Did you know...

  • that the Study of Religions is not a theological discipline, but a non-denominational, cultural studies subject?
  • that the Study of Religions can also be studied without basic studies (Bachelor/Master/Doctorate) within the framework of the Bachelor Religious Education (Religious Studies Education)?
  • that condition-free admission to the MA in the Study of Religions is possible after completing the two extension curricula in any undergraduate program?
  • that almost any undergraduate degree (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) can be used for admission to the MA in the Study of Religions?
  • that required courses (usually consisting of the two extension curricula) can be completed not only before the start of the study program but also during the study programme?
  • that you can learn more about the self-image of the subject Study of Religions, the cultural studies discipline on the topic of "religion", here?
  • that EU/EEA/CH citizens do not pay tuition for their B.A./M.A./Ph.D. studies? Non-EU/EEA citizens are required to pay tuition fees of 751.92 Euro/semester.This includes all degree programmes (B.A./M.A./Ph.D.).

 News

  • We cordially welcome Asst. Prof. Petra Tlčimuková (University of South Bohemia). While at the Department in the spring/summer semester 2026, she conducts research on Ayurveda/Yoga and its intersections with biomedicine in the field of pain management.
  • Massimo Introvigne reviews the book Appropriating the Dao: The Euro-American Esoteric Reception of China, edited by Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter. The review is available here.
  • In the new QS World University Ranking by Subject 2026, the University of Vienna's Theology and Religious Studies Cluster ranks 22nd worldwide.
  • The Department congratulates Robert Wurzrainer on the publication of his doctoral thesis, entitled "Religion und Religionen im Ethikunterricht. Theoretische Grundlagen und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten einer praxisorientierten Religionswissenschaft [Religion and Religions in Ethics Classes: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications of a Practice-Oriented Study of Religion] by Kohlhammer. Further information on the publication can be found here.
  • On April 15, 2026, Dr. Samuel Thévoz will be delivering a lecture on Alexandra David-Neel and Buddhist modernism at the International Institute for Asian Studies, Leiden University. For more information, see here.
  • For students of the Study of Religions, we are offering our mentoring program again this semester for questions and difficulties during their studies. You can find more information here.
  • A compact list of all the courses that will be offered by our institute in the upcoming summer semester can be found here.
  • The admission to the Master's Programme in Study of Religions for the summer semester 2026 is open since 7 January. Further information on the process of admission can be found here.
  • The first episode of the ORF mini-series "Homo religiosus" with Dirk Schuster, Marleen Thaler, and Robert Wurzrainer on the topic of "Hindu religions" was broadcasted as part of the program “Kreuz und Quer plus” and can be viewed here. Four more episodes will be broadcasted in the coming weeks, with a focus on the following religious traditions: Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 
  • The University of Vienna's bulletin has published the new curriculum for the Master's program in Study of Religions (Version 2025), which will come into effect on 1 October 2025. In addition, the two new extension curricula, "Study of Religions: An Introduction" and "Study of Religions: The Major Religions," were published as well in the bulletin and will also come into effect on 1 October 2025. Further information on the curricula can be found here. The new application form for the recognition of credits for the Master's program in Study of Religions (Version 2025) can be accessed here.
  • The current guidelines of the Faculty of Catholic Theology and the University of Vienna on the use of AI in academic studies as well as further links on AI in teaching and studying can be found here.

 New Publications

  • Lukas K. Pokorny:
    1. and Franz Winter, eds. 2026. Occult East Asia: Euro-American Perspectives. Leiden and Boston: Brill.
    2. "The Ascended Confucius: Images of the Chinese Master in the Euro-American Esoteric Discourse." In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter, eds. Occult East Asia: Euro-American Perspectives. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2026, 53–71.
    3. "'The Way, the Truth, and the Light': Franz Hartmann's Daodejing." In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter, eds. Occult East Asia: Euro-American Perspectives. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2026, 93–118.
    4. Franz Winter. "Introducing Occult East Asia." In Lukas K. Pokorny and Franz Winter, eds. Occult East Asia: Euro-American Perspectives. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2026, 1–9.
  • Nickolas P. Roubekas:
    1. "Profile Roman Religion." The Classical Review 76 (1), 2026, 16–22.
  • Wurzrainer, Robert:
    1. Religion und Religionen im Ethikunterricht. Theoretische Grundlagen und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten einer praxisorientierten Religionswissenschaft. Stuttgart: Kohlhammer, 2026.
  • Sára Eszter Heidl:
    1. Event Religion and European Festival Experience: Concepts and Case Studies. New York: Routledge, 2026.
  • Pavel Horák:
    1. "Occult Use of Race, Ethnicity, and Nationalism: Slavic and German Occultism in Comparison." In Aries – Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism (published online ahead of print): 1–29.
  • Alisha Saikia:
    1. "Doll Artists and their Dolls: Animators and the Animated." In Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society (published online ahead of print), 1–34.
  • Ivana Ryška Vajdová:
    1. "Courage in Vulnerability as a Psychological Quality and Civic Virtue". In The International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society (published online ahead of print): 1–13.
  • Human-Friedrich Unterrainer:
    1. et al. "Alcohol Misuse as Dysfunctional Affect Regulation: A Network Analysis of Psychopathology Across Adulthood." In: Journal of Affective Disorders, 401 (2026): #121290.
  • Thaler, Marleen: 
    1. with J. Strube, D. Zoehrer, eds. Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026.
    2. with J. Strube, D. Zoehrer, "Introduction." In Julian Strube, Marleen Thaler, and Dominic Zoehrer, eds., Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026, 1–9. 
    3. "Gaia's Energy Flows: The Interplay of Eco-Spirituality and Terrestrial Energy Healing." In Julian Strube, Marleen Thaler, and Dominic Zoehrer, eds., Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026, 207–226.
  • Dominic Zoehrer:
    1. with J. Strube, M. Thaler, eds. Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026.
    2. with J. Strube, M. Thaler, "Introduction." In Julian Strube, Marleen Thaler, and Dominic Zoehrer, eds., Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026, 1–9.
    3. "Historical Roots of 'Subtle Energies': Occult Physicalism." In Julian Strube, Marleen Thaler, and Dominic Zoehrer, eds., Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026, 23–70.
    4. "Historical Roots of 'Subtle Energies': Occult Orientalism." In Julian Strube, Marleen Thaler, and Dominic Zoehrer, eds., Subtle Energies in Therapy, Spirituality, Arts, and Politics. Leiden: Brill, 2026, 71–97.
  • Birgit Heller:
    1. "Religiöses Wissen - ein männliches Privileg? Zum Verhältnis von Bildung und Macht in den Religionen." In: Religionen unterwegs 32, 2026, 4–10