Important Notice for PROSPECTIVE Students
July 2026 admission is closed
Please download the Tibetan Language Admission form and send us the completed form for July 2027 to April 2028 course.
https://forms.gle/v1AzDQPPQ3XVXASc8
DOWNLOAD HERE Admission Form
DO NOT send payment until you receive admission confirmation email from the college. All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.
Admission Guidelines
Priority given to complete beginners and committed students
Strict class attendance required
Must be willing to participate in CHTS, Sarah community
Tourist/pilgrim students not accepted
Room sharing is appreciated (allocation based on availability)
Room allotment will depend on the availability
Please DO NOT SEND money without confirming your admission. Paid fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. Check the revised Fee!!!
Course Overview
The College for Higher Tibetan Studies, nestled in Sarah village, Dharamshala, offers comprehensive Tibetan language programs on its peaceful campus. We provide both degree programs and semester-long cultural immersion experiences for international students.
Available Programs
Beginners Tibetan Language Course
Duration: 10 months (July to April end, next year)
Prerequisites: None (starting from level 0)
Visa Requirement:
Student visa (S3) is mandatory for international students. First visa must be obtained from Indian Consulate in home country. Renewals possible with required documentation
Minimum Attendance: 70%
Class Format:
2 hours daily classroom instruction; lectures, drills, and activities
Mandatory afternoon immersion program (only in first semester). Reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Additional cost is same for everyone, no discount.
Cost: Rs. 200 per session (Rs. 400 per day)
Intermediate Tibetan Language and Buddhist Studies Program Curriculum
Introduction to Tibetan Grammar (Monday to Friday)
Reading and Writing (Tuesday/Thursday)
Lectures on Tibetan Religious Culture (Monday to Friday)
Introduction to Buddhist Science and Philosophy (Monday/Wednesday/Friday)
Requirements:
Pass CEFR-based (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)Tibetan Language Proficiency Test
Good academic standing in beginners program (for CHTS students)
Fee Structure (Effective July 2024)
Standard Monthly Package: Rs. 7,500 Includes:
Double room with common bath
Three daily meals in common dining hall
Tuition fee
Additional Options and Special Rates
Mandatory Immersion Program/Conversation sessions: Rs. 200 per session (1 hour)
25% fee waiver for Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese students
Single rooms with attached bathroom available at extra cost, see the following table for more details
Registration fee: Rs. 500 (due upon arrival)
Special Considerations Tibetan Origin Students
We offer flexible admission throughout the year to Tibetan origin students. Please contact us in advance to check room availability and to discuss STUDENT VISA requirements and documentation. We only accept students who hold a valid STUDENT VISA. Do not just show up to seek admission.
Students admitted mid-academic year will join an ongoing language class (beginner or intermediate level) based on their proficiency. You are responsible for preparing yourself to catch up with the material already covered. We strongly recommend that you attend classes regularly during weekdays and maintain consistent attendance.
We highly encourage immersion with regular Tibetan students on campus. To maximize your learning experience, we recommend that you remain on campus and dedicate your time to developing your Tibetan language skills—speaking, listening, reading, writing—and to learning about Tibetan culture.
No minimum stay requirement
Flexible withdrawal options
Non-Tibetan International Students
Three-month minimum commitment
No refunds for early withdrawal
Three months’ advance payment required (non-refundable and non-transferable)
How to Apply
Download and complete the admission form and E-mail completed form to:
principal@chts.in or chts.sarah@gmail.com
Applications accepted year-round Admission
decisions made after mid-January
Seats allocated on first-come, first-served basis
Fees once paid is not refundable and non-transferable
You can make advance payment after confirmation with office through the following account details. Following account is ONLY for international transfer. Please DO NOT SEND money without confirming your admission. Paid fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Details of our bank account: Only for international transfer
| Name of the Bank | State Bank of India |
| Branch | Delhi |
| Bank code number | 00691 |
| Bank Account No. | 40090094802 |
| Name of the Beneficiary | Institute of Buddhist Dialectics |
| SWIFT No. | SBI NIN BB 104 |
| IFSC Code | SBIN0000691 |
| FCRA Cell, 4th Floor, State Bank of India, New Delhi Main Branch, 11, Sansad Marg, New Delhi – 110001 |
Details of our bank account: STRICTLY DOMESTIC TRANSFER
| Name of the Bank | Punjab National Bank |
| Branch | Gaggal |
| Bank code number | 067800 |
| Bank Account No. | 0678000100156529 |
| Name of the account | Institute of Buddhist Dialectics |
| Dharamshala SWIFT No. | |
| IFSC Code | PUNB0067800 |
Please inform us once the money is wired from your account so that we could track your money.
There is no laundry service and all the students are expected to their own laundry. The college is planning to start a laundry Matt soon.
Important Dates:
| June 25 | Assigning of rooms to new international Students |
| June 30 | Tibetan students, New and Continuing Students Arrive |
| July 1-5 | Recitation of Tara prayer and campus cleaning |
| July 6 | His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama’s birthday |
| July 7 | Classes begin |
| August 13 | College founding day |
| Mid November | Half Yearly Examination & Annual Picnic |
| December 10 | Nobel Peace Prize Day |
| Feb/March | Tibetan New Year (10 days break) |
| Mid April | Annual Examination |
| April 26 – 30 | Kangyur recitation |
| April 30 | End of academic year |
| May – June | Summer Vacation |
| July 1 | beginning of new academic year |
More Information for Starters, DOWNLOAD HERE
Choosing Rooms:
Students must meet with housing in-charge to discuss their room requirement. You will get a chance to choose your housing between June 25 and June 30. Students arriving late will be provided room based on the availability. The college administration and housing in-charge will not entertain to any advance room reservation.
Leaving School during the program:
If you need to leave the course unexpectedly, you’ll be given 48 hours to move out of your room once you’ve gone on leave/withdrawn.
Moving Out:
All residents must be completely moved out by first week of May. Students planning to keep their rooms during summer vacation can do so but they must pay Rs. 2500 per month for the room. Students deciding to stay on campus during summer vacation will pay Rs. 6250 and the extra charges for the additional facilities in the room.
How to Check Out Properly:
- Room is empty, swept, and all original furniture is inside the room. Do your portion of the Common Area cleaning.
- Contact office and fill up the check-out form and have housing in-charge inspect your room.
- Contact account section and clear all your dues and submit your check-out forms with office secretary.
Health Clinic:
The College runs a small health clinic on campus and a resident health worker is available for any medical assistance. The health clinic will provide basic medical help and give further guidance depending on the nature of your illness.
From time to time the college health centre organizes medical camps and awareness programs for the students and community.
Visa:
No international students will be accepted into any of the programs without students visa. We encourage all the students to obtain student visa to study at the College. If you need acceptance letter please contact us. To obtain student acceptance letter for visa applications following information must be submitted to the office.
- Name on passport
- Passport Number
- Nationality
- Complete Postal and email address
- Indian visa Consulate and email address
Athletic and Activities:
The college believes ‘Health is Wealth’ and expects students to participate in games and activities that are hosted on campus. A sport is an important leisure recreational activity. There are few facilities to encourage students in sport activities.
- Basketball ground
- Volleyball cum-badminton ground
- Table Tennis board
- Carom board
College Rules and Regulations
Article 1
The root cause of all faults is intoxicating drinks and drugs, sleeping pills, hallucinogenic drugs, and smoking. These are strictly prohibited. If such violations occur, the student will be expelled from the school within three days.
Article 2
Fighting and quarreling are strictly prohibited. Furthermore, if any student at this school physically harms another student, the cause will be investigated and the offender will be expelled, while the other party will also receive a serious penalty.
Article 3
Male and female students are not permitted to visit each other’s dormitories. If such behavior is observed, a penalty of ₹500 will be imposed for the first offense. If the behavior continues and does not stop, or if a male or female student is found to have stayed in another student’s dormitory overnight, the student will be expelled from the school within three days.
Article 4
Allowing visitors such as outsiders to stay overnight is strictly prohibited. If such violations occur, a penalty of ₹500 will be imposed for each day of unauthorized stay.
Article 5
For students who submit a written request for a leave extension but fail to return to college by the end of the two-month summer and winter vacations, a penalty of ₹100 per day will be imposed. For those without a written request and consent, a penalty of ₹500 per day will be imposed for each day of absence. If students residing at the college during the vacation period need to go outside and stay away, they must submit a written request to the dormitory office in advance. If they go outside and stay away without submitting a written request, a penalty of ₹300 per day will be imposed. For any absence of one day or more from the day of arrival at school without a written request, a penalty of ₹500 points will be imposed. For absences of two or more days without a written request, the matter will be considered serious. Student will be asked to leave college, which will be recorded as self-removal or expulsion.
Article 6
Since the school grounds and recreational areas are small, with many glass windows on both sides, and there are numerous hazards, playing cricket and football is strictly prohibited. If violations occur, all sports equipment will be confiscated and penalties will be imposed on the players as appropriate.
Article 7
Possession of Television is strictly prohibited in dormitories. If found, it will be confiscated.
Article 8
Except for international students, no students are permitted to keep electric kettles or other electrical appliances in dormitories. Electric kettles may be used only in designated areas for boiling water for Tibetan medicine. Violations will result in confiscation of the appliances and a penalty of ₹700.
Article 9
Students must submit written requests for all extended absences. For absences of one week or longer, written requests must be submitted to the college principal with the support of a class teacher. For overnight stays, a permit must be obtained from the dormitory office. If a student stays overnight without obtaining a permit, a penalty of ₹300 per day will be imposed. Additionally, if a student fails to return by 7:00 PM on the day their stay expires, or if a student fails to return by 7:00 PM on Sunday, the same penalty will apply.
Article 10
Except for major summer and Losar vacations, the use of electronic devices to play music in dormitories is prohibited. Any device used for this purpose will be confiscated by the college until the student graduates.
Article 11
Students are excused from class attendance for written requests, serious illness, and school-related meetings. Students are also excused for morning prayer recitation, kitchen duty and duties such as cleaning the surroundings on Friday. For other absences from campus cleaning, a one-day work duty will be imposed.
Article 12
Students are responsible for paying repair costs for any damage to their dormitory doors, windows, beds, and other furniture according to the actual expense incurred.
Article 13
Meals are provided at the dining hall for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals must not be taken to dormitories or elsewhere. If violated, a penalty of ₹100 will be imposed.
Article 14
During regular self-study periods (7-9 PM) and major examinations, students must remain in their own dormitories and are not permitted to go anywhere except under the dormitory lights. After lights out, students are not permitted to leave their dormitories.
Article 15
No student is permitted to go to the college staff residence, foreign students’ dormitory, or retreat centre after 7:00 PM. Violators will be fined ₹500.
Article 16
No student of CHTS, Sarah is permitted to park bicycles, motorcycles, or vehicles on the school grounds, in open areas, or in villages. If violations occur, three written warnings will be issued, and upon the fourth violation, the student will be expelled. The penalties are as follows:
- First warning with a penalty of ₹1,000
- Second warning with a penalty of ₹2,000
- Third warning with a penalty of ₹5,000 and upon the fourth violation, expulsion will be imposed.
Article 17
If a student steals money or goods valued at ₹500 or more, they must reimburse the amount and will be expelled from the school. If items valued at less than ₹500 are stolen, the student must pay compensation and will be automatically expelled from the college.
Article 18
Students who have not settled their financial accounts with the college library and other institutions will not be issued their graduation certificates.
Article 19
For part-time students in the Bachelors Preparatory program, at three-month intervals, relevant teachers will determine whether the student should continue part-time studies. Part-time students who do not achieve 90% attendance in monthly assessments will not be permitted to advance to undergraduate studies and will not be allowed to continue attending the college.
Article 20
If a student engages in disputes, disturbances, and wrongdoing between individuals (internal or external), and evidence is substantiated, severe penalties will be imposed.
Article 21
During class hours, evening self-study, and after lights out at 10:00 PM, students are not permitted to go to nearby tea shops. Violators will be subject to appropriate penalties.
Article 22
Based on extensive experience from previous years, various organizations have launched different activities, resulting in numerous problems for the school. Consequently, except for existing RTYC Sarah and Environmental Club all other organizations have been dissolved. Under the supervision of the college principal, the Faculties committee has decided that no organizations of any kind will be established on campus. Literary and artistic groups will be managed and continued as before under the leadership of the Ganges Shedra Literary Committee.
Article 23
All students except foreign students and Master’s students must attend the morning prayer assembly and maintain 75% attendance. Students who fail to meet this requirement will not be permitted to take examinations and will be expelled from the college.
Regulations to Be Observed
Since this college is a center for educated and knowledgeable people, others should also view it with respect. Therefore, maintain proper speech and conduct at all times, keep dormitories and surroundings clean, and refrain from playing loud music, such as from televisions and sound systems on motorcycles and vehicles.
The administration is responsible for overseeing the health and nutrition of all students. Except during designated recreational times, ordained monks should wear monastic robes in accordance with the discipline of the religion. Female students should maintain good traditional customs by wearing traditional dress. Male students who are ordained should wear monastic robes, and even if not ordained, it is preferable to wear traditional Tibetan upper garments during classes and gatherings.
Be mindful of wasteful use of essential resources such as water and electricity to avoid unnecessary consumption.
Our livelihood depends on the efforts and donations of others. Therefore, always treat food, clothing, bedding, and shared property with care and respect.
Since disease prevention primarily depends on environmental cleanliness, keep the school grounds and surroundings clean at all times. In particular, maintain cleanliness in individual dormitories and classrooms. Separate all waste and garbage according to type and place them in their respective bins.
Do not lock your dormitory door from the inside between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM to allow teachers and management personnel to conduct room inspections.
Do not spit or chew betel nut anywhere in the school surroundings.
Use your mobile phone responsibly in the college. Keep usage to a minimum in shared spaces and common areas.
At the end of each month, class representatives will hold discussions on various agenda items. Class teachers must take responsibility for the discussion topics. Experts and others invited as guests will be arranged by relevant faculties and administrators. Students should not invite guests on their own initiative.
The above regulations apply equally to all students of this institution—day students, male and female students, part-time students, and others without discrimination. For violations of the above regulations where penalties are not clearly specified, decisions will be made by the management committee as appropriate. If new issues arise, they can be investigated and amendments can be made.
Decisions made by the management committee based on the essence of the above regulations are final decisions and must be accepted. Therefore, all students should exercise caution and vigilance from the outset so as not to be affected by faults, and should carefully distinguish between right and wrong.
Students can own vehicles at their own responsibility, however, no student is allowed to bring their vehicles inside the campus or park near the college campus. Any student found parking their vehicles within the restricted parameter will be fined accordingly with a warning letter. After the third warning, the student will be expelled from the campus.
Keeping dogs or other animals as pet at your hostel and feeding stray dogs and other animals on campus is strictly prohibited. Such behavior is not permitted. If discovered by relevant management personnel or CCTV cameras, the student will be expelled from the campus.
Postscript
These regulations, based on the previous regulations, were reviewed and decided upon at the first management committee meeting and at a general assembly of all teachers. They were initially implemented from July 1, 2006. Subsequently, they were revised and implemented from July 5, 2007. Later, on April 29, 2013, following thorough discussion at a joint meeting of teachers and administrators held in the presence of the school principal, these regulations were finalized and implemented.
Should amendments be necessary in the future, all members listed above must make decisions through a majority vote of the committee.
