BA Theology

Program 

You will be challenged with subjects such as Church istory, Patristics, Pastoral Theology, Philosophy, Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. In the second and third year you will be study the subjects of your interest more thoroughly by following a minor or electives. 

• Your first year gives you a good overview of the various disciplines in theology. You’ll be introduced to the historical subjects in the fields of Biblical Studies, Philosophy, the History of the Church, Theology and Greek and Hebrew. In the second semester, you’ll actively engage in the thought of philosophers and theologians.
• As from the second year, you will thoroughly study the subjects of the first year, and start with Latin. You also have the opportunity to specialize in your favorite subjects, by choosing electives from the programs offered by the TST or from other Schools or universities.
• In the third year, you will study the subject areas in Theology in depth and write your bachelor's thesis. You can also take courses abroad. The School of Catholic Theology has various destinations that you can sign up to and most have grants.

Theology in part-time

Interested in Theology but not in full-time? You can also study Theology on a part-time basis, enabling you to combine your studies more easily with a job or your personal life. Theology as a part-time study program entails:

• a 5-year program 
• an average of 20-24 hours of study a week, including lectures
• courses are combined with full-time students
• in English in Tilburg and in Dutch in Utrecht

Typical courses are:

• Comparative Religion
  Learn the foundations of three great world religions: Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism and learn to discuss a religious scientific theme.
• Biblical Hebrew, Greek and Latin 
  Learn to read the Bible and other texts in their original languages: Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
• Systematic Philosophy
  Identify, understand, and systematically reflect on fundamental philosophical questions by analyzing texts. The course pays special attention to the relationship between philosophical problems and Christian religion and theology.

More on the program and courses

Study Theology in Tilburg

• The only Catholic theology bachelor in the Netherlands. The Tilburg School of Catholic Theology has been granted permission by the Holy See to deliver canonical degrees, which is important if you have the ambition to work in the Catholic church.
• Learn how to scientifically interpret Biblical texts.
• Lectures are given in small groups which guarantees a personal approach.
• Tuition fees for Theology in Tilburg are very attractive.
• Become part of a small, friendly and strong community.
• Culturally relevant: Isaiah, Saint Paul and Augustine, three people who have been very important to theology and about whom, amongst many others, you will learn in this Bachelor’s program. Take a closer look and watch the following, interesting stories:
  • ‘Sure! The virgin will conceive and bear a son’ (Isaiah) - video (13:58 min)
  • St. Paul - Communicator in the footsteps of Jesus - video (10:18 min)
  • St. Augustine of Hippo – does free will exist? - video (9:36 min)

What to expect when coming to Tilburg

• Why Tilburg University?
• Student life in Tilburg
• International student support
• Study in Holland

Beyond your Bachelor: Extracurricular Activities

• Join one of our student organizations. A great way to meet like-minded students and make friends.
• Challenge yourself by participating in one of the programs of excellence.
• Broaden your horizon by studying a semester abroad - an experience of a lifetime.

View all extracurricular activities

Pursue a Master's degree

With this Bachelor’s degree you can apply for admission to a Master's program at Tilburg University. The BA Theology gives you direct admission to the following Master’s programs:

• The 1-year Master's program Christianity and Society; an excellent multidisciplinary program taught by theologians, sociologists, economists, law specialists and philosophers
• The 2-years Master’s program Religious Education (Dutch taught)
• The 3-years Master’s program in Theology (Dutch taught) for pastoral caretakers

More in formation about the applicable Master's programs

Career prospects

Theologians work as spiritual counselors in hospitals, prisons or in the army, as pastoral workers in the Catholic Church, as journalists or as policy makers in (sustainable) companies or banks. 

The Bachelor's degree in Theology also gives you direct access to three Master’s Programs in the field of theology, Christianity and society and religious education.

 More on your career prospects

Admission requirements

Dutch students can check their eligibility in the application procedure for Dutch students.

The admission requirements for this program for international students are, in short:

• You have a high school diploma which is equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma. Examples of diplomas which are accepted are the International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate and most European high school diplomas which allow direct access to a university in your own country. 
• You need to prove your English language proficiency. Tilburg University accepts Academic IELTS (6.0 overall, minimum of 5.5 on individual parts), TOEFL (minimum score of 80 internet based), and Cambridge English test results: C1 advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 proficiency (formerly CPE). For both C1 and C2, we accept a score of A, B or C.

Go to application and admission

Tuition fees for international students

Tilburg School of Catholic Theology has very attractive tuition fees. The fee for the academic year 2020 - 2021 will be € 2,143 (indicative) for the Bachelor’s Program in Theology, for both EU and non-EU students. 

More information about tuition fees

Monthly cost of living

Living in Tilburg is relatively inexpensive compared to other student cities in the Netherlands, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Utrecht. An indication for your monthly cost of living (including rent, food and drink, books, and insurance), of course depending on your lifestyle:

Related Bachelor's programs

• If you are interested in the human mind and human behavior you might also like Psychology. 
• Students who are thinking further and deeper and ask themselves essential questions could also be interested in Philosophy (Dutch program). 
• If you have many interests and skills and like to be educated broadly, you might also want to look at Liberal Arts and Sciences.