Faculty of Humanities
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Humanities
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Humanities
University of Amsterdam
European religious history is far more complex than the common picture of a “Christian Occident” suggests. Since antiquity, alternative versions of Christianity have interacted, merged, and competed with pre-Christian religious practices, the religions of Judaism and Islam, and various other religious and philosophical systems. How has this pluralism shaped European and now global religious history? What has been the influence of heterodox currents such as Gnosticism and Hermeticism on the mélange of European religiosity? What role did alchemy, magic, and astrology play during the scientific revolution? What is the historical reality behind pop-cultural references to initiatory secret societies, such as the Rosicrucians and the Illuminati? What has happened with the practice of magic since the Enlightenment? And what is the status of spiritualism and occultism in modern culture, including literature and art?
These are some of the key questions explored by our comprehensive study programme in esotericism. The HHP Centre is currently the only institute in the world to offer a complete academic specialism in esotericism, from the BA to the PhD level. Taught by leading specialists in the field, our study programme offers a unique opportunity for students to be at the vanguard of a new and exciting development in the study of Western religion and culture.
Our BA and MA modules are fully integrated in the interdisciplinary Religious Studies group of the University of Amsterdam, with its focus on diversity and religious pluralism. This presents unique opportunities for combining the study of esotericism with the study of religion. There is also the possibility to acquire relevant languages, such as Latin, Greek, Arabic, or Hebrew.
Our Bachelor programme consists of five modules that deal with esotericism from antiquity to the present, as part of the Religious Studies programme of the UvA. As a rule, the language of instruction for this BA programme is Dutch, but our courses on esotericism are offered in English. For students enrolled in other BA programmes than Religious Studies it is also possible to study esotericism with us with our Western Esotericism minor.
An area of specialisation on esotericism is part of the MA programme Spirituality and Religion. The specialisation includes several modules, focusing on different thematic and historical aspects of esotericism It is also possible to opt for a two-year Research MA, for which additional courses are necessary. Our Master and Research Master programmes are taught entirely in English.
The HHP Centre has two regular PhD positions. As a rule, both positions will become vacant every four years, at which point there will be a formal call for applications. Both positions are occupied at present (2023), but other ways of doing a PhD exist as well. Please find more information about PhD opportunities by clicking on the button below.
In the winter HHP offers an online Winter School programme “Visions of The Occult: Introduction to Western Esotericism”.
The course is for current university students (advanced Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate) and professionals from any discipline. A general interest in the humanities and social sciences, and an open mind are necessary.
In the summer HHP offers an on-campus Summer school programme “Arcane Worlds, New Frontiers in the Study of Esotericism”.
The goal of this course is to bring together participants who are passionate about the esoteric and the occult, enabling them to delve deeply into how the studies, traditions, and related currents can be comprehended through developing a flexible yet rigorous scholarly framework.
The HHP Centre is fully integrated in the University of Amsterdam’s educational system. Read more about how to enroll in our teaching programmes.
Our BA courses are taught as part of the BA programme “Religiewetenschappen.” Our MA programme exists in a one-year and a two-year variety. The one-year option is “Spirituality and Religion.”The two-year option is the Research Master (RMA) “Religious Studies.” The study of esotericism is one of the specialization areas for both options.
The HHP Centre has two regular PhD positions. As a rule, both positions will become vacant every four years, at which point there will be a formal call for applications. Both regular positions are occupied at present (2023), but other ways exist to do a PhD as well.
In January 2023 HHP offered a winter school programme Visions of The Occult: Introduction to Western Esotericism. The course is for current university students (advanced Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate) and professionals from any discipline.
A general interest in the humanities and social sciences and an open mind are necessary; view the information here.
Do you have any questions about studying at the HHP Centre?
Our Bachelor programme consists of four separate modules that deal with Western esotericism from antiquity to the present, as part of the Religious Studies program of the UvA. For the complete programme, see the UvA Course Catalogue 2020-2021. As a rule, the language of instruction for these courses is Dutch, but there are exceptions.
Our Bachelor programme is part of the Religious Studies program of the UvA. For the complete program Spirituality and Religion, see the UvA Course Catalogue 2020-2021.
The HHP Centre is fully integrated in the University of Amsterdam’s educational system. Read more about how to enroll in our teaching programmes.
For the complete programme Spirituality and Religion, see the UvA Course Catalogue 2020-2021.
For the complete programme, see the UvA Course Catalogue 2020-2021
The Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP) is part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam. We are committed to the highest standards of critical academic scholarship, independent of any worldview.
Visiting adress:
Bushuis / Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 481012 CX AmsterdamThe Netherlands
Postal adress:
Postbus 1622
1000BP Amsterdam
Email: hermetica-fgw@uva.nl
The Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP) is part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam. We are committed to the highest standards of critical academic scholarship, independent of any worldview.
Visiting adress:
Bushuis / Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 481012 CX AmsterdamThe Netherlands
Postal adress:
Postbus 1622
1000BP Amsterdam
Email: hermetica-fgw@uva.nl
The Centre for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents (HHP) is part of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam. We are committed to the highest standards of critical academic scholarship, independent of any worldview.
Visiting adress:
Bushuis / Oost-Indisch Huis
Kloveniersburgwal 481012 CX AmsterdamThe Netherlands
Postal adress:
Postbus 1622
1000BP Amsterdam
Email: hermetica-fgw@uva.nl
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