Master of Theology

Academic excellence and intercultural learning

The Master of Theology is an English-taught intensive master’s programme, accredited by the Dutch-Flemish accreditation organisation. It starts in September each academic year and lasts for one year (60 ECTS). Because of its research focus and high academic level, the programme is uniquely suited to a second master's degree preparing for a teaching ministry and/or doctoral studies.

The programme offers a hermeneutical and contextual approach in all theological sub-disciplines and multiple opportunities for intercultural encounter and interaction with students from all over the world. As a participant of the programme, you will learn about different cultural backgrounds and theological contexts. It is, therefore, a truly international and intercultural experience!

The programme

The Master of Theology consists of four different tracks. Before starting your studies at the Protestant Theological University, you need to choose one of these specialised tracks, as it determines the content of the curriculum:

• Ethics of Dignity
• Intercultural Encounter and Witness
• Living texts
• Missional Communities

The study programme starts in the first semester with two interdisciplinary courses followed by four "profile courses" of the chosen track. One of these courses is followed at our partner institution, the University of Groningen. The intercultural focus of the programme returns in almost all of its courses so that the presence of students from many horizons becomes itself a resource in the learning process.

In the second semester, you continue the programme with your specialisation. This specialisation includes methodology and specialisation courses, literature study and a final master thesis.

A three-way conversation

The International Master provides a great entry point into Western theology and culture for students from Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are well equipped to help you build a bridge between your own context and the European Academy. For the same reason, a number of students from the West have chosen this particular one year programme because it provides an exposure to other expressions of World Christianity and intercultural theology. We love to help you deepen the three-way conversation between your own context and its challenges, Western theology, and the Christian Scriptures and tradition.

World Christianity in a Classroom

The Protestant Theological University is a place where students and academics from ecumenical and evangelical persuasion meet and study Scriptures and Christian tradition together. We share the conviction that only if we meet as Christians from different cultural and social contexts and from different theological backgrounds can we grow in our understanding of the ‘the breadth and length and height and depth, [of] the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God’ (Ephesians 4:18,19 NRSV).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the international Master of Theology programme requires:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Theology or an equivalent degree of a recognised academic institution comparable to a Dutch academic Bachelor's degree

2. A good command of English, to be demonstrated by:

• a TOEFL score of 575 (Paper Based Test), 232 (Computer Based Test) or 90
• (Internet Based Test);
• an IELTS score of 6,5;
• a TOEIC score of 720;
• a Cambridge ESOL CAE 58-66.

3. When applying for OT or NT studies: a proven bachelor's level of Hebrew or Greek. For Hebrew, this means a study load of at least 15 ECTS, for Greek a study load of at least 20 ECTS (15 ECTS normal Greek studies and 5 ECTS NT Greek). One ECTS is to be compared with a study load of 28 study hours.