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Browse:Comparative Religious Studies and European Cultural History Norway University of Oslo

Comparative Religious Studies and European Cultural History● OpenMastersOpen until filledPreview

Religious Roots of Europe Master’s Programme

A comparative interdisciplinary master’s programme exploring Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in European history and society.

Best for:Best for students with a bachelor’s in religious studies, theology, history, or a related humanities discipline, seeking a comparative, interdisciplinary exploration of Europe’s religious foundations.

University of Oslo · Oslo, Norway

More professors at University of Oslo

Comparative religious history (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)Sacred texts and scriptural analysisReligious rituals and material cultureGender and religious studiesReligion, politics, and law in EuropeNordic and Western identity formation

This is a masters position — not a PhD studentship.

Deadline

Until filled

rolling

Funding

—

2 years (full-time)

Start date

Flexible (typically autumn intake)

Full-time

Location

Oslo

Norway

Overview

The Religious Roots of Europe Master’s Programme is a joint international initiative offered by the University of Oslo in collaboration with Lund University and the University of Copenhagen. This two-year programme uniquely examines Judaism, Christianity, and Islam together, focusing on their formative periods and shared influence on European culture, politics, law, gender, and ethics. Students engage with a multidisciplinary approach—historical, material, philological, feminist, and literary—while studying sacred texts, rituals, architecture, and societal impacts. The curriculum blends online learning with intensive seminars and study trips to Mediterranean destinations, fostering cross-cultural understanding of Nordic, European, and Western identities. Specialised expertise at the University of Oslo includes Biblical Studies, Early Christian history, Gender Studies, Ritual Studies, and Islamic Studies.

Comparative religious studiesEuropean cultural historyInterdisciplinary theologySacred texts and ritualsGender studies in religionReligion and societyNordic universities collaborationOnline and hybrid learning

What you'll do

Engage in comparative analysis of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam across historical, material, and theoretical frameworks.
Participate in interdisciplinary seminars blending historical, philological, feminist, and literary perspectives.
Conduct research on central religious phenomena (e.g., sacred texts, rituals, architecture) and their societal impacts.
Attend compact seminars and study trips to Mediterranean regions to deepen field-based understanding.
Collaborate with students and faculty from partner universities (Lund, Copenhagen) in joint projects.
Develop a thesis project integrating comparative religious studies with broader European cultural themes.
Engage with contemporary Nordic and European identity debates through a religious lens.

Requirements

Degree required: Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies, Theology, History, or a related humanities discipline (minimum 180 ECTS credits).

Degree offered: Master of Arts (MA) in Religious Studies

Language: English proficiency (equivalent to B2/C1 level, e.g., TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5).

Instruction: English (with some coursework in partner universities’ languages as needed)

Required skills

Fluency in academic research and critical analysis of religious texts and historical sources.
Ability to work across disciplinary boundaries (historical, philological, feminist, literary).
Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
Basic proficiency in at least one language relevant to the study of Judaism, Christianity, or Islam (e.g., Hebrew, Arabic, Latin, Greek).

Nice to have

Prior exposure to comparative religious studies or interdisciplinary humanities research.Experience with digital humanities tools or qualitative research methods.Interest in gender studies, political theology, or material culture.

Eligibility

Open to international applicants (no nationality restrictions).
No age restrictions.
No prior work experience required.

Funding & terms

Type

Unknown

Amount

—

Duration

2 years (full-time)

Programme

—

Programme and admissions

Admissions not verified

A catalogue listing does not mean applications are open or funding is guaranteed. Check the source for your intake.

Intake: Not confirmed by the source
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How to apply

Applicants must submit their application through the University of Oslo’s official portal. Required documents include a CV, a statement of purpose, academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a letter of recommendation. The application process is competitive, and selection is based on academic merit, research potential, and alignment with the programme’s interdisciplinary focus.

Documents required