Admission Requirements, Application Procedure and Enrollment at RUB
Admission to the MA Program in Religious Studies
The MA program in Religious Studies at CERES welcomes applicants with a strong academic interest in the study of religions. Admission requires meeting both general university requirements and specific subject-related criteria.
General Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Religious Studies or a related discipline. Suitable backgrounds include, for example, Theology, Middle Eastern and East Asian Studies, History, Philology, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy or related fields.
Applicants must provide proof of their completed academic degree for enrolment at Ruhr University Bochum. In addition, all students must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency according to the requirements of the program.
International applicants from non-EU countries may need to have their academic certificates formally assessed. Further information on admission procedures for international students is available from the International Office of Ruhr University Bochum.
Find more information on admission and enrollment here.
Specific Requirements for Religious Studies
To study Religious Studies at CERES, applicants should demonstrate:
a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
basic knowledge of theories and methods in Religious Studies
basic knowledge of the history of religions or a specific religious tradition
relevant language skills related to their intended area of specialization
Academic Background in Religious Studies
The required Bachelor’s degree should represent at least three years of university study in Religious Studies or a related field. Graduates from other disciplines are also welcome to apply, provided they meet the subject-specific requirements. Applicants should have prior knowledge of theories and methods in the academic study of religion.
Knowledge of Religious History and Language Skills
Applicants should have basic knowledge of religious history or of at least one religious tradition. This background should ideally correspond to their intended area of specialization at CERES, including relevant religious traditions, regions or historical periods. For specialization in particular religions and/or regions during the MA program, knowledge of relevant languages is highly recommended.
Applicants Who Do Not Yet Meet All Requirements
Applicants who do not fulfil all requirements may still be considered for admission if only a limited amount of additional coursework is needed. Missing qualifications can often be acquired by taking prerequisite courses from the BA Religious Studies program at CERES.
Application Process
Applications for the MA program in Religious Studies at CERES are submitted online through the application portal of Ruhr University Bochum. Applicants should prepare all required documents and certificates in advance, particularly proof of their previous academic degree.
Find RUB's application portal here.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted for both semesters:
Winter semester: mid-June to 15 July
Summer semester: mid-December to 15 January
Admission Decisions
Based on the submitted application documents, the selection committee may:
grant admission without additional requirements
grant admission with additional requirements to be fulfilled
reject the application while providing guidance on how applicants may meet the requirements in the future
Students who receive admission can proceed with enrollment at Ruhr University Bochum. Additional regulations apply to applicants from non-EU countries.
Find out more about enrolling at RUB here.
International Students and Visa Requirements
Students from non-EU countries who receive admission must obtain a student visa before coming to Germany. The visa application should be submitted to the German embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country using the admission documents provided by Ruhr University Bochum.
A tourist visa does not allow enrolment at German universities and should not be used for this purpose.
International students who require a visa for studying in Germany must provide proof that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay. This document is known as a Finanzierungsnachweis (proof of financial resources) and is required during the visa application process or, at the latest, when applying for a residence permit in Germany.
Find out more on financial requirements here.
Students from EU countries generally do not need to provide such proof for visa purposes but may need to demonstrate their financial situation when registering with local authorities.
Find more information on planning your entry into Germany here.
Tuition Fees and Living Costs in Germany
German public universities generally do not charge tuition fees for regular degree programs. Students are, however, required to pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each term. This contribution supports a range of student services and benefits, including:
access to university facilities and resources such as libraries and digital services
use of local and regional public transportation within all of Germany
various student discounts, for example for cultural activities, sports facilities and other services
In addition to the semester contribution, students are responsible for their own living expenses, including health insurance, accommodation and everyday costs such as food and personal items. The overall cost of living depends on individual circumstances, particularly the type of housing chosen and personal lifestyle.
For more information on applying to the single-major and the double-major M.A. Religious Studies, please contact Jens Schlamelcher.