Overview
Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Gandaki Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies
The Master of Business Administration at Gandaki Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (GAINS) is a postgraduate management program offered in Nadipur, Pokhara. It is affiliated with Far Western University and operates under the Faculty of Management.
The MBA runs for two years across four semesters, with evening classes scheduled from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Its curriculum combines management foundations, economics, communication, statistics, organizational studies, research, project work, strategic management, internship, and concentration courses. GAINS also connects the program with project-based learning, technology-supported study, mentorship, career counselling, and Peer Assisted Learning under faculty guidance.
Course overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Course name | Master of Business Administration |
| College | Gandaki Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Location | Nadipur, Pokhara, Kaski, Gandaki Province |
| Affiliation | Far Western University |
| Faculty | Faculty of Management |
| Academic level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | Two years |
| Structure | Four semesters |
| Class schedule | Evening, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM |
| Minimum requirement | 2 CGPA in a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent |
MBA curriculum and academic structure
The Far Western University MBA combines foundation and core courses with concentration study, internship, and independent research. Students begin with general management subjects before progressing to applied work, strategic analysis, research, and a selected area of management.
The revised 2026 first-semester course cycle at GAINS contains 16 credits.
| Course code | Course name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM 503 | Business Communication | 2 |
| COM 504 | Communication in the Digital Age – Practicum | 1 |
| MGT 505 | Management Fundamentals | 2 |
| MGT 506 | Business Ethics, Governance and CSR – Seminar | 1 |
| STT 507 | Business Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| STT 508 | SPSS and Spreadsheet Modeling – Lab Work | 1 |
| ECO 509 | Economics for Business Analysis | 3 |
| MGT 510 | Organizational Behaviour and Work Dynamics | 3 |
The opening semester combines management theory with communication, data analysis, economics, ethics, digital communication, and spreadsheet-based practical work. This structure gives students a base for later study in research, strategy, operations, entrepreneurship, and concentration subjects.
Applied and research components
The later stages of the program include several courses built around practical application and independent academic work:
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Research Proposal Writing – Practicum
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New Venture Planning – Project Work
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Industry Focused Independent Study – Project Work
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Internship under an Industry Attachment Program
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Graduate Research Project
The internship connects classroom study with supervised experience in an organizational setting. Research and project courses require students to define problems, work with information, apply management concepts, and present structured findings.
Areas of emphasis
GAINS identifies four areas of emphasis for MBA students:
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Banking and Finance
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Accounting
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Marketing
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Human Resource Management
These areas allow students to connect the general management curriculum with a chosen business function. Concentration study follows the program’s foundation in communication, economics, organizational behaviour, statistics, accounting, finance, research, and strategic management.
Eligibility
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with a minimum 2 CGPA.
The MBA is intended for graduates who are prepared for postgraduate study in management, research, quantitative analysis, communication, and organizational decision-making. Students should also consider the evening schedule and the time required for seminars, projects, group work, internship, and research.
Admission process
Admission at GAINS follows these stages:
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Meet the minimum academic requirement
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Complete registration
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Appear for the Management Aptitude Test
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Participate in a group discussion
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Attend an interview with the admission panel
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Receive an offer of admission
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Complete the required formalities
The process uses academic eligibility, an aptitude test, group discussion, and interview before final enrolment.
Learning environment at GAINS
MBA students study within the broader academic approach of GAINS, which includes:
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Flipped classroom practice
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Project-based learning
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Technology-integrated experiential learning
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Peer Assisted Learning
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Personalized student support
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Mentorship programs
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Career counselling
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Placement-related activities
Peer Assisted Learning gives students a supervised setting for discussing difficult topics with classmates. Project and practicum courses add structured opportunities to work with business problems, communication tasks, data, research, and presentations.
Exposure and student support
GAINS connects the MBA with several forms of academic and professional exposure:
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Participation in a seven-day summer school at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand
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Internship exposure involving international organizations
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On-campus placement activities
Participation and selection may depend on the requirements attached to each activity. Placement initiatives create opportunities for interaction with employers but do not guarantee employment.
Skills students may develop
Through coursework, projects, research, presentations, and internship activity, students may develop:
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Business communication and presentation
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Statistical and spreadsheet-based analysis
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Management and organizational understanding
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Research planning and report writing
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Strategic and operational analysis
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Ethical and governance-related awareness
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Teamwork and group discussion
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Project coordination
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Decision-making using business information
The level of skill developed depends on academic engagement, practical work, independent study, and the quality of the student’s participation.
Career direction
MBA graduates may consider management-related responsibilities in banking and finance, accounting, marketing, human resource management, operations, administration, entrepreneurship, and business analysis.
Career outcomes depend on prior experience, concentration area, academic performance, communication ability, practical skills, location, employer requirements, and available opportunities. The degree does not guarantee a particular role or level of employment.
FAQ
How long is the MBA at GAINS?
The MBA runs for two years and is divided into four semesters.
Which university is the MBA affiliated with?
The program is affiliated with Far Western University and operates under the Faculty of Management.
What is the eligibility for MBA admission?
Applicants need a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with a minimum 2 CGPA.
What time are MBA classes held?
Classes are scheduled in the evening from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Does the admission process include an entrance test?
Yes. Applicants appear for a Management Aptitude Test, followed by a group discussion and an interview with the admission panel.
Which areas of emphasis are available?
The program identifies Banking and Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Human Resource Management as its areas of emphasis.
Does the MBA include practical work?
Yes. The curriculum includes practicums, seminars, project work, industry-focused study, internship, and graduate research work.
