Career prospects
The research Master’s programme in Religious Studies is designed for students with the ability and ambition to pursue an academic career, but graduates of Religious Studies also come to work in other professions as editors, museum professionals, researchers, journalists, and policy advisors. Below are examples of recent alumni still in an early phase of their career.
Academic careers
During the programme you will learn from internationally leading scholars, including laureates of prestigious awards and research grants. You will actively participate in their research projects and their international networks. This significantly enhances your prospects of being offered a funded PhD position.
Professional careers
A research Master provides its students with more analytical skills and advanced multidisciplinary research competencies, as well as insights in historical and transnational developments that shape the impact of religion on societies, groups and individuals worldwide. Such qualifications are valuable for a variety of positions in administration, consultancy, education, media, and cultural institutions.
Career development
Doing research in Religious Studies seminars
Throughout your Master’s you will participate in a seminar and a series of colloquia of the Religious Studies research group in which students and academic staff exchange their knowledge and skills that are useful for future career paths. You are coached personally, such as in writing proposals for paper presentations at international conferences, developing applications for grants, writing a CV for job applications, and even in skills such as networking with other researchers.
Network building
As a student of this research Master’s programme, you are part of the international learning and research community in our department. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to study with, and receive feedback from leading international scholars who visit our department frequently. As staff members we see it as part of our work to help our students develop an international network that puts them in a favourable position, for instance on the international market for PhD positions.
Career Services
Career Services offers events, tests, coaching and training in and outside your Master's programme, related to professional self-analysis, career orientation and job application skills. You can find more information about career services on Career Services for Dutch students or Career Services for international students.
Other career events
- Your Perspective is a monthly career orientation meeting for students and alumni of the Faculty of Humanities at Utrecht University.
- The Faculty of Humanities organises a Career Night Humanities with interesting partners who will illustrate the diversity in career opportunities for humanities graduates.
- Once a year Utrecht University organises a Careers Day. This Careers Day offers the opportunity to sign up for workshops and trainings, and to meet recruiters at the careers fair.