- Fee:NPR 570,000
Offering Colleges
Established in 2013, the Bachelor in Economics (BECON) program at Kathmandu University, School of Arts, stands as one of the highly competitive undergraduate programs offered. Spanning four years, this program provides students with a comprehensive selection of economics courses that cover a wide array of topics. These include areas such as money, banking, financial economics, as well as development, labor, environmental, and energy economics. Additionally, students are exposed to subjects in political economy, public economics, and policy.
While the BECON degree incorporates rigorous quantitative courses in mathematics and econometrics, it also offers opportunities for students to delve into economic history and the history of economic thought. Furthermore, specialized courses are provided to help students enhance their narrative skills. The program actively engages students with game theoretic tools, enabling them to analyze strategic situations—a valuable approach applicable to various real-world contexts.
The BECON program emphasizes economic reasoning, quantitative analysis, and data skills. Students also gain proficiency in programming languages like STATA and R. This combination of skills provides BECON graduates with a competitive edge in today's job markets, both in the private and public sectors. Additionally, it positions them well for further studies at esteemed universities worldwide.
Objectives
- Provide students with a solid grounding in economic theory and history
- Develop a habit of critical and creative thinking in students
- Develop analytical and problem-solving abilities in students
- Improve communicative and presentation skills of students
- Develop skills in economic modeling, quantitative analysis, and logical thought
- Make students capable to apply economics in policy issues and real-world problems
- Equip students with the latest tools of analysis and expose them to the most modern outcomes of economics research
- Provide students with the confidence to analyze business problems in the workplace
- Prepare students for careers in management, government, education, private sector, and international organizations
Salient Features
Teaching Methodology
BECON program uses a comprehensive learning environment where a whole array of appropriate tools, methods and resources are used to impart knowledge. Thus, the instructors have the flexibility to decide on the most appropriate method of instructions and interactions with the students. They use a mixture of lectures, seminars, oral presentation, field visits, guest lecture etc. for the effective teaching. Regular feedback will be provided to students on their progress. The students will be evaluated through internal and external examinations. The grades will be based on the students' performance in the examinations along with their written assignments, project works, class attendance and performance etc.
Program Highlights
- Advanced econometrics courses focusing on financial and economic data analysis;
- Courses focusing on mathematical modeling of economic problems;
- Courses designed to match the enrollment requirements in the world's best universities;
- Study tours and field visits to supplement classroom learning experience;
- Internship opportunities in governmental and non- governmental organizations.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have a 10+2 or equivalent degree in any discipline from a recognized institution with a minimum aggregate of 45 percent or 2.0 CGPA.
- Applicants who have passed Class XI and are waiting for Class XII results can also apply for provisional admission. However, they will have to produce proof of having passed the exam within 15 days of publication of the result for formal registration.
Fees
The total fee for Nepali students enrolled in Bachelor in Economics program for the academic year 2079/80 (2022 Batch) is NPR. 570,000.
The fee structure for international students seeking admission to Bachelor in Economics program at Kathmandu University (KU) is as follows:
- The fees for applicants from SAARC countries will be 1.5 times the amount specified for domestic students i.e., NPR.855,000
- On the other hand, international students from countries outside of SAARC will be required to pay double the fees stated for domestic students i.e., NPR. 1,140,000
Admission Criteria
The Department conducts written test for the applicants and calls for interview after the results of the written test. But due to this pandemic we have been taking the KUSAAT exam and interview via online. A final result is published for the successful candidates calling for the enrollment.
Job Prospects
Earning a degree in economics significantly enhances your employability across various sectors, both in the public and private spheres. Private companies, including banks and financial institutions, actively seek trained economists to make well-informed decisions for their businesses. Government agencies, such as the Nepal Rasta Bank, offer plentiful job opportunities for economists. Moreover, all three tiers of government—federal, provincial, and local—require the expertise of economic advisors in policy-making and planning processes. Additionally, economics graduates with strong data analysis skills can secure research positions in NGOs and INGOs.
For students aspiring to pursue higher studies in economics or closely related fields, the KU BECON program provides an exceptional opportunity to delve into a wide range of economic issues. The program is meticulously designed to equip our students with the necessary competence to excel in top PhD programs in economics at prestigious universities worldwide.
Curricular Structure
The Bachelor in Economics program offers rigorous training in using analytic tools of economics to the students and provides them with the opportunity to apply these in a wide variety of economic issues. The main focus of a curriculum is on analytical and problem solving, critical thinking, improvement in communicating skills, and development of high-level technical and analytical skills in the field of economics.
The first three years include compulsory courses in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Language, and Sociology so as to provide students with a solid foundation for the fourth year. Depending on the profession they would like to enter, students can then in the fourth year choose specialized courses to further increase their knowledge in the area such as:
- Energy economics
- Health economics
- Environmental economics
- Labor economics
- Mathematical economics
The overall 129 course credits spread over a four-year duration in eight semesters as follow:
First Year | First Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
NEP 153 | Nepali I | 3 |
ENGL 153 | English I | 3 |
BECO 111 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
BECO 112 | History of Economic Thought | 3 |
BECO 113 | Introduction to Nepal's Economy | 3 |
BECO 117 | Basic Mathematics | 3 |
Total | 18 |
First Year | Second Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
NEP 154 | Nepali II | 3 |
ENGL 154 | English II | 3 |
BECO 121 | Microeconomics I | 3 |
BECO 122 | Macroeconomics I | 3 |
BECO 127 | Calculus I | 3 |
BECO 128 | Statistics I | 3 |
Total | 18 |
Second Year | Third Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 211 | Microeconomics II | 3 |
BECO 212 | Macroeconomics II | 3 |
BECO 216 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
BECO 217 | Calculus II | 3 |
BECO 218 | Statistics II | 3 |
BECO 255 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
Total | 18 |
Second Year | Fourth Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 118 | Population and Economics | 3 |
BECO 213 | World Economy: History | 3 |
BECO 221 | Development Economics I | 3 |
BECO 224 | Econometrics I | 3 |
BECO 226 | Mathematical Economics | 3 |
BECO 355 | Academic and Professional Writing in Economics | 3 |
Total | 18 |
Third Year | Fifth Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 311 | Development Economics II | 3 |
BECO 313 | Economics of Money and Banking I | 3 |
BECO 314 | Econometrics II | 3 |
BECO 315 | Financial Economics I | 3 |
BECO 316 | Applied Economic Research | 3 |
BECO | Economics of Agricultural Development | 3 |
Total | 18 |
Third Year | Sixth Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 322 | International Economics | 3 |
BECO 323 | Economics of Money and Banking II | 3 |
BECO 325 | Financial Economics II | 3 |
BECO 326 | Project Analysis | 3 |
BECO 416 | Political Economy | 3 |
Total | 15 |
Fourth Year | Seventh Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 415 | Urban Economics | 3 |
BECO 417 | Economics of Public Policy | 3 |
BECO 413 | Environmental Economics | 3 |
BECO 414 | Labor Economics | 3 |
BECO 418 | Nepal National Income Accounts | 3 |
Total | 15 |
Fourth Year | Eighth Semester | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 421 | Research and Project Work | 6 |
Total | 6 |
Electives | ||
Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
BECO 114 | Public Speaking I | 3 |
BECO 225 | Internship and Research Paper | 3 |
BECO 411 | Energy Economics | 3 |
BECO 329 | Economics of South Asia and China | 3 |
BECO 416 | Political Economics | 3 |
BECO 412 | Health Economics | 3 |
Total | 18 |