Religion, Conflict and Globalization

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

						
							How are religion, conflict and peace related? How does globalization affect local religious traditions? How do religious and secular parties interact in debates on conflict, migration and gender?


					
open_in_newstudy website

locatieGroningen
diplomaMA 
typeregulier, 60 EC
start1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur12 maanden voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code60824
numerus fixusnee
honoursnee
Religion is involved in many of the major conflicts that the world is currently facing, and at various levels. At the same time, religion is also an essential part of people's lives, and has become an important basis for solidarity between people all over the world.
Despite the importance of religion in society and politics, NGOs, governments and journalists alike often have misguided understandings of the role of religion in the modern world, and the meaning that it holds for various peoples, relying on simplistic and outdated assumptions. This can contribute to disagreements, tensions and misunderstandings, with potentially serious consequences.
Within this MA-track, you will study the key role of religion in the dynamics of globalization, and how this relates to conflicts shaping contemporary societies. You will delve into understanding how conflicts and peacebuilding are intertwined with religious interests, practices and diverse identities. The programme is interdisciplinary and comprehensive; including political, social, psychological, cultural and legal dimensions.
During the programme, you can specialise in themes such as conflict and peacebuilding, migration and gender.


					

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

Combination of anthropology, sociology and political science is unique in the world.
Unique focus on the place of religion in a globalized world from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Relates latest research and theories to current developments.
Internships at embassies, ministry of foreign affairs, national and international NGO's.
Taught by leading experts with a world-class reputation at a Top 100 University.

Studieprogramma

opbouw
1e jaar

opbouw

The programme consists of two core modules, a research methods module, multiple electives, a placement and a thesis.

You can also follow this track within the two-year Research Master's programme in Theology and Religious Studies.

The course units in the MA track Religion, Conflict and Globalization are taught by sociologists, religious studies scholars, political scientists, and anthropologists who are recognized as experts in their respective fields, all studying religion as a cultural and social phenomenon. In the course units, they will provide you with an up-to-date overview of the state of the art of the subjects you are studying, often drawing on their own research.

	1	2	3
	periode
Elective: Dark Heritage: Memorialising Death and Disaster keuzevak	5 EC
Elective: Ethnographic methods: Researching lifeworlds keuzevak	5 EC
Elective: Material Religion keuzevak	5 EC
Elective: On the move: People(s), cultures and religions keuzevak	5 EC
Elective: Texts of Terror keuzevak	5 EC
Core Module: Religion, Conflict and Globalization: A Critical Introduction	5 EC
Core Module: Religion, Conflict and Peacebuilding		5 EC
Elective: Creative Heritage: Practices, Communities and Institutions keuzevak		5 EC
Elective: Museums and Religion: Critical Approaches keuzevak		5 EC
Elective: Psychopathologie en religie (in Dutch) keuzevak		5 EC
Elective: Religion, Gender and Sexuality: from Politics to Everyday Life keuzevak		5 EC
Social Scientific Research Methods		5 EC
Placement stage			10 EC
Thesis + Thesis Seminar onderzoek			20 EC

taal van onderwijs	100% en
avondonderwijs	n.v.t.
afstandsonderwijs	n.v.t.

onderwijsvormen

group discussion, individual assignment, internship, lecture, literature study, research, research proposal, oral presentation, self study, seminar, tutorial, workshop

instruction modes

Lectures, tutorials, presentations, papers, internship, individual assignment, work groups, self-study

objectives

Students will be able to:

Identify and analyse the interrelationships between global, national and local levels and processes as they affect religion and conflict.
Outline how cultural processes and the various levels of governance are interrelated concerning religion and conflict.
Translate academic insights into specific products to brief and/or advise policy-makers and politicians.
Examine how secular frames and identities are implicated in conflicts involving religion.

study load

1 ECTS = 28 hrs. of study. One year contains of 60 ECTS. You will have on average 6 hrs. of lessons per week at the Faculty, the rest of the hours is reserved for preparation of the classes and studying.

For part-time options, please contact the study advisor.

study abroad

We have various exchange contracts with universities both inside and outside Europe, enabling students to follow part of their degree programme at a foreign university. Another option is to take an internship or to do part of the research work abroad. For an overview of our exchange partners, see: http://www.rug.nl/ggw/education/prosstud/exchangeprogrammes/partneruniversities

study guidance

Master's students are expected to show a large degree of independence. If necessary you can make use of various forms of study supervision and study support. For example, you can contact a mentor or your study advisor. While writing your thesis, you will receive personal supervision from one of the lecturers.

<p>Immediately after arrival, students who gained their Bachelor's degree at a different faculty or university as well as international students will be allocated a mentor who will help them get to know the Faculty. You can also go to the study advisor if you have doubts about your abilities or for whatever reason run the risk of study delay. You will receive intensive supervision while writing your thesis. The Master's programme includes a thesis seminar, where attention is paid to how to tackle writing a Master's thesis, and where the progress of the process is monitored closely. You will also receive structural supervision from the lecturer who is the specialist in the field of your thesis.</p>

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 september 2025

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
wettelijk tarief : € 2601 (€1301 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 16300
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 19200

1 september 2026

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2026
collegegeld nog niet bekend

International students and Dutch students with non-Dutch qualifications are not automatically admitted to a Master's degree programme at the University of Groningen. The full registration procedure will take longer than for Dutch students with regular Dutch qualifications and consists of three steps: application, admission and registration.

After you submit your application in Studielink, you will receive a message from Studielink stating that the University of Groningen (UG) has to verify your educational background through the Progress Portal. You will receive a separate email with your login details (make sure to also check your spam folder).
Check the application guide for international students for more information about the admissions procedure.
Students with a Dutch bachelor's degree send all the documentation by mail to studentoffice.rcs@rug.nl.

toelatingseisen

vooropleiding
Enrollment in the MA is possible if you hold a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, Theology, or another Bachelor in Arts, Humanities (e.g. International Organizations, Middle Eastern Studies, Philosophy), Political Sciences or Social Sciences (e.g. Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology). Depending on your former study and courses a reading package will be provided. We assume that you are aware of the concepts and theoretical discussions outlined in this literature.

If you have completed a Bachelor's degree other than in one of the disciplines described above, you still have direct access to the MA if you:

- have completed the university minor Anthropology, Religion in the Modern World, or Art and Religion as well; or
- can demonstrate the completion of 30 ETCS worth of subjects in the previous degree programme that have introduced you to Politics, Philosophy, Gender Studies, Migration, Development Studies, or Human Rights.

Students can also be admitted via a pre-master's programme.

A selection of previous education programmes is shown below under 'Transfer options'. However, this list is not complete. If your study programme is not listed, this does not automatically mean that you will not be admitted to the Master's programme. In case of doubts or questions, feel free to contact the study advisor: studyadvice.rcs@rug.nl

cijferlijst
An overview of the courses from the bachelor's programme followed with an explanation of these courses.

taaltoets
An English language test for Dutch students is only required if you do not have a VWO-diploma. IELTS: 6.5 (6.0 on each part); TOEFL: 90 internet (18 on Reading and Listening, 20 on Speaking and 21 on Writing); Pearson Academic: 66 (62 on Reading, 54 on Listening and Speaking, 62 on Writing); LanguageCert Academic: 70 (65 on each part).

Exemption granted if:
-You are a native speaker of, and have completed your full secondary level education in: the USA, Canada (only when taught in English), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
- You have completed a full-time Bachelor programme (nominal duration of at least three years) in: the USA, Canada (only when English taught), the UK, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.

If English was the medium of instruction during your previous education, but you do not meet any of the above mentioned requirements, you are still required to provide proof of your English language proficiency.

studie kosten

bron: University of Groningen
bedrag	kostenpost
€ 12000.00	levensonderhoudper jaar
€ 740.00	studiematerialenper jaar
€ 400.00	visa/permitper jaar

inbegrepen in collegegeld

examination

registration fee

De stad

studievereniging

Gerardus van der Leeuw

Gerardus van der Leeuw is the study association of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society at the University of Groningen.
Besides broadening activities (for example, lectures or career events) for both the Religious Studies and Theology programs, they organize relaxing activities such as get-togethers and trips abroad.

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Jarnick Vitters (The Netherlands)
Nick Alexiev (Bulgaria)
Thomas Ansell (United Kingdom)
Nikki Haze (The Netherlands)
Ans Kooymans (The Netherlands)
Jessica Clark (United Kingdom)
Dr. Joram Tarusarira (Zimbabwe)
Dr. Kim Knibbe (The Netherlands)

Jarnick Vitters (The Netherlands)

This MA challenges existing negative ideas about religion.

During my Bachelor's degree in European Languages and Cultures at the University of Groningen, I already became very interested in religion. Hence, I also followed the university minor 'Religion in the Modern World' during the bachelor's. This increased my interest in religion, and I decided to apply for the Master's in Religion, Conflict and Globalization.

This programme gives religion the place it deserves, so to say. In both academia and society, religion is often reduces to something outdated, a private matter, or even inherently violent...

And that it is crucial to better understand the social, cultural, political and historical significance of religion.

What I find appealing and unique about the Master's programme is that it offers students more than enough opportunities to delve into a wide range of topics and disciplines while adopting an interdisciplinary approach to studying religious phenomena. For instance, I found the course 'National Socialism and Religion' particularly fascinating. It provides unique insights into the intersections of history, conflict, and the legacies of trauma.

lees verder ...

Nick Alexiev (Bulgaria)

Important to show the impact religion has on people's lives.

I graduated from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. After my Bachelor's, I was wondering how to continue my education. I started browsing different European universities' websites in search of a Master's programme, and the University of Groningen appealed to me.

I am interested in politics, social affairs and conflict resolution, so the programme ‘Religion, Conflict and Globalization’ was the perfect choice...

I think it is important to show the impact religion has on people’s lives. Perhaps religion could provide answers in some of the biggest debates, ironic though this may sound to some.
I like learning about different scholarly perspectives through the academic literature. The discussions in class are also beneficial and motivate students to formulate their ideas in a friendly environment. The most challenging parts for me are the assignments and the academic analysis. I find it challenging to conduct my own research, and I am learning every day. At first I found it difficult to reflect critically on the literature, especially since I did not have a religious background, but the lecturers are really good at helping us to develop our thinking.
I will do a placement at the Foreign Ministry in Sofia next year. In the future I hope to work with people. I like analysing a situation and being a buffer between two or more conflicting sides. At the moment I am looking at politics for my future career.
So far, my stay here has been quite an adventure. The Netherlands is a colourful and vibrant place with a multicultural atmosphere.

lees verder ...

Thomas Ansell (United Kingdom)

Sophisticated academic analysis made diverting and fun.

I read Theology at the University of Durham in the UK for my Undergraduate Degree and following two years of working in the media industry in London I decided that I wanted to know more about the interplay of religious belief, modernity and theories of conflict- which has led me to study Religion, Conflict and Globalization here at the University of Groningen.

...

Religion is a very fluid concept, which almost always adapts to its contextual situation and so being taught its role within diverse modern societies and in relation to theories of conflict, intersectionality, culture and peacemaking is incredibly important when hoping to develop a better understanding of the world.The course is multi-faceted, drawing in influences from the social sciences, religious studies and political theory (and much, much more!). The course designers have worked incredibly hard to ensure that all the readings for classes are relevant, interesting and appropriate to the topic. Most pertinently, academic theories are applied to real-world case studies and many of the teaching staff in the department are leading experts in applying theory to practice. The Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society at UG has a brilliant teaching style, where independent study is encouraged but expert advice and support is only a short e-mail, coffee or chat away!Religion, Conflict and Globalization has a diverse range of focus topics; I chose ‘Religion, Violence and Conflict Transformation’ and have really enjoyed the mixture of topics - having had tasters of the other focusses (migration and gender) I can quite happily state that all of the focusses are equally interesting and well-taught. The University has a focus on the real-world application of your degree programme and part of that is and internship. I hope to undertake my internship within Groningen and work with one of the Non-Governmental Organisations that have clustered around the exceptional university.As a place to live and study in, Groningen is unmatched. It is vibrant, everyone is very friendly and there is a vast array of things to see and do. There is a festival, or university-led event nearly every weekend and I hope to extend my time in Groningen further than my one-year programme. I cannot recommend my course highly enough to anyone who would like to gain a more sophisticated understanding of our highly interconnected world, develop their thoughts on religion in the public domain and experience life at a renowned university in a beautiful city.

lees verder ...

Nikki Haze (The Netherlands)

Looking at the world without a Eurocentric lens.

After gaining my Bachelor's degree in History, I applied for admission to the Research Master's programme in Theology and Religious Studies. I chose to specialize in Religion, Conflict and Globalization because I wanted to study the role of religion in the contemporary world.

In this programme, you do not try to ‘prove’ the existence of religions, but rather focus on religions as phenomena that influence people’s lives, identities and behaviour. You are encouraged to observe the world from a non-Eurocentric perspective...

My fellow students have various backgrounds. This makes the discussions in class very interesting. I believe this Master’s programme not only helps you to expand your knowledge, but also transforms you personally.My thesis focuses on the role of religion in international development programmes. Since Western Europe dominates international politics, the development agenda is highly secular, and local religious and cultural systems are often not taken seriously. In my thesis I look at religious NGOs, and inquire whether they bring something new to the table in this regard. After graduating, I would like to pursue a PhD degree in order to learn more about this topic. In the future, I hope either to work as an academic or to establish my own NGO, one that strives to serve the interests and goals of local communities, not those of politicians or big companies.

lees verder ...

Ans Kooymans (The Netherlands)

During my BA, I missed the 'human aspect'. It was a lot about policy and administrative processes, but why do people actually do what they do?

Prior to this Master's, I completed the Bachelor's in European Studies at the NHL Stenden Hogeschool in Leeuwarden, after which - after completing the pre-master's - I studied the Master's in Religion, Conflict and Globalization.

Initially, I wanted to study something in the field of international relations. I started researching and came across the Master's program in Religion, Conflict, and Globalization. It immediately appealed to me because I’ve long believed that religion is everywhere, yet I had many questions about it...

Every course and every professor offers a different perspective. I also really enjoyed that it’s a personal and small faculty and master’s program, so you get to know the professors better and also greet each other in the hallways.

'Global Dynamics & Local Cosmologies' was my favorite course. This course examines, from an anthropological perspective, how globalization impacts small (religious) communities and how change occurs within them. During the program, I learned that nothing exists in a vacuum and that there are many different ways to look at a phenomenon. These different perspectives have ensured that I think in a much more nuanced way, with which I can contribute to social discussions.

At the moment, I work as a research assistant at GGZ Drenthe in a transcultural psychiatric department. Here they treat people with a different cultural background who experience mental complaints. I was also given the opportunity to do my thesis and internship here.

And soon I will start a job as a policy advisor within the social domain.

lees verder ...

Jessica Clark (United Kingdom)

afgestudeerd in 2016 werkzaam als Programme and Grants Coordinator bij Humanitarian Academy for Development - UK

Enhancing the knowledge and skills of the humanitarian sector.

After I graduated from the University of Stirling, Scotland, I chose to study Religion, Conflict and Globalization as I have always been fascinated with how religion plays a role within societies and cultures. I wanted to explore this further by doing a master's degree. I was also very aware about the negative attitudes held by many in my home country (the UK) towards religion, with the assumption that it causes conflict.

I also felt this assumption relates to the fear people have about the migration ‘crisis’ Europe is experiencing, with this fear particularly aimed towards Islam...

I explored how FBOs operate in assisting displaced persons and elaborated on current literature by applying theory to my personal experiences of working as an intern at INLIA.After graduating, I started as an intern in Research and Development at the Humanitarian Academy for Development (formerly Islamic Relief Academy), based in the UK. Now, I am Programme and Grants Coordinator at that same institution. In this role, I am responsible for developing relationships with institutions and funding agencies and I develop proposals and reports based on the funder's requirement. The projects I am involved in, aim to enhance the knowledge and skills of the humanitarian sector through capacity building, applied research, and leadership development.

lees verder ...

Dr. Joram Tarusarira (Zimbabwe)

Reconciliation is both a social and a political process.

The links between religion and conflict, peace and reconciliation in pre-modern and modern times are undisputed. However, recent religiously articulated violence and conflict both locally and globally has added another layer of complexity to the role of religion in the public sphere. Although religious motifs can be used to promote peace, religion can also be used to justify conflict and violence.

...

You will study how religion around the world influences people’s lives and connects them. Our teaching philosophy allows you to study and to conduct high level research that has a practical impact in the public domain. I am the Coordinator of this track and am responsible for the Thesis seminars and Methodology clinics. The course ‘Religion, Violence and Conflict Transformation’ is one of the course units I teach. This course unit examines the discourse and practice of peacebuilding and conflict transformation. We will address topics such as the history and development of religiously articulated violence and religious peacebuilding, religion and reconciliation, transitional justice and religion, religion and conflict, fundamentalism and religious violence, women, religion and peacebuilding, and religion, ritual and peacebuilding. My own research is conducted where religion, conflict, politics, peace and reconciliation intersect. It’s very important for me to conduct research that has a practical influence in the public sphere. A specific example of the practical application of my studies and research into reconciliation and transitional justice is my work as a consultant for various civic organizations in Zimbabwe. I’ve given workshops on peace, recovery and reconciliation, following two decades of political conflict, and have developed policy documents on these themes. I consider transitional justice to be part of the reconciliation process because I believe that reconciliation is both a social and a political process. So if you talk about reconciliation, you need to include events from the past and administer both retributive and restorative justice. My teaching is research driven, so students benefit from my past, present and on-going work.

lees verder ...

Dr. Kim Knibbe (The Netherlands)

The role of religion in contemporary societies is still not sufficiently understood.

Many disciplines do not explicitly address the role of religion in conflict, in the ways present-day societies are shaped, and in the ways people themselves shape their lives in a globalised world. This is puzzling but understandable given the dominance of the narrative of secularisation: social scientists long expected that the world would become less religious, following the example of Europe.

...

This is what we are trying to do in this MA programme.
Within this programme, I am involved in the course unit Global Dynamics and Local Cosmologies. This course unit is intended to give a broad background to the confrontation between different - religious and cultural - ways of ordering, perceiving and acting in the world that have taken place throughout history. We look at the confrontations between explorers and local populations, at the experience of colonialism, the globalisation of capitalism and our current, thoroughly globalised society. What has changed as a result of these confrontations and what remains the same? The Fundamentalism and Religious Violence course unit has a focus on more contemporary issues: what is fundamentalism and what are its causes? What are the consequences of labelling a certain group 'fundamentalist'? Is there something specific to religion that is connected with violence?
My own research in recent years has focused on a form of 'religious globalisation' radiating from Nigeria. Nigeria is one of the most religiously dynamic countries in the world, especially in the south where there are many Pentecostal churches that are very ambitious: they want to convert the whole world to Christianity. They use the most modern methods of evangelisation, media, and organisation. To many people, these kinds of churches form a gateway to a globalised, modern lifestyle. Several of these churches have established a presence in many different countries worldwide. The church I have been following has 'parishes' in most countries of the world, and is also present in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands and Europe in general, religion and modernity are often thought to be antithetical - religion should be a private affair. This is very different from the way these Pentecostal churches see things. How do these opposing ways of viewing religion in relation to modernity interact and perhaps conflict, for example when it comes to gender and sexuality? That is what interests me.

lees verder ...

Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker

University of Groningen
Leiden University
Radboud University Nijmegen
University of Amsterdam
Tilburg University
VU University Amsterdam

1/22 University of Groningen
Religion, Conflict and Globalization

€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur

18 eerstejaars

50% vrouw

? uur contacttijd/week

100% Engelstalig

instelling	opleiding	instroomeisen
Utrecht University	Leraar VHO godsdienst/levensbeschouwing full-time,part-time educational	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Amsterdam	Lerarenopleiding Godsdienst en levensbeschouwing educational	geen aanvullende eisen
University of Amsterdam	Lerarenopleiding Godsdienst en levensbeschouwing part-time educational	geen aanvullende eisen

Religion, Conflict and Globalization

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

Deze opleiding

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

Studieprogramma

Onderwijs

onderwijsvormen

instruction modes

objectives

study load

study abroad

study guidance

Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

toelatingseisen

studie kosten

inbegrepen in collegegeld

De stad

studievereniging

Gerardus van der Leeuw

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Jarnick Vitters (The Netherlands)

This MA challenges existing negative ideas about religion.

Nick Alexiev (Bulgaria)

Important to show the impact religion has on people's lives.

Thomas Ansell (United Kingdom)

Sophisticated academic analysis made diverting and fun.

Nikki Haze (The Netherlands)

Looking at the world without a Eurocentric lens.

Ans Kooymans (The Netherlands)

During my BA, I missed the 'human aspect'. It was a lot about policy and administrative processes, but why do people actually do what they do?

Jessica Clark (United Kingdom)

Enhancing the knowledge and skills of the humanitarian sector.

Dr. Joram Tarusarira (Zimbabwe)

Reconciliation is both a social and a political process.

Dr. Kim Knibbe (The Netherlands)

The role of religion in contemporary societies is still not sufficiently understood.

Keuzehulp

Studievergelijker

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