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.

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 an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least an

• 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 you obtained a  lower grade averages you can  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

Because of the limited number of places available, 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 motivation letter.

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 (schakelprogramma) for this Master's.

English language requirements

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.

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).

All students applying for a Master’s programme with a non-Dutch degree must pay a non-refundable application fee of €100. The UvA cannot start processing your application until this fee has been paid. You can pay the application fee by credit card (Master or Visacard) or iDEAL.

You do not have to pay the application fee:

• If you have obtained or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree from a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences (HBO);
• If you have the Dutch or Surinamese nationality;
• If you have already applied and paid the application fee for another Master’s programme at the UvA for the academic year 2024-2025;
• If you have already applied and paid the application fee for a Master's programme at the Graduate School of Humanities for the academic year 2023-2024;
• If you have started a UvA Master’s programme in 2021, 2022 or 2023;
• If you are applying through the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF) and/or have an official refugee status in the Netherlands (as stated on your residence permit).

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);
• 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 August.

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.

You will be considered for admission to this Research Master’s programme if you have 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.

Yes, you can apply for up to a maximum of four Master’s programmes. Some Master’s programmes offer different tracks. You may apply for a maximum of two tracks within the same Master's. If you wish to do so, you can select a second track in the MyInfo application form. Note that we will start by processing the track of your first choice. Only if you are not conditionally admitted to your first track will we continue to process your second track. If you are conditionally admitted to your first track, your application to the second track will be cancelled.

Please note that it is not possible to choose a selective track as your second choice option. If you are interested in a selective track or programme, be sure to put that as your first choice.

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.