Buddhist Studies

A newly launched multi-disciplinary Master’s degree with a broad focus including Buddhist philosophy and ethics, Buddhist art and material culture, Buddhist texts and languages, and modern, political, and eco-conscious forms of Buddhism.

About the study area

The MSc in Buddhist Studies offers a truly multi-disciplinary foundation in the field, opening up the variety of ways in which Buddhist cultures (including art, material culture, texts, ideas and practices) can be studied across its many Asian and global manifestations, while allowing students to specialise in an area of particular interest to them.

The MSc in Buddhist Studies will be taught by some of the leading scholars in Buddhist Studies from across a number of Schools at the University of Edinburgh. Students will benefit from the breadth and range of this expertise.

Students can study ancient and modern Buddhism. They can benefit from expertise in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian Buddhism.

To find out more about the Buddhist Studies research community at the University of Edinburgh check out the Edinburgh Buddhist Studies website.

Find out more

Our Postgraduate Degree Finder contains a full programme description, details of entry requirements, fees, scholarships and international student information for this programme. Or see below for a detailed programme structure.

Programme structure

  • Envisioning Buddhist Studies: Methods and Themes – 20 credits
  • Approaches to Research in Divinity and Religious Studies – 10 credits
  • Approaches to Research: Buddhist Studies – 10 credits
  • 15,000 word dissertation – 60 credits
  • Four optional courses – 80 credits

Courses

These courses may change year to year, so please consult the Programme Director for advice on what will be available.

  • Buddhist Studies in Practice
  • Buddhist Literature
  • Lives of the Buddha in Indian Art and Literature
  • Theravada Buddhism from Benares to Bangkok
  • Buddhist Ethics
  • Buddhist Monasticism Across Time and Place
  • Introducing Sanskrit
  • Intermediate Sanskrit
  • Indian Philosophies of Mind and Language
  • Japanese Philosophy
  • Buddhist Philosophy
  • Buddhism and the State in Early East Asia
  • Chinese Religions
  • Japanese Religious Traditions
  • Art for the Afterlife: Buddhist Relics in Asian Material Culture
  • Art and Belief in the Himalayas

With the agreement of your Programme Director, you may also choose options from other taught masters programmes in the School or University, and from advanced undergraduate courses (subject to availability and timetabling constraints).

Further Information

Programme Director

Dr Paul Fuller

Email: paul.fuller@ed.ac.uk

Profile page: Dr Paul Fuller

Postgraduate Admissions

Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8952

Email: div.pgadmissions@ed.ac.uk

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