Buddhist Studies
Qualification
: Master of ArtsFaculty
: HumanitiesDuration
: 4 semestersTeaching language
: EnglishProgram start
: winter semester and summer semester, Important semester datesApplication period
: s. belowAdmission restrictions
: noTuition Fees
: none, but Semester contribution
Program description
The Master of Arts program in Buddhist Studies takes an academic approach to Buddhist traditions, Buddhist ethics, and Buddhist philosophical perspectives. This independent program is unique in Germany and has an excellent international reputation. Universität Hamburg's Buddhist Studies program focuses on the intellectual history of Buddhism and manuscript cultures in the Buddhist tradition.
It also provides an opportunity to specialize in one of five regions: India, Tibet, China, Japan, or Thailand. The language of instruction depends upon the region of focus, with courses on India, Tibet, and Thailand taught in English and courses on China and Japan in English and German. The program places special emphasis on cultivating skills in the language of the region in question. This program does not treat Buddhism as an isolated phenomenon. It looks at Buddhism as it has been shaped by a region's particular culture, society, and intellectual and religious history. In addition to various topics in the field of Buddhism, Buddhist Studies focuses on questions of methodology and approaches to the discipline. Students who do not have any international experience are required to spend a semester abroad. The specialist library for Buddhist studies contains an outstanding collection of seminal work, attracting researchers in the field to Hamburg.
Career prospects
In addition to conducting research, graduates can also work in museums, libraries, and archives. Project management for projects requiring knowledge of religion—for example in developmental aid organizations, in the field of inter-religious dialog, or in organizations dedicated to international cooperation—is also a viable career option.
Program structure
Buddhist Studies is a four-semester program. Students complete the first two semesters in Hamburg. The curriculum includes two mandatory modules extending over two semesters.
The first module includes courses covering the culture, intellectual history, and literature of specific regions. The second module, Topics in Buddhist Studies, does not have a regional focus but addresses important questions in the field of Buddhist studies.
Courses with a regional focus are also open to students studying the region but not enrolled in the Buddhist Studies program, a practice which also promotes interdisciplinary exchange. In the first two semesters, students can also choose electives in other subjects to expand their subject spectrum.
Students with no previous experience in their focus region can spend their third semester at a university abroad, provided this also has a Buddhist studies program. Students devote thefourth semester to their master's thesis.
Additional information on degree program
http://www.buddhismuskunde.uni-hamburg.de/Lehre.74.0.html?&L=0#c1712
- http://www.buddhismuskunde.uni-hamburg.de/fileadmin/pdf/Lehrveranstaltungen/BS_scheme.pdf
General information about the Master degree programmes of the Asien-Afrika-Institut:
Examination regulations
Departmental regulations / Degree program regulations
Information on studying at Universität Hamburg
Applying
General admission requirements for all master’s degree programs:
Proof of first degree, language proficiency
Further details ...
Special admission requirements for this degree program:
Applicants to the program must prove that they are proficient in English.
Depending upon their regional focus, applicants must also meet the following criteria:
- India: First university degree, for example a bachelor's degree in The Languages and Cultures of the Indian Subcontinent and Tibet at Universität Hamburg, or a comparable bachelor's degree as well as sufficient language skills in Sanskrit or Pali.
- Tibet: First university degree, for example a bachelor's degree in The Languages and Cultures of the Indian Subcontinent and Tibet at Universität Hamburg, or a comparable bachelor's degree as well as sufficient language skills in Classical Tibetan.
- China: First university degree, for example a bachelor's degree in the East Asia program at Universität Hamburg, or a comparable bachelor's degree as well as sufficient language skills in Chinese.
- Japan: First university degree, for example a bachelor's degree in the East Asia program at Universität Hamburg, or a comparable bachelor's degree as well as sufficient language skills in Japanese and German.
- Thailand: First university degree, for example a bachelor's degree in the Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia program at Universität Hamburg, or a comparable bachelor's degree as well as sufficient language skills in Thai.
Applying / Application procedure
Application period(s)
Applications are possible for winter and summer semester; application period is 15 February to 31 March as well as 1 June to 15 July for winter semester and 1 December to 15 January for summer semester.
Selection criteria
Contact
General academic advising
Subject-specific advising
Professor Dr. Michael Zimmermann
Tel.: ++49 (0)40-42838-3384
E-Mail: michael.zimmermann@uni-hamburg.de
03. Mai 2024