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Khyentse Center for Tibetan Buddhist Textual Scholarship

Photo: Orna Almogi

Study Tibetology

General Information

The Department of Indian and Tibetan Studies, under the Asien-Afrika-Institut of the Faculty of Humanities, Universität Hamburg, offers BA, MA, and PhD programs in Tibetan Studies (“Tibetology”). In terms of its focus and profile, Tibetology at the Department can primarily be defined as “Classical Tibetology,” inasmuch as classical Tibetan and Sanskrit are regarded respectively as the main and second research languages (modern Tibetan is also taught, with students being encouraged to pursue field research and study under traditional scholars); textual sources written in classical Tibetan are the main objects of research, while historical-philological techniques form the main research methodology. Students who are able to employ these tools and techniques can choose to take on contemporary themes on the basis of textual materials.

  • At the BA level, the Department offers an International Bachelor’s Program in the Languages and Cultures of the Indian Subcontinent and Tibet, with two main focuses: (a) Languages and Cultures of South Asia, which is divided into Classical Indology and Modern South-Asian Studies, and (b) the Language and Culture of Tibet (i.e. Tibetan Studies or Tibetology). The BA program with a focus on the Tibetan language and culture can be pursued either as a major (for eight semesters) or minor (for six semesters). One of the main goals of the International Bachelor’s Program offered at the Department is to impart a sound knowledge of the primary research languages. For more details, click here.
  • The Department offers an International MA Program in Tibetan Studies. Apart from the general prerequisites, applicants must attest a good knowledge of classical Tibetan (with or without knowledge of modern Tibetan). For more details, click here.
  • Those who have successfully obtained an MA degree in Tibetan Studies (or any related filed) from the University of Hamburg or elsewhere, and have demonstrated an excellent command of classical Tibetan and the ability to research Tibetan (mainly Buddhist) textual sources and analyze their contents with the aid of historical-philological tools and techniques, may seek to pursue a PhD degree in the field of Tibetan Studies at the Universität Hamburg under the supervision of Prof. Dorji Wangchuk.

How to Apply

  • For general information, contacts and services for prospective students at the University of Hamburg, click here.
  • For information on how to apply and application forms for the International Bachelor’s Program, click here.
  • For information on how to apply and application forms for the International MA Program in Tibetan Studies, click here (German). For English Information on the AAI's Website, click here.
  • If you wish to pursue a PhD in Tibetan Studies at the University of Hamburg, please contact Prof. Dr. Dorji Wangchuk.
  • For further questions, please consider the Studienbüro of the AAI, click here.