Degree Programs

At ETF Leuven, you can obtain four recognized degrees in the field of theology and religious studies: Bachelor, Master, teacher and PhD.

• The Bachelor’s degree program (in Dutch) takes three years and consists of 180 credits. This course has two specializations: Bijbel en Theologie and Religie, Kerk en Samenleving.

• The two-year English Master’s degree program (120 credits) further builds on this, yet it is also possible to enroll in our Master with another Bachelor’s degree. The Master’s program offers three specializations (majors): Formative Sources; Church, History and Theology, and Religion, Church and Society.

• If you follow the one-year specific teacher training program during or after your Master’s program, you acquire the required degree to give Protestant Evangelical religious education in higher secondary education.

• Finally, ETF Leuven offers a PhD program, which takes three to four years full-time. The core task is conducting scientific research leading to a dissertation, under the guidance of a supervisor.

All programs are recognized by the Flemish Community, Codex Hoger Onderwijs (CHO), art. II 105, and accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) (see Higher Education Register).  This means that the diplomas are recognized within the European Higher Education system and beyond. The last assessment of ETF Leuven took place in February 2023. You’ll find the final report of the educational visitation here.

In the picture you see one of our current residential bachelor students working on a paper in the ETF library.