Religion in a Changing World
Religion is everywhere. Knowledge of religion is essential for anyone who wants to understand the world. Are you fascinated by the diversity of religions, their development throughout history and their meaning today?
This minor combines core and elective courses designed to provide students with the essential tools to study, interpret, and critically analyse religion as a human phenomenon. Students will explore how religions have developed across cultures and time, how they shape societies and worldviews, and how they interact with areas such as politics, culture, and social change. With a wide range of electives, students can choose to focus deeply on a specific area of interest or gain a broad understanding across diverse traditions and themes.
Read more about this minor and the courses you can choose.
Related master programmes
MA Religious Studies. Students with a university BA degree in the humanities or social sciences who successfully complete the minor Religion in a Changing World will be eligible for admission to the MA Religious Studies at Leiden University.
Educatieve MA Religie en Levensbeschouwing. Students with a university BA degree in the humanities or social sciences who successfully complete the minor Religion in a Changing World will be eligible for admission to the two-year educational MA Religie en Levensbeschouwing at Leiden University. Students who are interested in going on to follow the MA Religie en Levensbeschouwing are advised to take the courses Christendom: the basics and Introduction to the Study of Islam as part of the minor.
Admission and application
Students from Leiden University, Erasmus University and TU Delft can register for this minor from 15 May 2025 at 13:00 hrs via EduXchange.
Verena Meyer
Minor coordinator and Lecturer
One of the most rewarding aspects of this minor is the diverse group of students it brings together—ranging from astrophysics to history, and from anthropology to medicine. In our classroom discussions, we encounter a remarkable variety of perspectives and areas of expertise, each approaching religion from a unique angle. This diversity creates an incredibly enriching environment, both for the students and for us as lecturers. These conversations reveal just how deeply religion touches all aspects of life—even in places where we might not expect it.