Postgraduate Diploma Programme Format and Assessment

Teaching and Learning: 

SSBU has adopted a student-centred, pedagogical approach that puts our students at the centre. This approach empowers and entrusts students the responsibility for designing their own learning paths, including creating their special area of interest. Moreover, the teaching here emphasises on acquisition of academic study skills, familiarising students with self-directed learning, topic-specific essay writing and conducting independent research. It is our hope that this curriculum will enable students to develop a habit of lifelong learning and sufficient study skills for a prospective, independent research career in Buddhism. 

As part of academic training to become an independent learner, we expect each student to undertake 34 hours of independent study per week. Each week we will provide six to eight hours of teaching through lectures, tutorials, and seminars. In terms of student’s workload, one credit typically equates to 10 hours of work.  

Courses Offered:

• Academic study of Buddhism

• Theravāda Buddhist Meditation: Theory and Practice

• Foundation Pāli I

• Foundation Pāli II

• Fundamentals in Buddhism

• Study Skills

Students are required to complete, as part of the requirements of the meditation course, a 10 to 14 day meditation retreat in addition to completing an Independent Study Project (ISP) for graduation. 

Assessments:

Methods of assessment vary across individual courses. They typically involve summaries, regular essays, coursework essays, special assignments, group or individual presentation, class participation, and written examinations. Most courses are assessed through only one to three of these methods. 

How to Apply?

Application procedure

Applicants must complete an application form, and submit it along with the following documents to SSBU by email or postage mail.

Supporting Documents:

• A personal statement (1,000 words), which clearly explains why you wish to take our programme, and outlines your relevant background experiences.

• A copy of Degree Certificate or Dhammācariya Certificate or equivalent (e.g. Pali IX in Thailand) (with officially certified English translation if the original is not English or Myanmar).

• A copy of Academic Transcript of your first degree (with officially certified English translation if the original is not English or Myanmar). Transcript is not needed for Dhammācariya holder.

• A copy of IELTS or TOEFL English Language certificate.

• A recommendation letter from the abbot abbess of current residing monastery nunnery or the head of previous university/college.

• Certificate of Health.

• A copy of ID card (for locals), or passport front (photo) page (for non-Myanmar).

Application Closing Date:

Our application deadline is Wednesday February the 1st, 2024. We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.

Entrance Examination and Interview:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited (by email) to an entrance (written) examination and an interview during the first week of March 2024.

The entrance examination will assess general knowledge of Buddhism in English. It has a duration of 2 hours

Academic and Language Requirements:

• Applicants are expected to have at least a first degree, e.g. B.A. degree.
• IELTS 5.0 with each skill not less than 4.5. Or TOEFL with overall scores 35-45 (computer-based) or 450-515 (paper-based).
• No prior knowledge of Pali is required.

Fees, accommodation and food

For monastic:

Tuition, accommodation, and food are free, fully sponsored and provided by the University

For lay people:

Tuition and food are free, fully sponsored and provided by the University.

Special note:

• The University provides accommodation for overseas lay students.

• Accommodation for local lay students should be arranged by themselves.

You can also expect to pay for:

1. Registration fee

2. Personal and travel expenses

3. Library fee and fine

4. Photocopies and printings

5. WiFi Internet fee

6. Graduation fee

5. Travel costs for field trip and study tour

Important Notes

1. Your application must be completed - including all supporting documents - and submitted before the deadline, i.e. Wednesday 1st of February, 2024. Late applications cannot be accepted.

2. Two options to submit your applications:

• Email completed application forms to admission@ssbu.edu.mm, or

•Hand in completed application forms to our SSBU office in person.

3. For enquiries, please contact us: 0095812125674

4. Incomplete application forms, incomplete supporting documents, or uncertified transcripts will not be processed.

5. We will notify you by email whether or not your application is successful.

FAQs

I have submitted my application. How can I tell whether it has been received successfully?

If your application has been sent successfully, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt via email. If you receive no acknowledgement, it means your application has not been received by us.

I do not have my English proficiency results in place, but am planning to do a test soon. Can I send in my application to SSBU first and submit my English test results later?

Yes, you still can submit your application although we highly advise that you submit your English proficiency test result together with your application. In order to obtain confirmed acceptance status to our programme, you will need to provide the test result by the first week of April 2024, at the latest.

I do not have any English language qualifications but have studied or worked at a high-level English medium in a well-regarded organization for the last few years. Can I be granted exemption status?

In this particular situation, we will look at your application, CV, references and submitted personal statement closely, and then determine whether or not to grant an exemption. Please note that you may be asked to get the required English proficiency level first.