One of the most wondrous things to have is faith, and one of the most insightful fields to explore is religion. Besides the required courses that teach primarily about only one religion in religious schools, many secular universities offer programs about religious studies. If you find that interesting, you would love to read this article on free religion schools that have no tuition!
What Can You Learn in Religious Studies?
Religious Studies cover topics related to religious traditions and their impact on society. You’ll also learn about the differences between religions and their respective histories. By studying this, you can develop and enhance crucial skills in research, writing, communication, and critical thinking. A degree in Religious Studies can also take you on a unique career pathway, allowing you to work as a religious teacher, a community service manager, or a professor. While our Open Courses Page currently has no available Religious Studies course, feel free to check out other exciting programs available in popular study destinations, like Europe and Canada.
Free Religion Schools
1. Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg
The Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg or Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg is a public institution established in Germany. This free religion school is also known as Heidelberg University, although you should not confuse it with the one found in Ohio, USA. It is an ancient university founded in 1386. It is one of the country’s most prominent universities and is part of the top schools for theology, divinity, and religious studies.
International students originating outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EAA), comprised of Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway, must pay tuition fees. Those from the EU and EAA do not have to. However, you may visit the free tuition fee link above for more specific cases of tuition fees exemption. For instance, international students with permission to reside in accordance with the Asylum Law (§ 55, paragraph 1) and with a Federal Office for Migration and Refugees protection rate of 50% or more may be exempted.
The university’s Faculty of Philosophy offers religious studies programs, where students learn about the history and present developments of religions. They currently offer four degree variants, three of which are for undergraduates: bachelor 25%, bachelor 50%, and bachelor 75%. They also provide a consecutive master’s program. The languages of instruction for all programs are German and English.
2. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is in Ontario, Canada. This public institution was established in 1827 and known as King’s College before becoming a secular institution. The Church of England first controlled the university until 1850. It is part of the top 10 theology, divinity, and religious studies schools. It is also a top ranker in other subject areas and is considered the leading institution in Canada.
Although the University of Toronto charges tuition fees, there is a full-ride scholarship you may apply for foreign undergraduate students that cover full tuition. This is the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship, which is open only to international students. Your high school must nominate you to qualify for the offer. After being nominated and applying to the university, you can accomplish the scholarship application. The scholarship seeks academically outstanding, creative student leaders who have the potential to contribute to the world.
The university’s Department for the Study of Religion falls under the Faculty of Arts & Science. Under this unit, both undergraduate and graduate programs are available. For undergraduates, they have the following major programs: Buddhist Studies and Islamic Studies. They also have undergraduate minor and specialist programs. Graduate-level students may also opt for Master’s (MA) and Ph.D. programs.
3. Aarhus University
Another free religion school on our list, Aarhus University is Denmark’s second oldest academic institution. It is a public university and was founded in 1928. Besides being a top-ranking university worldwide, this academe is also known to produce prominent alumni such as the inventor of C++, some of Denmark’s royal family members, and a former prime minister of the country.
Students from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland are exempted from paying tuition fees. There are other exemptions based on residence permits, which you may know more about by visiting the free tuition fee link. Those with a permanent residence permit in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland are also exempted; however, those residing in those other Nordic countries must not move to Denmark while studying at the university. Those with a temporary residence permit may also be exempted.
Aarhus University’s School of Culture and Society has the Department of the Study of Religion. You can pursue a Bachelor’s in Study of Religion, Bachelor’s in Arab and Islamic Studies, Master’s in study of religion, and Master’s in Arab and Islamic Studies. They also have supplementary subjects in religion, politics, & society; study of religion; Arab Area studies; and Arab & Islamic studies.
4. University of Oslo
Besides being the oldest university in Norway, the University of Oslo is also one of the leading schools in the Nordic countries. It was established in 1811 and was known previously as the Royal Frederick University until 1939. A public institution in Norway, it is part of the top 50 schools for theology, divinity, and religious studies – just like the other universities in this article.
The University of Oslo, like other public universities in Norway, does not charge tuition fees to all students. However, there may still be some fees one would need to pay. The semester fee, Kopinor fee, and SAIH contribution are all due every semester. Most bilateral exchange students are exempted from paying them.
The undergraduate programs available at the University of Oslo are only taught in Norwegian. They offer some individual religion undergraduate courses taught in English, such as Religion and Politics in Global Perspective (RESA3101). There are also Master’s level programs related to religion, like Master’s in Religious Roots of Europe (2 years) and Master’s in Religion Diversity: Conflict and Coexistence (2 years). You can also pursue Ph.D. at the Faculty of Theology or a Ph.D. in the Humanities.
5. University of Münster
The University of Münster is also known as Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster in German. This free religion school is a public institution, one of Germany’s largest universities, and was established in 1780. Its origins could be traced to the Münster’s Jesuit College, an institution that was run by a convent of lay sisters, which was later dissolved, and the funds used to establish the university. Now, it is among the prestigious institutions in the country.
There are no tuition fees imposed in this university, like other public German universities. However, there is a semester fee that students have to pay. It is used to fund dining halls, residence halls, the university radio station, sports, and other student-related activities. It also covers the semester ticket.
Many religion-related programs are being offered at the University of Münster. The academic units covering religion are the Faculty of Protestant Theology, Faculty of Catholic Theology, Center for Islamic Theology, Center for Eastern Mediterranean Studies, and Institute for Jewish Studies. These programs are mostly, if not all, taught in German. Some undergraduate programs they have are BA in General Religious Studies, BA in Islamic Theology, BA in Islamic Religious Education, and BA in Jewish Studies. They also offer an MA in Ancient Cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean and an MA in Religion and Politics.
We hope this article on free religion schools was informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
