Biblical Exegesis (specialisation)

Entry requirements

A completed Bachelor's degree in Theology or related area

A proficiency in English

In order to take part in this programme, you need to have fluency in both written and spoken English. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:

• A TOEFL score of ≥550 (paper based) or ≥80 (internet based)
• An IELTS score of ≥6.0
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

A proficiency in Hebrew and Greek

In order to take part in the 'Biblical Exegesis' specialization, you need to have a basic knowledge Hebrew and Greek. Students need to be able to show, in the form of successfully completed electives or degrees that they have the required proficiency. In order to take part in the other specializations (Practical Theology, History of Church and Theology, Systematic Theology), knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is not required.

* Applicants are considered to be a native speaker of English if they are from Australia, Canada (with exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, UK, USA or South Africa.

Months of entry

February, September

Course content

Programme overview
Biblical texts lie at the heart of many modern cultural and religious views and form crucial points of reference for theological reflection that provide direction in contemporary society and church. Radboud University’s Master’s specialisation in Biblical Exegesis explores core concepts in biblical texts in connection to their cultural and historical context and their relation with ethics.

In this programme, texts are explored in their original languages and contexts, with a focus on linguistic and literary styles as well as the cognitive environments of Near Eastern an ancient Eastern Medeterranean frameworks of experience and thinking. Students will get an in-depth understanding of Christian traditions and values and will be encouraged to analyse them thoroughly. They will come to understand that things came to be as they are due to choices made in the past. Students will see that both Bible and tradition have been and will be formative for our present engagements.

Radboud University and its Theology department are Roman Catholic in origin, but its Master’s programme in Theology is open to all students. Our students have very diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

What will you learn?

• Gain analytical instruments to discern the crucial decision points in giving meaning to a text focusing on literary criticism and contextualization.
• Learn to critically engage with foundational texts.
• Get an in-depth understanding of the historical contexts in which foundational texts were written.
• Gain the ability to provide explanations and give meaning to foundational texts of Judaism and Christianity.
• Broaden your knowledge in Church History, Literary Theology or Practical Theology.

Career prospects

Students in this programme can choose to focus on a variety of professional career paths:

• Academic research
• Education (Dutch)
• Religion and Policy (Dutch)
• Spiritual Care (Dutch)

Students can also find opportunities in other fields, such as: journalism, museum curators, archivists.

*This is an specialisation of the Master's in Theology
To apply for this course, please contact us by e-mail.

Learn more via the Radboud University contact form.

Fees and funding

There are various scholarships available for studying at Radboud University. Some of the opportunities are described below. A full list, including detailed information, can be found on our scholarships and grants page at our website.

Radboud Scholarship Programme

Open to a select number of excellent international students. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Orange Tulip Scholarship

Open to students from Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Indonesia, South-Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, and China. Instead of the institutional tuition fees, non-EEA students pay the legal tuition fees (€2,209). Visa and residence permit costs, liability insurance and health insurance are also covered.

Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Open to excellent American students. The grant will be paid in 12 monthly instalments of 1,050 euros. International travel and the cost of the residence permit will be covered, and an extra allowance of €1150 will be paid on arrival.

Sino-Dutch Bilateral Exchange Scholarship

Open to excellent students from China. Consists of a contribution of € 16,113 towards the total costs of one year of study or research in the Netherlands.

DIKTI-Neso Scholarships

Aimed at lecturers at higher education institutions in Indonesia who wish to pursue a PhD or Master's at a university in the Netherlands. A DIKTI scholarship includes allowances for living expenses, insurance, travel costs, tuition fees and more.

Indonesian Education Scholarship (LPDP)

Open to excellent Indonesian students under the age of 35. Involves a full scholarship.

Holland Scholarship Programme

Open to excellent students from Canada, America, India and Turkey. Scholarship consists of 5,000 euros payed at the start of study.

Dutch Student Finance

EU/EEA students and Swiss students under 30 years of age are eligible if they are working at least 56 hours per month in the Netherlands, or have been living in the Netherlands for five years or more. Dutch student finance consists of four components: a basic grant, a supplementary grant (depending on the parental income), a student travel product, and a loan.