Buddhist Studies with Intensive Language

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 with Intensive Language 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 with Intensive Language at SOAS?

• SOAS is ranked 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• Our department has been ranked 3rd for research outputs and 7th place overall in the Theology and Religious Studies research rankings in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021)
• The research of the SOAS Centre of Buddhist Studies directly feeds into the curriculum pedagogy and delivery
• 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)