Languages and Cultures of South Asia and Tibet (Bachelor)
Source: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/bachelordiploma-programmes/languages-and-cultures-of-south-asia-and-tibet-bachelor/ Parent: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/
© Universität Wien / Institut für Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismuskunde
The bachelor’s programme in Languages and Cultures of South Asia and Tibet aims at developing students’ basic competences in two or more selected languages of South Asia and Tibet from the past and present (classical Sanskrit and Tibetan, Old Indic, Prakrit, Hindi, Nepali, Modern Tibetan and additional relevant languages from the cultural area, depending on the current range of courses offered). It also familiarises students with the associated philological methods. Moreover, it provides an overview of: history of the language and linguistic anthropology, literature, philosophy and religion, culture and society, history and art of South Asia and Tibet, as well as subject-specific specialised knowledge in these areas.
Bachelor of Arts
Degree Programme Code: 033 629
6 semesters / 180 ECTS credits (including 30 ECTS credits of extension curricula)
Language: German
NO entrance examination
Facts & Figures
- Students: 81
- Graduates in the last academic year: 5
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): 7,9
Data updated on: 26.11.2025
Information about presentation & calculation
Attention
Instruction Language German
Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.
Admission Procedure
Information about the admission procedure
Getting Started
Orientation in the first semester
Introductory and orientation period (STEOP)
Getting Informed
Department of South Asian, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies
Students' Representatives Tibetan and Buddhist Studies
Study Programme
The bachelor’s programme in Languages and Cultures of South Asia and Tibet consists of an Introductory and Orientation Period (STEOP), a compulsory module on subdisciplines and an alternative group of compulsory modules. From the latter students have to select one language (Sanskrit, Classical Tibetan, Modern Indian, Modern Tibetan) as their first language and another language (Sanskrit, Classical Tibetan, Modern Indian, Modern Tibetan) as their second language. Afterwards, students complete an elective module on culture and an alternative compulsory module, which they can select from a range of six subject areas. To successfully complete the programme, students have to write two bachelor’s theses.
Five Concepts
which you will deal with during your studies:
- Historicity
- Indology
- Hagiography
- Sanskrit
- Nepali
... and many more.
Overview of the programme structure & topics
Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.
Introductory and Orientation Period (15 ECTS)
PM1A Introduction to Indology (5 ECTS)
PM1B Introduction to Buddhist and Tibetan Studies (5 ECTS)
PM1C Introduction to Modern South Asian Studies (5 ECTS)
Group of Compulsory Modules Fields of Work (15 ECTS)
PM3 Introduction to Selected Fields of Indology (5 ECTS)
PM4 Introduction to Selected Fields of Tibetology and Buddhist Studies (5 ECTS)
PM5 Introduction to Selected Fields of Modern South Asian Studies (5 ECTS)
Alternative Groups of Compulsory Modules First Language (55 ECTS)
A1 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules: Sanskrit as First Language (55 ECTS)
PM2a Classical Sanskrit as First Language I (15 ECTS)
PM6a Classical Sanskrit as First Language II (15 ECTS)
PM8a Advanced Module on Classical Sanskrit as First Language (10 ECTS)
PM12a Literary Genres and Forms of Language in Sanskrit I (10 ECTS)
PM17a Literary Genres and Forms of Language in Sanskrit II (5 ECTS)
B1 Alternative Groups of Compulsory Modules Classical Tibetan as First Language (55 ECTS)
PM2b Classical Tibetan as First Language I (15 ECTS)
PM6b Classical Tibetan as First Language II (15 ECTS)
PM8b Advanced Module on Classical Tibetan as First Language (10 ECTS)
PM12b Literary Genres and Forms of Language in Tibetan I (10 ECTS)
PM17b Literary Genres and Forms of Language in Tibetan II (5 ECTS)
C1 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules Modern Indian Language as First Language (55 ECTS)
PM2c Modern Indian Language as First Language I (15 ECTS)
PM6c Modern Indian Language as First Language II (15 ECTS)
PM8c Advanced Module on a Modern Indian Language as First Language (10 ECTS)
PM12c Modern Literary Genres and Forms of Language I (10 ECTS)
PM17c Modern Literary Genres and Forms of Language II (5 ECTS)
Alternative Groups of Compulsory Modules Second Language (30 ECTS)
A2 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules Sanskrit as Second Language (30 ECTS)
PM7a Classical Sanskrit as Second Language I (15 ECTS)
PM11a Classical Sanskrit as Second Language II (15 ECTS)
B2 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules Classical Tibetan as Second Language (30 ECTS)
PM7b Classical Tibetan as Second Language I (15 ECTS)
PM11b Classical Tibetan as Second Language II (15 ECTS)
C2 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules Modern Indian Language as Second Language (30 ECTS)
PM7c Modern Indian Language as Second Language I (15 ECTS)
PM11c Modern Indian Language as Second Language II (15 ECTS)
D2 Alternative Group of Compulsory Modules Modern Tibetan as Second Language (30 ECTS)
PM7d Modern Tibetan as Second Language I (15 ECTS)
PM11d Modern Tibetan as Second Language II (15 ECTS)
Group of Elective Modules Cultural History (10 ECTS)
WM9 Basics of Cultural History A (5 ECTS)
WM10 Basics of Cultural History B (5 ECTS)
WM13 Culture - Language - Society A (5 ECTS)
WM14 Culture - Language - Society B (5 ECTS)
Alternative Compulsory Modules - Applied Cultural Studies (10 ECTS)
APM15b Regional Cultures (10 ECTS)
APM16a Advanced Module on Classical Sanskrit as Second Language (10 ECTS)
APM16b Advanced Module on Classical Tibetan as Second Language (10 ECTS)
APM16c Advanced Module on a Modern Indian Language as Second Language (10 ECTS)
APM16d Advanced Module on Modern Tibetan as Second Language (10 ECTS)
Compulsory Module incl. Bachelor's Papers (15 ECTS)
PM18 Advanced Module on Philology and Culture Studies of South Asia and Tibet (15 ECTS)
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After Graduation
Graduates are qualified to pursue a career in the following occupational fields:
- university and non-university educational and research institutions, museums and libraries
- cultural and educational work
- publishing
- journalism
- diplomatic service
- other occupations that require sound academic knowledge and intercultural competence in relation to Asian cultures.
Master Programmes
- Culture and Society of Modern South Asia (Master)
- Languages and Cultures of South Asia (Master)
- Tibetology and Buddhist Studies (Master)
- Master Access Guide
Continuing after Graduation
- Alumni of the University of Vienna
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)
Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme
#### Degree programme in retrospect
Graduates ...
- say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.4 (good)
- rate the level of difficulty as: 3,1 (appropriate)
→ These results are basd on feedback from 7 graduates.
*You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of thebachelor’s programme in Languages and Cultures of South Asian and Tibet graduation survey (in German).
Graduates ...
- find employment within 2 months after graduation on average.
- earn an average of € 2,558 (women) and € 2,599 (men) gross per month within three years after graduation.
- work full time at a percentage of 65% (women) and 70% (men) within three years after graduation.
*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "Arts and Humanities".