Introduction

The reality of conflict and aspirations for peace is a ubiquitous feature of human history. But the growing complexities of conflicting phenomenon have made it really difficult to deal with the central challenge of our times. Realising that traditional single disciplinary focus is inadequate in understanding the varieties and complexities of contemporary conflicts at the local and global level, Tribhuvan University (TU), with its leading role, designed the Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (CPDS) as a multidisciplinary Masters Program. Through a rigorous program of lectures, seminars, research, fieldwork, and internship, the four-semester, two-year M.A. Program strives to impart theoretical, methodological, and practical set of knowledge and skills to the students for their bright, academic and professional career. Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (DCPDS) further augments its comparative approach and international knowledge sharing through a regular exchange of students and faculties between its partner institutions, namely: COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan; University of Ruhuna, Matara in Sri Lanka and University of Life Sciences (UMB) in Aas, Norway. The institutional arrangement between the four partner universities is supported by the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Higher Education (SIU).

Admission and Eligibility

Enrolment to CPDS is announced once in a year. Students holding either a Bachelor‘s Degree from Tribhuvan University or an equivalent of this degree from any university recognized by Tribhuvan University shall be eligible to apply for admission in this program. Applicants seeking admission to this program must appear in an entrance examination conducted by Tribhuvan University. Applicants who fail either to appear in the entrance examination or to obtain a minimum qualifying score will not be given admission. Admission of the students will be based on the merit list and the enrolment capacity of the class as fixed by the program. English is the medium of language in the entrance examination as well as all other class activities, presentations, report writing, and examinations/tests.

Duration

The duration of the program is two years. There will be four semesters in total, two semesters in one year.

Examination

The examination for a three/four credit course carries 50 marks, out of which the internal examination carries 20 marks (40 percent). The internal evaluation for each course comprises of:
 Term paper 50% of Internal Grade
 Mid-term examination (Sit-in-test) 30% of Internal Grade
 Presentation, attendance, class interaction and participation 20% of Internal Grade
The final examination carries 30 marks (60 percent), except for CPDS 565 (Research Practicum, Fieldwork and Report Writing) and CPDS 585 (Thesis). Students can opt to take a non-credit course of research in the form of term papers (two term papers) in the fourth semester, which carries 4.00 credits. At least 50 percent marks in both internal and final examinations are required to successfully complete a course. The academic performances of the students, however, will be awarded through letter grading system (CGPA) with a maximum grade point of 4.00.