Buddhist Studies

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent).

Further requirements for each specialization are:

• India: bachelor's degree in "Languages and Cultures of the Indian subcontinent and Tibet" from the Universität Hamburg or a comparable degree. Alternatively, you will need a degree from a German or international academic institution with a minimum of 45 credit points (ECTS) related to Buddhist studies, religious studies or Indology which include a minimum of 30 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in Sanskrit or Pali or equivalent language training.
• Tibet: bachelor's degree in "Languages and Cultures of the Indian subcontinent and Tibet" from the Universität Hamburg or a comparable degree. It can be a bachelor with a specialization in Buddhist or religious studies as long as a minimum of 30 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in classical Tibetan have been acquired. Alternatively, you will need a degree from a German or international academic institution with a minimum of 45 credit points (ECTS) related to Buddhist studies, religious studies or Tibetology which include a minimum of 30 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in classical Tibetan or equivalent language training. Candidates whose mother tongue is Tibetan will need to document at least 20 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in classical Tibetan.
• China: bachelor's degree in "East Asia" or a comparable degree. You will need a minimum of 50 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in Chinese (not necessary for applicants whose mother tongue is Chinese). Required is also evidence of substantial experience in reading classical Chinese.
• Japan: bachelor's degree in "East Asia" or a comparable degree. Prove of competence in the Japanese language, in which you will need:
  • a minimum of 50 credit points (ECTS) for language courses in Japanese, or
  • 44 semester hours per week (SWS) of Japanese language courses, or
  • you must have passed the (old) level 2 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
  • The attained degree for language competence must not be older than two years. In case none of the above-mentioned three documentations can be provided within the application period, the candidate will have the possibility to undergo a Japanese language placement test conducted by the Universität Hamburg which has to be passed.
  • The need to prove competence in the Japanese language is not necessary for applicants whose mother tongue is Japanese. Applicants who do not hold a qualifying high school degree from a German-speaking institution are requested to demonstrate their competence in the German language according to the regulations of the Universität Hamburg.
• Thailand: bachelor's degree in "Language and culture of Southeast Asia" or a comparable degree.
  • Language skills: a minimum of 25 credit points (ECTS) in Thai.
  • The need to prove competence in the Thai language is not necessary for applicants whose mother tongue is Thai.