Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pokhara University School of Business

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pokhara University School of Business is a two-year graduate management program under the Faculty of Management Studies, Pokhara University. It is organized across six trimesters and requires 60 credit hours.

The MBA combines foundation and analytical courses with management core subjects, concentrations, electives, practicums, a capstone and experiential learning component, and internship. Students also choose between an industry pathway and a research pathway during the later stage of the program. The School of Business has 30 seats for the MBA program.

MBA at a glance

Each trimester runs for 12 weeks excluding examinations. The curriculum requires 12 contact hours for each credit. The normal completion period is 24 months, while students are allowed up to four years from registration to complete the program.

MBA program focus

The MBA is designed as a general management program for graduates interested in managerial, executive, and entrepreneurial responsibilities. Its academic structure brings together management fundamentals with analysis, decision-making, leadership, communication, research, technology, entrepreneurship, and organizational strategy.

Students work across functional business areas rather than studying a single management field throughout the degree. The curriculum includes accounting, economics, statistics, finance, operations, marketing, human resource management, research, information systems, entrepreneurship, business environment, strategy, governance, and communication.

Practical learning is built into the program through practicums, case analysis, group work, presentations, projects, internship, and either research-based or industry-oriented work.

Eligibility for MBA admission

Eligibility: Applicants may come from any academic discipline, but they must have completed at least 15 years of formal education comprising:

• 12 years of schooling, and

• At least three years of bachelor's-level education

Applicants must also have secured at least:

• CGPA 2.0 at bachelor's level, or

• 45 percent at bachelor's level

Admission is based on the admission test and interview.

MBA admission process

The admission process starts with an application notice. Applications are reviewed before eligible candidates are called for the entrance examination.

The selection process includes:

• Submission of the MBA application

• Review of academic eligibility

• Written admission test

• Shortlisting for personal interview

• Personal interview

• Consideration of previous academic records

• Completion of enrollment formalities

Final selection is based on the aggregate assessment of the entrance test, personal interview, and previous academic record.

Required application documents include a completed and signed MBA application form, official transcripts from academic institutions attended, and properly attested copies of degree certificates.

MBA curriculum structure

The 60-credit curriculum consists of 25 courses, including concentration, elective, and practicum components, together with capstone and experiential learning and internship requirements.

Students complete eight foundation and analytical courses, 11 management core and functional courses, four concentration courses, and two electives.

Trimester-wise MBA curriculum

Trimester I

The first trimester carries 10 credits and establishes the analytical and organizational base for later management study.

Courses include:

• Accounting for Managerial Decisions – 3 credits

• Statistics for Managers – 2 credits

• Managerial Economics – 2 credits

• Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management – 2 credits

• Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Practicum – 1 credit

Trimester II

The second trimester carries 12 credits and moves into finance, quantitative analysis, economics, operations, and marketing.

Courses include:

• Financial Management – 3 credits

• Quantitative Methods for Decision Making – 2 credits

• Macroeconomics and Global Economy – 2 credits

• Operations and Supply Chain Management – 2 credits

• Marketing Management – 2 credits

• Digital Marketing Practicum – 1 credit

Trimester III

The third trimester carries 11 credits and brings research, information systems, communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, governance, and practical work into the curriculum.

Courses include:

• Methods for Business Research and Consultancy – 2 credits

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation – 2 credits

• Management Information System – 2 credits

• Managerial Communication – 2 credits

• Leadership, Governance and Ethics – 1 credit

• Management Information Systems Practicum – 1 credit

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Practicum – 1 credit

Trimester IV

The fourth trimester carries 11 credits and introduces concentration and elective study.

Students complete:

• Business Environment and Strategy – 3 credits

• Concentration I – 2 credits

• Concentration II – 2 credits

• Elective I – 2 credits

• Elective II – 2 credits

Trimester V

The fifth trimester carries 10 credits.

Students complete:

• Concentration III – 2 credits

• Concentration IV – 2 credits

• Capstone Project and Experiential Learning – 6 credits

Within the six-credit capstone component, students choose either the industry pathway or research pathway.

Trimester VI

The sixth trimester consists of a six-credit internship.

MBA concentration areas

Students complete four concentration courses totaling eight credits. All four courses are selected from one concentration area.

The available concentration areas are:

• Finance

• Marketing

• Human Resource Management

• Information Technology and Business Analytics

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This arrangement allows students to maintain a broad management foundation while building more focused study in one area.

Finance concentration

Finance concentration subjects include areas such as:

• Financial Institutions and Markets

• Corporate Finance

• Investment Management

• International Financial Management

• Entrepreneurial Finance

• Financial Derivatives and Risk Management

• Private Equity and Venture Capital

• Behavioral Finance

• Financial Planning and Wealth Management

• Financial Modeling and Valuation

• Risk Management and Insurance

• Seminar in Finance

Marketing concentration

Marketing options include:

• Service Marketing

• Marketing Research and Analytics

• Consumer Behavior

• Integrated Marketing Communications

• International Marketing

• Neuro Marketing

• Brand Management

• Digital and Social Media Marketing

• Sales and Distribution Management

• Seminar in Marketing

Human Resource Management concentration

Subjects include areas such as talent acquisition and development, compensation management, HRD strategies, leadership and negotiation, employee relations, conflict resolution, performance management, international human resource management, labor relations, employment law, and employer brand management.

Information Technology and Business Analytics concentration

This concentration includes subjects related to:

• Electronic Commerce

• Digital Economy

• Digital Business Ecosystem

• Data Mining and Business Analytics

• Data Analytics for Decision Making

• Information Security for Business

• Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

• AI for Business Systems

• Social Analytics for Business Managers

• Data Visualization

• Digital and Social Media Marketing

Entrepreneurship and Innovation concentration

Students may study areas including open innovation, creativity, scaling operations, legal aspects of entrepreneurship, family business management, corporate development, corporate entrepreneurship, business-model development, electronic commerce, and technology entrepreneurship.

Elective courses

MBA students complete two elective courses totaling four credits.

Elective options cover subjects such as:

• ESG and Sustainability in Business

• Digital Economy

• Econometrics

• Behavioral Economics

• Monetary Economics

• Tourism and Hospitality Management

• Bank Operations and Management

• Real Estate Management

• Management of Technology

• Business Tax Planning

• Project Management

• Multinational Management

• Social Entrepreneurship

• Sustainable Management

• Management of Service Sector Organizations

• Rural Marketing and Agribusiness

• Microfinance

Industry pathway and research pathway

During the fifth trimester, students choose between an industry pathway and a research pathway.

Industry pathway

The industry pathway consists of six credits.

Students undertake:

• Consulting Project or New Venture Creation – 3 credits

• Doing Business in Nepal – 3 credits

The Consulting Project requires students to work on a business-focused assignment over a minimum period of three months. It involves identifying and examining an organizational issue and developing a structured response using knowledge acquired throughout the MBA.

Research pathway

Students choosing the research pathway complete a six-credit Graduate Thesis.

The thesis requires an approved management research assignment and an integrative research report. Assessment includes the research report, viva-voce examination, and seminar presentation.

The research report carries 75 percent of the assessment weight, while the viva carries 25 percent.

MBA internship

Internship is completed during the sixth trimester and carries six credits.

Students are required to complete three months of satisfactory work experience with an approved employer. The internship operates under both a faculty supervisor and a workplace supervisor.

Requirements include:

• Completion of stated internship learning objectives

• Three months of work experience

• Weekly work and learning journal

• Final paper

• Internship report

• Internship presentation

Internship evaluation is divided between the host organization's confidential assessment, carrying 40 percent, and presentation of the Internship Project Report, carrying 60 percent.

Teaching and learning approach

The MBA uses classroom and applied learning methods. Academic activities include:

• Classroom discussions

• Presentations

• Group work

• Case analysis

• Guest lectures

• Simulations

• Project work

• Practicums

• Research

• Internship

• Online instructional activities

The structure requires students to work individually and in groups across analytical, communication, research, managerial, and applied business tasks.

Academic evaluation and grading

The MBA follows continuous evaluation within the trimester system. Student work may be assessed through written tests, quizzes, oral tests, assignments, term papers, projects, case analysis, class participation, and other course-specific assessment activities.

A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required to graduate from the MBA. Students cannot graduate with an F grade in any course. The maximum period for completing the degree is four years, subject to the applicable provisions for the Graduate Thesis.

A student obtaining a CGPA of 3.75 or above receives the MBA degree with distinction. A CGPA of 3.80 or above is required for the Dean's List, along with completion within the applicable academic timeframe.

Attendance requirement

Students are expected to attend lectures, tutorials, seminars, and practical classes. The minimum attendance requirement is 80 percent of classes held.

The attendance requirement applies alongside the continuous assessment system and trimester-end academic requirements.

Study environment at the School of Business

The MBA is offered at Pokhara University School of Business in Dhungepatan, Pokhara. The school provides library resources including textbooks, reference materials, dissertations, electronic resources, internet facilities, and audio-visual learning materials.

MBA students also study within an environment that includes guest lectures, counseling support, student clubs, extracurricular activities, and research and project-based academic work.

Scholarships are available to 20 percent of deserving students at the School of Business.

Students can view the dedicated MBA at Pokhara University School of Business page for course-specific information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of the MBA at Pokhara University School of Business?

The MBA is designed for two years and is completed across six trimesters. The minimum completion period is 24 months, while the normal maximum period is four years.

How many credits are required for the MBA?

Students must complete 60 credit hours. These include foundation and analytical courses, management core courses, concentration courses, electives, capstone or thesis work, and internship.

How many seats are available for the MBA?

Pokhara University School of Business has 30 seats for the regular MBA program.

Who is eligible to apply for the MBA?

Applicants from all academic disciplines may apply. They must have at least 15 years of formal education, including 12 years of schooling and a minimum three-year bachelor's degree, with at least CGPA 2.0 or 45 percent at bachelor's level.

Does MBA admission require an entrance examination?

Yes. Eligible applicants take an admission test. Candidates are then shortlisted for a personal interview, and final selection considers the admission test, interview, and previous academic record.

What concentration areas are available in the MBA?

Students may choose from Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Information Technology and Business Analytics, or Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Four concentration courses totaling eight credits are taken from one selected area.

Does the MBA include an internship?

Yes. The sixth trimester includes a six-credit internship requiring three months of approved work experience, a weekly journal, final paper, internship report, and presentation.

What is the difference between the research and industry pathways?

The research pathway requires a six-credit Graduate Thesis. The industry pathway includes either a Consulting Project or New Venture Creation for three credits, together with Doing Business in Nepal for another three credits.

What CGPA is required to graduate from the MBA?

Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.0 and cannot graduate with an F grade in any course.

What CGPA is required for distinction in the MBA?

A CGPA of 3.75 or above qualifies for the MBA degree with distinction.

What is the attendance requirement for MBA students?

Students must maintain at least 80 percent attendance in the classes held.

Is the MBA based only on classroom lectures?

No. The program also includes case analysis, presentations, group work, practicums, research, projects, guest lectures, simulations, internship, and industry- or research-based capstone work.