Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) at KUSOM

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) is a two-year graduate management program under Kathmandu University (KU). The MBA has been part of KUSOM's academic structure since August 1993.

Its current curriculum requires 63 credit hours and combines foundation study, core and functional management courses, integrative subjects, major and minor specialization, internship, and a mandatory Rural Enterprise Service Program. 

The program has a stated capacity of 80 seats. Admission is based on academic eligibility, the KUSOM Management Admission Test (KUMAT), analytical writing, personal interview, and previous academic performance.

MBA at KUSOM: Quick Highlights

About the KUSOM MBA

The MBA combines management knowledge with analytical work, organizational decision-making, leadership, entrepreneurship, and functional business study. Its academic objectives include developing management knowledge and skills, applying management concepts to practical situations, integrating knowledge from different functional areas, solving managerial problems, making reasoned decisions, and developing professional and leadership competence.

The curriculum does not concentrate on one management discipline from the beginning. Students first study accounting, economics, quantitative methods, research, finance, marketing, human resource management, technology, operations, and the business environment before moving into integrative and specialization courses.

This structure allows the MBA to combine broad management education with a selected major and minor area.

Duration and Credit Requirements

Duration: Two years

Total credits: 63 credit hours

The curriculum is organized into six credit-bearing components.

Students must also complete the mandatory Rural Enterprise Service Program.

Foundation Courses

The 15-credit foundation component establishes the accounting, economics, quantitative, and research base for later management study.

Courses include:

• ACC 502 Accounting for Managerial Decisions

• ECO 501 Managerial Economics

• MAS 511 Business Data Analysis

• ECO 521 Business in Aggregate Economy

• MAS 521 Optimization Techniques for Managerial Decisions

• RES 512 Research for Business Decisions

Accounting for Managerial Decisions, Managerial Economics, and Business Data Analysis carry three credits each, while Business in Aggregate Economy, Optimization Techniques for Managerial Decisions, and Research for Business Decisions carry two credits each.

Core and Functional Courses

Students complete 17 credits of core and functional management study.

The courses are:

• FIN 501 Financial Management

• MKT 501 Marketing Management

• HRM 501 Human Resource Decisions and Organization Behavior

• MAS 603 Technology for Business

• MAS 521 Operations Management

• GEM 501 Business Environment in Nepal

This section places finance, marketing, people management, technology, operations, and the Nepalese business environment within the common curriculum before specialization begins.

Integrative Courses

The MBA includes 11 credits of integrative study:

• GEM 631 International Business

• ENT 601 Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• GEM 711 Strategic Management

• GEM 621 Organizational Leadership

International Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Strategic Management carry three credits each. Organizational Leadership carries two credits.

These subjects connect functional management study with organizational strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and international business.

MBA Major Specialization

Students complete four courses in their major specialization for 12 credits.

The 2025 curriculum provides specialization choices across several management areas, including:

• Finance

• Marketing

• Human Resource and General Management

• Entrepreneurship

• Data Analytics

• Project Management

Finance

Finance options include:

• Corporate Finance

• Wealth Management

• Financial Markets and Institutions

• Investment Banking

• Cooperatives and Micro financing

• Managing Risk in Bank and Financial Institutions

• Behavioral Finance

• International Finance

• Entrepreneurial Finance

• Financial Engineering and Risk Management

• Financial Modelling and Corporate Valuation

• Project Finance

Marketing

Marketing subjects include:

• Sales and Distributions Management

• Retail Management

• Brand Management

• New Product Development

• Integrated Marketing Communication

• International Marketing

• Marketing Research

• Consumer Behavior

• Digital Marketing

• Services Marketing

• Social Marketing

• Marketing Strategy

• AI in Marketing

• Marketing Analytics

• Green Marketing

Human Resource and General Management

Students selecting this area can study subjects such as:

• Human Resource Selection

• Performance Management

• Employee Relations and Laws

• Human Resource Development

• Competency Mapping

• Human Resource Audit

• Compensation Management

• Organizational Development

• Workplace Psychology

• Cross Cultural Management and Negotiations

• Human Resource Analytics

• Strategic Human Resource Management

• Business and Society

• Green Energy Management

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship-related subjects include:

• Entrepreneurial Finance

• Entrepreneurial Marketing

• New Venture Creation

• Entrepreneurial Business Growth Management

• Management of Family Business

• Management of Innovation and Technology

• Social Entrepreneurship

• Entrepreneurial Leadership and Team Formation

• Sustainable Entrepreneurship

• Digital Entrepreneurship

• Design Thinking

Data Analytics

The MBA curriculum also provides study in:

• Database Management

• Big Data Analytics

• Business Analytics

• Multivariate Statistics

• Data Visualization and Communication

• Structural Equation Modelling

Project Management

Project Management options cover areas such as project conceptualization and planning, implementation, monitoring and control, procurement and contract management, project finance, agile project management, and other project-management applications.

Minor and Elective Study

Students complete six credits through minor or elective courses.

The curriculum includes options in areas such as:

• Accounting for Managerial Decisions

• Auditing

• Advanced Cost Accounting

• Government Accounting

• Tax Planning and Management

• Budgeting and Profit Planning

• Government Finance

• Applied Econometrics

• Knowledge Management

• Environment, Society and Governance

• Corporate Law

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

The minor or elective component allows students to add subjects outside their main specialization while completing the MBA credit requirement.

Internship

Internship: 2 credits

The MBA includes a two-credit internship intended to give students direct involvement in organizations and exposure to managerial problems in organizational settings.

The internship forms part of the 63-credit degree requirement rather than functioning as an optional activity.

Rural Enterprise Service Program

MBA students are also required to complete a mandatory Rural Enterprise Service Program.

The program is a two-week residential project conducted in rural areas of Nepal. It involves work connected with local enterprises and business activities. It is a non-credit requirement and therefore does not increase the 63-credit MBA total.

MBA Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration in any discipline.

They must have:

• A minimum of 50 percent marks in aggregate, or

• A CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

The qualification must be from a university accepted by Kathmandu University. The MBA admission framework is open to Nepali and non-Nepali applicants.

KUMAT and MBA Admission Process

MBA selection uses the KUSOM Management Admission Test, commonly abbreviated as KUMAT.

KUMAT assesses areas including:

• Verbal reasoning

• Quantitative reasoning

• Data interpretation

• English-language proficiency

Candidate selection also considers:

• Analytical writing

• Personal interview

• Academic achievement up to the undergraduate level

Admission therefore combines entrance-test performance with writing, interview, and previous academic performance rather than relying on one measure alone.

Formal MBA admission takes place twice a year:

• Spring Term admission: November–December

• Fall Term admission: August–September

Admission, entrance, selection, curriculum administration, examinations, results, and degree award follow the applicable rules and regulations of Kathmandu University.

Assessment and Examination

Student performance is evaluated through two main forms of assessment:

1. Continuous In-Semester Assessment

2. End-Semester Examination

Continuous assessment can use one or more of the following:

• Written tests

• Quizzes

• Workshop practices

• Assignments

• Term papers

• Project work

• Case studies, analysis, and discussion

• Open-book tests

• Class participation

• Other course-specific assessments determined by the concerned faculty member

The end-semester examination is conducted according to the examination schedule issued by the concerned office. Faculty members determine the assessment methods and their weightage for the courses they teach.

MBA Grading System

MBA courses use a four-point grading scale.

Other academic grades include W for Withdrawn, IN for Incomplete, and NC for Noncredit Course.

Graduation Requirements

MBA students are required to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for graduation.

Students must also complete the prescribed 63 credits, including specialization and internship requirements, along with the mandatory Rural Enterprise Service Program.

The maximum period allowed to complete the MBA degree is four years from the date of admission.

The degree is awarded within the Kathmandu University academic system after the student fulfills the applicable curriculum, assessment, examination, and completion requirements.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

KUSOM has financial-assistance arrangements that include tuition-fee waiver support for needy and deserving students.

MBA scholarship and aid categories include:

• KUSOM Need-based Scholarship

• UGC Formula Funding Scholarship

• Merit Based Scholarship

• Shilva Shrestha Scholarship

• Other scholarship arrangements

Scholarship awards remain subject to the applicable criteria and Kathmandu University or KUSOM scholarship rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the MBA at KUSOM?

The MBA is a two-year graduate program.

How many credits are required for the KUSOM MBA?

Students must complete 63 credit hours, covering foundation, core and functional, integrative, major specialization, minor or elective study, and internship.

How many seats are available in the KUSOM MBA?

The stated MBA capacity is 80 seats.

What is the eligibility for MBA admission at KUSOM?

Applicants need a Bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration in any discipline with a minimum of 50 percent aggregate marks or CGPA 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Which entrance test is used for KUSOM MBA admission?

MBA applicants take the KUSOM Management Admission Test (KUMAT). The selection process also includes analytical writing, a personal interview, and consideration of previous academic performance.

What does KUMAT assess?

KUMAT covers verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, and English-language proficiency.

Does the KUSOM MBA include an internship?

Yes. The MBA includes a two-credit internship involving direct organizational exposure.

Does the MBA include specialization?

Yes. Students complete a 12-credit major specialization and six credits of minor or elective study.

Does KUSOM MBA include a rural project?

Yes. Students must complete the mandatory two-week Rural Enterprise Service Program. It is a non-credit requirement.

What CGPA is required for MBA graduation?

MBA students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for graduation.

How long can a student take to complete the MBA?

The maximum completion period is four years from the date of admission.