Bachelor Theologie

Program and courses Theology BA

Theology has a variety of interesting topics for students who like to reflect thoroughly about people, society and the Christian faith. We offer you a well-balanced curriculum with biblical exegesis, church history, systematic theology, spirituality and practical theology. You become competent in reflecting from various disciplines such as history, philosophy, literature and social sciences.

Video: short overview of the Bachelor's program (03:34)

Program structure and content

The first year gives you a good overview of all the important disciplines in theology, so you get a reliable picture of the entire study. You start studying Greek and Hebrew. In the second and third year, you will study the courses more thoroughly and the source language Latin is added. You can also go abroad as an exchange student for the electives.

First Year Content

In the first semester of the first year, you will become acquainted with the historical subjects in the field of Biblical studies, Philosophy, History of Church and Theology.

You will take the following courses:

  • Greek 1 
  • Theological Seminar
  • Bible and Exegesis (Introduction)
  • History of Church and Theology (Introduction)
  • History of Philosophy
  • Comparative Religion       

The second semester actively involves you in the thoughts of philosophers and theologians. You will deal with social issues and religious experiences which played out today and in the past. You approach these with an open mind and you examine and think critically about God, faith, people and society and you dare to ask yourself critical questions.

You will take the following courses:

  • Greek 2
  • Biblical Hebrew 1
  • Fundamental Theology and Dogmatics
  • Moral Theology; Anthropological Foundations  
  • Spirituality (Introduction) 
  • Systematic Philosophy
  • Practical Theology (Introduction)

You start in the first year with the source languages Greek and Hebrew and learn these over the coming years.

Second Year Content

During the second year the disciplines from the first year are deepened. You will have room for electives with which you focus on your favourite subjects or broaden your interests. For the electives, you can choose courses of the School of Catholic Theology* or you can follow one or more subjects at another school or university .

You will take the following courses in the first semester:

  • Greek 3       
  • Biblical Hebrew 2
  • New Testament: Acts and Letters
  • Moral Philosophy
  • Moral Theology; Theological Anthropology
  • Sociology and Psychology of Religion
  • Free Electives

And these courses in the second semester:

  • Latin 1
  • Biblical Hebrew 3    
  • Old Testament: Wisdom Literature and Psalms
  • Dogmatics: Church, Liturgy and Sacraments   
  • Canon Law (Introduction)
  • Free Electives

* Further down the page, at 'Obtaining a canonical degree', you will find an overview of elective courses of Tilburg School of Catholic Theology. 

Third Year Content

In the third year, you will further explore fields within Theology and take two new courses; Judaism and Patristics. You will also write your Bachelor's thesis.

You will take the following courses:

  • Latin 2  and Latin 3
  • Judaism (Introduction)
  • Judaism: Reading Rabbinic Texts    
  • New Testament: Synoptic Gospel and Johannine Literature
  • Old Testament; Torah and Prophetic Literature
  • Church History: Middle Ages and Modernity
  • Patristics
  • Philosophy of Religion and Metaphysics
  • Free Electives / Beroepsseminar (in Dutch)
  • Dogmatics: God and Christ
    Theology in part-time

    You can follow the Bachelor's program in Theology (180 ECTS) on a part-time basis. The contents are mostly the same as in the full-time program, but if you already have a bachelor's degree (hbo or wo), then you are eligible for the part-time bachelor's program in Theology (147 ECTS), regardless of your previous field of study.

    As a part-time student, you take 36 ECTS per year (instead of 60 ECTS) and spend 20-24 hours per week studying.

    Study abroad: going on exchange

    We encourage all students to gain international experience. A popular and very exiting option is to go abroad on exchange. As an exchange student, you study at one of the many international partner universities of Tilburg University, typically for one semester.

    The Study Abroad & Exchange Office of Tilburg University will be available to help you research the opportunities within your study program and a dedicated Study Abroad & Exchange Coordinator will be advising you before, during and after your exchange.

    Most students will be eligible for a grant or scholarship to financially support them during their exchange experience. Additional grants for students with special needs or a difficult financial situation are also available.

    More on studying abroad

    You will find a detailed description of the courses and required literature in our course catalog.

    Go to the course descriptions

    Please note: programs are subject to change. We advise you to look up the current program in OSIRIS Student at the start of the year.

    Obtaining a canonical degree

    Tilburg School of Catholic Theology has permission of the Holy See to deliver canonical degrees, namely a bachelor's, licentiate or doctor's degree in Sacred Theology. Tilburg School of Catholic Theology is also entitled to deliver the bachelor's and licentiate degree in scientiae religiosae. All theology students can obtain these degrees, on top of their regular Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Theology. In order to get the Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus (STB), the bachelor students must opt for the following courses in the electives:

    • Fundamental Theology: Ecumenics and Theology of the Religions 
    • Dogmatics: Nature, Sin, and Grace
    • Moral Theology: Christian Ethics in a Secularized Society
    • Canon Law (Advanced)
    • Philosophy: Nature and Culture

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    Why Theology in Tilburg University?

    • You can choose between a three year program (full-time) or a five-year program (part-time).
    • Tilburg School of Catholic Theology has educational locations in both Tilburg and Utrecht. In Tilburg you can follow the Bachelor’s program in English, in Utrecht the bachelor is taught in Dutch.
    • Because of the small groups, there is a lot of interaction between students and professors. As many of our students have different backgrounds (Catholic, Protestant, secular) our discussions and contacts are very lively.
    • The institutional fee for tuition fees for the Bachelor's program in Theology is very attractive. The institutional fee for EU-students at the TST is always equal to the statutory fee. This makes Theology as a second study program very attractive.

    Would you like to know more about this program?

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