Education

The goal of this Master's programme is to expand and deepen students' initial education in Theology and Religious Studies, whether obtained at K.U.Leuven or elsewhere. It prepares students to engage in independent research in the various domains of Theology and Religious Studies and equips them to function as experts in Church and society. The curriculum has a twofold focus. On the one hand, students are given the opportunity to specialise and write a Master's thesis in one of the faculty's six research disciplines or majors: biblical studies, systematic theology, theological ethics, history of Church and theology, pastoral theology, and religious studies. On the other hand, the curriculum continues to offer a general orientation towards the interdisciplinary academic investigation of the Christian faith tradition in a multi-cultural and multi-religious social context. The Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies is an initial Master's programme. This programme can also be taken part-time.

Profile

Students entering into the Master of Arts in Theology and Religious Studies are expected to have:

-knowledge of and insight into the elementary, primary concepts and methods of theology and its various methodological approaches (biblical studies, history of church and theology, systematic theology, theological ethics, pastoral theology).
-knowledge of and insight into the elementary concepts and methods of religious studies, interreligious dialogue and the study of major world religions.
-knowledge of and insight into the basic concepts and methods of Canon Law.
-knowledge of and insight into the basic concepts and methods of philosophy, sociology, anthropology and psychology, with special attention to the manner in which they shed light on the religious phenomenon.
-the ability to apply the insights gained from the theological and non-theological disciplines to questions, problems, and statements pertaining to faith, religion, society, and the meaning of life.
-the ability to analyse issues related to the Church and religion and to place them in a broader context.
-to be capable of processing literature (in various languages) pertaining to theology and religion in a relatively independent manner.
-the ability to write an essay and, in view of that, to look up, analyse and absorb relevant literature, to coherently synthesize it, and to formulate and evaluate its insights, as part of the process of arriving at an initial critical, but also original insight concerning the subject matter.

For specific admission requirements, click on the desired programme in the 'Choose your courses of study' section.

Objectives

The curriculum aims at deepening the insights obtained during the Bachelor's programme, with the focus on an interdisciplinary study of the Christian traditions in the context of a multicultural and multi-religious society and world. The programme aims to prepare students for independent research in theology and religious studies and equip them with the tools to act as an expert in both Church and society. This programme places additional emphasis on the international character of theological research and on the international context of faith, religion and theology through familiarisation with the diverse cultural backgrounds of fellow students.

At the end of the programme the participants should have acquired the following abilities:
- the capacity to evaluate the primary themes of the various approaches to theology and religious studies;
- more profound knowledge of the contents and methods of theology and religious studies;
- knowledge of problems and insights of the various distinct theological disciplines;
- insight into the relationship between religious studies and the social context;
- the capacity to independently assimilate the study material and to propose creative solutions to problems raised by theology and religion;
- the capacity to employ theoretical insights in a practical manner in education and in the public forum;
- knowledge of and insight into questions concerning the meaning of human existence;
- the capacity to independently write an academically sound paper on a topic related to theology or religious studies.

After graduation

Degrees in Theology and Religious Studies prepare students for a variety of careers, including secondary and higher education, publishing, the media, academic research and the various domains of pastoral care.

Spotlight

The curriculum aims at deepening the insights obtained durinThe Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at K.U.Leuven (Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium) has its roots in a centuries-old tradition and has enjoyed international renown since it was founded by Pope Eugene IV in 1432. The faculty offers comprehensive programmes in Theology and Religious Studies, from Bachelor's to Master's, and advanced Master's to PhD. In addition to its regular civil degrees, the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies has been granted permission by the Congregatio de Institutione Catholica to confer the canonical degrees of Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus, Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus, and Sacrae Theologiae Doctor.

All the faculty's programmes are taught in both Dutch and English, and are open to students of every nationality. The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies currently has students from more than eighty countries and from every corner of the globe.

Contact

Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies
Ingrid Wouters
tel. + 32 16 32 38 69
fax + 32 16 32 38 58


General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 bus 5415
3000 Leuven
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website

Useful links

Visit this programme's website.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.