Start Your Bachelor of Arts Degree Online
Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Buddhist Studies with Himalayan Language, with the first year available as an online option, followed by three years of on-campus study.
The curriculum is organized around two main areas: Buddhist philosophy, history, culture, and Himalayan languages. Approximately two-thirds of the courses focus on Buddhist philosophy, while the remaining third covers languages such as Tibetan, Sanskrit, Chinese, and Nepali. Students may choose to place greater emphasis on philosophy or on language, depending on their interests.
The online first year provides a strong foundation for the rest of the degree, equipping students with essential knowledge and skills before continuing their studies on campus. By the end of the full BA program, successful students will have developed a broad understanding of the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition, including its historical and philosophical development, as well as a deeper knowledge of Tibetan approaches to Buddhist study. Depending on their chosen focus, they may also gain proficiency in modern Tibetan and Nepali, the ability to read classical Tibetan and Sanskrit, and the skills to follow teachings directly in Tibetan.
MA Preparatory students may also complete their first year of MA Prep study online, subject to the availability of their required courses. See the Fall and Spring online course offerings below.
An Online Option
This program offers a distinctive online first year of the BA, designed to prepare students for a fully immersive academic experience during the following three years on campus.
First-Year BA Online Option
The following courses are offered online during the first year of the BA program. Mandatory courses are highlighted with additional electives available to tailor your studies to your interests.
| Code | Fall 2026 Course Offerings | Credits | Course Format |
| Required for 1st Year BA Students | |||
| TSTD 101 | The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra): Part I | 6 | Self-paced |
| OL BSTD 101 | Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture I | 3 | Self-paced |
| Language Courses | |||
| TLAN101 | Classical Tibetan I | Each course is 3 credits Take either 3 or 6 credits | Live Online |
| OL TLAN 101 | Classical Tibetan I | Self-paced | |
| TLAN 103 | Colloquial Tibetan I | Live Online | |
| SLAN 101 | Sanskrit I | Live Online | |
| NLAN 101 | Nepali I | Live Online | |
| CLAN 101 | Buddhist Literary Chinese | Live Online | |
| Additional Course | |||
| BSTD 209 | Buddhist Ethics: Focus on Animals | 3 | Hybrid: Self-paced and Live Online |
| Total Credits: | 15 | ||
*Note: Native speakers of Nepali or Tibetan should take advanced placement language tests in their native languages before first semester start.
| Code | Spring 2027 Course Offerings | Credits | Course Format |
| Required for 1st Year BA Students | |||
| TSTD 102 | The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra): Part II | 6 | Self-paced |
| BSTD 102 | Buddhist Traditions: History and Culture II | 3 | Self-paced |
| Language Courses | |||
| CLAN 102 | Buddhist Literary Chinese II | Each course is 3 credits Take either 3 or 6 credits | Live Online |
| TLAN 102 | Classical Tibetan | Live Online | |
| OL TLAN 102 | Classical Tibetan | Self-paced | |
| TLAN 104 | Colloquial Tibetan | Live Online | |
| SLAN 102 | Sanskrit | Live Online | |
| NLAN 102 | Nepali | Live Online | |
| Additional Courses | |||
| BSTD 208 | Methodology of Buddhist Studies | Live Online | |
| Total Credits: | 15 | ||
*Note: Native speakers of Nepali or Tibetan should take advanced placement language tests in their native languages before first semester start.
Bachelor of Arts Scholarship
RYI Offers scholarships for the Bachelor of Arts in Buddhist Studies and Himalayan Language.
- The Bachelor of Arts Scholarship was established to support students who would otherwise be unable to pursue their studies full-time. The scholarship provides a partial or full tuition fee reduction for up to 30 credits per academic year (15 credits per semester).
- The scholarship is awarded for one academic year (Fall & Spring semesters), with the possibility for recipients to reapply in subsequent academic years, subject to eligibility and availability.
A limited number of scholarships are available each year.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
To apply for a Bachelor of Arts Scholarship, one must:
- Be an international (non-SAARC) student enrolled in the BA program (in any year) or have submitted an application for BA program admission.
- Demonstrate financial need that would otherwise prevent full-time enrollment.
- Must study full-time, 15 credits (for-credit) in each semester one receives the scholarship.
- Bachelor of Arts Scholarship students must study on campus.
This scholarship exists due to the generosity of private donors. Would you like to help us support these students too? If so, please visit our donation page, or contact us.
Please see our Admissions Process for more details on applying for the scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the structure of the First-Year Online BA in Buddhist Studies program?
The First-Year Online BA program is structured as one year of online study followed by three years of on-campus study at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Nepal. This format allows students to build a strong academic foundation online before transitioning to immersive, in-person learning.
Who is this program designed for?
This program is designed for students who want to start their studies online and are interested in:
- Buddhist philosophy and thought
- Classical Buddhist languages
- Himalayan and Indo-Tibetan traditions
- Integrating academic study with contemplative practice
No prior background in Buddhist studies is required.
What happens during this first year of online study?
The first-year online courses are a mix of self-paced and livestreamed courses. Students are introduced to the study of a classical Buddhist text with a Tibetan monastic professor, experience the academic approach to Buddhist studies, and begin their studies of Classical Tibetan, spoken Tibetan, Nepalese, Sanskrit, or Buddhist Literary Chinese.
Full-time students take 15 credits per semester, 9 of which are required courses for the BA degree. The required courses are fall and spring semester study of Śāntideva’s classic text, The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra), 6 credits each course, and fall and spring courses on the history and culture of the Buddhist tradition, 3 credits each course.
In addition, students choose two additional 3-credit courses each semester from among five language options and one Buddhist studies option, earning a total of 15 credits per semester. (Please see the chart on the page above for the available courses.)
Depending on the type of course, methods of study include video and audio lectures, online discussions, recorded or live review, one-on-one conversation practice, and collaborative assignments. The livestreamed courses are taken at scheduled times. For the self-paced courses students choose their own study times.
Note: Kathmandu University regulations require 80% class attendance for students on campus and online. The course instructors and moderators will explain how to meet this requirement during the first course meetings.
Will I be ready for the second year of study on campus if I start the BA online?
If you study full-time during your first-year online, earning 15 credits per semester, your study will be equivalent to that of an on-campus student who is ready to start their second year. If you study part-time, earning either 9 or 12 credits per semester, you’ll be equivalent to a part-time, on-campus student and will be able to continue with your degree on campus just as they do.
What happens during the next years on campus?
During the three on-campus years, students continue their studies of:
- In-depth Buddhist philosophy, within the monastic and academic traditions
- Classical language study (Tibetan, Sanskrit, Chinese or Pāli)
- Historical and cultural study of the Buddhist tradition
- Spoken language study (Tibetan and Nepali)
- Textual analysis and translation
Depending on the type of course, methods of study include seminars, discussions, lectures, guided contemplative practice, fieldwork, one-on-one conversation practice, peer review and collaborative assignments.
In addition, as an on-campus student, you’ll have the experience of living within a Buddhist community and studying within the grounds of a Tibetan monastery.
Is the degree internationally recognized?
Yes. Rangjung Yeshe Institute is affiliated with Kathmandu University, a recognized and respected public university in Nepal, which accredits and awards the BA degree.
