Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, please submit it as proof of your English language proficiency. The same applies if you have a certificate from the Goethe-Institut, DSH or TestDaF for German proficiency.

Without one of these certificates, we will evaluate your language proficiency based on your application. Additionally, we may conduct an interview with you via Zoom.

A language certificate is not required for those who have obtained a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a program taught in English or German.

Please note that even if you choose to write your application and dissertation in German, you must still demonstrate English proficiency, since the programme's courses and activities are usually conducted in English.

The language requirements depend on your planned dissertation project. Applicants are expected to have knowledge of at least one historical source language of Buddhism (e.g. Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, Chinese, or Japanese), typically at the bachelor’s or master’s level.

If you have a certificate or other document confirming your language proficiency, please upload it with your application. If you do not have such documentation, please upload a short document stating which language(s) you know, where you learned them, how long you studied them, and your level of proficiency.

To be accepted into our PhD program, applicants must have an academic background in Buddhist Studies or a related field. Relevant disciplines include Indology, Tibetology, Sinology, Japanese Studies, Religious Studies, and Philosophy of Religion.

Applicants are also expected to have knowledge of at least one historical source language of Buddhism and a research project with a clear focus on Buddhist Studies.

Degrees in unrelated fields (e.g., architecture) do not meet the academic requirements for admission. A general cultural background, personal experience, or monastic training alone is not sufficient.

Currently, our program does not have its own scholarship funding scheme.

You can find various funding opportunities for doctoral researchers at LMU here.

International students are often eligible for DAAD funding. Further information can be found here.

You can also discuss other potential funding options with your prospective supervisor as part of the application process.

The program does not usually offer employment positions; such arrangements are only possible in certain exceptional cases.