Religious Studies
What role does religion play in conflicts, radicalization, migration, and climate change? And can freedom of speech and freedom of religion coexist, or does one exclude the other?
Religion matters. Worldwide, 85% of the population identify themselves as religious. In the Bachelor’s programme, you study people's behavior and thinking, and you explore how religion gives meaning to people’s lives, and the way people practice religion.
In class, you won't discuss to what extent religions are 'true'; instead, you examine what people and societies do with religion and the impact this has locally, regionally, and globally. Beacuse it's beyond question religion plays a key role in today’s pressing issues: from climate change and sustainability to radicalization, heritage, sexual health, migration, war, and peace.
The programme is broad and interdisciplinary. You will study religion and world religions from multiple perspectives - such as history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, political science, and philosophy - and discover the many ways in which religion drives and influences society.
Understanding religion is key to understanding today’s world, and experts who can analyze and explain the impact of religion are essential today.
Why study this programme in Groningen?
- regularly voted as a top rated programme in The Netherlands, at a top 100 university;
- taught entirely in English;
- unique combination of anthropology, sociology, psychology, (art) history, political science, philosophy and ethics.
- international teachers and students;
- small classes with intensive supervision;
- programme relates latest research and theories to current developments;
- taught at a non-denominational university;
- Groningen is a vibrant yet safe place to live.
- Transcript of Records – If you have not yet completed Secondary School, you must upload a transcript showing your current grades. You can find the transcript template here.
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate – If you have already completed Secondary School, you do not need to upload a separate transcript. Simply upload your Secondary School Leaving Certificate to the application.
An additional documents, Statement of Education / Course description, may be required depending on the programme you apply for at this university.
If any document is required, it will appear in the Documents section of the Kastu application form once you start your application.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the country where you completed your previous education.
You may not need to take IELTS or TOEFL. University usually allow you to prove your English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- A national English examination listed on your secondary school leaving certificate
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme, your secondary school qualification and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
When you apply, our student adviser will contact you to set up a skype meeting to talk about your motivation for and expectations of the bachelor's programme in Religious Studies.
List of the jobs held by our alumni:
- Care: spiritual carer at a care institution, independent therapist.
- Policy & Management: policy officer / advisor with a government institution, cultural institution or political party, staff member/advisor for an aid organization, embassy staff, security advisor to the military, etc.
- Education: religious studies teacher, education officer.
- Academia: researcher at a university or research institute.
- Culture: employee at museum
- Media: journalist, editor.
