International Master Program in Buddhist Studies

The International Master Program in Buddhist Studies takes an academic approach to Buddhist traditions, ethics, and philosophical perspectives and in doing so does not treat Buddhism as an isolated phenomenon. We train our students to look at Buddhism as one of a multitude of factors that constitute and shape culture, society, and the intellectual and religious history of a particular region. The program offers the opportunity to study Buddhism based on one of four regional specialized tracks: India, China, Japan, or Thailand. Please be aware that for being granted admission you will have to provide evidence for excellent competence in one of the "Buddhist languages": Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, or Thai.

Duration
4 semesters

Scheme
Semester 1+2: Philology, Religions and Cultural History of regional specialization/Topics in Buddhist Studies
Semester 3: Study at a partner university abroad
Semester 4: M.A. Thesis
Study scheme (PDF)

Professors

Prof. Dr. Michael Zimmermann (Indian Buddhism)  
Prof. Dr. Harunaga Isaacson (Indology)
Prof. Dr. Barend Ter Haar (Chinese Studies)
Prof. Dr. Steffen Döll (Japanese Buddhism)
Prof. Dr. Jörg Quenzer (Japanese Studies)
Prof. Dr. Volker Grabowsky (Thai Studies) 

Application Period
Winter term: February 15 to March 31 and June 1 to July 15
Summer term: December 1 to January 15

Tuition Fee/Scholarships
Students must pay a minimal semester fee to cover administrative costs. At the moment we cannot offer regular scholarships. Information on the beginning of lectures, vacation etc. can be found here.

Application/General Admission Requirements

• Official online application form
• Copy of legally attested certificate of a university degree
• Bachelor‘s degree, Master‘s degree or Licentiate (Staatsexamen)
• Curriculum vitae
• Brief statement of motivation (please mention your regional specialization you apply for)
• Evidence for proficiency in English (equivalent to B2 level of the CEFR)

Special Admission Requirements

Depending on the regional specialization you choose there are different requirements:

INDIA

• Academic degree related to Buddhist Studies, Religious Studies or Indology (minim. 45 ECTS)
• 30 ECTS for language courses in Sanskrit or Pali or placement test

CHINA

• Academic degree related to Chinese Studies
• 50 ECTS for language courses in Chinese (not necessary for Chinese native speakers)
• Required is also evidence of substantial experience in reading classical Chinese

JAPAN

• Academic degree related to Japanese Studies
• 50 ECTS for language courses in Japanese
• or 44 SWS (semester hours per week) of Japanese language courses,
• or (old) level 2 of JLPT, or placement test (not necessary for Japanese native speakers)
• Applicants must provide evidence for proficiency in German

THAILAND

• Academic degree related to Thai Studies
• 25 ECTS for language courses in Thai (not necessary for Thai native speakers)