Master in Media Studies (MMS)
Admissions on a Rolling Basis
| Click to view MMS BROCHURE |Application Form
The Master in Media Studies (MMS) at Kathmandu University is an intensive two-year graduate program divided into four semesters. It offers different courses/papers of a total 66 credit hours. The course aims at fine blending of both the knowledge and skills dimensions of media and communication. The curriculum consists of a unique combination of theory, analytical techniques, production skills, research approach, communication competence, and so on, which are required for the professionals in the field of media and media support systems. Additionally, the program prepares students for leadership roles offering a profound foundation for careers in media industry and academia. The students who prefer to complete only 30 credit hours from the first year (two semesters) will be awarded with a degree of Postgraduate Diploma in Media Studies.
Program Objectives
The MMS program aims to provide students with:
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of media theories, principles, and practical skills all set for the dynamic media industry.
- Cultivate advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to accept and tackle the complexity of media.
- Enhance proficiency in Media production with the specialization of film, journalism, content creation, criticism and communications.
- Enrich competence in designing and implementing communication strategies and campaigns for diverse sectors.
- Focus on developing individual competence and efficacious group dynamics.
- Embrace multicultural, multidisciplinary and context sensitive approach.
- Develop a strong foundation for pursuing advanced academic degrees, such as PhD, in media, communication, or social sciences.
Career prospects
- Graduates of the MMS program are well-prepared for diverse career paths, which includes:
- Roles in media and journalism, such as managing editors, radio station managers, television producers, filmmakers, and scenarists.
- Positions in research agencies, advertising agencies, and public relations firms.
- Opportunities in governmental and non-governmental institutions as media consultants, communication strategists, or social media experts.
- Independent career as media entrepreneurs, content management experts, arts administrators, communication strategists, Social Media Experts, Researcher and Media coordinator.
- Further academic route, including graduate and post-graduate programs and research degrees in media, communication, or liberal arts.
The program’s emphasis on practical skills and theoretical knowledge ensures graduates are versatile and competitive in the global media landscape.
Program Highlights
The MMS program stands out for its:
- Need-based: The program is designed to address the human resource requirements of academia, media industry, and media support systems as well as the governmental and non-governmental institutions in the contemporary multicultural, glocal and technocentric environment. The dynamic curricular mechanism in KU provides more opportunities for need-based implementation of the program.
- Practice-based and skills-oriented: The courses offered to ensure pertinent emphasis on practice-based learning and translating knowledge into skills in general. Students can specialize in media production in the digital and emerging media environment. Moreover, the curriculum consists of plenty of practice that involves employing the latest tools and techniques.
- A strong foundation of theory and analytical techniques: The program is designed to encompass a wide range of concepts, principles, theories, and analytical techniques from within the communication discipline as well as other disciplines of knowledge, and employ them in various contexts.
- Substantial emphasis on research application: In addition to specialized courses for both quantitative and qualitative research, virtually all of the courses in Master of Media Studies are designed in such a way that students have greater scope for research-orientated assignments and research application.
- Multicultural, multidisciplinary, and context-sensitive approach: Multicultural, multidisciplinary, and context-sensitive approach is employed in order to enhance the students’ ability to accurately perceive their own emotional and physiological state, and react in appropriate ways to different life situations.
- Focus on developing individual competence and efficacious group dynamics: The program highly emphasizes developing the individual competence of the students by imparting knowledge, skills, and moral values, and there are provisions for plenty of group activities that provide opportunities for them to develop skills required for group settings online and offline.
- Wide career options and high employability: Due to a fine combination of theory, analytical techniques, research, hands-on approach to technology, production skills, and communication competence, the students will have wide career options and high employability after the completion of Masters in Media Studies from KU. Need-based curricular implementation is expected to increase the scope of employability.
- Conducive learning environment: High-quality human resources from within and beyond the university will be ensured to run the program. Media lab and other facilities essential for the program also will be ensured in the university’s own right as well as in collaboration with the media industry, media support systems and other stakeholders.
- Internationally comparable: The Masters in Media Studies at KU has been developed after a thorough survey of the Master’s Course in the related field in various universities across the world. The proposed curriculum has been presented in different seminars within and out of KU. Besides, feedback and insights from international academic fraternity also have been incorporated in order to ensure “international standard”. The students will come out with knowledge and skills sound enough to work in the international arena.
Course Structure
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MEDS 501 | Communication and Media Theories | 3 |
| MEDS 502 | Media Literacy | 3 |
| MEDS 503 | Social Sciences for Media | 3 |
| MEDS 511 | Media and Globalization | 3 |
| MEDS 512 | Research Methodology I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
First Year, Second Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MEDS 504 | Communication Traditions in Nepal and Asia | 3 |
| MEDS 505 | Media, Identity and Diversity | 3 |
| MEDS 506 | Media, Technology and Culture | 3 |
| MEDS 521 | Global Media and International Communication | 3 |
| MEDS 522 | Research Methodology II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Second Year, First Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MEDS 507 | Media Management | 3 |
| MEDS 508 | Media Policy, Law and Ethics | 3 |
| Elective I | 3 | |
| Elective II | 3 | |
| Elective III | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Remarks: Selection of the elective subjects by the students is to be facilitated for combination of subjects from similar specialized area.
Elective Courses
| Code | ELECTIVE I | Credit |
| MEDS 513 | Advanced Journalism I | 3 |
| MEDS 514 | Broadcast Journalism | 3 |
| MEDS 515 | Film Studies | 3 |
| MEDS 516 | Promotional Communication | 3 |
| MEDS 517 | Media and Development | 3 |
| MEDS 518 | Advanced Media Analysis Techniques | 3 |
| MEDS 519 | Media System in Nepal (especially designed for foreigner students) | 3 |
| MEDS 544 | Mobile Journalism (Practicum) | 3 |
| ELECTIVE II | Credit | |
| MEDS 520 | Media Convergence and Content Management | 3 |
| MEDS 524 | Radio Station Management | 3 |
| MEDS 526 | Advertising Management | 3 |
| MEDS 527 | Development Communication in the Digital Era | 3 |
| MEDS 528 | Philosophy and Communication | 3 |
| MEDS 529 | Nepali Society, Culture and Communication (especially designed for foreigner students) | 3 |
| MEDS 543 | Advanced Journalism II (Practicum) | 3 |
| MEDS 547 | Screenwriting (Practicum) | 3 |
| ELECTIVE III | Credit | |
| MEDS 523 | Media Activism | 3 |
| MEDS 530 | New Media and Social Change | 3 |
| MEDS 531 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MEDS 533 | Media and Political Communication | 3 |
| MEDS 534 | Media and International Affairs | 3 |
| MEDS 535 | Media and Gender | 3 |
| MEDS 536 | Public Relations Principles and Strategies | 3 |
| MEDS 539 | Alternative Media Practices | 3 |
| MEDS 545 | Advanced Television Broadcasting (Practicum) | 3 |
| MEDS 546 | Advanced Media Writing (Practicum) | 3 |
| MEDS 548 | Performance Techniques (Practicum) | 3 |
| MEDS 549 | Photography and Visual Culture (Practicum) | 3 |
Second Year, Second Semester
| Code | Course Title | Credit |
| MEDS 532 | Advanced Media Research | 3 |
| MEDS 551 | Media Production/Media Project | 6 |
| MEDS 541 | Internship | 3 |
| MEDS 542 | Dissertation | 9 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
*Remarks: MEDS 551 – Practicum. In-line with the Elective subjects, such as any one of the following:
- Print Media Production
- Photo stories
- Radio Production
- Television Production
- Digital Story Telling
- Film Production
- Advertising or PR Campaign
- Communication Strategy
- Media Appraisals
Teaching Methodology
This program adopts a dynamic approach emphasizing active participation among students, critical thinking to prepare students for professional and academic success in the industry. The methodology integrates diverse approaches to cultivate individual talents, committing to excellence.
- Classroom Discussions and Presentations: Deliver foundational knowledge and theoretical frameworks to build a strong academic base.
- Focused Readings and Discussions: Encourage in-depth exploration of media concepts and critical engagement through guided readings and interactive discussions.
- Project-Based Learning: Hands-on media production and practicums in lab and field settings to develop practical, industry-relevant skills.
- Seminars and Critiques: Promote critical thinking and analytical skills through structured seminars and peer critiques, fostering reflective and informed dialogue.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integrates social sciences and media studies to provide a holistic perspective, encouraging students to approach challenges with diverse insights.
- Case Study Analyses: Engage students in real-world scenarios to enhance problem-solving and decision-making abilities in media-related contexts.
- Visits and Observations: Provide exposure to professional environments through field visits, enabling students to observe and learn from industry practices.
- Internships: Offer practical, real-world experience in media and related sectors to bridge academic learning with professional application.
- Student-Centered Approach: Emphasizes active participation, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning process and develop individual talents.
Admission Requirements and Process
To be eligible for the MMS program, applicants must:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized institution with a minimum aggregate of 45% or 2.0 CGPA (second division).
- Pass the entrance test administered by Kathmandu University. Only the candidates who pass the written exam will be selected for the interview.
- Successfully complete an interview, which is required for final selection.
- For mid-career journalists and other media professionals having more than 10 years’ work experience in the media industry, the eligibility will be considered as a Bachelor or equivalent degree in any discipline form a recognized institution with a minimum aggregate of 40 percent or 1.6 CGPA.
Application Process: Submit applications through the Kathmandu University website (www.ku.edu.np) for forms and deadlines. For inquiries, contact the School of Arts admissions office.
Student Support and Resources
Kathmandu University provides comprehensive support, including:
- Academic Advising: Personalized guidance to walk through the program.
- Career counseling: Support for internships, job placements, and career planning.
- Facilities: Access to modern libraries, media studios, and technology resources.
- Financial Aid: Scholarships and work-study opportunities.
- Cultural Engagement: Community-based projects and multicultural learning environments.
- CGPA Requirements: The student must maintain an aggregate of CGPA of 3.00 or above after completing the required 66 credit hours. If the aggregate CGPA is less than 3.00, the student will have to repeat certain courses until they maintain the required CGPA. For this the university will assist needy students for further guidance.
Contact Details
KUSOA, Hattiban, Lalitpur
Email: dolmc@kusoa.edu.np
Website: www.kusoa.edu.np
Tel: +97715251306, 9801298094