The Western Esotericism programme of the Theology and Religious Studies Master focuses on the critical historical and analytical study of esoteric movements in Western culture. Against the background of the Gnostic and hermetic currents of late antiquity and the history of the so‑called ‘occult sciences' (notably astrology, alchemy, magic), attention is focused particularly on the revival of Hermetic philosophy during the early Renaissance, the so-called ‘occult philosophy' and its later offshoots (alchemy, Paracelsianism and Rosicrucianism), Jewish and Christian Kabbalah and the movements arising from it, theosophical and illuminist currents and various forms of occultism and related movements during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including the New Age movement.

Studying Western Esotericism at the University of Amsterdam

The academic study of Western Esotericism has flourished in recent years, with a veritable cornucopia of new publications. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the first university in the world to offer a coherent programme devoted to this specialised field. The programme therefore represents a unique opportunity for students to be at the vanguard of a new and exciting development in the study of Western culture and religion.

An added advantage of studying Western Eesotericism at the UvA is the city's Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica. This library contains the world's best collection of materials (books, manuscripts and early prints) on Hermetic philosophy and related currents, and provides excellent facilities for study. For more information, see the link below.