How to apply

Application procedure

Applicants must complete an application form, and submit it along with supporting documents to SSBU by email or in person.

Supporting documents

• An essay (1,500 words) on a topic which is related to areas of study offered at SSBU. See the list of courses mentioned above for areas of study offered at SSBU.

• A personal statement (500 words), which clearly explains why you wish to take our programme, and outlines your relevant background experience.

• A copy of Degree Certificate or Dhammacariya Certificate with officially certified English translation, (if the original is not English or Myanmar).

• A copy of Academic Transcript (with officially certified English translation) (no transcript needed for Dhammacariya Degree holder).

• IELTS or TOEFL English Language certificate. (5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each skill for IELTS, or 516-529 overall with a minimum of 490-515 in each skill for TOEFL, or any other equivalent.)

• 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 (for foreigners).

Application closing date

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

Entrance examination and interview

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

The entrance examination will consist of two components: Testing the level of Pāli and general knowledge of Buddhism, lasting for 2 hours.

Fees, accommodation and food

For monastics

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.

The student will acquire

• Analytical skills to engage competently with primary and secondary sources;

• An overview of Buddhism as a religion in history and in the contemporary world;

• Tools to help them understand and appreciate diverse cultures and worldviews

within Buddhist communities and beyond; and

• An orientation in relation to the variety of Buddhist religious forms, and perceived commonalities across this diversity.

Academic Language Requirements:

• Applicants will be expected to hold a B.A in Pāli, Buddhist Studies, or equivalent.It is recommended that applicants should have some background academic training in Buddhism.

• Applicants are expected to have foundation levels of Pāli.

• For the English language entry requirements, applicants are expected to have IELTS 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each skill; or 516-529 overall with a minimum of 490-515 in each skill for TOEFL, or any other equivalent.

Structure of the Degree Programme

• Students must complete a total of 360 credits, made up of a combination of compulsory courses, optional courses and a compulsory independent study project (ISP) and dissertation.

Compulsory courses include:

• Academic Study of Buddhism

• Theravāda Buddhist Meditation

• Pāli (Foundation, Intermediate and Advenced)

Optional courses include:

• Sutta Studies I Sutta Studies II

• Abhidhamma Studies

• History of Indian Buddhism

• Buddhist Philosophy

• Buddhist Counselling

• Ayurveda and Buddhism

• Buddhist Ethics

• Buddhist Social Philosophy

• Buddhism and Environment

• Buddhism in the West

• Buddhism and Religious Diversity

• Introduction to Buddhism and Science

• The Buddha in Theravāda and Mahāyāna Traditions

In addition, students must complete a compulsory dissertation. Students must also take a ten-day meditation retreat every year during term break.

Teaching and Learning Format

Teaching and learning

One of the aims of SSBU is to train our students to a high standard of education in multidisciplinary MA programe so that they become confident, independent teachers and researchers after graduation. In order to achieve this aim, we follow teaching and learning methods and approaches that put students at the centre. This means that responsibility for the learning path is in the hands of students. Moreover, teaching focuses on skills and practices, such as essay writing and research projects, that enable lifelong learning and independent problem-solving.

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 up to nine hours of teaching through lectures and seminars

In terms of student’s workload, one credit typically equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Methods of assessment vary between courses. They typically involve the submission of regular essays, some courseworks, class tests and written examinations. A few courses are assessed through only one or two of these methods.