Contextual and Cross-Cultural Theology: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

The Master’s programme in Contextual and Cross Cultural Theology enables you to explore a wide range of contemporary issues: interfaith dialogue, the role of religion in multicultural societies, the effects of globalization and the differences between rich and poor. It will equip you to perform competently and responsibly in your role as theologian in an era marked by globalization, cultural and religious conflicts, new fundamentalisms, religious movements and the resulting cross-border problems.

The Master’s in Contextual and Cross-Cultural Theology will bring you into contact with issues and problems that currently touch the very heart of national and international society. The programme will equip you to work in areas where culture and religion intersect and will prepare you to participate in interfaith dialogue, as well as to consider developmental issues within the context of religion. The aim of this Master’s programme is to help make you aware of the importance of context and culture in understanding Scripture and tradition, and of the crucial role these elements play in the construction of theology and faith.

Career prospects

Theologian

After completing the Master’s programme in Contextual and Cross-Cultural Theology, you will be a theologian trained to work in areas where culture and religion intersect, and in jobs involving globalization, interfaith dialogue and the role of religion in developmental issues. Most students take up positions within the clergy relating to the above-mentioned fields.

Continuing your studies

If you wish to continue your studies after the one-year Master’s programme in Contextual and Cross-Cultural Theology, you can go on to train as a member of the clergy or you can transfer to the second year of the Graduate School (pre-PhD programme) in the Faculty of Theology at VU University Amsterdam.

Admission requirements

Basic admission requirements:

• A Bachelor's Degree in Theology (from a Dutch university or an accredited foreign university)
• A degree in Theology from a college of higher vocational education (an HBO Bachelor's degree)TheyWe have developed a Pre-Master’s programme (in Dutch) for students who do not hold the degrees mentioned. Please contact the faculty for further details.

Non-Dutch applicants

To enter the Master's programme, students from outside the Netherlands require a Bachelor of Theology or Master of Divinity degree which meets international standards. Proficiency in written and spoken English is an absolute must. The qualification requirement is  a score of 550 or above (213) in the written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 213 or above in the computer version or equivalent performance in another accepted language test.