Heritage and Religion
How can museums deal with collections from colonial pasts? What is the significance of religious heritage in a secular society? And how is heritage be used by minorities to protect their traditions?
Heritage has become a significance topic in today’s political and cultural debates. Across Europe, many religious buildings are losing their original function. Governments and the EU are investing millions in plans for conservation and adaptive re-use. Meanwhile, tourism and pilgrimage to religious objects, sites, and festivals are booming - raising urgent questions about sustainability and cultural impact of heritage.
At the same time, migration and secularization reshape religious identities of communities, and their relationship to the past. War, displacement, demographic change, and climate crisis put both material and immaterial heritage at risk. Preservation is urgent, yet resources are limited and interests often clash. How can these tensions be navigated?
This is a unique interdisciplinary track at the interface of religion, identity, history, politics, and heritage studies. You are challenged to develop your own position and voice to debates. And during your placement, you will be able to apply your critical and analytical skills to the real dilemmas and challenges facing the heritage sector nowadays.
Cambridge C1/CAE or Cambridge C2/CPE certificate with a min. score of 180.
IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5 (min. 6.0 in all categories)
TOEFL iBT*: overall score 90 (min. 18 in Reading and Listening, 20 in Speaking, 21 in Writing)
TOEFL iBT*: overall score 4.5 (min. 4 in Reading, Listening, and Speaking, 4.5 in Writing
Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Arts, Humanities, Philosophy, Social Sciences (e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology) or Spatial Sciences (specialization Cultural Geography). A reading package will be provided in advance. At the start of the programme, we assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature.
If you have completed a Bachelor's degree other than in one of the disciplines described above, you still have direct access to the MA if you:
- have completed the university minor Art and Religion, Anthropology, Religion in the Modern World, or Climate Change and Inequality; or
- can demonstrate the completion of 30 ETCS worth of subjects in the previous degree programme that have introduced you to History, Cultural Studies, Heritage Studies, Archaeology, Architecture, Art History, or Spatial Sciences (Cultural Geography).
Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme.
A selection of previous education programmes is shown below under 'Transfer options'. However, this list is not complete. If your study programme is not listed, this does not automatically mean that you will not be admitted to the Master's programme. In case of doubts or questions, feel free to contact the study advisor: studyadvice.rcs@rug.nl
Job prospects
You can advise or write policy documents on heritage subjects, such as the preservation of old churches or the distribution of funding for cultural activities. You could work for cultural organisations, the government, in the tourist business or at an NGO. You may also work in the media or as a teacher of religion in secondary education after completing your Educational Master's programme. If you wish to pursue an academic career, you can follow this track as a specialization within the Research
Check where our alumni end up after graduating on our alumni page.
Job examples
- Cultural Education
You can work within organizations that consult upon the content and organization within the field of arts and cultural education. Or you could work at an educational department within institutions such as a cultural centers or museums.
- Consulting & Policy
Your knowledge about religious heritage will enable you to advise upon or write policy documents on the conservation of religious heritage. You could find a job with central government but also at organizations and foundations in the cultural sector. This could, for example, be the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht or the Stichting Oude Groninger Kerken.
- Education
Once you have completed this Master's track, you will have sufficient knowledge of the subject to be able to teach Religious Studies or Social Studies in secondary education. Alternatively, you could opt for a position in higher vocational education. As you also need didactic skills as a teacher or lecturer, it is advisable to do a Master's in Education after you have completed your regular Master's programme.
- Media & Journalism
A number of publishers have shown renewed interest in religion and society. With your knowledge and skills, you can make an expert contribution to publications in this field. You could also use your expertise as an editor at a broadcasting company, newspaper or current affairs magazine.
