Programme Overview 

The MA programme is the very first programme launched by SSBU dating back to 2018. This comprehensive two-year curriculum is designed to provide students two arms of specialization. 

One is a solid philological foundation for those interested in Pāli as the lingua franca of Theravada Buddhism and other scriptural languages such as Sanskrit. The pedagogy including teaching and directed learning are principally textual-based and catered to those students who wish to enhance their reading, analytical, and hermeneutic skills in Pāli and other scriptural languages of Buddhism. 

The other is the applied Buddhism pathway which approaches and utilises Buddhist philosophy, especially its ethic-psychological principles, from the diverse lens of philosophy, clinical and social psychology, sociology, economics, empirical and medical science. Using such a multidisciplinary approach, students are expected to enhance their understanding of the ways in which Buddhism informs and is informed by the contemporary world.

By going through the courses offered, students are expected to acquire: 

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

• An overview of the impacts of Buddhism in the contemporary world, especially in influencing various disciplines; 

• Tools to help them understand and appreciate how Buddhism influences diverse cultures and worldviews past and present within Buddhist communities and beyond; 

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

Compulsory courses include: 

• Pali Grammar 

• Sanskrit I 

• Theravada Buddhist Meditation 

Optional courses include:

• Sutta Studies 

• Theravāda Abhidhamma

• Pāli Metre

• Pali Poetry and Poetics

• Introduction to Prakrit 

• Introduction to Pāṇinian Sanskrit Grammar 

• Classical Pāli byākaraṇa

• Academic Study of Buddhism 

• Buddhist Philosophy

• History of Buddhism in India and Different Parts of the World

• History of Indian Buddhism 

• Buddhist Psychology 

• Buddhist Counselling and Psychotherapy.

• Buddhism and Ayurveda 

• Hinduism and Buddhism

• Buddhist Ethics 

• Buddhist Social Philosophy

• Empirical Research in Buddhism

• Leadership and Management from Buddhist Perspectives 

Structure of the Degree Programme  

Students must complete a total of 360 credits made up of compulsory and optional courses, and a compulsory dissertation (120 credits). Students are required, as part of requirements of the meditation course, to attend one ten-day meditation retreat every year during semester break. 

Teaching staff on MA include Ven. Prof. Dr. K. Dhammasāmi, Oxford Sayadaw (Dhammācariya, MA and MPhil Kelaniya, DPhil Oxford); Ven. Vicittābhipala (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya); Ven. Dr. Paññābhoga, (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Mahidol); Ven. Dr. Devindābhipala, (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Assumption); Ven. Dr. Mahosadhālaṅkāra (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Peradeniya); Ven. Dr. Paññānanda, (MA Kelaniya, MPhil & PhD Peradeniya); Ven. Dr. Paññādīpa, (MBS Hong Kong, MA SSBU, MSc & PhD Toronto); Ven. Dr. Narinda, (Dhammacariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Peradeniya); Ven. Dr. Naw Kham La Dhammasāmi,( MA Kelaniya, MPhil & PhD Peradeniya); Sayalay Dr. Yuzana Nyani, (MA ITBMU, PhD Delhi); Sayalay Dr. Paññātherī, (MA Kelaniya, MBA AIT, PhD SSBU); Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet, (MSc Warwick; PhD Manchester);  Dr. Pyi Phyo Kyaw, (MA SOAS, PhD King’s College London); Dr. Aleix Ruiz-Falqués (MA Barcelona & Pune, PhD Cambridge); Dr. Anuja Ajotikar, (MPhil Pune, PhD ITT Bombay); Prof. Dr. Thin Naing Win (MA & PhD Mandalay); and Dr. Kyaw Minn Htin (MA & MRes Yangon, PGD SOAS, PhD NUS). 

Academic and Language Requirements for MA

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

• Applicants are expected to demonstrate at least foundation levels of Pāli. 

• For the English language entry requirements, applicants are expected to have 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.0 in each skill for IELTS, or the TOEFL iBT score of at least 46.  

Teaching and Learning

The main goal of SSBU is to train our students to a high standard of education in a multidisciplinary MA programme so that they become confident, independent teachers and researchers after their graduation. In order to achieve this goal, we have 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 your academic training to become an independent learner, we expect you 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 10 hours of work. 

Assessments

Methods of assessment vary across courses dependent on course lecturers. They typically involve summary assignment, regular and coursework essay, experience report, written examination, and individual and group presentation. For most courses students are assessed through one to three of the preceding methods. 

How to Apply

Application procedure

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

Supporting documents 

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

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

• A true (certified) copy of all Degree Certificates, including Dhammācariya Certificate or equivalent (e.g. Pali IX in Thailand), if applicable.

• A true (certified) copy of Academic Transcript of academic programmes attended (with officially certified English translation if the language printed on the transcript is not English or Myanmar), if applicable. Transcript is not needed for Dhammācariya holder. 

• A true (certified) copy of IELTS or TOEFL certificate.

• For monastic applicants, 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 Myanmar applicants) or the Passport Front-page (with photo) (for foreigners). 

Application Closing Date:

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our application deadline is February 1, 2025 (please keep an eye on SSBU Facebook’s update and announcements, and SSBU’s website: www.ssbu.edu.mm).

Entrance Examination and Interview:

Short-listed candidates will be invited by email to take an entrance written examination followed by an interview in March 2025.    

The entrance examination will consist of two components: Pali and general knowledge of Buddhism, and last 2 hours. 

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 is not guaranteed subject to availability.  

You can also expect to pay for:

1. Registration fees

2. Personal and travel expenses

3. Library fees

4. Photocopies and printings

5. Wi-Fi Internet fee

6. Graduation fees

7. Visa fees (overseas students)

Important Note

1. Your application must be completed including supporting documents  and submitted before the deadline, i.e. 1st February 2025. Late applications cannot be accepted. 

2. Options to submit your application documents:

• Email completed application forms with all documents to admission@ssbu.edu.mm

• Apply in person or mail completed application forms with all documents to the following address:

Admission Office, 

Shan State Buddhist University (SSBU), 

Phaya Phyu Quarter, Pannabodhi Street, Taunggyi, 

Shan State, 06011, Myanmar. 

1. For enquiries, please contact: (+95)(0)81-2125674

2. Application with incomplete application form, documents and uncertified certificates will not be processed. 

3. If you are interviewed, you will be notified of the outcome of your application (by email) by the second week of April. 

FAQs

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

When your applications reach us, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt via email. If you receive no acknowledgement, it means your application has not been received by us. Kindly send it again.

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 results together with your application. 

I do not have any required English proficiency test results, but I have studied in a well-regarded English-medium institute, or worked in an organisation where a high fluency of English was required in the last few years. Can I be granted exemption status? 

In this particular situation, we will look into your application, CV, references and submitted personal statement closely, and then determine whether or not to grant an exemption.