admitted to the track of your second choice.

    Due to the selection procedure, it is not possible to enter a selective track as your second choice. If you are interested in a selective track, you must select it as your first choice. 

  • Can I apply before having completed my Bachelor's?

    Many applicants to Master's programmes have not finished their previous education when they apply. If this applies to you, then you can upload a transcript of records with the courses and grades obtained so far. Make sure to also include a list of courses from your Bachelor's that you still need to complete. This applies to the scholarship applications as well.