View programme descriptions from previous years by selecting the start year of the programme.
Background and profile of the study programme
The Stavanger campus of VID Specialized University (VID) goes back to the School of Mission and Theology, founded by the Norwegian Missionary Society in 1843. It has since then developed and maintained an international profile, preparing students for different positions in church and society in Norway and abroad, with a particular focus on multicultural and multi-religious contexts.
The Master’s programme in theology and religious studies at the Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences (FTS) is a two-year intensive academic course of study (120 ECTS credits). The programme prepares the candidate for advanced reflection on the roles of theology and religious studies in contemporary society. A candidate from the master’s program in theology and religious studies from VID should have good knowledge of the Bible, the church's history and teaching tradition, and an interdisciplinary understanding of the religious and cultural context in which the worldwide church operates. The candidate should also have a good understanding of the missional and diaconal nature of the church and be able to apply theological insight and cultural understanding in a way that is relevant both in an ecclesial and a social context.
There are three different specializations in the study programme: specialization in theology, specialization in religious studies, and specialization in Bible translation. The first and the fourth semester is common for all tracks. During the first semester, all students study common introductory subjects including a common VID Profile Course: Worldview, values, relations and professional practice.
The last semester, all students write their master’s thesis. The second and third semesters offer different courses of specialization relating to the specific track the student has chosen and the planned subject of the thesis.
Lectures and reading lists are in English. Exams and thesis can be written in either English or Norwegian. The students are encouraged to use the third semester for studying abroad. The faculty has a foreign exchange programme that facilitates exchanges with several internationally recognised academic institutions.
Academic subjects
The study programme has two academic traditions at the centre of its academic approach. First, theology, understood as the historical study of the Bible and the Christian tradition, combined with a contextual approach towards how religious faith and practices are lived out locally and globally today. Second, religious studies, which broadens its scope also towards other religious traditions and other religious texts. The two approaches share a common methodological interest for the study of texts and contexts, the interest for religious encounters, and a focus on contextual and lived religion.
Access to Further Studies after Completing the Study Programme
Students who have accomplished a Master’s degree in theology and religious studies are qualified to apply for a PhD in theology and religious studies at VID Specialized University.
Target Group
The target group for the study programme in theology and religious studies is bachelor candidates with a background from theology, religious studies or Bachelor of Arts programmes with a specialization within theology and/or religious studies. Given the global approach of the programme, students from all over the world are invited to join the programme in order to create an international environment for discussions about contextual theology and religious encounters.
The learning outcome descriptions are placed at the 2. cycle in accordance with the national qualifications framework for higher education. Upon completion of the program, the candidate should have the following learning outcomes, divided into knowledge, skills, and general competence:
Specialization in theology
Knowledge
The candidate
has advanced knowledge of the study of religion and contextual theology in general and in particular the Christian faith, its sources and the current debates concerning their interpretation and application
has in depth knowledge concerning exegetical and theological methodology and the scholarly debate on content and relevance
can apply exegetical and theological knowledge to new areas of research
can analyze critically exegetical and theological problems based on knowledge of the history and status of theology as an academic subject
Skills
The candidate
can analyze and critically evaluate sources of exegetical and theological knowledge and apply these sources for structuring theological arguments
can analyze current theories, methods and interpretations and work independly with both theoretical and practically relevant problems
is able to transfer the knowledge and skills of the field of contextual theology and religious encounters to new professional areas and research fields
can use exegetical and theological methodology in independent scholarly research
General Competence
The candidate
can analyze ethical problems related to academic theological work and relevance to the context of church and society, can apply exegetical and theological knowledge for the sake of carrying out advanced scholarly projects
can communicate knowledge concerning exegetical and theological subjects in a variety of contexts
can discuss exegetical and theological problems both in scholarly, ecclesial and societal contexts
has advanced information literacy
Specialization in religious studies
Knowledge
The candidate
has advanced knowledge of the Christian faith and contextual theology in general and in particular the study of religion, relevant historical sources, and the current debates on how they are interpreted and applied
has in depth knowledge concerning research methods applied within this academic field, and the scholarly debate on their content and relevance
can apply knowledge about religious beliefs and practices to new areas of research
can analyze critically the role of different religious traditions in globalized societies with a particular focus on migration and religion
Skills
The candidate
can analyze and critically evaluate sources of theological and religious knowledge, and understand the role of sacred texts within religious communities
can analyze current theories, methods and interpretations in religious studies and work independetly with both theoretical and practically relevant problems
can use relevant research methods in independent scholarly research
General competence
The candidate
can analyze ethical problems related to the study of theology and different religious traditions and practices
can apply theoretical and methodological knowledge to a limited research project
can communicate knowledge concerning the role of religion in society, and in the life of individuals, in a variety of contexts
can discuss the potential role of religious communities as sources of conflict and reconciliation in globalized societies
has advanced information literacy
Specialization in Bible translation
Knowledge
The candidate
has advanced knowledge of the study of religion and contextual theology in general and in particular the Christian faith and biblical hermeneutics, their sources and the current debates concerning their interpretation and application
has in depth knowledge concerning the scholarly debate on the content and relevance of the Bible, particularly with regard to biblical exegesis and translation theory
can apply exegetical and linguistic scholarship to new areas of research
can analyze critically exegetical problems based on knowledge of the history and status of Bible translation as an academic subject
Skills
The candidate
can analyze and critically evaluate sources of exegetical, liguistic and theological knowledge and apply these sources for structuring translational arguments
can analyze current theories, methods and interpretations and to work independetly with both theoretical and practically relevant problems of Bible translation
can use linguistic and theological methods in independent scholarly research
General competence
The candidate
can analyze ethical problems related to academic theological work
can apply theological and hermeneutical knowledge for the sake of carrying out advanced scholarly projects
can communicate knowledge concerning theological and hermeneutical questions emerging from various contexts of Bible translation
can discuss theological problems both in a scholarly, ecclesial and societal contexts
has advanced information literacy
Teaching and learning methods
Methods of teaching are lectures and seminars, individual supervision oral, written and digital assignments based on the individual activity of each student and on his or her ability to work independently and in groups, creatively and critically. Students are expected to work individually and independently with all subjects.
In order to be able to qualify the exams, work requirements must be approved. Reading lists are specified in the course descriptions. Electronic compendiums are made available on the learning platform before the teaching starts.
Method of assessment
Examinations are held according to the regulations of 04 June 2024 No. 1483 on degrees, admission, studies and exams at VID Specialized University.
Forms of assessment are specified in the course descriptions. The various forms of assessment are designed to be both adequate means of assessment of the quality of the students’ work and as a legal protection on behalf of the students.
The following forms of assessments will be applied during the education:
school and home exams
oral exams
independent, written assignment of a certain length (Candidate/Master’s Thesis)
Each individual course will be evaluated and graded with a letter-grade (A-F) or Pass/Fail according to each separate course description. More information about the grading scale
See also Rules and regulations for studies
Any plagiarism, copying, downloading from the internet or use of written sources without proper reference will be considered a breach of contract of the rules of examination (cf. Examination Regulation).
Internationalization
VID Specialized University has a long history of international relations with universities and international research networks around the globe and has partner institutions in several countries. The Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences in Stavanger has a long tradition and high competence in the field of internationalization, stretching back to the first international student, who came from South Africa to Stavanger in 1864.
Historical and contemporary experiences with internationalization are applied in teaching and research, and students are exposed to relevant knowledge on global perspectives within the field of theology and religious studies.
International students are enrolled every year in the programme, hence all lectures are taught in English.
Students are encouraged to study at one of VID’s partner institutions abroad during the third semester. Studies at an international university provide student and faculty with international, updated knowledge in the various disciplines of theology and religious studies.
The entrance requirements for the different tracks are as follows:
Master of theology and religious studies with specialization in theology requires a Bachelor in theology with at least 20 ECTS in Greek. Hebrew (20 ECTS) is required for one of the OT electives.
Master of theology and religious studies with specialization in religious studies requires a Bachelor of religious studies, a Bachelor of theology, or a Bachelor of Arts with at least 90 ECTS in theology/religious studies.
Master of theology and religious studies with specialization in Bible translation requires a Bachelor in theology or a Bachelor of Arts with Greek (20 ECTS) and/or Hebrew (20 ECTS), and exegetical studies based on the biblical languages, or a more general Bachelor of Arts which includes—or to which is added—corresponding competence of languages and exegesis.
Admission and ranking takes place according to the regulations of 04 June 2024 No. 1483 on degrees, admission, studies and exams at VID Specialized University and according the criteria specified above. International students must document satisfactory competence in English.