Study Online
Begin your path of insight and transformation from anywhere in the world
The study of Buddhism invites both personal transformation and intellectual depth. At Rangjung Yeshe Institute, you can engage with authentic Buddhist teachings through programs that combine contemplative insight with academic excellence. Whether you are exploring foundational concepts or undertaking advanced textual study, RYI’s online courses are grounded in rigorous scholarship, taught by experienced faculty, and designed to meet the highest standards of academic inquiry—all while supporting your spiritual path and fitting into your daily life.
You can study your BA first year online and first year of MA Preparatory online (To learn more click on them).
Rangjung Yeshe Institute offers a variety of online study opportunities:
1. Self-paced asynchronous online courses
2. Live semester courses
3. Free recorded teachings
1. Self-Paced, Asynchronous Online Courses
Study independently with self-paced, asynchronous online courses that allow you to explore Buddhist philosophy, meditation, Tibetan language, and classical texts at your rhythm.
Asynchronous online learning courses are offered in three distinct formats:
- Interactive For-Credit
- Interactive Not-for-Credit
- Self-study.
Details about the course content are given in the course descriptions.
Interactive
Self Study
Interactive
Self Study
Interactive
Self Study
Interactive
Self Study
I Interactive
I Self Study
II Interactive
II Self Study
The three formats for asynchronous online learning are:
Interactive For-Credit
In asynchronous online learning interactive for-credit courses, you study at your own pace with a moderator who guides you through the semester. The courses comprise pre-recorded lectures, accessible through LearnDash (an e-learning platform), weekly online office hours with your moderator, periodic quizzes and written assignments to enhance your understanding, and the opportunity to communicate with your moderator in the chat forum.
Course moderators are available for live online office hours during three semester periods:
- Fall Semester: September 1 – December 15
- Spring Semester: January 15 – May 1
- Summer Semester: June 15 – August 7
During each active semester, moderators hold weekly live online office hours. In the semester breaks, communication is limited to written correspondence once a week.
To receive credit, students must follow the semester schedule. Students starting at the beginning of a semester must finish all assignments within that very semester to receive credit. For those who register in the middle of the semester, credits will be applied to the next available semester of the academic year. Details about the application can be found here: https://ryi.org/admissions
Please visit our admissions page “Asynchronous Online Learning Courses through LearnDash” for application details.
Interactive Not-for-Credit
In asynchronous, interactive, not-for-credit online courses, you progress at your own pace under the guidance of a moderator who supports your learning over the course of a year. The courses include pre-recorded lectures delivered through LearnDash (an open-source e-learning platform), weekly online office hours with your moderator, periodic quizzes, written assignments, and opportunities for discussion with your moderator in the chat forum.
Course moderators are available for live online office hours during three semester periods:
- Fall Semester: September 1 – December 15
- Spring Semester: January 15 – May 1
- Summer Semester: June 15 – August 7
During each active semester, moderators offer weekly live online office hours. Outside these periods, communication is limited to one written exchange per week.
You will not earn academic credit.
Please note that your 12-month study period begins when you register for the course.
Self-Study
Self-Study courses are self-paced and do not include a course moderator. They comprise pre-recorded lectures, accessible through LearnDash, an open-source e-learning platform, and quizzes. Self-study courses are offered only on a not-for-credit basis.
2. Live Semester Courses Online
Enroll in regular semester courses taught in real time. Participate in live-streamed lectures, ask questions, and join a community of learners from around the world.
Several of our regular semester courses are available for online study. These courses run approximately fifteen weeks, are live-streamed, and provide class recordings available to students on Microsoft Teams.
Fall 2026: The fall semester runs from August 19 to December 18, 2026. You can find the courses offered here.
3. Free Recorded Teachings
Access a library of freely available recorded lectures and seminars from excellent teachers, offering insights into core Buddhist teachings and contemporary applications.
Listen to seminars and conference presentations here: https://ryi.org/free-online-resources
Listen to RYI’s rich selection of guest lectures on a variety of topics:
How do you earn academic credit?
To earn academic credit, you must be enrolled in a university program, either at Kathmandu University or elsewhere.
Interactive for-credit students registered with Kathmandu University (KU) who wish to receive credit for asynchronous online learning courses must register through their RYI portal account. KU students must adhere to RYI’s academic year registration dates and deadlines and complete the course within the specified time. Credits earned from asynchronous online learning courses are applicable towards a KU degree if the student is currently enrolled with KU.
Students at other universities wishing to earn academic credit for an online course must enroll via the admissions page “Asynchronous Online Learning Courses through LearnDash – For Credit Format” Credits earned from these courses are recognized by other universities at their discretion.
A limited number of The Horst Koch Memorial Scholarship is available for interactive courses. For more information on this scholarship please click here.
