Programme Overview 

The MA programme is the very first programme launched by SSBU dating back to 2018. This comprehensive two-year curriculum is designed to provide students two arms of specialization. 

One is a solid philological foundation for those interested in Pāli as the lingua franca of Theravada Buddhism and other scriptural languages such as Sanskrit. The pedagogy including teaching and directed learning are principally textual-based and catered to those students who wish to enhance their reading, analytical, and hermeneutic skills in Pāli and other scriptural languages of Buddhism. 

The other is the applied Buddhism pathway which approaches and utilises Buddhist philosophy, especially its ethic-psychological principles, from the diverse lens of philosophy, clinical and social psychology, sociology, economics, empirical and medical science. Using such a multidisciplinary approach, students are expected to enhance their understanding of the ways in which Buddhism informs and is informed by the contemporary world.

By going through the offered courses, one is expected to acquire: 

1. • Analytical skills to engage competently with primary and secondary sources; 
2. • An overview of the impacts of Buddhism in the contemporary world, especially in influencing various disciplines;
3. • Tools to help them understand and appreciate how Buddhism influences diverse cultures and worldviews, past and present within Buddhist communities and beyond; 
4. • An orientation in relation to the variety of Buddhist religious forms, and to perceive commonalities across this diversity.  

Compulsory courses: 

1. • Theravāda Buddhist Meditation: Theory and Practice 
2. • Foundation Pāli I & II
3. • Academic Study of Buddhism 

Optional courses:

1. • Art and History of Buddhism in Southeast Asia 
2. • Buddhist Arts and Archaeology in Ancient Myanmar 
3. • Buddhist Counselling and Psychotherapy 
4. • Buddhist Ethics 
5. • Buddhist Philosophy 
6. • Buddhist Psychology 
7. • Buddhist Social Philosophy 
8. • Empirical Research in Buddhism
9. • Global Studies & Transnational Buddhism 
10. • History of Buddhism in India and Different Parts of the World 
11. • Leadership and Management from Buddhist Perspectives 
12. • Sanskrit 
13. • Sutta Studies 
14. • Sutta Texts 
15. • Textual Studies and Textual Criticism 
16. • Theravāda Abhidhamma

Structure of the Degree Programme

Students must complete a total of 360 credits, comprising compulsory and optional courses, as well as a compulsory dissertation. Students are required, as part of the meditation course requirements, to attend one ten-day meditation retreat every year during the semester break.

Teaching and Learning 

The primary goal of SSBU is to equip our students with a high standard of education in a multidisciplinary MA programme, enabling them to become confident and independent teachers and researchers upon graduation. To achieve this goal, we have adopted a student-centred pedagogical approach that puts our students at the centre. This approach empowers and entrusts students with the responsibility for designing their own learning paths, including creating their special area of interest. Moreover, the teaching here emphasises on acquisition of academic study skills, familiarising students with self-directed learning, topic-specific essay writing and conducting independent research.  It is our hope that this curriculum will enable students to develop a habit of lifelong learning and sufficient study skills for a prospective, independent research career in Buddhism.

As part of your academic training to become an independent learner, we expect you to undertake 34 hours of independent study per week. Each week, we will provide up to nine hours of teaching through lectures and seminars. 

In terms of students’ workload, one credit typically equates to 10 hours of work. 

Eligibility of Applicants


1. • Applicants must complete a Bachelor’s Degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in Pāli or Buddhist Studies or equivalent.
2. • Applicants must have a good command of English. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with each skill not less than 5.0; or TOEFL scores of 183 (computer-based), 513 (paper-based), 65 (internet-based). If you don't have IELTS or TOEFL scores, we will organize an In-House English Proficiency Test at the entrance exam, and you must achieve the required scores in our Test.
3. • Applicants must have prior knowledge of Pāli and a basic understanding of Buddhism.

Documents Required for Applications: 

1. 1. Completed application form with a 1-inch photograph attached. 
2. 2. A Personal Statement (1000 words) which clearly explains why you wish to take our programme, and outlines your relevant background experiences. 
3. 3. An essay (1,500 words) on a topic related to any field of Buddhism. 
4. 4. Bachelor’s Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or Dhammācariya Certificate or equivalent. 
5. 5. Academic Transcript/Mark-Sheet of academic programmes attended.
6. 6. IELTS or TOEFL English Language certificate, if available. 
7. 7. Recommendation Letter from the Head of the Institution or Abbot of the current residing monastery. 
8. 8. Medical Certificate confirming a physical examination in a hospital in the applicant’s home country. 
9. 9. A photocopy of the passport (Foreign Applicant) or ID Card (Local Applicant).

Application Procedure and Periods: 

1. • Application Deadline is February 1, 2026 (Sunday). 
2. • Entrance Examination Period is in March 2026. (The entrance exam will consist of two components: Pāli and general knowledge of Buddhism, and will last 2 hours.)
3. • All programmes are starting in May 2026. 

Fees, Accommodation & Living

1. The University will cover all Tuition fees, Accommodation, and Food. But the students are expected to pay for:
2. • Registration fees
3. • Personal and travel expenses
4. • Library fees
5. • Photocopies and printings
6. • Wi-Fi Internet fee
7. • Graduation fees
8. • Annual visa fee (for foreign students)

Faculty Members and Teaching Staff

1. • Oxford Sayadaw Ven. Prof. Dr. K. Dhammasāmi (Dhammācariya, MA and MPhil Kelaniya, DPhil Oxford); 
2. • Ven. Vicittābhipala (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya); 
3. • Ven. Dr. Paññābhoga, (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Mahidol); 
4. • Ven. Dr. Devindābhipala, (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Assumption); 
5. • Ven. Dr. Mahosadhālaṅkāra (Dhammācariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Peradeniya); 
6. • Ven. Dr. Paññānanda, (MA Kelaniya, MPhil & PhD Peradeniya); 
7. • Ven. Dr. Paññādīpa, (MBS Hong Kong, MA SSBU, MSc & PhD Toronto); 
8. • Ven. Dr. Narinda, (Dhammacariya, MA Kelaniya, PhD Peradeniya); 
9. • Ven. Dr. Naw Kham La Dhammasāmi, (MA Kelaniya, MPhil & PhD Peradeniya); 
10. • Ven. Dr. Vāyaminda (MA Kelaniya, MBS King’s College, PhD Kelaniya); 
11. • Sayalay Dr. Yuzana Nyani, (MA ITBMU, PhD Delhi); 
12. • Prof. Dr. Aung Tun Thet, (MSc Warwick; PhD Manchester);  
13. • Dr. Pyi Phyo Kyaw, (MA SOAS, PhD King’s College London); 
14. • Dr. Aleix Ruiz-Falqués (MA Barcelona & Pune, PhD Cambridge); 
15. • Sayalay Dr. Paññātherī, (MA Kelaniya, MBA AIT, PhD SSBU); 
16. • Dr. Anuja Ajotikar, (MPhil Pune, PhD ITT Bombay); 
17. • Prof. Dr. Tin Nain Win (MA & PhD Mandalay)
18. • Dr. Kyaw Minn Htin (BE YTU, MA & MRes YU, PGDip (Master’s Equivalent) SOAS, PhD NUS)

Special Note: 

The University provides accommodation for overseas lay students, but it is not guaranteed for local lay students.  

Important Notes: 

1. Your application must be completed with all required supporting documents and submitted before the deadline. Late submission will not be considered. 
2. Two options to submit your applications: 

1. • Email completed application forms to admission@ssbu.edu.mm or 
2. • Hand in completed application forms to our SSBU Academic Office in person. 

1. For enquiries, please contact us: (+95) 0812125674 or 09757715216