Ecumenical Institute Certificate of Advanced Studies; CAS in Interreligious Studies

ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE PART OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ATTACHED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA APPLICATION GUIDELINES ACADEMIC YEAR  CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED STUDIES (CAS) IN INTERRELIGIOUS STUDIES GENERAL INFORMATION TO APPLICANTS

The Ecumenical Institute at Château de Bossey is the international centre for encounter, dialogue and formation of the World Council of Churches. Founded in 1946, the Institute brings together people from diverse churches, cultures and backgrounds for ecumenical learning, academic study and personal exchange. It focuses on education and formation of young emerging ecumenical leaders. The Institute is attached to the University of Geneva.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Interreligious Studies/le Certificat de formation continue en études interreligieuses is a course of a three-week distance learning component and a three-week intensive residential period of study, research and community life, during summer months of June-August and results in 10 ECTS credits (ECTS-European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, established 1988 by the European Commission). 1 ECTS credit equates to 25-30 hours of student work.

The course trains present and future interreligious dialogue actors towards the required skills to:

• study the issues at stake in interreligious dialogue and engagement through an interdisciplinary approach linking theory and practice and with a focus on a chosen theme
• understand the nature of the interreligious dialogue and engagement as well as its place in a local, national and international society
• strengthen knowledge on the three Abrahamic religions:
  Christianity, Islam and Judaism
• understand the past, present and future challenges of interreligious dialogue and engagement
• find constructive solutions linking theory to practice
• learn to encounter each other in mutual respect and to challenge stereotypes
• discover how religions respond to modern challenges

In summer 2026 the theme of the course is Creation in Judaism, Christianity and Islam:
Interreligious Perspectives on Ecological Responsability. The distance learning component takes place 01-21 June 2026. The residential period takes place at the Ecumenical Institute in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland 27 June – 19 July 2026 (including, arrival and departure dates). The residential period includes lectures, courses, workshops and study visits to places of interreligious interest.

The taught courses are conducted by professors of the Ecumenical Institute and experts of the World Council of Churches, in collaboration with the Autonomous Faculty of Protestant Theology of the University of Geneva, and Jewish and Muslim partners. The tuition language is English.

Study plan of CAS-IS course can be found here

The following guidelines ensure that your application is received in the best possible manner.

The Ecumenical Institute uses multiple criteria when selecting students for admission including:

• grade average during applicant’s upper secondary and post-secondary studies;
• accreditation by the University of Geneva of the applicant’s upper secondary and post-secondary studies;
• affinity between the applicant’s motivation/plans and the interreligious teaching and research carried out at the Ecumenical Institute;
• clear intention of the applicant’s church to make the best possible use of his/her ecumenical studies and experience in the future;
• aim to create annually a balanced student body, especially in terms of geographic context, church tradition and gender;
• applicants are to be between 20 and 35 years when the course takes place.

The CAS-IS course fee is CHF 3’500.00. This amount includes:

• Tuition
• Health and accident insurance
• Study visits
• Full board & lodging in shared accommodation during the residential phase

The course fee does not include

• return travel expenses to and from the Ecumenical Institute, located in Bogis-Bossey, Switzerland
• any personal travel related expenses: passport, visas(s), vaccination(s), any pandemic related tests/medical certificates/other required processes in order to travel, travel insurance, etc.
• board and lodging expenses en route/at the Ecumenical Institute before and after the…