Practical Theology (specialisation)

Entry requirements

1. A completed Bachelor's degree in Theology or related area

2. 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 ≥575 (paper based)
• An IELTS score of ≥6.5
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) with a mark of C or higher

Months of entry

February, September

Course content

Searching for traces of meaning in everyday practices, and looking beyond traditional shapes of religiosity.

In the Master’s specialisation in Practical Theology, focuses on the search for theological concepts that match the changing shape of the Christian religion in the life of individuals as well as fresh expressions of religious institutions. The goal is to understand how certain people or groups of people view spirituality today, how they give meaning to lives and how this, sometimes, is at odds with traditional religious conventions.

Researchers at Radboud use unique methodologies that focus on a qualitative study of narratives, communication, and ritual (liturgy) and have expertise in spiritual biographical research, practice-oriented research and discourse analysis. Radboud also has extensive experience in survey research, including comparative cross-religious research. 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 insight into theological theory-building to understand dynamics and meaning of lived religion four different levels: the personal, inter-group relations, organisational and societal level
• Learn to use empirical research methods in order to build new theory
• Get experience designing, conducting and presenting your own research

Career prospects

Graduates of this Master’s specialisation in Practical Theology may find work in a variety of positions:

• Academic research
• Policy making
• Journalism
• Spiritual caretaker
• Educator

*This is a 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.