Bachelor Theology BA | 23-02-2024

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 major fields of study in theology. Greek and Hebrew are also introduced. In the second year of study, the subjects are explored in greater depth. A mobility window is planned in the third year. You can choose your own courses (30 EC) appropriate to your interests and in anticipation of your thesis.  You can also go abroad as an exchange student.

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:

  • Biblical Hebrew 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 1
  • Biblical Hebrew 2
  • Fundamental Theology and Dogmatics
  • Moral Theology 1; Virtues and Moral Actions  
  • 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 2     
  • Latin 1
  • Judaism (Introduction)
  • Judaism: Reading Rabbinic Texts
  • New Testament: Acts and Letters
  • Old Testament: Wisdom Literature and Psalms
  • Canon Law (introduction) Patristics
  • Sociology and Psychology of Religion

And these courses in the second semester:

  • Latin 2
  • Church History: Middle Ages and Modernity
  • Moral Theology 2: Catholic Moral Teaching in Practice
  • Dogmatics: Church, Liturgy and Sacraments   
  • Philosophy of Religion and Metaphysics Moral Philosophy

* 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

The third year is devoted to broadening the courses you take. In the first semester you have a mobility window which you can fill in according to your personal interests. You can draw from the elective courses of the theology program, but also from courses from other programs or even courses abroad. Our School of Catholic Theology has good contacts with institutions abroad. In addition, you will conclude the bachelor's degree with a bachelor's thesis, on a topic that appeals to you personally. To write the bachelor's thesis, you will call use the writing, thinking and research skills you have acquired during the course of the program.

You will take the following courses:

  • Mobility Window of 30 EC in the first semester
  • New Testament: Synoptic Gospels and Johannine Literature
  • Old Testament; Torah and Prophetic Literature
  • Dogmatics: God and Christ
  • Thesis
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 (150 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 exciting 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

Watch a trial lecture

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 is entitled to deliver the bachelor's and licentiate degree in scientiae religiosae. You can obtain these degrees, on top of your regular bachelor's degree in Theology.

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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.

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