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Studies & Degrees in Protestant Theology

Protestant theology is the academic study of the Christian faith in the traditions that came out of the Reformation, such as the Lutheran and Reformed churches. In German-speaking countries it is called Evangelische Theologie and is taught at public universities. The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) describes its subject as Christian religious life of a Protestant character in all its facets, in history and in the present, in the church and in society and culture.

A full programme covers the classical disciplines of the subject:

  • Old Testament: interpretation of the texts and the theology of the Hebrew Bible
  • New Testament: interpretation of the texts in their Greek, Roman and early Jewish context
  • Church history, including the history of doctrine
  • Systematic theology: dogmatics, ethics and philosophy of religion
  • Practical theology: preaching, pastoral practice and religious education
  • Religious studies and intercultural theology

Qualifications and levels

The route depends on the country and on the aim: ordained ministry, teaching religion at school, or an academic degree.

Germany. At LMU, Protestant theology as a main subject ends either with the church examination (Kirchliche Prüfung, the route to the ministry) or with the degree Magister der Theologie. Both have a standard length of 10 semesters and 300 ECTS credits: a basic stage of 4 semesters (120 ECTS credits), a main stage of 4 semesters (120 ECTS credits) and an integration phase of 2 semesters (60 ECTS credits). Students need Hebrew, Latin and Greek (Hebraicum, Latinum and Graecum). Those who do not bring them from school learn them at the start, and the standard length grows by one semester per language, up to a maximum of two semesters. The faculty also offers Protestant theology as a minor in a bachelor's degree, as a subject in teacher training and as a doctorate.

Switzerland. The University of Bern follows the bachelor's and master's structure. The Bachelor of Theology has 180 ECTS credits and takes 6 semesters; the Master of Theology has 120 ECTS credits and takes 4 semesters. Both can be taken with a focus on Protestant theology. The bachelor's degree requires proof of sufficient knowledge of Greek, Hebrew and Latin. The master's degree is required for anyone who wants to become a pastor. Graduates of another subject can take the intensive ITHAKA programme, which leads to a Master of Theology in three years of full-time study.

Spain. Protestant seminaries often award their own qualifications. The Seminario Teológico de Sevilla (STS), in Santiponce near Seville, offers a Grado en Teología of 240 credits, including a final project of 12 credits. The seminary describes it as its own qualification (título propio), not an official university degree. Its price list for the 2025-2026 academic year gives a flat annual fee of €450 for certificate, diploma and degree students.

A theology degree is not the end of training for the ministry. In Germany the degree is the condition for entering the Vikariat, the practical training period in a parish. In Bern the equivalent is the Lernvikariat, which ends with the state examination and the church qualification that together lead to ordination.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 5 active schools for Protestant theology: two in Germany and one each in Switzerland, Slovakia and Spain. They are LMU in Munich, the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, the University of Bern, Comenius University in Bratislava and the Seminario Teológico Al-Ándalus in Seville, which today presents itself as the Seminario Teológico de Sevilla.

The language of instruction is normally the language of the country. LMU and Bern both state German as the language of their theology programmes, and the Seville seminary teaches in Spanish. International students therefore need a good level of that language before they start, in addition to the ancient languages learned during the degree.

Admission follows the general rules of each university. In Bern, applicants with a Swiss Matura or an equivalent school-leaving certificate enrol in the normal way. There are also special routes: a two-year church preparatory school for people without that certificate, and an admission procedure for people aged 30 or over without formal entrance qualifications.

Careers

The best-known career is the ministry: pastor of a parish after the degree, the practical training period and ordination. Teaching religion at school is a second route and has its own teacher-training programmes. LMU points out that students do not automatically choose a church career. According to the faculty, a theology degree also qualifies graduates for research, social work and adult education, and it is of interest to employers in journalism, publishing, public relations and consultancy. Chaplaincy in hospitals and prisons, work for church organisations and a doctorate followed by university teaching are other common paths.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a degree in Protestant theology take?

At LMU in Munich the full degree has a standard length of 10 semesters (300 ECTS credits), plus up to two semesters for the ancient languages. At the University of Bern the bachelor's degree takes 6 semesters and the master's degree 4 semesters.

Do I need to know Greek, Hebrew and Latin before I start?

No. The universities require them for the degree, but they can be learned during the first semesters. LMU runs its own Greek and Hebrew courses for this purpose.

Can I become a pastor with a theology degree alone?

No. The degree is followed by practical church training (Vikariat in Germany, Lernvikariat in Bern) and by examinations before ordination. The exact rules are set by each church.

Is Protestant theology taught in English?

The programmes described here are taught in German or Spanish. Check the language of instruction of each school before applying.