The MPhil in Anthropology at the Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University is a three-semester postgraduate research program in anthropology. It combines advanced coursework with independent research and thesis writing under faculty guidance.
The program is intended for students who want to work more deeply with anthropological theory, research methodology, interdisciplinary approaches, and a selected area of research. Its research orientation places substantial attention on critical analysis, scholarly writing, field-based inquiry, and the development of an independent research project.
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Course | Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Anthropology |
| Institution | Central Department of Anthropology |
| University | Tribhuvan University (TU) |
| Location | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Duration | 3 semesters |
| Approximate length | 1.5 years |
| Academic focus | Advanced coursework and independent research |
| Research component | Thesis under faculty guidance |
The MPhil in Anthropology moves beyond broad postgraduate study toward more concentrated research in anthropology. Students work with advanced anthropological theories and research methodologies while developing a research topic aligned with their academic interests.
The course structure allows space for specialized study and interdisciplinary approaches. Advanced seminars support theoretical and methodological work, while independent research forms a central part of the program.
Students are expected to engage closely with academic literature, formulate research questions, work with appropriate research methods, analyze evidence, and develop scholarly arguments through written research.
Duration: 3 semesters
The MPhil in Anthropology takes approximately one and a half years to complete.
Its academic structure combines advanced coursework with independent research. The program includes study in anthropological theories, research methodologies, specialized areas of anthropology, interdisciplinary approaches, and thesis preparation.
Unlike a broad taught program, the MPhil places considerable weight on the student's own research interests and sustained work on an individual research project.
The MPhil curriculum centers on areas that support advanced anthropological research, including:
Advanced anthropological theories
Research methodologies
Specialized topics in anthropology
Interdisciplinary approaches
Independent research
Scholarly writing
Thesis preparation
The precise direction of a student's research can vary according to the selected topic and area of specialization.
Independent research is a defining part of the MPhil in Anthropology.
Students work under faculty guidance while developing a research topic, examining relevant scholarship, selecting appropriate methods, collecting and interpreting research material, and presenting their findings through academic writing.
The program also connects with the wider research setting of the Central Department of Anthropology, which undertakes academic and applied research projects, publishes academic journals, and organizes anthropology conferences, seminars, and a bimonthly colloquium series.
Faculty research interests include religion, kinship, gender, ethnicity, indigeneity, historical anthropology, medical anthropology, inclusion and exclusion, federalism, peasantry and land, development, infrastructure, natural resource management, and climate change.
The MPhil in Anthropology aims to help students:
Develop advanced research abilities in anthropology.
Strengthen critical and analytical approaches to anthropological questions.
Build competence in scholarly and research writing.
Work with advanced theories and research methodologies.
Examine anthropological questions through interdisciplinary perspectives.
Undertake independent research in a selected area.
Produce original academic research.
Build preparation for further research and doctoral study.
Eligibility: Applicants must hold a master's degree in anthropology or a related field from a recognized institution.
Applicants with a master's degree in another discipline may also be considered where they have an exceptional academic background and research potential.
After completing the program, students are expected to be able to:
Work critically with advanced anthropological theories and concepts.
Select and apply research methodologies relevant to an anthropological research question.
Undertake independent research, including fieldwork, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
Develop research papers and other forms of scholarly writing.
Apply interdisciplinary perspectives to anthropological research.
Present research findings through structured academic arguments.
Contribute original research within a selected area of anthropology.
The program may suit master's graduates who want to concentrate on research rather than remain at the level of broad coursework.
It can be relevant to students interested in developing an independent research project, strengthening their methodological abilities, working with a specialized anthropological topic, or preparing for doctoral-level study.
The course may also fit researchers and graduates whose academic interests connect with the department's research areas, including gender, ethnicity, indigeneity, health, development, history, land, infrastructure, natural resources, and climate change.
The MPhil in Anthropology can serve as preparation for more advanced research in the discipline.
The Central Department of Anthropology is also connected with PhD-level study in Anthropology, administered in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University.
Students interested in doctoral research can use the research experience gained during the MPhil to strengthen their familiarity with independent inquiry, academic writing, methodological decisions, and sustained research.
MPhil graduates may consider work in settings where advanced research, social analysis, cultural knowledge, or development-related inquiry is relevant.
Possible areas include:
University teaching and academic work
Anthropological research
Research institutions
Policy analysis
Government agencies
Non-governmental organizations
Development projects
Cultural resource management
Museums and cultural organizations
Social research
Research consultancy
Career paths depend on qualifications, experience, research specialization, position requirements, and the employing organization.
MPhil students are included in the department's scholarship and research-support arrangements. These include fellowships and dissertation grants associated with the Central Department of Anthropology and the University Grants Commission.
Dissertation grants may support research-related expenses such as fieldwork, data collection, travel, and other costs connected with MPhil research. The department also shares information about national and international scholarships, grants, and research fellowships relevant to anthropology.
The fee structure for the MPhil in Anthropology can be obtained from the administrative office of the Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
The MPhil in Anthropology is a postgraduate research program combining advanced coursework, anthropological theory, research methodology, specialized study, independent research, and thesis writing.
The program runs for three semesters, approximately one and a half years.
Applicants must hold a master's degree in anthropology or a related field from a recognized institution. Applicants from another discipline may also be considered where they have an exceptional academic background and research potential.
Yes. Independent research is a central component of the program, alongside advanced coursework and scholarly writing.
Yes. Students undertake independent research and write a thesis under faculty guidance.
The program includes advanced anthropological theories, research methodologies, specialized topics, interdisciplinary approaches, independent research, and scholarly writing.
The department's support arrangements include fellowships and dissertation grants for eligible MPhil students, along with information on other scholarship and research-funding opportunities.
The MPhil provides advanced research preparation relevant to doctoral study. The Central Department of Anthropology is also connected with a PhD program in Anthropology administered in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Tribhuvan University.
