MA Buddhist Studies

Program Overview

The MA Buddhist Studies at SOAS is a comprehensive program that offers an in-depth exploration of Buddhism from various perspectives. It provides students with a solid foundation in Buddhist Studies, preparing them for further study, research, or careers in academia, education, and other fields. The program is taught by internationally renowned scholars and benefits from the expertise and resources of the SOAS Centre of Buddhist Studies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Buddhist Studies

is a

It is designed for students who want to deepen their understanding of Buddhism in general or specific traditions, as well as for those who intend to conduct further research or fieldwork among Buddhist communities.

The program follows a non-confessional, contextual approach, which highlights the diversity of Buddhism in its historical and geographical development.

It also emphasizes how scholarship, both in the West and in Asia, has shaped our understanding of Buddhism.

Key Objectives:

• broad understanding
• Equip students with the
• key methodological tools
required to approach this major cultural force in its
• fascinating diversity
.
• solid foundation
• specialize
• Develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and written and oral communication skills.

Overall, the MA Buddhist Studies aims to:

• Prepare students for a wide range of careers in academia, education, research, government, and non-profit organizations.
• Empower students to engage critically with the complex issues and challenges facing Buddhism in the contemporary world.

Other key aspects:

• expertise and resources
• study Buddhist languages
• highly regarded

Outline:

Part-time studies:

The program can be studied part-time over two or three years:

• two-year
• three-year
• The dissertation can be written in either the second or third year, but it is recommended to complete it in the final year.
• The dissertation deadline is September of the year in which the student registers for it.

Modules:

The program consists of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation:

Compulsory modules (15 credits each):

• Critical Concepts in Buddhist Studies
• Chinese Buddhism: History and Themes

Guided options - List A (minimum 30 credits):

• Religious Practice in Japan: Texts, Rituals and Believers
• Buddhist Meditation in India and Tibet
• East Asian Buddhist Thought
• Chinese Buddhism: History and Themes

Guided options - List B (maximum 75 credits):

• The Great Tradition of Taoism
• The Religions of Ancient India

Guided options - List C (maximum 45 credits):

• Art and archaeology of early maritime Southeast Asia
• Tibetan Buddhist Monuments in Context
• The Figure of the Buddha: Theory, Practice and the Making of Buddhist Art History
• Interpreting Visual Expressions of the Mandala
• The Silk Road and its Origins: Art and Archaeology
• Buddhist Art in a Cosmopolitan Environment: Gandharan Art and its Heritage
• Chinese Language modules
• Japanese Language modules
• Korean Language modules
• Thai Language modules
• Vietnamese Language modules

Dissertation:

The dissertation is a substantial piece of independent academic work on a selected topic in Buddhist Studies.

It allows students to demonstrate their ability to define a topic, research and analyze information, and present their findings in a clear and well-structured manner.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the modules

• Essays are used to assess analytical and writing skills.
• Presentations are used to assess communication and critical thinking skills.
• Examinations may be used to assess knowledge and understanding of specific topics.
• Coursework assignments may involve a variety of tasks, such as essays, research projects, or creative projects.

The dissertation is assessed by two examiners based on the following criteria

• Originality of research
• Clarity of argument
• Depth of analysis
• Quality of writing
• Use of sources

Teaching:

The program is taught by a team of internationally renowned scholars

with expertise in a variety of areas of Buddhist Studies.

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Guest lectures
• Field trips
• Language classes

The program also offers a range of resources to support student learning

, including:

• A dedicated library collection
• Online learning resources
• A student support network

Careers:

Graduates of the MA Buddhist Studies program are well-equipped for careers in a variety of fields

, including:

• Academia
• Education
• Research
• Government
• Non-profit organizations
• Media
• Publishing
• Cultural heritage
• Religious organizations

Specific career examples include:

• Academic researcher
• University lecturer
• Museum curator
• Archivist
• Librarian
• Journalist
• Editor
• Translator
• Policy analyst
• Project manager
• Religious leader
• Community worker

Other:

• The program is offered on a
• full-time
or
• part-time
basis.
• September
• strong international student body
• variety of extracurricular activities
• highly regarded

Home student fees: £12,220 per year Overseas student fees: £25,320 per year Please note that fees go up each year.