ABOUT

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Bristol is at the cutting edge of global research. We have made innovations in areas ranging from cot death prevention to nanotechnology.

The student experience, we aim to equip our students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen career in a competitive global market.

The Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol was created in 1993 within the Department of Theology and Religious Studies as the first Centre for Buddhist Studies in the UK.

The Centre at present comprises three fulltime members of staff all in Theology and Religious Studies: Professor Rupert Gethin (Professor of Buddhist Studies and director of the Centre), Dr Rita Langer (Lecturer in Buddhist Studies), and Dr Benedetta Lomi (Lecturer in East Asian Religions).

At undergraduate level the Centre’s staff contribute to the undergraduate BA programme in Theology and Religious Studies; at graduate level they offer a taught MA in Religions with a Buddhist Studies Pathway and supervision of research leading to MPhil and MLitt/PhD.

CURRICULUM

At undergraduate level, units involving Buddhist and Asian Studies form part of the BA degree profile within the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. The Department offers one single-honours degree in Religion and Theology and joint-honours in collaboration with other departments in Philosophy and Theology and Theology and Sociology.

With any of these degree courses it is possible to take the units in Buddhist and Asian Studies. All BA degree courses last three years full-time.

Examples of the units that can be studied for the BA include:

THRS10028 Living Religions

THRS10030 Approaches to the Study of Religion

THRS10034 The Philosophy of Religion

THRSM0015 Buddhism: The Foundations

THRS10037 Divine Love and Ritual Sex: Hindu paths to liberation

THRS10017 Introduction to Sanskrit I: Grammar

THRS30067 Buddhist Psychology and Mental Health

KEY INFORMATION

The Centre was home to an AHRC funded research project on “Buddhist Death Rituals in Southeast Asia and China” (2007–2010), whose outcomes included conference papers, an edited volume, exhibitions (2012), and two documentary films on the Buddhist Death Rituals of Southeast Asia and China. During the course of this project the European Consortium for Asian Field Studies was founded and Bristol University was one of its founding members. The consortium supports and finances centres throughout Asia, including a centre in Chiang Mai (Thailand).

The Centre for Buddhist Studies in association with the University Library has anexcellent collection of books (PDF, 194kB)

on Buddhism, including the complete Buddhist canons in Pali, Tibetan and Chinese. Both the Taipei reprint of the Taisho edition of the Chinese canon, and the Taipei reprint of the Tibetan Tripitaka were kindly donated to the Centre by the Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taipei, which has also donated the complete Index to the Chinese Buddhist Tripitaka as well as many other books in Chinese. In addition we have the complete collection of the Ch'an canon kindly given to us by Fo Kuang Shan of Taiwan.

We are enormously grateful for these kind donations which have very much improved our facilities in Chinese and Tibetan languages.

There is also an extensive collection of Tibetan texts mainly on microfiche and CD-ROM, particularly for the study of Madhyamaka thought. In addition the University Library possesses the collection of the late Professor Edward Conze, and an Edward Conze Memorial Prize is available annually for outstanding undergraduate or graduate performance in the field.

Apart from the study spaces in the Department itself, there is a wide range of additional study spaces throughout the university, including the Arts and Social Sciences Library and the Graduate School for Arts & Humanities.

Students who work for a degree at the Centre for Buddhist Studies usually work individually or in small groups closely with the Centre directors. Graduate students also have access to the extremely well-equipped Graduate Centre with outstanding computer facilities available solely for their use.

Language and academic development

If English is not your first language, you need to achieve a certain level of English to qualify for a place on your chosen course. Different courses need different levels of English language skills.

The Centre for Academic Language and Development (CELFS) provides support for students for whom English is a foreign language, including courses to improve your English language and academic literacy.

The International Foundation Programme is ideal preparation for degree-level study at the University of Bristol. We also offer a separate International Foundation Programme for Medicine and Dentistry.

ADMISSION

to apply for an undergraduate degree at a British university you do not apply to the university itself. Applications are made through the UCAS procedure. You should contact UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) at Fulton House, Jessop Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3SH, UK (01242 222444 (general enquiries); 01242 227788 (applicant enquiries); 01242 221622 (fax)) for the requisite forms.

Make your application

Our International Recruitment Team are available to support you from your first enquiry to your arrival in Bristol. They can provide advice on:

courses of study and how to apply;
entry requirements and qualifications;
international fees and finances, including scholarships.

The University has agreements with a number of education representatives, or agents, around the world. Using a representative does not put you at any advantage or disadvantage when we make decisions about your application.

Visit our country-specific web pages for more information about applying from your country.

TUITION FEE

Tuition Fees

The annual tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduate students commencing their studies at the University in 2019 is £9,250.

Fees are subject to annual review, so they may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. Fees for 2020 entry are expected to be confirmed in summer 2019.

International students

If you are an international (non EU) student or from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, your tuition fees will depend on the course you study.

International fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. You should budget for an increase of up to five per cent each year. This increase does not apply for clinical courses.

If you're unsure which fees you should pay, read about how we determine your fee status.

ACCOMMODATION

Our residences provide so much more than just accommodation. With pastoral support and 24-hour security, opportunities to get involved in green initiatives, drama and music productions or sporting activities and a great social calendar.

Our residences
University-allocated residences available for new undergraduates.
The application process
How to apply and details of the application and allocations process.
Choosing your accommodation
There are lots of factors that might affect which of our residences is right for you.
Life in our residences
The social and sporting life in hall, and the staff available to help if you need them.
Arrivals and moving in
What to expect when it's time to make the move to you new home.
Accommodation guarantee
Details of who we are able to guarantee an offer of accommodation to.
Accommodation fees
Rent and other costs of living in University-allocated accommodation.
Policies and procedures
Contractual elements of your tenancy with us, including residence conditions.

University of Bristol

The Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol was created in 1993 within the Department of Theology and Religious Studies as the first Centre for Buddhist Studies in the UK. At undergraduate level the Centre’s staff contribute to the undergraduate BA programme in Theology and Religious Studies; at graduate level they offer a taught MA in Religions with a Buddhist Studies Pathway and supervision of research leading to MPhil and MLitt/PhD.