MBA in Nepal: Courses, Colleges and Admissions

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most pursued graduate management degree in the world.  The MBA degree in general provides you with core management knowledge, allowing you to gain a holistic understanding of company across disciplines such as marketing, finance, and accounting, all while honing your soft skills and leadership abilities.

Features   Total Numbers
Types of MBA Programs offered in Nepal   49
Universities offering MBA programs   25
National Universities offering MBA   8
International Universities offering MBA   17

MBA Programs of Tribhuvan University

Tribhuvan University offers six different types of MBA programs, with some managed by the TU School of Management and others administered by the Central Department of Management.

MBA program at SOMTU

The TU School of Management launched its MBA program in 2012, enrolling the first and second batches of MBA students for the spring and fall sessions. In the spring of 2014, it introduced the MBA in Global Leadership and Management, enrolling its first batch of students. 

In 2014, SOMTU took control of the Master of Finance and Control (MFC) program from the TU Central Department of Management. The school expanded its offerings by launching the MBA IT program in 2016. To get enrollment in the MBA programs under SOMTU, students should appear and get good grades in SOMAT

MBA Programs at Tribhuvan University, Central Department of Management

The Central Department of Management at Tribhuvan University, a public entity, has offered MBA programs since 2021. CDM runs MBA in Finance, MBA in Corporate Leadership, and MBA in Marketing programs, each with an annual intake of 35 students in the spring (January-February) session.

Admission to these programs requires applicants to pass the Central Department of Management Admission Test (CDMAT) and excel in group discussions, presentations, and personal interviews.

MBA in Kathmandu University 

Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) offers MBA, Master in Business and Economics (MBE), and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. The MBA program was launched in 1991, and the EMBA program followed in 1999.

Admission to these programs requires applicants to pass the KUMAT examination. Kathmandu University accepts enrollments twice yearly: in the Spring term (November to December) and the Fall term (July to August). 

MBA at Pokhara University 

The Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) at Pokhara University has been offering MBA and EMBA programs since 2000. The regular MBA is designed for full-time students, while the evening MBA caters to working professionals seeking a formal degree. The EMBA program is tailored for executives aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Pokhara University's MBA programs are provided through its School of Business and affiliated colleges. As of 2024, 15 business schools in Nepal offer the MBA program from Pokhara University. 

Previously, Pokhara University conducted the PUMAT for MBA program enrollment. However, since 2023, it has delegated this authority to individual business schools, allowing them to establish enrollment processes. These typically include a written exam, a presentation, a group discussion, and a personal interview.

MBA at Purbanchal University

Purbanchal University launched its MBA program in 2001 under the Faculty of Management, followed by the introduction of the Executive MBA (EMBA) program. The MBA program is offered through Purbanchal University School of Management (PUSOM) and 19 affiliated business schools.

Mid-West University offers MBA and MBA evening programs through its Graduate School of Management and Global College International, while Far Western University provides its MBA program through its constituent school.

MBA Colleges in Nepal

The number of MBA colleges in Nepal has significantly increased over the years, resulting in an oversupply of educational institutions. As of 2024, 70 Business Schools in Nepal are offering MBA programs.  

This saturation has intensified competition, making it more challenging even for established business schools to fulfill their seats. This situation has further worsened as many students opt to pursue higher education abroad, including MBA programs. 

Affiliation Number of MBA Colleges
Tribhuvan University 4
Pokhara University 15
Purbanchal University 19
Kathmandu University 1
Lincoln University College 10
Other Universities 30

Foreign Affiliated MBA Colleges in Nepal 

More than 40 Business Schools in Nepal offer MBA programs in Nepal with affiliation from foreign universities. Unlike domestic affiliation, foreign-affiliated colleges also have the advantage of unlimited seats, which gives them economies of scale. 

Foreign affiliated Business Schools have emerged as major contributors to MBA education as they offer unique courses in the morning, with flexible scheduling options allowing students to work while pursuing their education. As a result, most  Business Schools running under domestic affiliation also made their programs flexible.

Currently, most business schools offer classes only in the morning and evening, with the morning classes ending at 9:30 AM and the evening classes held only three days a week. As of 2024, only two colleges in Kathmandu offer full-time MBA programs: SOMTU and KUSOM. 

Top MBA Colleges in Nepal