Buddhist Studies MA / PGDiploma / PGCertificate 


Distance Learning / E-Learning course

 

What Makes This Course So Special?

This fully distance learning course is delivered by an international team of established scholars, based in the UK, Hong Kong and Taiwan. You will learn from unique materials developed by Professor Peter Harvey, and benefit from the expertise of these international tutors. This well established programme has been running since 2001 (previously run by Professor Harvey at the University of Sunderland. Professor Harvey is retiring and the programme is being taken over by Newport).


Find out more about the subject of Religious Studies at Newport.

Course Intro

This is an entirely online part-time programme. Learning resources and contact with tutors and fellow students will be provided on the internet through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. This enables you, wherever you are in the world, to be part of an internet-based group to study, explore and discuss Buddhism using high quality, stimulating and academically rigorous materials. Study and participation can be fitted flexibly around other commitments. The programme is delivered in English.

What you study

This modular programme provides a choice for you in terms of what you study.
Modules that are currently available are as follows:
• Buddhist Traditions (Compulsory)
• Buddhist Ethics
• Buddhist Meditation and Psychology
• Buddhist Philosophy
• Pali Language
• Dissertation (for those progressing to MA)

Where Next?

A postgraduate qualification is required for professional advancement in numerous related occupations, and is widely seen as evidence of a successful commitment to a high level of professional development. It will demonstrate that you have developed advanced level skills and knowledge related to Buddhism, and also forms an excellent basis for those wishing to pursue further academic study in the field.

The MA Buddhist Studies is ideal for teachers wishing to enhance their subject knowledge, and also for those working in Buddhist organisations who wish to position their existing knowledge within an academic framework and gain a recognised qualification. It is also an excellent course for those wishing to study  Buddhism in its own right.

Furthermore, those with a therapy background may be interested in studying for the PG Certificate in Buddhist Studies by pursuing only the Buddhist Traditions and Buddhist Meditation & Psychology modules.

Interview Required

Yes. After you have made your application an informal interview (via the internet) will be required.

Assessment

Assessment is mostly through coursework, submitted online. There are (non-invigilated) timed examinations for the Pali Language module.

Staff Soundbite

I am delighted that Professor Harvey’s excellent MA Buddhist Studies will continue here at Newport. I intend to ensure that the reputation and quality of the course continues by recruiting excellent tutors – including at least one who has taught on the course before – and also by keeping the same external examiner. 
Dr Nick Swann (convenor)


Experiences Gained
Facilities
Teaching Team
Course Costs

No field trips as such are planned at present, although we are exploring the possibility of (optional) funded study placements in international Buddhist institutions.


Learning materials are accessed via the University’s Moodle virtual learning environment. This is also the platform for the weekly discussions. Rarer bibliographic resources essential to the course are accessible via Moodle too.
Dr Nick Swann
Prof. Xue Yu
Dr Yin Kit-Tung
Dr Warren Todd

Mandatory costs
Costs that arise from studying core or compulsory modules which could include:
Fees; materials for art courses (canvasses, paints, etc); materials to support health subjects (stethoscopes, lab coats, etc); outdoor equipment (hiking books, waterproofs, etc) learning resources (books, journals, photocopying, etc); CRB checks or ISA registration; field trips; conference registration or attendance; additional facility fees (studio, laboratory or darkroom fees); printing & binding (dissertations); health checks, vaccinations for fitness to practice, study or travel; work placement costs; coaching awards – this list is not exhaustive but should help.
In addition to fees (see below) there is an expectation that students will have access to the core texts required for each module. This will, in all probability, involve purchasing the texts.
Fees: £600 per 30 credit module, £800 for the 60 credit dissertation, regardless of residence or nationality. Consequently, the costs for the various possible qualifications are:
PG Cert Buddhist Studies (one year): £1,200
PG Dip Buddhist Studies (two years): £2,400
MA Buddhist Studies (three years): £3,200

Optional costs
(costs incurred only as a result of student choice of module, which are additional to the core modules)
The estimated costs for purchasing core texts for each module are:
Buddhist Traditions (compulsory module):  £140
Buddhist Ethics: £150
Buddhist Meditation and Psychology: up to £260
Buddhist Philosophy: £140
Pali Language: £40
Note that some texts overlap with other modules and several are available at lower cost. Also, many of these texts hold their value for resale purposes.


Key Facts
Year of Entry

January 2012

Course Code

N/A

Duration

Certificate – 1 Year
Diploma – 2 years
Masters – 3 years

To achieve the postgraduate diploma you need to complete 4 modules over 2 years. If you then wish to progress to achieve the full Masters you must complete a Dissertation which will take an additional year.

Entry Requirements

• A good bachelor’s degree (2:1 classification or better)
• If this degree was not conducted in English medium, then you must demonstrate English ability to IELTS level 6.0 across all competencies
• Two academic references

However, because students may come from diverse backgrounds, alternative evidence of aptitude for academic study may be taken into consideration, as well as alternative references. Contact us at Buddhist.studies@newport.ac.uk if you need clarification.

Campus

N/A - DISTANCE LEARNING

Full-time

No

Part-time

Yes – Distance Learning

Home/EU Fees

£600 per 30 credit module, £800 for the 60 credit dissertation, regardless of residence or nationality. Consequently, the costs for the various possible qualifications are:
PG Cert Buddhist Studies (one year):            £1,200
PG Dip Buddhist Studies (two years):           £2,400
MA Buddhist Studies (three years):        £3,200


Find out more
All Enquiries 
University Information Centre
University of Wales, Newport
Caerleon Campus
Lodge Road
Caerleon
Newport
South Wales
NP18 3QT

Tel: (01633) 432432
Fax: (01633) 432046

Email:uic@newport.ac.uk 

Watch Our Videos
University Of Wales, Newport