Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University 4.9

Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University or MCU is one of two public Buddhist universities, as well as the oldest Buddhist university in Thailand. It is at Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit in Bangkok and at Wang Noi campus.HistoryThe university was founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn with the purpose of establishing a major higher education institute for Buddhist monks, novices, and laypersons with an emphasis on Buddhist studies as its main subject. The university began offering classes in 1889. It adopted its current name in 1896.By bills passed in 1997, both of Thailand's Buddhist universities — MCU and Mahamakut Buddhist University — became public universities.Colleges and facultiesMahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University is organized into several academic units: Faculty of Buddhist Studies, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Social Sciences, graduate school, and the International Buddhist Studies College.The faculties offer 26 undergraduate programs, ten master's programs, two doctoral programs, and other academic training. Two of its master's programs, Buddhist studies and philosophy, are internationally oriented and conducted in English. MCU offers a PhD in Buddhist studies (in English).CampusesA new, larger main campus has been built in Wang Noi, Ayutthaya Province, just north of Bangkok. Classes have begun at the new location.