Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master's Programme in Anthropology of Religion and Culture

The Master's programme in Anthropology of Religion and Culture at the University of Groningen is a unique and holistic approach to understanding the complex relationships between religion, culture, and society. This programme is designed for students who are interested in exploring the diverse ways in which religion shapes and is shaped by human cultures and societies.

Programme Description

The programme is characterized by its holistic, comparative, and ethnographic approach, which investigates themes as they are embedded within the totality of local lifeworlds. Students will explore how religion and culture shape societies, and how everyday practices - from food to sexuality and religion - are embedded in broader cultural contexts. The programme consists of three core modules, a research methods module, multiple electives, fieldwork, and a thesis.

Core Modules

• Concepts and Debates in Anthropology of Religion 1: Understanding Lifeworlds
• Ethnographic Methods: Researching Lifeworlds
• Concepts and Debates in Anthropology of Religion 2: Anthropology in Dialogue

Electives

• Dark Heritage: Memorialising Death and Disaster
• Material Religion
• On the Move: People(s), Cultures, and Religions
• Museums and Religion: Critical Approaches
• Psychopathologie en Religie (in Dutch)
• Religion, Gender and Sexuality: from Politics to Everyday Life

Research Methods

• Social Scientific Research Methods
• Ethnographic Research: Fieldwork
• Thesis

Study Load

1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains 60 ECTS.

Curriculum

The MA-track comprises a total of 60 ECTS. The programme consists of three core modules, a research methods module, multiple electives, fieldwork, and a thesis.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad is not part of this program. However, the ethnographic fieldwork scheduled in the second semester can be conducted abroad or in the Netherlands.

Entry Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology is not a necessary entry requirement to this MA programme.
• Enrollment in the MA is possible if you hold a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, Arts/Humanities, Philosophy, Theology, Socio-Cultural Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Spatial Sciences (specialization Cultural Geography) or other Social Sciences.
• 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.

Admission Requirements

• Previous education: Please note that a Bachelor's degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology is not a necessary entry requirement to this MA programme.
• Language test: An English language test for Dutch students is only required if you do not have a VWO-diploma.

Transfer Options

• All Research universities
• University of Groningen
• VU University Amsterdam
• University of Amsterdam
• Leiden University
• Radboud University Nijmegen

Registration Procedure

International students and Dutch students with non-Dutch qualifications are not automatically admitted to a Master's degree programme at the University of Groningen. The full registration procedure will take longer than for Dutch students with regular Dutch qualifications and consists of three steps: application, admission, and registration.

Application Deadlines

• Dutch students: 01 May 2026
• EU/EEA students: 01 May 2026
• non-EU/EEA students: 01 May 2026

Tuition Fees

• Nationality: EU/EEA
• Year:
• Fee: € 2601
• Programme form: full-time
• Nationality: non-EU/EEA
• Year:
• Fee: € 19200
• Programme form: full-time

Job Prospects

• PhD research
• Education / teaching
• Beyond academia: Cultural sector, Civil Society, Government, Health

Research

• Teachers and their expertise: Peter Berger, Kim Knibbe, Manoela Carpenedo Rodrigues
• Research Centres: Centre for Religion, Conflict, and Globalization, Institute of Indian Studies, Centre for Religion, Health, and Wellbeing, Centre for Religion and Heritage

Student Experience

• Fieldwork in Barcelona
• Studying anthropology of religion broadens your perspective beyond your own surroundings, allowing you to see the practice of faith beyond what is familiar to you.

Pre-master's Programme

If you do not have a bachelor's degree in either the Humanities, Arts, Behavioural and Social Sciences or Spatial Sciences, generally speaking you will first need to complete a pre-master's programme before you can enter this master's programme.

Other Degree Programmes in Religion

• Religion, Conflict and Globalization
• Heritage and Religion
• Religion and Pluralism, Ancient and Modern
• Religious Diversity in a Globalised World (EM)
• Theology and Religious Studies (Research)
• Geestelijke Verzorging (in Dutch)
• Lerarenopleiding Godsdienst en Levensbeschouwing (in Dutch)

Study Associations

• Gerardus van der Leeuw

Student Profile

This Master's track is intended for students who are interested in today's complex world and, above all, the role of human action and ideas in it. An anthropological perspective makes you look through various cultural lenses, which enables you to connect global challenges, for instance those regarding migration or food distribution, to local contexts, i.e. communities, individuals, and societies.

Study Support

Master's students are expected to show a large degree of independence. If necessary you can make use of various forms of study supervision and study support. For example, you can contact a mentor or your study advisor. While writing your thesis, you will receive personal supervision from one of the lecturers.