Bachelor of Mountaineering Studies(BMS) in Nepal

BMS is an undergraduate degree of four years (eight semesters) course that comprises of foundation courses of management studies, social science, pure science, mountaineering and tourism core courses, electives and project/field-based applied research report writing works culminating in thesis writing representing both sectors of management, and mountain tourism, and mountaineering. Thus, BMS is not just about climbing but is a ccomplete integration of modern management, mountain, and related tourism studies

.

BMS at a glance

Professors of different disciplines and faculties have designed the curricula of Bachelor of Mountaineering Studies (BMS).

• It is based on the wisdom of the past (history of mountain tourism and mountaineering) with an eye for the future;
• It aims to prepare graduates having a set of skills, attributes, and values that equip them to become constructive and contributing leaders in an increasingly globalized field of mountain and mountaineering tourism.

The syllabi for BMS have been prepared and developed following international academic standards to cater the needs of the rapidly developing tourism and hospitality industry across the globe. This academic program primarily follows the three-pronged approaches: Professional, Vocational, and Entrepreneurial. It further:

• tries to develop core competencies, subject specific, interdisciplinary, and methodological competencies comprising with practical and applied competencies (prognosis and praxis);
• focuses on inculcating ethics, stewardship, knowledge, professionalism, and mutual understanding among the stakeholders (TEFI).

Scopes of BMS

BMS gives you the power to explore beyond your realms. Some scopes include: 

• Nepal being the home to 14 out of 20 highest peaks in the world actually makes it the most suitable place to study and implies the brighter prospects of this course;
• Along with climbing, BMS provides you the possibility of expanding your career as a trekking expert, incubator, natural researcher, anthropologist, and tourism business entrepreneur;
• Aspiring young men and women to have a great space to grow and pioneer in the mountains and its orbital business in national and international market; and  
• Emphasizing career-focused skills viz. wall climbing, rock climbing, trekking, peak climbing and mountaineering. 

Thus, BMS stands at your doorstep to open an international trail of recognition.

BMS course prepares you to be:

• Researcher (Topography, Climate, Environment) 
• Lecturer (National, International)
• Manager (Tour, Travel, Expedition Companies, Events)
• Anthropologist (Culture & Society)
• Entrepreneur
• Mountaineer (Guides and Leaders) 
• Mountain science researcher
• Mid-level executives (Governmental / Non-Governmental)
• Mountain geologist 
• Mountain economist
• Sociologist

Additional Information about the Course

Grading system
The grading system followed in the BMS program is based on the absolute performance of a student in the in-semester (40%) evaluations and semester-end examinations (60%) conducted by TU. Here’s the breakdown of grading system of 40%:

Attendance: 20
Seminar/ Presentations: 20
Internal Assessment: 20
Discipline & ECA Participation: 20
Pre-board Examination: 20
Total: 100 marks which shall be converted to 40 marks.

Notes: Out of the 40 marks, individual student must score 30 marks to be eligible and qualified to appear the final semester examination. In case if the students fail to score a minimum of 30 marks, they shall be marked as 'Not Qualified (NQ)' for the respective subjects. 

The entire course is divided into eight semesters to be completed within four years to enable the students to earn 129 credits after the successful completion of the course. 

*This remodeled course structure comes into implementation from 2022. Previous batches will follow the prevailing course structure.Annual intake: 33 students for effective learning

Student intake

Student intake for the BMS program will begin from August-September for the Fall semester.

Eligibility
The applicant for BMS must have successfully completed 10+2 or equivalent examination in any academic stream with a minimum of 45% aggregate marks ( CGPA 1.8 with a minimum D+ grade in each subject) from the National Examination Board or any equivalent board recognized by Tribhuvan University with English as a compulsory subject. 

Documents required:

1.Duly filled application form for BMS 

2. Certificates and testimonials of all examinations passed

3. Two recent passport-sized photographs

4. CMAT score sheet (The applicant must score a minimum of 40 marks in CMAT conducted by TU to be eligible to apply for BMS)

Health related documents: A medical report

Admission test
The academy shall conduct admission tests for appropriate screening of applicants. The applicants shall be screened in each of the stages.

1. Written test

The applicants shall be given a relevant topic on tourism and mountaineering to screen their ability of fluency, knowledge, and argument.

2. Personal interview

Personal interview is to measure applicants' motivational level, attitude and capability to handle the pressure and rigors of the programs.

3. Aptitude test

4. Physical fitness

5. Group discussion

Group discussion on a given topic. A panel of judges will evaluate the applicants’ performance based on leadership, logic, and overall presentation.

(Nepal Mountain Academy has the final authority in selecting the students for the program.)

Field expenses
As far as the practical courses are concerned, the charges for the instructors, transportation, and equipment (except personal equipment) shall be covered by the academy, and each student shall be responsible for their personal expenses, food, and accommodation during the field trips.

To mitigate the risks associated with technical gears and equipment in mountain climbing, the academy manages gears of utmost importance as alpine boots, crampons, down jackets, gore-tex suits, sunglasses, and so on as necessitated.

Scholarship for BMS

1. University scholarship

Three (3) students are granted up to 100% scholarship in tuition fees. However, field practical fees shall be payable. 

2. Performance scholarship

The student with the highest score in a semester examination shall be rewarded with Rs. 20,000/- (fee waiver in the next semester)

3. Thesis/Research grant

The student with the highest aggregate score in a batch shall be rewarded with a Thesis/Research Grant of up to Rs. 100,000/-

4. Privilege scholarship

Two scholarships of 25% in tuition fee is offered to eligible students (1 male and 1 female) who are permanent residents of Solududhkunda Municipality -7, Garma, Solukhumbu

5. Contribution scholarship

A total of 25% scholarship in tuition fees is offered to 4 students (2 males and 2 females) who must be:

• the child of a mountain climber who has lost his/her life or has been physically impaired while mountain climbing;
• the child of a mountain climber who has successfully submitted 8000-meter peaks more than 5 times, including the Sagarmatha (8848.86 meters); 
• the child of a certified and licensed IMFGA guide who has a minimum work experience of 7 years.

• The CMAT (Central Management Admission Test) is a compulsory entrance test taken by Tribhuvan University (TU) for the enrollment in management stream. BMS being affiliated to the Faculty of Management, TU, should comply with the CMAT entrance test.

  The CMAT is a 100 marks examination of 3 hours comprised of 100 questions of 1 mark each. There's no negative marking and students must score a minimum of 40 marks to apply for the BMS course.

  Here's the break-down of the CMAT exam pattern:

  Sections	Number of Questions	Total Marks
  Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation	25	25
  General Awareness	25	25
  Logical Reasoning	25	25
  Language Comprehension	25	25
  Total	100	100

  Nepal Mountain Academy organizes 'Free CMAT Crash Course' where the students can learn techniques to crack the entrance exam in a short period of time. Follow the academy's facebook page for the exact date and time of the preparation classes.

  Click here to view the:
  BMS CMAT Model Question

  In Nepal Nepal Mountaineering Academy located at Thapagaun Kathmandu  offers this Program