Religious Studies (MA)
About the Programme
The study of religion at Leiden University equips you with the knowledge, skills, and analytical tools needed to understand religion in diverse social and cultural contexts.
- Research skills: develop advanced research competencies by learning how to collect, evaluate, and analyse data using historical, qualitative, and quantitative methods.
- Applying theory in practice: explore how key concepts and theoretical frameworks can be used to interpret religion in a changing world.
- Critical analysis: strengthen your ability to evaluate complex questions and societal challenges involving religion from multiple perspectives
Programme structure
Semester 1
In the first semester, you will take a range of taught courses designed to deepen your understanding of religion and broaden your academic perspective. You will develop the knowledge and research skills needed to prepare for your thesis project.
Semester 2
The second semester is primarily dedicated to independent research and the writing of your MA thesis, allowing you to investigate a topic of your choice in depth under academic supervision. There is also room for an extra elective in your chosen specialisation, or for an internship or individual research project.
Teaching methods
Throughout the programme, learning takes place through a variety of teaching formats, including:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Independent study
Assessments
Your progress is evaluated through a combination of assessment methods, such as:
- Written examinations
- Essays and research reports
- Oral presentations
- Peer feedback and assessment
- MA thesis
These varied forms of assessment help you develop both academic expertise and transferable professional skills.
Detailed programme
For the detailed programme, see the Prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum in other years might slightly differ.
About the compulsory courses
Tools and Theories in the Study of Religion: Historical, Cognitive, and Social-Scientific Approaches
In this course, students are introduced to a range of contemporary tools for analysing religious narratives and discourses, religious thinking and belief, as well as religious traditions, identities, and fields. These tools are drawn from a wide range of humanistic and social-scientific disciplines, including literary studies, cognitive science, sociology, and history. The theoretical foundations of the analytical tools are discussed and students practice how to use these tools to analyse concrete empirical material.
Religion on the Move: From Local Origins to Global Networks
At its heart, Religion on the Move is a study of how religion more generally has changed due to increasingly expanding global encounters. By combining research from religious studies, history, area studies, anthropology, sociology, and political science, this course shows that the complex processes of globalisation, modernisation, and migration have not only contributed to the movement and expansion of religions, but that religions have been crucial in constructing and confronting these processes.
MA Thesis and MA Thesis Seminar Religious Studies
This module supports students throughout the process of researching and writing their MA thesis. It combines collective seminar meetings with individual thesis supervision and is structured across two semesters.
In the first semester, students participate in three seminar sessions dedicated to the development of their MA thesis proposal. In the second semester, students work independently on their thesis under the guidance of their supervisor, meeting regularly throughout the writing process. Alongside the individual supervision trajectory, students participate in three additional seminar sessions focusing on professional skills and career orientation.
Specialisations
Alongside the compulsory courses, students select a specialisation that enables them to pursue their specific academic interests. Coursework can be adapted to explore particular religions, historical eras, geographical regions, political developments, or wider theoretical questions and comparative perspectives. The specialisations are:
Religion, History, and Society
This specialisation emphasizes religion in historical context, from the ancient world to the present, and with special attention to the development of religion across time.
Religion, Politics, and Governance
This specialisation emphasises religion in relation to politics, law, political-legal systems, international relations, and education.
Religion and Area Studies
This specialisation emphasizes religion in an area studies perspective, with special attention to the movement of ideas and peoples across places, spaces, and contexts.
For a list of electives in these specialisations, see the study guide.
Internships and Independent Projects
There is also space in the programme to enhance your research skills through an internship or independent project. In addition to external internships, we offer our own internal research internships. These are exclusively for MA Religious Studies students and they provide an opportunity for students to learn and develop as professional researchers. As a separate option, conducting an independent project allows you to take the lead with your own interests, while also receiving expert supervision.
Tom-Eric Krijger
University lecturer
"Religion is a fascinating, ubiquitous, and multi layered phenomenon that is as old as humankind itself. Global issues can simply not be properly understood if religion is disregarded. By applying and combining as many perspectives and methods as possible, we study what it means to be ‘religious’ and in what ways ‘religious’ ideas and behaviours (can) impact human life. After completing our programme, you have the skills and knowledge that enable you to work as an expert on religion in fields such as education, public service, the cultural sector, and the domain of NGOs."
Admission and Application
Do you want to find out if you are eligible for this Master's Programme?