Islam in the Contemporary West
| Specialisation of: | Religious Studies |
|---|---|
| Degree: | MA in Religious Studies |
| Mode of Study: | Full-time, part-time |
| Duration: | 1 year |
| Start date: | September, February |
| Language of instruction: | English |
This programme focuses on the study of the historical, normative and institutional sides of contemporary Islam as a minority religion within the secular context of the Western states. The subjects addressed include: the history of Muslim minorities in Western and Eastern Europe, the presently ongoing development of a new branch of Islamic jurisprudence called Fiqh al- Aqalliyyât, and the evolving political and legal views on Islam and Muslims within the Western states.
The information about this programme is available in the following languages:
Career
The job market is particularly favourable for graduates in theology. Most graduates continue their education by following the master’s programme of the Protestantse Theologische Universiteit (PThU) or the confessional programme of the Remonstrantse Broederschap and go on to become parish minister or chaplain in a hospital, a home for the elderly, a prison or the army.
Graduates often find employment as editors at publishing companies or as journalists for newspapers and magazines. Students of Religious Studies are well equipped to hold positions in those professional fields that deal with ethics and the search for existential purpose, for instance as course supervisors at a training centre or as policy makers in governmental and non-governmental or religious organisations.
On completion of the Master’s programme students can follow a teacher education programme at the ICLON Graduate School of Education, which leads to an upper secondary teaching qualification in Religion and Philosophy of Life.
Confessional programmes
Protestantse Theologische Universiteit (PThU)
Graduates with a Leiden bachelor’s degree in Theology plus a master’s degree in Religious Studies qualify for an exemption of one full year of the three-year master’s programme preparing for the ministry in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands offered by the Protestantse Theologische Universiteit (PThU). Students with another bachelor’s degree are advised to contact the student advisor of the PThU, mr. Vos, for more information concerning admission.
As part of their electives students with a BA in Theology can choose one of the specialisations offered by the confessional programme of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands: Practical Theology or Christian Systematic Theology.
More information: d.t.vos@hum.leidenuniv.nl
www.pthu.nl (in Dutch)
Remonstrantse Broederschap
Graduates with a Leiden bachelor’s degree in Theology plus a master’s degree in Religious Studies have direct access to the two year’s programme preparing for the ministry in the Remonstrantse Broederschap, which is located at the faculty.
More information, see the website (in Dutch) or contact the study adviser of the programme.
Some figures about graduates of Theology and Religious studies
How successful are they in finding a job?
- 100 % found a job within six months.
- 86 % found their first job at academic or HBO (higher professional) level.
- 87 % held a position at academic or HBO level when the study was carried out.
In which sector do they find jobs?
- Research: 200
- Teaching: 133
- Publishing / book sector: 133
- Business services: 67
- Government / semi-government: 67
- Other: 40
What are their main tasks and responsibilities? (%)
Source: Employment Market Study among Leiden Graduates of Theology and Religious studies (2009, Student Career Service Humanities )
