MA Linguistics

Two-year, semester-based MA program preparing academic, field, and applied linguists through theoretical grounding and practical engagement with Nepal’s linguistic diversity.
Program builds core competence in phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and linguistic analysis. Students progress into specialized areas—sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, typology, computational linguistics, documentation, language policy, and applied linguistics. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research, field methods, and direct work with Nepal’s numerous languages. Training targets academic research, language development, policy work, and applied linguistic services. Medium of instruction and examination is English.

Curricular structure (table)

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Features
• Strong theoretical foundation + wide applied specialization options
• Extensive practical assessments: fieldwork, term papers, presentations
• Dissertation mandatory under dual evaluation
• Full English-medium instruction
• Entrance exam required; preference for applicants with linguistics background
• Multiple specialization paths enabling tailored academic or applied focus

• Must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline (preference to linguistics majors).
• Sit for the entrance exam testing English proficiency.
• Merit-based selection only; no private-candidate provision.
• English required for all coursework, exams, and dissertation.

Job prospects
• Academic researcher
• Linguistics lecturer
• Field linguist/documentation specialist
• Translation and interpretation services
• Lexicographer
• Language policy and planning assistant
• Language teaching and curriculum development
• Forensic linguistics assistant
• Clinical linguistics support roles
• Media and communication analyst
• NGOs/INGOs in language preservation and revitalization