MA in Buddhist Studies

MA in Buddhist Studies at Kathmandu University School of Arts

MA in Buddhist Studies is a master's-level program at Kathmandu University School of Arts (KUSOA), Hattiban, Lalitpur. KUSOA is a constituent academic unit of Kathmandu University (KU), and the program operates within the University's academic rules and regulations.

The MA in Buddhist Studies has an intake of 10 seats. It forms part of KUSOA's graduate academic setting, where master's programs follow a two-year semester system and include research projects and dissertation work.

Quick Highlights

About MA in Buddhist Studies

MA in Buddhist Studies is positioned within the arts, humanities, and interdisciplinary academic environment of Kathmandu University School of Arts. The School was established in 1996 and works across arts and design, development studies, economics, languages and mass communication, music, and other academic areas.

At master's level, KUSOA organizes study through a semester system. Research projects and dissertation work are included within its graduate academic framework, giving postgraduate students responsibilities that extend beyond regular classroom participation.

For MA in Buddhist Studies students, the degree should therefore be understood as formal postgraduate academic study under Kathmandu University rather than as a short religious, cultural, or language course. Students proceed through university-level academic requirements and complete the conditions prescribed for the master's degree.

KUSOA also offers the related Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language at undergraduate level. The bachelor's and master's programs are separate qualifications with their own academic requirements.

Duration and Academic Structure

Duration: The MA in Buddhist Studies follows KUSOA's two-year graduate structure.

Study is organized through the semester system. This means students progress through defined academic periods and must satisfy the curriculum, evaluation, progression, research, and degree-completion requirements prescribed under Kathmandu University's academic framework.

KUSOA's wider graduate environment includes:

• Semester-based academic study

• Research projects

• Dissertation work

• Library resources with online access

• Multimedia classrooms

• Field visits

• Internship provisions

• Interdisciplinary academic activity

• Student exchange provisions

• Credit-transfer facilities

These are School-level graduate features. The components used directly within MA in Buddhist Studies depend on the curriculum and academic requirements prescribed for the degree.

Academic Nature of the Program

The course title places Buddhist Studies at the center of the degree. As a master's qualification, students undertake the subject within a university academic framework that includes structured study, academic evaluation, research activity, and independent work.

The program's position within KUSOA is also relevant. The School works across humanities, arts, social sciences, culture, communication, development, and other interdisciplinary areas. Its stated academic mission includes scholarly activity, critical thinking, analysis, communication, and attention to social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental dimensions.

MA in Buddhist Studies belongs within this postgraduate setting while retaining its own subject identity. It should not be treated as equivalent to KUSOA programs in History and Philosophy, Development Studies, Music, or other fields simply because they share the same School.

Curriculum

The curriculum for MA in Buddhist Studies is governed by Kathmandu University's rules and regulations and the academic requirements prescribed for the program.

The course operates through the semester system and forms part of KUSOA's graduate framework, which includes research projects and dissertation work.

Individual subject titles and semester-wise credit allocations should be followed according to the curriculum prescribed for MA in Buddhist Studies. Subjects from other KUSOA programs should not be transferred into the MA Buddhist Studies curriculum simply because they address related areas of culture, history, philosophy, language, or society.

This distinction is especially important at master's level, where the sequence of coursework, research activity, and dissertation requirements determines academic progression and degree completion.

Research and Dissertation

Research projects and dissertation work are identified as core features of graduate education at KUSOA.

For students in a master's program, this means academic work includes a substantial independent component. Research requires students to work systematically with their subject, organize academic material, develop written analysis, and complete work according to university standards.

Dissertation work places additional responsibility on the student because it requires sustained independent academic engagement rather than completion of individual classroom assignments alone.

The dissertation process, supervision arrangements, evaluation, and other academic requirements for MA in Buddhist Studies operate according to the curriculum and Kathmandu University regulations.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Eligibility for MA in Buddhist Studies is governed by the academic rules and admission conditions applicable to Kathmandu University and the program.

KUSOA's graduate admission requirements are program-specific. The School does not apply one identical academic threshold to every master's program. Requirements published for Master in Media Studies, Master in Urban Studies, Master in Film Studies, or another graduate course therefore do not automatically become the eligibility requirements for MA in Buddhist Studies.

Applicants enter the program through the admission framework prescribed by Kathmandu University for the relevant academic intake.

Admission Process and Entrance

Admission, entrance procedures, eligibility, curriculum, examinations, results, and degree awards for MA in Buddhist Studies follow the rules and regulations of Kathmandu University together with the program's academic requirements.

KUSOA manages admissions through its School-level system. Its general application framework includes academic records and other application materials for master's applicants.

General admission communication is available through:

Admissions Email: soa_admission@ku.edu.np

Admissions Phone: 9801298094

Program admission should be considered separately from other KUSOA master's degrees because selection conditions can differ across courses.

Examination and Evaluation

Academic evaluation operates under Kathmandu University regulations.

KUSOA uses a four-point letter-grade system within its academic evaluation framework:

The assessment structure attached to MA in Buddhist Studies is determined by its prescribed courses and academic requirements. Graduate work at KUSOA can include regular academic evaluation together with research and dissertation components.

Students must satisfy the requirements attached to their courses and the University's rules for academic progression and completion.

Seats and Academic Intake

Seats: MA in Buddhist Studies has 10 seats within the KUSOA program listing.

The seat number gives the program a comparatively focused intake within the School's graduate portfolio. Admission to those seats remains subject to the academic and selection requirements prescribed for the program.

Learning and Research Environment

MA in Buddhist Studies students study within the broader graduate environment of Kathmandu University School of Arts.

KUSOA identifies library facilities with online resources, research projects, dissertation work, interdisciplinary programs, student exchange, field visits, and credit-transfer provisions among its graduate features.

For a master's student, library and research resources support the reading, writing, research, and independent academic work required at postgraduate level. Interdisciplinary activity also places Buddhist Studies within a School where students and faculty work across different humanities, social-science, cultural, and creative disciplines.

The academic requirements of MA in Buddhist Studies remain specific to the program even within this wider setting.

Scholarships and Student Support

Kathmandu University operates scholarship and financial-support arrangements across its Schools. KUSOA also includes scholarship provisions within its graduate academic environment.

The wider university framework includes merit-based, need-based, and other forms of student support, while the Hinu Ramesh Nath Dhungel Scholarship Fund is associated with the School of Arts and School of Science.

Scholarship conditions are governed by the relevant university arrangements and the academic intake concerned.

Who May Consider MA in Buddhist Studies?

The program is relevant to graduates seeking master's-level academic study specifically in Buddhist Studies within the Kathmandu University system.

Students considering the degree should be prepared for:

• Two years of postgraduate study

• Semester-based academic progression

• University-level reading and written work

• Research projects

• Independent academic study

• Dissertation work

• Assessment under Kathmandu University regulations

The course is suited to students whose academic interests match Buddhist Studies and who are ready for the research responsibilities associated with a master's degree.

Degree Award

The MA in Buddhist Studies degree is awarded through Kathmandu University after successful completion of the academic requirements prescribed for the program.

Students must complete the curriculum, examinations, research, dissertation, and other degree requirements applicable under Kathmandu University regulations.

As KUSOA is a constituent School of Kathmandu University, the program remains within the University's own academic system from admission through degree completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MA in Buddhist Studies at KUSOA?

MA in Buddhist Studies is a master's-level program at Kathmandu University School of Arts under Kathmandu University.

How long is the MA in Buddhist Studies program?

The program follows KUSOA's two-year graduate structure and operates through the semester system.

How many seats are available in MA in Buddhist Studies?

The program has 10 seats.

Which university governs the MA in Buddhist Studies program?

Kathmandu University governs the program's academic framework, including admission, curriculum, examinations, results, progression, and degree award.

Does MA in Buddhist Studies include research work?

Yes. Research projects form part of the graduate academic framework at Kathmandu University School of Arts.

Does the program include a dissertation?

Yes. Dissertation work is included within KUSOA's graduate academic framework.

What is the eligibility for MA in Buddhist Studies?

Eligibility follows the Kathmandu University and program-specific admission requirements applicable to MA in Buddhist Studies.

How are MA in Buddhist Studies students evaluated?

Academic evaluation follows Kathmandu University regulations. KUSOA uses a four-point letter-grade system within its academic evaluation framework.

Who awards the MA in Buddhist Studies degree?

Kathmandu University awards the degree after successful completion of the prescribed academic requirements.

Where is Kathmandu University School of Arts located?

Kathmandu University School of Arts is located in Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal.