MA Anthropology

A two-year, four-semester graduate program providing advanced training in anthropological theory, ethnographic methods, and applied research. The program emphasizes comparative, global–local analysis and develops skills for academic research and development-sector work.

The program delivers core disciplinary grounding across cultural, linguistic, physical, and archaeological anthropology. It adds contemporary seminar-based courses on kinship, economic systems, medical anthropology, development, disaster, climate, gender, caste, ethnicity, and Himalayan/Nepal studies. The semester system prioritizes interaction, reading-intensive learning, analytical writing, and independent research. Students complete a supervised thesis and may select optional courses based on interest and departmental capacity.

Curricular Structure (Table)

First Semester

Second Semester

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

| Code | Course Title | Credits | Remarks |
|------|--------------|---------|
| AN 601 | Archaeological Anthropology | — | Required |
| AN 602 | Research Design & Writing: Practicum | 3 | Required |
| AN 603 | Thesis | 6 | Required |
| AN 604 | Historical Anthropology | 3 | Optional |
| AN 605 | Culture & Environment in Nepal | 3 | Optional |
| AN 606 | Marxist Anthropology | 3 | Optional |
| AN 607 | Food, Culture & Symbol | 3 | Optional |
| AN 608 | Anthropology & Globalization | 3 | Optional |
| AN 609 | Ecological Anthropology | 3 | Optional |
| AN 610a | Anthropology of Feminism & Gender Studies | 3 | Optional |
| AN 610b | Indigenous Peoples in Asia | 3 | Optional |

Features

• Four-field anthropological grounding.
• Strong emphasis on ethnographic method and research design.
• Wide range of applied and thematic specializations.
• Mandatory thesis with supervised field research.
• Internal (40%) + external (60%) evaluation.
• Classroom interaction focused on reading, analysis, and presentations.
• Optional papers determined by demand (minimum 10 students per course).

Fee

(TU constituent campus typical range; varies by college)

• Approx. NPR 60,000–120,000 total for two years in public campuses.
• Higher in private/affiliated colleges.

Admission Process (Points)

• Applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in eligible disciplines recognized by TU.
• Must sit for the one-hour entrance exam conducted by the Dean’s Office.
• Must meet the minimum qualifying score.
• Admission strictly merit-based and limited to seat availability.
• Enrollment distributed among the Central Department and affiliated campuses.

Job Prospects

• Research positions in academic and policy institutions.
• Social science roles in NGOs, INGOs, development agencies.
• Field researchers and consultants in social inclusion, gender, disaster, climate, migration, public health.
• Positions in government planning, heritage, museum, and cultural sectors.
• Corporate/market research and user-experience research.
• Teaching positions in colleges (after meeting TU/UGC requirements).
• Independent ethnographic research and consulting.