Study Map

Barre, MA · Traditional · Online & in person

A study and retreat centre linking scholarship and meditation practice, with residential and online courses on early Buddhist texts and related topics.

Taught in English

New York, NY · Academic · In person

East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism are studied through the language and culture department alongside the Department of Religion, with strong classical language training.

Taught in English

Ukiah, CA · Academic & traditional · In person

A small liberal arts university at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, founded by Venerable Master Hsüan Hua. It offers a certificate in Buddhist translation and summer programmes, including a translation seminar.

Taught in English

Atlanta, GA · Academic · In person

Buddhism is taught within the religion department, and the university runs a long-standing partnership with Tibetan monastic institutions through the Emory-Tibet programme.

Taught in English

Tallahassee, FL · Academic · In person

Graduate programme in religion with faculty working on Buddhism, including Tibetan traditions.

Taught in English

Berkeley, CA · Academic · In person

A consortium of seminaries and centres; Buddhist studies is available through its MA and PhD, in partnership with the Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Taught in English

Cambridge, MA · Academic · In person

Founded in 2011, it lets Master of Divinity students prepare for Buddhist ministry and chaplaincy, with field education in hospitals and other care settings. Buddhist studies is also an area of focus within the MTS degree.

Taught in English

Cambridge, MA · Academic · In person

Buddhism is studied across several faculties, including East Asian Languages and Civilizations, South Asian Studies and the Study of Religion. Doctoral work requires strong command of canonical and modern research languages.

Taught in English

Bloomington, IN · Academic · In person

Offers graduate degrees in religious studies with faculty working on Asian religions, including Buddhism.

Taught in English

Berkeley, CA · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

A graduate school and seminary affiliated with the Buddhist Churches of America and the Graduate Theological Union. It offers an MDiv, an MA in Buddhist Studies, and certificates including Buddhist chaplaincy, Shin, Sōtō Zen and Theravada studies.

Taught in English

Portland, OR · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

A Tibetan Buddhist graduate college affiliated with FPMT. It offers an MA in Buddhist Studies, which requires Tibetan, and a chaplaincy-oriented MDiv, both moving to a low-residency format.

Taught in English

Berkeley, CA · Academic & traditional · Online

Focuses on translating Buddhist teachings into English. Runs online Sanskrit and Tibetan language courses and translation workshops.

Taught in English

Seattle, WA · Traditional · Online & in person

A Tibetan Buddhist community founded by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with a progressive path of study for its members.

Taught in English

Boulder, CO · Academic · Online & in person

A Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian university known for contemplative education. Its Master of Divinity combines Indo-Tibetan Buddhist study with preparation for chaplaincy and spiritual care.

Taught in English

New York, NY · Traditional · Online & in person

Offers Foundations in Contemplative Care, a spiritual care training for aspiring chaplains, and lists a Master of Arts in Buddhist Spiritual Care among its educational programmes.

Taught in English

Evanston, IL · Academic · In person

Buddhist Studies is a doctoral study area. Applicants are normally expected to arrive with reading knowledge of Chinese, Sanskrit or Tibetan.

Taught in English

Princeton, NJ · Academic · In person

Religions of Asia is one of the department's doctoral subfields, with Buddhism a core area of research and teaching.

Taught in English

Houston, TX · Academic · In person

The doctoral programme has produced several graduates specialising in Tibetan Buddhism, particularly Nyingma contemplative traditions.

Taught in English

Redwood City, CA · Traditional · Online & in person

Runs a twelve-month Buddhist Chaplaincy Training programme as well as shorter study courses.

Taught in English

Newport, WA · Traditional · Online & in person

A Buddhist monastery that offers structured study of the Tibetan gradual path, including online courses, alongside retreats.

Taught in English

Stanford, CA · Academic · In person

Buddhist studies is a doctoral subfield of Religious Studies, supported by the Ho Center for Buddhist Studies. Graduate students may also take courses at UC Berkeley.

Taught in English

New York, NY · Academic · In person

An interreligious seminary whose Thich Nhat Hanh Program for Engaged Buddhism supports Buddhist students preparing for ministry and chaplaincy.

Taught in English

Tucson, AZ · Academic · In person

MA and PhD degrees specialising in Buddhist Studies are offered through the Department of East Asian Studies, and there is an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor. The centre was launched in 2017.

Taught in English

Berkeley, CA · Academic · In person

An interdisciplinary doctoral programme in Buddhist Studies drawing on faculty from several departments. Students train in more than one canonical Buddhist language.

Taught in English

Los Angeles, CA · Academic · In person

Graduate degrees are offered through the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, with the Center for Buddhist Studies hosting research events. Students must master two Buddhist canonical languages.

Taught in English

Santa Barbara, CA · Academic · In person

A large religious studies department with graduate work on Indian, Tibetan and East Asian Buddhism.

Taught in English

Chicago, IL · Academic · In person

Buddhism is studied within the History of Religions and South Asian traditions, with close ties to the university's language departments.

Taught in English

Boulder, CO · Academic · In person

Religious studies with a focus on Buddhism, complemented by the Tibet Himalaya Initiative, which supports Tibetan language and Himalayan studies.

Taught in English

Honolulu, HI · Academic · In person

Offers an MA in Asian Religions, with a long history of Buddhist scholarship at the university.

Taught in English

Ann Arbor, MI · Academic · In person

Buddhist studies is based mainly in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, with doctoral training in the textual traditions of Asia.

Taught in English

Chapel Hill, NC · Academic · In person

Religious studies department with graduate training in Asian religions, including Buddhism.

Taught in English

Austin, TX · Academic · In person

Asian studies department offering Sanskrit alongside courses on South and East Asian religions.

Taught in English

Rosemead, CA · Academic · Online & in person

Founded within the Fo Guang Shan tradition, it offers an MA and PhD in Religious Studies and an accredited MDiv in Buddhist Chaplaincy preparing students for hospitals, prisons and the military.

Taught in English

Charlottesville, VA · Academic · In person

Long-established programme with a particular strength in Tibetan Buddhism and more than ninety doctoral graduates since 1979. Field research forms part of graduate training.

Taught in English

Seattle, WA · Academic · In person

Teaches a wide range of Asian languages, including Pali and the Prakrits and Sanskrit, alongside Buddhist studies courses at the Jackson School.

Taught in English

Madison, WI · Academic · In person

Buddhism is studied within the Asian Languages and Cultures department, which offers graduate degrees in Asian literatures and religions.

Taught in English

Santa Fe, NM · Traditional · Online & in person

A Zen practice centre that runs a Buddhist chaplaincy training programme alongside end-of-life care trainings.

Taught in English

Glenside, PA · Academic · Online & in person

A graduate school founded by Won Buddhists, offering programmes in applied meditation studies alongside other professional degrees.

Taught in English

New Haven, CT · Academic · In person

Buddhist traditions are taught within the religious studies programme, with graduate training in the religions of Asia.

Taught in English

Choglamsar, Leh · Academic & traditional · In person

Deemed university in Ladakh built around the traditional Buddhist sciences, covering Buddhist philosophy, Bhoti language and literature, Himalayan Buddhist art and Sowa Rigpa medicine.

Sarnath, Varanasi · Academic & traditional · In person

Deemed university funded by India's Ministry of Culture, combining traditional Tibetan monastic learning with university degrees; it also runs Tibetan medicine, fine arts and teacher-training programmes. Admission routes vary by course, from merit to entrance tests.

Dahung, West Kameng · Academic & traditional · In person

Ministry of Culture institute in Arunachal Pradesh, affiliated to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, teaching Buddhist philosophy, Bhoti language and Himalayan culture from school level up to Shastri (BA) and beyond.

Sarah, Dharamsala · Academic & traditional · In person

Campus of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics with degree programmes for Tibetan and Himalayan students and a separate Tibetan language and Buddhist studies programme for international students, starting from beginner level. Foreign students need an Indian student visa and must commit to at least three months.

Bir · Traditional · In person

Centre for classical Indian wisdom traditions founded by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in the spirit of Nalanda, with teachers from several Buddhist lineages. It runs short courses on texts and meditation and regular Sanskrit and Tibetan language courses, mostly in English.

Taught in English

Bodhgaya · Academic · In person

University founded in 1962 at Bodhgaya; its Department of Buddhist Studies dates from 1984 and runs an MA, with Pali also offered at BA and MA level.

Delhi · Academic · In person

One of India's oldest Buddhist Studies departments, dating from 1957, with a full-time two-year MA and doctoral research. It also offers certificate and diploma courses in Pali and Tibetan and has drawn students from dozens of countries.

Taught in English

Jammu · Academic · In person

Established in 1987, with an emphasis on Buddhist art, architecture and the history of Buddhism in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. MA admission is through the university's entrance test.

Santiniketan · Academic · In person

Part of Bhasha-Bhavana, with roots in Sylvain Lévi's teaching at Santiniketan in 1921. Offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral study in Indo-Tibetan, plus certificate, diploma and casual courses.

Varanasi · Academic · In person

Department within BHU's Faculty of Arts offering undergraduate and postgraduate study of Pali and Buddhism. Postgraduate admission is through a national entrance test; check the current cycle.

Pune · Academic · In person

Offers MA degrees in Pali and in Buddhist Studies (including five-year integrated versions), PhDs and a range of diplomas and foundation courses. Buddhist literature can be studied here in Pali, Sanskrit and classical Tibetan.

Nagpur · Academic · In person

Founded in 1958 in the wake of the Ambedkarite conversion movement; teaches MA programmes in Pali and in Buddhist Studies, open to graduates of any discipline.

Kolkata · Academic · In person

Historic department where Pali has been taught at postgraduate level since the early twentieth century; MA entry has been via written test and interview with a small intake.

Mumbai · Academic · In person

Runs a two-year MA and a five-year integrated BA/MA in Pali, a two-year postgraduate advanced diploma for working graduates, and several part-time one-year Pali certificates. The university also offers a diploma in the teachings of the Buddha with the Vipassana Research Institute.

Wardha · Academic · In person

Buddhist Studies centre at a central Hindi-medium university, with postgraduate diplomas in Pali and in Tibetan language and religion, and doctoral research.

Taught in Hindi

Chauntra · Traditional · In person

Non-sectarian shedra that moved from Sikkim to Bir and later to a larger campus at Chauntra, training hundreds of monks in an intensive multi-year philosophical programme.

Taught in Tibetan

Dharamsala · Traditional · Online & in person

NGO dedicated to Tibetan language teaching, known for open-source colloquial textbooks, one-to-one online lessons and summer intensives in Ladakh with homestays.

Dharamsala · Traditional · In person

Gelug-style philosophical college teaching debate and the classical monastic curriculum entirely in Tibetan; new classes open only every few years and admit a small number of foreigners, who must be fluent in Tibetan. Several US study-abroad programmes are hosted on its Sarah campus.

Taught in Tibetan

Mumbai · Academic · Online & in person

Its Centre for Buddhist Studies offers an MA, part-time diplomas in Pali, Pali grammar, Buddhist Sanskrit and Buddhist Studies, Tibetan language certificates and an online elementary Pali course.

New Delhi · Academic & traditional · In person

Karma Kagyu institute teaching Buddhist philosophy, history and Tibetan and Sanskrit languages in English, with longer courses that have led to degrees through a partner university, plus an annual public meditation course.

Taught in English

McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala · Traditional · In person

Social-work NGO running inexpensive community language classes, including Tibetan, open to all ages and backgrounds.

Dharamsala · Academic & traditional · In person

Its Centre for Tibetan Studies offers daily Buddhist philosophy classes taught by geshes with English translation, plus Tibetan language and speaking courses. It also runs multi-year Buddhist philosophy courses pitched at BA and MA level.

Taught in English, Tibetan

Rajgir · Academic · In person

International university whose School of Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions runs a two-year MA comparing Buddhist and other Indian traditions, with separate language training in Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan. Master's entry requires an undergraduate degree with at least 55% or equivalent.

Taught in English

Nalanda · Academic · In person

Deemed university founded in 1951 near the ruins of ancient Nalanda, focused on Pali and Buddhism. Programmes span Pali, Buddhist Studies, Sanskrit, Tibetan, Chinese, philosophy and ancient history.

Bylakuppe · Traditional · In person

Large Nyingma monastic college founded in 1978 by Penor Rinpoche, with a nine-year programme on sutra and tantra and their Indian and Tibetan commentaries; a related shedra serves the nuns of Namdroling.

Taught in Tibetan

Bodhgaya · Traditional · In person

FPMT centre founded in 1984 offering Tibetan Mahayana courses and retreats, mainly in the winter season, aimed largely at international visitors.

Taught in English

Rajpur, Dehradun · Traditional · In person

Higher philosophical college of the Sakya tradition, founded in 1972 by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche; monks progress here from the monastery school.

Taught in Tibetan

Varanasi · Academic · In person

Major Sanskrit university whose Faculty of Shraman Vidya includes departments of Buddhist philosophy and of Pali and Theravada, alongside Jain and Prakrit studies.

Bhopal / Sanchi · Academic · In person

State university established in 2013 in Madhya Pradesh, offering Buddhist Studies alongside Indian philosophy, Sanskrit, Vedic studies and Chinese. Admission is generally via a university entrance test and interview.

Greater Noida · Academic · In person

Buddhist Studies here is a full school rather than a department, offering an MA, research degrees and diplomas including Pali language and literature; it also has a meditation centre.

Bylakuppe · Traditional · In person

Major Gelug monastic university that since 2022 also offers three BA Honours programmes recognised by the University of Mysore, taught entirely in Tibetan.

Taught in Tibetan

Gangtok · Academic · In person

Publishes a two-year credit-based MA syllabus in Buddhism and Tibetan studies; the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok has been linked to teaching in this area.

New Delhi · Traditional · Online

Runs Nalanda-tradition Buddhist philosophy courses in English taught by geshes, from a short introductory course up to a multi-year Nalanda Masters Course, currently delivered online. It has also held Tibetan language courses in the past.

Taught in English

McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala · Traditional · In person

Centre for Tibetan Mahayana study and practice above McLeod Ganj, offering drop-in sessions, a regular ten-day Introduction to Buddhism course, intermediate courses and retreats.

Taught in English

Igatpuri · Traditional · Online & in person

Research arm of the Goenka Vipassana tradition at Dhamma Giri, running residential and online Pali courses; applicants are expected to be committed meditators in this tradition.

Kyoto · Academic · Online & in person

Jodo Shu university with an undergraduate Department of Buddhist Studies and an MA/PhD Buddhist Studies programme. Both levels can be taken full-time on campus or by correspondence.

Taught in Japanese

Nagoya · Academic · In person

Shinshu Otani-ha university with an undergraduate Buddhist Studies department, a graduate Buddhist culture track in Buddhist Human Studies, and a separate non-degree Buddhist special course.

Taught in Japanese

Kyoto · Academic · In person

Rinzai Zen university with an undergraduate Department of Buddhist Studies and a graduate Buddhist Studies major at master's and doctoral level.

Taught in Japanese

Sapporo · Academic · In person

Combined lab for religious studies and Indian philosophy within the Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Small graduate-only college devoted to philological research on Buddhist texts, with a large library and the International Institute for Buddhist Studies. It also hosts visiting researchers.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Soto Zen university whose Faculty of Buddhism has departments of Zen Buddhist Studies and Buddhist Studies, with graduate study in Buddhist Studies. Affiliated with the Zen Institute and the Museum of Zen Culture and History.

Taught in Japanese

Koyasan · Academic · Online & in person

Shingon university on Mount Koya offering graduate study in Esoteric Buddhism and Buddhist Studies at master's and doctoral level. A correspondence master's in Esoteric Buddhism is also available.

Taught in Japanese

Kyoto · Academic · In person

Philology-based department whose full-time staff focus on Indian and Tibetan Buddhism, with Chinese and Japanese Buddhism covered by other specialists. Students are expected to read Sanskrit, Tibetan and Buddhist Chinese sources.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Jodo Shinshu-founded university with a Graduate School of Buddhist Studies offering master's and doctoral courses. Undergraduates can take a Buddhist practice minor.

Taught in Japanese

Kyoto · Academic · In person

Shin Buddhist (Higashi Honganji) university with undergraduate departments of Buddhist Studies and Shin Buddhist Studies, and graduate majors in Buddhist Studies, Shin Buddhist Studies and Buddhist Culture. Graduate Buddhist Studies uses texts in Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Classical Chinese.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Nichiren Shu university whose Faculty of Buddhist Studies offers Buddhist Studies (history and philosophy, cultural heritage and arts) and Religious Studies including a Lotus Sutra Buddhism course.

Taught in Japanese

Kyoto · Academic · In person

Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha university whose Graduate School of Letters includes Shin Buddhism and Buddhist Studies departments; it also has a separate Graduate School of Practical Shin Buddhist Studies.

Taught in Japanese

Kyoto · Academic · In person

Small Shingon university with a Department of Buddhist Studies and research institutes for esoteric Buddhist materials. It also runs public lectures and workshops.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Founded jointly by several Japanese Buddhist schools, it has a Department of Buddhist Studies with courses on scriptures and their languages, Buddhist cultural heritage and denominational traditions, plus a graduate major in Buddhist Studies.

Taught in Japanese

Sendai · Academic · In person

Research lab in the Graduate School of Arts and Letters covering Indology and the history of Buddhism. The university also has religious studies and practical religious studies programmes.

Taught in Japanese

Tokyo · Academic · In person

Long-established centre for philological study of Indian philosophy and Buddhism within the Faculty of Letters. Teaching and supervision are mainly in Japanese.

Taught in Japanese

Heidelberg · Academic · In person

Buddhist Studies at the Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies takes a transcultural approach to historical Buddhisms, complemented by classical Indology at the South Asia Institute.

Taught in German, English

Langenfeld (Eifel) · Traditional · In person

Karma Kagyu centre founded in 1981 under the spiritual direction of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, offering Buddhist philosophy courses taught by resident acharyas and visiting teachers.

Taught in German, English

Leipzig · Academic · In person

Offers a BA in Cultures of South Asia and Tibet and an MA in Buddhist Studies and Contemplative Traditions, the latter with special admission requirements.

Taught in German

Munich · Academic · In person

Focuses on the languages and religious history of India and Tibet, especially Buddhist traditions; the BA in Buddhist and South Asian Studies is the main entry point.

Taught in German

Halle (Saale) · Academic · In person

Part of the Seminar for South Asian Studies and Indology, with Sanskrit at the centre of its classical Indology teaching.

Taught in German

Marburg · Academic · In person

Indology can be taken as a major in a combined bachelor's degree, taught in German, with research strengths in Sanskrit textual traditions and Tibetology.

Taught in German

Bochum · Academic · In person

Religious studies centre with substantial research on Buddhism along the Silk Road; Buddhism can be studied within its religious studies degrees.

Taught in German, English

Frankfurt am Main · Traditional · Online & in person

Cultural and educational institute founded by Dagyab Rinpoche offering a multi-year Buddhist training path combining study and meditation, attended on site or online, plus study programmes and lecture series.

Taught in German, English

Hamburg · Traditional · Online & in person

Runs the Systematic Study of Buddhism, a part-time curriculum modelled on Tibetan monastic universities and adapted for lay students; a new foundation course starts every two years and can be followed online by livestream.

Taught in German

Bonn · Academic · In person

Tibetan can be studied as part of a two-subject BA, a BA major with a Tibetan profile, or the MA in Asian Studies with a Tibetology focus; Mongolian studies are offered in parallel.

Taught in German, English

Hamburg · Academic · In person

Hamburg has taught Buddhism for about a century; degree study runs through the Asia-Africa Institute's Indology and Tibetology sections, while the Numata Center hosts lectures, visiting professors and public events.

Taught in German, English

Tübingen · Academic · In person

Since 2023/24 offers a BA in Indology / South Asian Studies as major or minor, combining Sanskrit with Hindi or Malayalam; known for its South Indian and Kerala focus.

Taught in German

Würzburg · Academic · In person

Indology with bachelor's and master's study, Sanskrit drama and textual criticism among its research areas, and summer schools and study stays in India.

Taught in German

Anuradhapura · Academic · In person

State university for Buddhist monks only, with faculties of Buddhist Studies and of Languages and Cultural Studies.

Homagama · Academic · In person

National university devoted to Buddhism and Pali, admitting foreign monks and lay students to BA, postgraduate diploma and MA programmes, with an intensive preparatory year for those lacking English or Pali; external degrees are also offered.

Colombo · Academic · In person

Faculty of Arts department offering a postgraduate diploma, a two-year MA taught in English or Sinhala, and MPhil and PhD research.

Taught in English, Sinhala

Kelaniya · Academic · In person

One of the oldest departments in Kelaniya's Faculty of Humanities, teaching Pali, Buddhist philosophy and culture from general and honours BA to doctoral level, including an English-medium MA.

Peradeniya · Academic · In person

Long-established department teaching Pali, early Buddhism and Theravada thought, with postgraduate degrees, a Buddhist studies certificate and a Pali certificate aimed at foreign students.

Matara · Academic · In person

Humanities department offering undergraduate study including a BA honours in Pali.

Nugegoda · Academic · In person

Department rooted in the former Vidyodaya university, teaching Pali, Buddhist civilisation and philosophy; offers a two-year MA and a one-year master's in Buddhist Studies through the graduate faculty, plus diplomas.

Kelaniya · Academic · In person

Sinhala-medium Sanskrit department offering an honours BA, closely linked to Buddhist and classical Indian studies in Sri Lanka.

Taught in Sinhala

Manelwatta, Kelaniya · Academic · In person

Government-recognised degree-awarding institute offering a BA in Buddhist Studies through its Faculty of Buddhist Studies and an MA through its graduate faculty, plus diplomas and certificates.

Nationwide · Traditional · In person

Several hundred state-supported monastic colleges for Buddhist monks, from basic to advanced (vidyayathana) level, with a curriculum centred on Pali, Buddhism and classical languages.

Taught in Sinhala

Colombo · Academic · Online & in person

Dedicated postgraduate institute founded in 1975 offering certificates, diplomas, one- and two-year MAs and research degrees, with English- and Sinhala-medium classes online and on site.

Taught in English, Sinhala

Pallekele, Kandy · Academic · In person

Private degree-awarding institute established in 2009 as a project of the Temple of the Tooth, offering BA degrees including honours in Pali, and postgraduate awards in Buddhist studies.

London · Traditional · Online & in person

FPMT centre that runs the multi-year FPMT Basic Program on classical Indian and Tibetan texts; a new cycle is planned for 2027, with Discovering and Exploring Buddhism courses as preparation.

Taught in English

Oxford · Academic · Online

Independent centre recognised by the University of Oxford that runs online Pali classes at beginner and intermediate level alongside lectures and visiting scholars. It does not award degrees.

Taught in English

Oxford · Academic · Online & in person

Recognised independent centre of the University of Oxford, focused on Hindu traditions, whose Sanskrit teaching and courses (including support for Oxford's elementary Sanskrit paper) are relevant for reading Indian religious texts.

Taught in English

London · Academic · In person

One of the main Buddhist Studies hubs in Europe, offering a dedicated MA in Buddhist Studies and doctoral supervision across South, Central and East Asian Buddhism.

Taught in English

London · Traditional · Online & in person

Non-sectarian society founded in 1924 offering graded courses (from Introducing Buddhism to The Great Way), a correspondence course, an introductory Sanskrit course and an annual residential summer school.

Taught in English

Bristol · Academic · In person

Formerly the Centre for Buddhist Studies (founded 1993), based in the Department of Religion and Theology. Buddhist units feature in the BA in Theology and Religious Studies, with research degrees at MPhil and PhD level.

Taught in English

Cambridge · Academic · In person

Offers undergraduate and graduate study of East Asian and South Asian languages and cultures, with research supervision touching on Buddhist material. Sanskrit provision has historically been strong, but check current South Asian offerings with the faculty.

Taught in English

Edinburgh · Academic · In person

The School of Divinity has offered a taught MSc in Buddhist Studies (now listed alongside its Theology and Religion programmes), and research degrees in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali are supervised in Asian Studies.

Taught in English

Oxford · Academic · In person

Long-established centre for classical Indian, Tibetan and East Asian studies, with graduate degrees in areas such as classical Indian religion and Tibetan and Himalayan studies. Pali-based Buddhism papers are also available through the Theology and Religion faculty.

Taught in English

Pontypridd · Academic · Online

Part-time distance-learning MA covering Buddhist traditions, ethics, philosophy and meditation, with Pali offered when numbers permit.

Taught in English

Swansea · Academic · In person

Has listed a two-year MA in Chinese Buddhist Textual Studies at its Swansea campus focused on classical Chinese religious texts; confirm current availability with the university.

Taught in English

Toronto · Academic · In person

Its Master of Pastoral Studies includes a Buddhism stream that prepares students for spiritual care and chaplaincy. It holds a professorship in Chinese Buddhist studies.

Taught in English

Montreal · Academic · In person

Offers graduate study of South Asian and Tibetan religions, including Buddhism, within a multi-tradition school.

Taught in English, French

Hamilton · Academic · In person

One of Canada's earliest graduate religion programmes, with Asian religions as a major field. Faculty work on Buddhist literature in several canonical languages and on medieval Chinese and modern Japanese Buddhism.

Taught in English

Traditional · Online & in person

A graduated curriculum of Buddhist philosophical views with training in analysis, debate and meditation. Courses run online, in a summer institute and as self-paced study, and include Tibetan language.

Taught in English

Vancouver · Academic · In person

Buddhist studies is based in the Department of Asian Studies, with an active research forum and graduate training in canonical languages.

Taught in English

Calgary · Academic · In person

Home of a tenured Numata Chair in Buddhist Studies, whose holder supervises graduate students in religious studies.

Taught in English

Toronto · Academic · In person

A large religion department with doctoral training in Buddhist studies and classical languages. The university also hosts a minor in Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health.

Taught in English

Kirtipur, Kathmandu · Academic · In person

Semester-based MA with a small intake covering Buddhist history, the Pali, Sanskrit and Tibetan literary traditions and Buddhist art, plus MPhil and PhD research.

Kathmandu · Traditional · Online & in person

Sakya institute founded in 2001 by Khenchen Appey Rinpoche, running an annual summer programme on the monastic curriculum, The Complete Path training and free online courses.

Boudhanath, Kathmandu · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

Degree programmes in Buddhist Studies taught by traditional khenpos and Western-trained scholars at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. Also runs summer intensives, online courses and a translator training programme.

Taught in English

Kathmandu · Traditional · In person

FPMT monastery whose month-long November lamrim course, running since 1971, draws participants from dozens of countries; shorter introductory courses are also offered.

Taught in English

Lumbini · Academic · In person

Nepal's Buddhist university at the Buddha's birthplace, with programmes in Pali, Mahayana and Bhot (Himalayan) Buddhist studies, Chinese Buddhist philosophy and translation, plus language certificates and a short-term programme for visitors.

Kathmandu · Academic · In person

Kathmandu college of Lumbini Buddhist University offering an MA in Buddhism and Himalayan Studies covering philosophy, history, culture and Tibetan, Sanskrit and Pali.

Dang / Kathmandu · Academic · In person

Traditional Sanskrit university whose affiliated campuses, such as Valmiki Vidyapeeth in Kathmandu, offer Buddhist philosophy (Bauddha Darshan) as a subject at Shastri and Acharya level.

Taoyuan · Traditional · In person

Buddhist college with research and specialised study divisions, linked to the Hongshi community's educational and publishing work.

Taught in Mandarin

New Taipei (Jinshan) · Academic · In person

Ministry-accredited BA, MA and PhD in Buddhist Studies with strong emphasis on classical languages. It inherited the teaching role of the Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies.

Taught in Mandarin

Yilan (Jiaoxi) · Academic · Online & in person

Founded by Fo Guang Shan, with a Department of Buddhist Studies at bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. It also offers a part-time online master's in Humanistic Buddhism and admits international students.

Taught in Mandarin

Hsinchu · Traditional · In person

Buddhist seminary associated with the master Yinshun, with an undergraduate-level programme and extension classes open to the public.

Taught in Mandarin

New Taipei (Shiding) · Academic · In person

Buddhist-founded university whose Buddhist College houses a Department of Buddhist Arts; it also has a Graduate Institute of Eastern Humanistic Thought.

Taught in Mandarin

Taoyuan (Zhongli) · Traditional · In person

Buddhist college with research centres on Tiantai, Taiwanese Buddhism and Buddhism and science; it publishes the Yuan Kuang Journal of Buddhist Studies and runs Chan retreats. It has an information page for international students.

Taught in Mandarin

Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère · Traditional · Online & in person

Karma Kagyu centre in the Dordogne whose institute runs a progressive study and meditation curriculum and a weekday programme on classical texts such as Madhyamaka, Abhidharma and pramana.

Taught in French

Paris · Academic · In person

Its Section of Religious Sciences has long been a centre for research seminars on Indian, Tibetan and East Asian Buddhism, open at master's and doctoral level.

Taught in French

Paris · Academic · Online & in person

Tibetan has been taught here since 1842; offers a licence and master's in Tibetan plus institutional language diplomas, including a distance-learning Tibetan diploma since 2025.

Taught in French

Marzens · Traditional · In person

FPMT Gelug centre near Toulouse with a resident geshe, offering structured study cycles and retreats; it has also hosted the FPMT Basic Program.

Taught in French

Paris · Academic · In person

Sanskrit is taught from beginner to doctoral level within its oriental studies department, including a licence track in Indian studies with Sanskrit.

Taught in French

Sadao, Songkhla · Academic · In person

Non-sectarian college teaching in English and Chinese, with students and staff from over 20 countries. It also runs language courses and has a second campus at Pak Thong Chai.

Taught in English, Mandarin

Ayutthaya (Wang Noi) · Academic · In person

English-medium college offering BA, MA and PhD in Buddhist Studies, plus MA programmes in religion and philosophy and in mindfulness and peace studies; one MA track is taught in Chinese. The college is expanding its English-medium postgraduate offering.

Taught in English, Mandarin

Ayutthaya (Wang Noi) · Academic & traditional · In person

Royal Buddhist university of the Thai Sangha with many campuses. Some master's and doctoral programmes are taught in English through its International Buddhist Studies College.

Taught in Thai, English

Nakhon Pathom (Salaya) · Academic & traditional · In person

Thai Sangha university of the Dhammayuttika order. Its Faculty of Religion and Philosophy offers undergraduate majors in Buddhist studies, Buddhism and philosophy, and it has a separate Graduate School.

Taught in Thai

Nakhon Pathom (Salaya) · Academic · In person

College for the academic study of religion, home to a Theravada Buddhism Studies Center and a Center for Applied Religious Studies.

Taught in Thai

Venice · Academic · In person

Offers a course on Buddhism, culture and society within its Asian languages degree, and doctoral research including a funded position in Japanese Buddhism.

Taught in Italian, English

Pomaia · Traditional · Online & in person

Major FPMT institute that hosts both the multi-year FPMT Basic Program (residential or online, in Italian and English) and the FPMT Masters Program, with a 2023–2028 cycle.

Taught in Italian, English

Rome · Academic · In person

The degree in Oriental Languages and Civilisations, run with the Italian Institute of Oriental Studies, combines Asian languages with cultural and religious history.

Taught in Italian

Naples · Academic · In person

Italy's oldest school of oriental studies, with undergraduate and graduate programmes in Asian languages and cultures including Indology and Tibetology.

Taught in Italian

Seoul · Academic · In person

Jogye Order-affiliated university whose Department of Buddhist Studies covers Buddhist studies, Seon (Zen) and Indian philosophy, with classical language training. It also has a Department of Cultural Heritage focused on Buddhist art and archaeology.

Taught in Korean

Nonsan · Academic · In person

Small Buddhist-founded university in South Chungcheong Province where Buddhist studies is a core subject.

Taught in Korean

Gimpo · Academic & traditional · In person

Jogye Order university mainly for the education of ordained monks and nuns.

Taught in Korean

Iksan · Academic · In person

University founded by Won Buddhism, which supports studies of Won Buddhism.

Taught in Korean

Canberra · Academic · Online & in person

Offers what it describes as Australia's only full Sanskrit major, with some courses available externally, and Tibetan as an elective or minor.

Taught in English

Wollongong · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

A higher education provider founded with support from Fo Guang Shan. It offers Applied Buddhist Studies from Graduate Certificate to Master of Arts, plus a certificate in Humanistic Buddhism.

Taught in English

Sydney · Academic · In person

Teaching covers Sanskrit, Tibetan language and culture, and Buddhist studies, with a Sanskrit minor available at undergraduate level.

Taught in English

Beijing · Traditional · In person

National monastic academy at Fayuan Temple training Buddhist clergy, with undergraduate-level and postgraduate classes.

Taught in Mandarin

Beijing · Academic · In person

Combined philosophy and religious studies department at a leading university, where Buddhism is studied within Chinese philosophy and religious studies.

Taught in Mandarin

Beijing · Academic · In person

Ministry of Education key research base for Buddhist and religious studies. It runs conferences, a summer class and a graduate student forum, and publishes the journal Religious Studies.

Taught in Mandarin

Le Mont-Pèlerin · Traditional · In person

Gelug monastery and institute founded by Geshe Rabten where monastics and lay students study Tibetan and classical Dharma texts in a traditional setting.

Taught in German, Tibetan

Lausanne · Academic · In person

French-language BA and MA covering Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit and Middle Indian languages alongside the history of South Asian religions.

Taught in French

Zurich · Academic · In person

Japanese Studies includes the religious and intellectual history of Japan and hosts a research project on Japanese Buddhist art in European collections.

Taught in German, English

Dhaka · Academic · In person

Separate department since 2006, offering a four-year BA honours, an MA and MPhil research, and hosting a Centre for Buddhist Heritage and Culture.

Chittagong · Academic · In person

Pali has been taught at the university since 1968 in a department within the Faculty of Arts.

Ghent · Academic · Online & in person

South Asia specialists working on Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali texts, Buddhist and Jain studies; the research track of the MA in South Asian languages and cultures has been offered in English and online.

Taught in Dutch, English

Louvain-la-Neuve · Academic · In person

The master's in ancient languages and literatures (oriental studies) includes a course on Buddhist languages, rotating between Pali, Gandhari, Buddhist Sanskrit and Central Asian languages such as Tibetan; good Sanskrit is expected.

Taught in French, English

Prague · Academic · In person

Indology dates back to a Sanskrit chair in the 1850s; the institute also has a seminar of Mongolian and Tibetan studies with a master's specialisation in Tibetan Studies covering literary Tibetan and religion.

Taught in Czech

Brno · Academic · In person

A well-known European department for the study of religions; Buddhist topics, including Japanese Buddhism and Zen, are also taught through the Department of Japanese Studies.

Taught in Czech, English

Hong Kong · Academic · In person

Taught MA in Buddhist Studies focusing on Mahayana Buddhism and Humanistic Buddhism from textual, philosophical, historical and ethical angles. The department also hosts a Centre of Buddhist Studies and research postgraduate degrees in religious studies.

Hong Kong · Academic · In person

Offers a Master of Buddhist Studies, a Master of Buddhist Counselling, MPhil and PhD research degrees, an undergraduate minor and a certificate in Buddhist textual studies.

Taught in English, Cantonese, Mandarin

Budapest · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

State-recognised Buddhist college founded in 1991 offering a six-semester BA in Buddhist Studies (with full-time, evening and correspondence options) and a master's programme.

Taught in Hungarian

Budapest · Academic · In person

English-taught, text-centred MA in Buddhist Studies requiring prior study of a classical Buddhist language; a BA in Indian Studies is also offered. The MA is not open to Hungarian citizens.

Taught in English, Hungarian

Batu · Academic · In person

Buddhist college in East Java offering undergraduate study in Buddhist religious education.

Taught in Indonesian

Tangerang · Academic · In person

State Buddhist college with undergraduate programmes in Buddhist education, Dharma outreach and communication, counselling and management, and a postgraduate school.

Taught in Indonesian

Yangon · Academic & traditional · In person

State Theravada university teaching in English, open to local and foreign students who want to study the Pali canon and meditation.

Taught in English

Sagaing · Academic & traditional · In person

Founded by Sitagu Sayadaw in 1994 at Sagaing Hills, offering language diplomas (English, Pali, Sanskrit, Hindi), a diploma in Buddhist studies and BA, MA and PhD degrees.

Taught in English

Leiden · Academic · In person

The BA South and Southeast Asian Studies includes Sanskrit or Tibetan, with a study period at the Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Kathmandu, and the MA Asian Studies offers classical Chinese and classical Japanese as well.

Taught in English

Loenen and Amsterdam · Traditional · Online & in person

FPMT centre in the Gelug tradition offering graded study programmes, from short introductions to the longer Discovering Buddhism series and advanced study, partly through residential weekends.

Taught in Dutch, English

Kraków · Academic · In person

BA and MA in Oriental Philology – Indology, taught in Polish, with Sanskrit alongside Hindi, Urdu and Tamil; Sanskrit lectures at Kraków go back to 1860.

Taught in Polish

Warsaw · Academic · In person

Indian Studies programme rooted in classical Indology and Buddhist studies on Sanskrit and Pali sources; the faculty also houses a Research Centre of Buddhist Studies.

Taught in Polish

Moscow · Academic · In person

Large oriental studies institute with departments of Indian, Chinese and Japanese philology.

Taught in Russian

St Petersburg · Academic · In person

Historic oriental faculty with departments of Indian philology and of Mongolian studies and Tibetology, including a Tibetan and Mongolian philology programme.

Taught in Russian

Singapore · Academic & traditional · In person

Offers a foundation English programme followed by bachelor's and master's degrees taught in English or Mandarin, in partnership with Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.

Taught in English, Mandarin

Singapore · Academic · In person

Runs a Postgraduate Diploma and an MA in Buddhist Studies taught locally and awarded by the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, through its Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies.

Taught in English

Hanoi · Academic & traditional · In person

Sangha academy in Hanoi with undergraduate, master's and doctoral study in Buddhist studies.

Taught in Vietnamese

Ho Chi Minh City · Academic & traditional · Online & in person

Buddhist university of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha offering full-time and distance-learning bachelor's degrees in Buddhist studies, as well as master's and doctoral programmes.

Taught in Vietnamese

Vienna · Academic · In person

A leading European department for Indian and Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and philology, with bachelor's and master's programmes and close ties to the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Taught in German, English

Sofia · Academic · In person

Four-year Indology BA, running since 1983, with compulsory Sanskrit, Hindi and Urdu. It is not a Buddhist Studies programme, but its courses on Religions of India and Darśana (Indian thought systems) give a grounding for later Buddhist Studies. Up to twelve students are admitted each year.

Taught in Bulgarian

Zagreb · Academic · In person

Sanskrit has been taught in Zagreb since the 1870s; the department offers Sanskrit grammar and Indian cultural history, and has co-organised intensive Sanskrit summer courses.

Taught in Croatian

Vilnius · Academic · In person

The BA in Asian Studies includes an Indian and South Asian studies track with Sanskrit teaching, alongside Japanese and Chinese studies.

Taught in Lithuanian, English

Sri Serdang, Selangor · Traditional · In person

Education arm of Nalanda Buddhist Society offering public certificate and higher certificate courses in Buddhist studies, plus Dharma-school teacher training, with off-campus classes around Malaysia.

Taught in English

Mexico City · Academic · In person

A full-time master's in Asian and African Studies with a South Asia specialisation; religion and philosophy is one of its main areas. Admission terms change with each call for applications.

Taught in Spanish

Dunedin · Academic · In person

Offers a minor in Buddhist Studies and a Buddhist Studies option in the coursework MA. Students may combine it with Sanskrit, Chinese or Japanese.

Taught in English

Islamabad · Academic · In person

Institute founded in 1967 with UNESCO involvement, offering postgraduate study in archaeology, comparative religions and ancient scripts with a strong research focus on Gandharan Buddhist art and archaeology.

Bratislava · Academic · In person

Slovakia's only department teaching Chinese, Japanese and Korean studies; research includes Chinese Buddhist philosophy.

Taught in Slovak

Barcelona · Academic · Online

Specialisation course from the Faculty of Translation and Interpreting introducing classical and Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit through live online classes, with a second, advanced level.

Taught in Spanish

Uppsala · Academic · In person

Indology with Comparative Indo-European Philology, weighted towards Sanskrit (including Vedic) and Hindi, can be the main field of a bachelor's degree.

Taught in Swedish, English