Study of Religions

(Single Major 120)

Degree program: Master of Arts UZH in Study of Religions Bologna 2020

General description

The Master’s degree program in Religious Studies as a single-major program of study is designed to expand students’ knowledge and competence in the area of religious studies, with a focus on research. The core curriculum addresses current topics in religious studies and allows for targeted and individual specialization in historical-comparative, social sciences, or systematic-theoretical religious studies. The main component of the program involves independent research culminating in a student project or a more extensive project completed in the Department of Religious Studies. The single-major program in Religious Studies consists of 120 ECTS credits, which corresponds to two years of full-time study. Students complete the program of study by writing a Master's thesis.

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a specialization in Religious Studies as at least a minor program of study with 60 ECTS credits. Admission with restrictions may be granted to applicants who have the required specialization but who do not display sufficient knowledge of the subject. Applicants who do not possess a Bachelor’s degree with the required specialization may be admitted upon special review; if sufficient knowledge of the subject cannot be displayed, additional requirements may have to be met. Depending on the specialization chosen, this applies particularly to language proficiency and knowledge of methodology.
Admission without additional requirements is granted if the applicant has obtained a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies as a major or minor program of study in the Faculty of Theology at the University of Zurich, or has an equivalent or higher-quality degree from a university in Switzerland or abroad, provided the degree is recognized by the Faculty of Theology. Specification of requirements: Admission to the consecutive Master’s degree program in Religious Studies as a single major requires the applicant to have knowledge of religious traditions, whereby at 12 ECTS credits need to have been earned in this area. In addition, students need to have completed coursework in historical and comparative religious studies, social scientific religious studies, and systematic-theoretical religious studies, whereby at least 12 ECTS credits need to have been earned in each area. Students who choose a specialization with a historic-comparative focus or focus on social sciences need to have obtained the language proficiency and knowledge of methodology required in each case, whereby at least 12 ECTS credits need to have been earned.

Branch of studies

Science of Religion

ECTS credits

120 ECTS Credits