Buddhist Studies and Contemplative Traditions MA

The Buddhist Studies and Contemplative Traditions Master's programme is an English-language consecutive Master's degree programme. The programme includes basic training in one of the Buddhist source languages (Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, Mongolian), combined with an in-depth study of Buddhist culture, history, and literature. Buddhist Studies offers you numerous starting points for contributions to contemporary social discourses and contributes to a deeper understanding of global cultural transfer and the transcultural interactions that accompany it. In particular, you will be enabled to access and scientifically evaluate sources in the aforementioned languages, to conduct independent research, and to contribute to scientific and cultural communication. In addition, you will have the opportunity to acquire or deepen competencies in religious studies within the framework of the programme. The study programme is interdisciplinary, modules are offered in cooperation with Chinese Studies, Religious Studies and other subjects. In the first year of the programme, you will build a strong foundation in Buddhist Studies by studying Buddhist source languages at either the beginner or advanced level, depending on your prior experience. At the same time, you will explore key topics, methods, and sources in the field, gaining both philological and interdisciplinary perspectives. In the second year, you will deepen your expertise through participation in a research colloquium and the completion of your Master’s thesis. You will also have the opportunity to undertake an optional research practicum tailored to your interests. This may include language study, hands-on work with texts or objects in museums and archives, the application of philological or literary methods, or developing your own research project on a specialised topic. PDF Download

Course details verified 10 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source

1. Winter semester

   Dates confirmed for your profile Open

2. Summer semester

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English

E.G. UNIcert® English: UNIcert® II TOEIC: 785 Reading: 385 Listening: 400 Speaking: 160 Writing: 150 TOEFL Essentials: 8 Reading: 8 Listening: 8 Speaking: 8 Writing: 8 telc English: telc English B2-C1 University IELTS Academic: 5.5 Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First

Prerequisites

University degree with professional qualification in the field of religious, regional or cultural studies, ethnology or a subject with special reference to Buddhism Proof of study achievements / modules in the amount of at least 30 credit points with reference to Buddhism or equivalent knowledge Knowledge of English (see below) The faculty will check whether the above-mentioned requirements have been met and will issue an official notification. This serves as proof of the corresponding admission requirements.

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