Master of Theology and Religious Studies 12 months Postgraduate Programme By KU Leuven |TopUniversities
Subject Ranking

# 15QS Subject Rankings

Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

3,093 EURTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

01 Mar, 2026Application Deadline

Programme overview

Main Subject

Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Register for KU Leuven's Webinar Days to get a genuine glimpse into studying in Belgium, including student life, KU Leuven's international programmes, study costs and more. With general information webinars on 29 January and programme-specific webinars from 2 to 12 February, these events are the ideal opportunities to ask our dedicated staff, professors and students all the questions you have in mind.

Looking to build on your Bachelor's degree in Theology or Religious Studies? Or perhaps you are engaged in pastoral work and seeking to deepen your theoretical insights? Where better than at KU Leuven, where theology has been taught and practised for nearly 600 years?  

The goal of this Master of Theology and Religious Studies programme is to expand and deepen students' initial education in theology and religious studies, whether obtained at KU 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.

Two key focuses

  1. You’ll be given the opportunity to specialise and write a Master's thesis in one of the Faculty's five research disciplines or majors: biblical studies, systematic theology and the study of religions, theological and comparative ethics, the history of Church and theology, and pastoral and empirical theology.
  2. The curriculum offers a general orientation towards the interdisciplinary academic investigation of the Christian faith tradition in a multi-cultural and multi-religious social context. 

This programme can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis.


Programme overview

Main Subject

Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Register for KU Leuven's Webinar Days to get a genuine glimpse into studying in Belgium, including student life, KU Leuven's international programmes, study costs and more. With general information webinars on 29 January and programme-specific webinars from 2 to 12 February, these events are the ideal opportunities to ask our dedicated staff, professors and students all the questions you have in mind.

Looking to build on your Bachelor's degree in Theology or Religious Studies? Or perhaps you are engaged in pastoral work and seeking to deepen your theoretical insights? Where better than at KU Leuven, where theology has been taught and practised for nearly 600 years?  

The goal of this Master of Theology and Religious Studies programme is to expand and deepen students' initial education in theology and religious studies, whether obtained at KU 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.

Two key focuses

  1. You’ll be given the opportunity to specialise and write a Master's thesis in one of the Faculty's five research disciplines or majors: biblical studies, systematic theology and the study of religions, theological and comparative ethics, the history of Church and theology, and pastoral and empirical theology.
  2. The curriculum offers a general orientation towards the interdisciplinary academic investigation of the Christian faith tradition in a multi-cultural and multi-religious social context. 

This programme can be followed on a full-time or part-time basis.


Admission Requirements

79+
6.5+

Students with a degree obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:

Direct admission

On the basis of the following degrees, or similar degrees, obtained at an institution of the Flemish Community:

  • Bachelor of Theology and Religious Studies (Leuven)

Students with a degree obtained at an institution outside the Flemish Community:

Diploma requirements Students with a bachelor in theology and religious studies or students who completed a programme of formation leading to ordination as a minister of a recognized Christian faith are encouraged to apply.
Language requirements Prospective students who obtained an English bachelor's degree at the faculty or who are citizens of Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the United States of America, speaking English as their mother tongue, are not required to submit a certificate demonstrating their English knowledge. All prospective students (regardless of their background) are allowed to submit an application file without including a TOEFL/IELTS test. However, prospective students must submit an English motivation letter, CV and writing sample. The faculty admissions committee will assess the application file without TOEFL/IELTS test and decide whether the student will be admitted based on the submitted file or whether the student has to present a TOEFL/IELTS Academic certificate after all. 
Additional requirements Three letters of recommendation are required. Each letter has to be written by an academic person who is familiar with the candidate's academic work and ambitions. Clerics and religious must include a letter from their Bishop or Provincial Superior stating permission to study in Leuven and with an indication of the student's tasks after graduation in Leuven.

01 Mar 2026
1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

International
3,093 EUR

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