Master’s Programme Islamic Religious Education
Are you interested in Islam, education and interfaith dialogue, and would you like to train for a career that enables you to provide appropriate support to pupils, Muslim communities and educational institutions in a pluralistic society?
The Master’s programme in Islamic Religious Education provides in-depth training in theology and religious education. You will study Qur’anic exegesis, Hadith studies, interfaith dialogue, and contemporary social developments such as digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), and you will prepare for careers in education, community work, and pastoral care.
Please note: the language of instruction for this programme is German.
Master of Arts
Duration/ECTS-Credits
4 semesters/120 ECTS-Credits
Mode of Study
Full-time
Language
German
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degree/equivalent
and Language Certificates
Faculty
Faculty of Teacher Education
Level of qualification
Master (Second Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7
ISCED-F
0221 Religion and theology
Study Code
UC 066 874
Dates and Deadlines for admission
Masterstudium Islamische Religionspädagogik
FAQ
During the Master’s programme, you will develop specialist subject knowledge alongside interdisciplinary, interfaith and communication skills for work in schools, community and pastoral settings, adult education, children’s and youth work, communications/public engagement and counselling. You will learn to:
- address complex theological and religious‑education questions independently, drawing on advanced expertise;
- present theologically and pedagogically grounded arguments convincingly; and
- design and lead interfaith and interdisciplinary dialogue processes with sensitivity to pluralism.
The programme is broad-based and combines traditional theological subjects with the practical dimensions of religious education:
- Qur’anic exegesis (tafsīr) and Hadith studies
- Doctrine and lived Islam
- Interfaith dialogue in contexts of cultural and religious diversity
- Philosophy of science and research methods in Islamic theology and religious education
- Islamic education and the history of Islam in Europe
- Islamic ethics and community education
- Interfaith religious education and didactics
- Specialisation in religious didactics: the Qur’an and the Prophetic Tradition in the context of religious education
- Contemporary approaches in Islamic theology and religious education; gender studies and Islam
Subject-specific didactics and a school placement in upper secondary education
The programme engages consistently with current social developments. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence, critical engagement with social media, and issues of diversity and gender are integral to several modules. Subject-specific training is complemented by an interdisciplinary suite of optional modules drawn from education, cultural studies, the social sciences, linguistics, history, philosophy and theology.
As a graduate, you will be well qualified for careers within Muslim communities as well as for roles in the wider community and in educational institutions that value rigorous academic and theological training combined with expertise in religious education and pastoral care. Possible career paths include:
- Schools and religious education
- Community and congregational work
- Pastoral care/chaplaincy
- Adult education
- Faith-based and secular institutions
- Children’s and youth work
- Communications/public engagement and counselling
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation
Curriculum (in progress)
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Philosophy, Theology & Religion
Anyone wishing to study philosophy or theology, or who is interested in religious education, ethics and the philosophy of religion, will find a number of suitable degree programmes at the University of Innsbruck.
Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies are integrated into the Research Areas: Cultural Encounters – Cultural Conflicts and EPoS Economy, Politics and Society at the University of Innsbruck. A particular focus is placed on the relationship between religion and rationality, as well as on interfaith dialogue.
