The application deadline for this selective Master's programme was 1 March 2023, 23:59 CET for students with a Dutch or other EU/EER nationality (register in Studielink two days before, see step 3).

Please note: if you are an applicant with an EU/EEA nationality and wish to apply for housing, you must submit your application by 1 March.

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

The Research Master's programme in Religious Studies is open for application to students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in the humanities, law or social sciences with a minimum of 30 ECTS (equivalent to a full-time semester of academic studies) taken in the field of Religious Studies. You are expected to have an awareness of basic theoretical notions in the field of Religious Studies.

Student profile

You will be considered for admission to this Research Master’s programme if you meet the entry requirements and can demonstrate the following knowledge, insight and skills:

• you have excellent research skills at Bachelor’s level and you are able to conduct research independently (i.e. collecting material, applying theory, and writing a thesis);
• you have a strong academic interest in the analysis of spirituality and religion in the history of Western culture and in contemporary societies;
• you have a willingness to engage in interdisciplinary research cutting across methodological and traditional disciplinary boundaries.

You are expected to convincingly demonstrate in the motivation form that your background and academic interest in the field will allow you to successfully complete this study programme.

Grade average

If you wish to apply for a Research Master's programme, you are expected to have obtained at least the following grade average:

• A/3.6 (American system)
• 2.1 HONS (an upper second class honours degree in the British system)
• B (ECTS-system), or 
• 7.5 (Dutch system)

If your grade average is lower, you can still apply, particularly if you obtained a sufficient grade average for the courses related to the Research Master’s programme and/or courses taken in the advanced phase of your prior education. Please include an explanation in your Motivation form.

Selection procedure

All prospective students are subject to a selection process. We will compare your file to that of other applicants. Distinguish yourself with solid basic academic knowledge in the field of study, sufficient test scores and a convincing and enthusiastic explanation of your motivation.

Hbo-bachelor not eligible

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo). We do not offer a pre-Master’s programme (pre-master or schakelprogramma) for this Master's.

English language requirements

Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test. See the English language requirements on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.

Applicants for Religious Studies need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Theology and Religious Studies (Research). 

It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).

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 fee

All applicants holding a nationality outside the EU/EEA are required to pay an application fee of €100 per Studielink enrolment before submitting your MyInfo application form. You will find payment instructions on your application form.

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);
• motivation form (PDF);
• programme specific documents (see below).

*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 May (non-EEA students) or 1 August (EEA students).

Programme-specific document

Write a research proposal related to the analysis of spirituality and religion in the history of Western culture and in contemporary societies. The research proposal should include the following elements: title, introduction, research question(s), scientific background, methodology and bibliography (max. 2000 words). Please upload this proposal as a programme-specific document in MyInfo.