Executive MBA

Executive MBA (EMBA) at KUSOM

The Executive MBA is a two-year postgraduate management program offered by Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) under Kathmandu University (KU).

KUSOM introduced the Executive MBA in February 2001 for professionals who already have work experience and want to continue management education alongside their professional responsibilities. 

The revised EMBA curriculum carries 57 credits across foundation, core and functional, integrative, major specialization, and minor/elective components. The program has a stated intake capacity of 40 seats.

Executive MBA Quick Highlights

About the Executive MBA

KUSOM's EMBA is a post-experience management program intended for applicants who already have professional or managerial experience. Its academic focus covers management knowledge, organizational analysis, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, professional conduct, and specialization in selected management areas.

The program combines management theory with case work, project assignments, discussions, presentations, field exposure, and other forms of experiential learning. Students work with organizational problems and managerial decisions throughout the two-year course.

The EMBA is structured for professionals who need to combine employment with postgraduate study. Its class arrangement reflects that purpose rather than following a standard weekday daytime schedule.

Duration and Class Schedule

Duration: Two years

The EMBA is spread across four semesters, with two semesters in each academic year:

• Spring Semester: March to August

• Fall Semester: September to February

Classes are arranged on Saturday for the full day and on one or two evenings on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. Evening classes run from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm under the stated class arrangement.

Revised Executive MBA Curriculum

The revised EMBA curriculum carries 57 credits.

The revised structure replaces the earlier 61-credit curriculum reflected in older program information. The current academic structure uses the 57-credit course arrangement.

Foundation Courses

The 16-credit foundation component includes:

• ACC 502 Accounting for Managerial Decisions

• ECO 501 Managerial Economics

• ECO 521 Business in Aggregate Economy

• MAS 511 Business Data Analysis

• MAS 502 Optimization Techniques and Operations Management

• RES 512 Research for Business Decisions

These courses establish the accounting, economics, quantitative, operations, and research base used in later management study.

Core and Functional Courses

The core and functional component carries 12 credits:

• FIN 501 Financial Management

• MKT 501 Marketing Management

• HRM 501 Human Resource Decisions and Organization Behaviour

• MAE 604 Technology and AI for Business

The subjects cover major functional areas of management while also introducing technology within the business curriculum.

Integrative Courses

Students complete 11 credits of integrative study:

• GEM 631 International Business

• ENT 601 Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• GEM 711 Strategic Management

• GEM 621 Organizational Leadership

This part of the curriculum brings together management functions at the organizational and strategic level.

Major Specializations

Students complete four subjects in a major specialization for 12 credits.

The revised EMBA curriculum provides specialization options across several areas:

• Finance

• Banking

• Marketing

• Human Resource and General Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Data Analytics

• Project Management

• Information System

Finance options include subjects such as Corporate Finance, Wealth Management, Financial Markets and Institutions, Investment Banking, International Finance, Project Finance, Behavioural Finance, and Financial Modelling and Corporate Valuation.

Banking subjects include Bank Regulation, Supervisions and Compliance; Digital Banking, Future of Money and Cyber Security; Credit Management, Relationship Banking and Liability Management; and Monetary Economics.

Marketing includes subjects such as Brand Management, Marketing Research, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing, Services Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Analytics, AI in Marketing, and Green Marketing.

Human Resource and General Management includes Performance Management, Employee Relations and Laws, Human Resource Development, Organizational Development, Workplace Psychology, Human Resource Analytics, Strategic Human Resource Management, and related subjects.

Entrepreneurship options include New Venture Creation, Management of Family Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Digital Entrepreneurship, and Design Thinking.

Data Analytics includes Database Management, Big Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Multivariate Statistics, Data Visualization and Communication, and Structural Equation Modelling.

Project Management covers areas including Project Conceptualization and Planning, Project Implementation, Monitoring and Control, Project Procurement and Contract Management, Development Project Management, Project Finance, Agile Project Management, and Global Project Management.

Information System options include Decision Support System, Enterprise System, Advanced Computer Programming, Artificial Intelligence, e-Supply Chain Management, and Digital Innovation System.

Minor and Elective Courses

Students complete two minor or elective subjects for six credits.

The revised curriculum includes options in accounting, government finance, applied econometrics, knowledge management, environment and governance, corporate law, critical thinking and problem solving, experiential learning, and Business Environment in Nepal.

Executive MBA Eligibility

Eligibility: KUSOM EMBA is open to Nepali and non-Nepali nationals who meet one of the stated academic and professional-experience routes.

Applicants may qualify with:

• Three years of officer-level work experience together with a Bachelor's Degree of at least two years' duration in any discipline with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks or CGPA 2; or a Master's Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks or CGPA 2.

Or:

• Six years of work experience together with a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent of at least two years' duration in any discipline with a minimum of 40% aggregate marks or CGPA 2 from a university recognized by Kathmandu University.

Work experience is therefore a core part of EMBA eligibility rather than an optional addition to the academic qualification.

Admission and Selection Process

The EMBA admission process considers academic preparation as well as professional experience.

Applicants submit the completed application together with two recommendation letters, transcripts of previous degrees, and the required admission-test payment.

Selection is based on:

• KUSOM Management Admission Test

• Verbal and quantitative reasoning

• English-language proficiency

• Written English test

• Personal interview

• Relevant and productive managerial experience

• Academic performance up to the undergraduate level

Admission and final selection operate under Kathmandu University's applicable rules and regulations.

Teaching and Learning Approach

The EMBA uses an active learning format suited to participants with professional experience.

Teaching and learning methods include:

• Case methods

• Group discussions

• Presentations

• Project work

• Field visits

• Lectures

• Role playing

• Classroom exercises

• Debates

• Lab-based experiential learning

Students work on identifying managerial issues, analyzing alternatives, and making decisions while connecting management concepts with organizational situations.

Assessment and Examination

Academic performance is evaluated through two main components:

1. Continuous in-semester assessment

2. End-semester examination

Continuous assessment can include:

• Written tests

• Quizzes

• Workshop practices

• Assignments

• Term papers

• Project work

• Case studies and discussion

• Open-book tests

• Class participation

End-semester examinations are conducted according to the examination schedule issued by the concerned office. The faculty member responsible for each course determines the applicable assessment components and their weightage.

Grading and Academic Progression

Courses are evaluated on a four-point grading scale ranging from A at 4.0 to F at 0.

Students are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 at the end of each semester. A student cannot graduate with an F grade in a course. The maximum period allowed for completion of the master's program is four years from the date of admission.

Curriculum administration, examination, academic progression, results, and the final degree award follow Kathmandu University's applicable academic rules and regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the Executive MBA at KUSOM?

The Executive MBA runs for two years across four semesters.

How many credits are required for the revised EMBA?

The revised Executive MBA curriculum carries 57 credits.

How many seats are available for the Executive MBA?

The stated intake capacity is 40 seats.

Is work experience required for EMBA admission?

Yes. The EMBA eligibility structure includes professional work experience together with the required academic qualification.

Which entrance test is used for EMBA admission?

The selection process includes the KUSOM Management Admission Test along with a written English test, personal interview, professional experience, and academic record.

When are EMBA classes held?

Classes are arranged on Saturday for the full day and on one or two evenings during Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. Evening sessions run from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm under the stated schedule.

What specialization areas are available in the EMBA?

The revised curriculum includes Finance, Banking, Marketing, Human Resource and General Management, Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Information System.

How is student performance assessed?

Assessment combines continuous in-semester evaluation with end-semester examinations. In-semester work can include tests, assignments, projects, case analysis, workshops, term papers, open-book tests, and class participation.