Scholarships at SOAS University of London

The Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions offers a CSJR Postgraduate Student Bursary in Japanese Religions to be held at SOAS, University of London.

The total value of the scholarship is £5,000 for one year for full-time or part-time programmes, providing a contribution towards tuition fees. If the successful candidate receives a grant to cover fees from another funding body, the bursary can be used towards maintenance.

Eligible programmes

• Full-time or part-time Research Degree: Religions in Japanese Religions.

• Full-time or part-time MA Buddhist Studies focusing on Japanese Religions and/or Japanese Buddhism.

• Full-time or part-time MA Buddhist Studies and Intensive Language (Japanese) focusing on Japanese Buddhism.

Candidate criteria

• This scholarship is open to Home and Overseas fee status applicants.

• Open to new admissions only (programmes starting in September 2025).

• Taught Master's (MA) applicants must focus on Japanese Religions and/or Japanese Buddhism. Evidence of this should be included in the statement of their application and reflected in their choice of modules.

• Applicants should give evidence in the statement of their application of their ability to use sources in Japanese.

• Applicants for the MA scholarship must possess or expect to be awarded a First-Class Honours degree from a UK university or international equivalent. Applicants with a non-UK master’s degree must be in the top rank as evidenced by references and transcripts. Applicants with a 2.1 may also apply but will not be given preference.

• Applicants for the MPhil/PhD scholarship must possess or expect to be awarded a First-Class Honours master’s degree from a UK university or equivalent. Applicants with a non-UK master’s degree must be in the top rank as evidenced by references and transcripts. Applicants with a 2.1 may also apply but will not be given preference.

• Applicants must meet the English language condition of their offer of admission to study at SOAS, if applicable. If your offer is conditional on English, please arrange your English test and ensure you meet the English requirements as soon as possible.

• Please note that this scholarship does not cover funding for pre-sessional courses.

• Applicants must have applied to SOAS but are not required to have received an offer of admission by the scholarship deadline. An offer will need to have been received by the time the relevant panel meets to discuss scholarship applications.

Candidate assessment

• Candidates will be assessed on their academic merit and personal statements by a Selection Panel. The Centre reserves the right not to make an award in the event that no suitable application is received.

• Candidates will be assessed on evidence that the primary focus of their study is Japanese Buddhism and that they have sufficient knowledge of Japanese to use sources in Japanese.

• The assessment of your application will be based on the information in your application for admission. Selectors will be looking at academic references, degree results, statement, CV, research proposal (MPhil/PhD applications only) and other relevant information.

• You must submit a complete application of your programme as soon as possible and then submit an application for this scholarship in order to be considered. Please note that complete applications for admissions can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of the year. You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods. 

• You will need to have an unconditional offer for your programme by the time the Scholarship Panel meet.

• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Deadline date: 21 March 2025.