Master’s Studies

At Master’s level the main language of study is Estonian, with some courses in English.

The general Master’s programme offers students a choice between three specialist fields: Theology, Religious Education and Religious Studies.

The specialty of Theology offers students a flexible way of focusing on a chosen research field of theology: practical or systematic theology for future church workers, biblical studies for future bible translators and so on. Interdisciplinary practical research is also encouraged – in addition to the classical Master’s thesis there is also the option to carry out a practical project and take additional project-related courses from any Faculty of the University of Tartu. In practice, most of the theology students are already working in churches or in state institutions and the study schedules are organised in such a way that it is possible to study and work at the same time.

For Religious Studies many students come from different disciplinary backgrounds, making the classroom discussions especially enriching. The curriculum is designed in a way that enables students to pursue their different research interests, be it some specific religion or research area like anthropology of religion or science and religion. Interdisciplinary, practical research is also encouraged – in addition to the classical Master’s thesis there is also the option to carry out a practical project and take additional project-related courses from any Faculty of the University of Tartu. Nevertheless, even without choosing a practical project, interdisciplinarity is built into the fabric of the religious studies as a discipline itself and the curriculum reflects that. Courses such as psychology of religion, ethics and religious diversity, religion and politics, religion and nature, etc. complement each other in different ways. The studies are organised in a way that it is possible to work at the same time.

The specialty of Religious Education is a teacher-training programme designed to fill the requirements of the Estonian school system.

For exchange studies see the courses taught in English.