School of History, Religions and Philosophies, Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions, Centre of Buddhist Studies & Centre for Global and Comparative Philosophies

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Duration
1 year
Start of programme
September 2025
Attendance mode
Full-time or part-time
Location
On Campus
Fees

Home: £12,220
International: £25,320

Course code
PGTF0041
Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in a social science or humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

See international entry requirements and English language requirements.

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The MA Buddhist Studies is an interdisciplinary programme that engages with Buddhism as a field of inquiry from a historical, philosophical, anthropological and material culture perspectives.

It caters to students who wish to broaden either their knowledge of Buddhism as a whole or their knowledge of specific Buddhist traditions, as well as to students intending to embark on further research or fieldwork among Buddhist communities. This programme at SOAS follows a non-confessional, contextual approach, which highlights the diversity of Buddhism in its historical and geographical developments. The programme, crucially, appreciates Buddhism as a living religion. Detailed attention is given to how scholarship, both in the West and through Asia, has shaped our understanding of Buddhism.

The MA Buddhist Studies programme benefits from teaching on Buddhist languages and regional cultures across SOAS, and is supported by the SOAS Centre of Buddhist Studies. The Centre offers extraordinary opportunities for further engagement with the study of Buddhism. The Centre is a hub of internationally acclaimed and distinguished Buddhist scholarship that generates synergy among academics and research students, from SOAS and beyond, involved in the study of Buddhism in Asian societies.

The Centre currently comprises 17 permanent members of staff and emeriti, as well as a pool of associate and graduate student members from SOAS and other UK and international institutions.

Why study MA Buddhist Studies at SOAS?

  • SOAS is ranked 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
  • Theology and Religious Studies scored above sector in the following categories: research culture, community, progression, research skills, and professional development (2023 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey)
  • All of our Theology & Religious Studies impact case-studies were world-leading/internationally excellent (REF 2021) 
  • 85.4% of our Theology & Religious Studies research outputs were world-leading/internationally excellent – 56.3% of our submitted outputs were deemed world-leading (REF 2021) 
  • Our Theology & Religious Studies research environment score was 85% world-leading/internationally excellent

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Students must complete 120 credits of MA taught modules in addition to the compulsory dissertation (60 credits) as outlined below.

Part-time studies

Students may be allowed to study for the MA on a part-time basis: The part-time MA may be taken over two years, in which case the student takes two 30 credits (or equivalent 15 credits) in the first year, and two 30 credits (or equivalent 15 credits) and the dissertation in the second year.

Alternatively, it can be taken over three years in which case the student can distribute the 120 credits evenly in each of the three years.  The dissertation can be written in year two or three, but it is strongly recommended that this be undertaken in the final year of the degree. It must be submitted in September of the year in which the student registers for it.

Part-time students: please note that modules not listed as running, are likely to run in the next academic year. For more information, contact the programme convener.

Important notice

The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.

However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change. 

Core

Compulsory

Guided options - List C

Maximum 45 credits from List C

Guided options - List B

Maximum 75 credits from List B

Guided options - List A

Minimum 30 credits from List A

Open options

Students can take a maximum of 30 credits from the School-wide open options list, including languages.

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The structure of MA Buddhist Studies provides a unique study pathway, characterised both by its coherence and by its flexibility. The core module "Critical Concepts in Buddhist Studies" provides students with a broad and stimulating journey into key notions and methods in the study of Buddhism.

We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Programme learning outcomes

Knowledge

  • Students will learn how to assess data and evidence critically, locate and synthesise source materials, critically evaluate conflicting interpretations and sources, use research resources (library catalogues, journal databases, citation indices) and other traditional sources.
  • Subject specific skills, for instance, textual criticism, edition, translation, and interpretation of literary, epigraphical, and ethnographic sources, as well as analysis of archaeological and art-historical artefacts.
  • Whenever appropriate, students will enhance their knowledge of one Buddhist language, or gain familiarity with one of these languages, freely chosen among a wide pool on offer.
  • Students will gain familiarity with Buddhism in its various regional and historical contexts, and with the academic field of Buddhist Studies, its rich history and the variety of academic perspectives on Buddhism.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

  • Students should become precise and cautious in their assessment of evidence, and understand through practice what documents can and cannot tell us.
  • Students will develop the capacity to discuss theoretical and epistemological issues in an articulate, informed, and intellectual manner
  • Students will learn to become precise and critical in their assessment of scholarly arguments and to question interpretations, however authoritative, in order to reassess evidence for themselves
  • Students will learn to present complex arguments clearly and creatively.
  • Those students who take a language option should be able to assess primary sources in foreign languages and critically evaluate interpretations proposed by different scholars.
  • Students will acquire both theoretical and regional expertise in order to develop and apply sound academic approaches to the study of Buddhism.

Subject-based practical skills

  • Academic writing
  • IT-based information retrieval and processing
  • Presentational skills
  • Independent study skills and research techniques
  • Reflexive learning

Transferable skills

  • Write concisely and with clarity.
  • Effectively structure and communicate ideas (oral and written).
  • Explore and assess a variety of sources for research purposes.
  • Work to deadlines and high academic standards.
  • Assess the validity and cogency of arguments
  • Make judgements involving complex factors
  • Develop self-reflexivity
  • Question the nature of social and cultural constructs

Dissertation

Students will moreover have to submit a Dissertation in Buddhist Studies of 10,000 words, on a topic chosen from the module chosen as major. The remaining modules may be chosen in the large pool of modules on Buddhist topics and languages, thus allowing each student to build up a specialized knowledge of one or more areas of Buddhist Asia.

Students are allowed to take modules taught outside the department of Religions and Philosophies up to one module, which may or may not include a language.

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. Moreover, every year there is a lively events programme that attracts renowned speakers from around the world, allowing students to engage with cutting edge debates on contemporary politics.

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Title Deadline date
Felix Non-Indian Scholarship
Felix Scholarships
Sasakawa Studentships
CSJR Postgraduate Student Bursary
SOAS Master's Scholarships (Home)
Tibet Foundation Award

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In addition to an understanding of global faiths, histories and cultures, graduates from the Department of Religions and Philosophies develop the skills to analyse and communicate ideas in a clear, rational and comprehensive manner. These key proficiencies are valuable in many careers and are transferable to a wide range of sectors and roles.

Recent Department of Religions and Philosophies graduates have been hired by:

  • Asia Society
  • British Council
  • Cabinet Office
  • Chatham House
  • Edelman
  • Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
  • HELP USA
  • King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Princeton University
  • Royal Government of Cambodia
  • The Happiness Factory
  • The Inter Faith Network for the UK
  • The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
  • UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
  • United Nations Development Programme

Find out about our Careers Service.

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