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PhD in Arts & Social Sciences

Q: Are arts and social science degrees worth the cost for Nepali students?

Yes if you choose the right programme and have realistic career expectations. A history or sociology Master's from Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Sciences Po, or Harvard genuinely opens doors that domestic Nepali degrees can't. A history Master's from a mid-tier overseas university with poor placement often doesn't. Be ruthless: only apply to programmes where you can verify recent graduate placements at organisations you'd realistically want to join.

Q: Can I find a job after a humanities Master's abroad? I keep hearing the field is dying.

Yes, but you need to be intentional. Direct 'history jobs' are rare. But humanities Master's graduates land at McKinsey, Bain, Google, Apple, banks, INGOs, and government. The skill profile (writing, analysis, contextual thinking) is valuable; you just have to be able to articulate it. Many post-MA students pursue an additional credential — public policy Master's, MBA — to bridge to corporate careers.

Q: How does PhD funding work in the USA for Nepali students in social sciences?

Top US programmes (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Columbia, Chicago, Stanford, NYU) typically guarantee 5–6 years of full funding for accepted PhD students — meaning tuition is waived and you receive a $30,000–45,000/year stipend in exchange for teaching/research duties. This makes PhD admissions extremely competitive (3–8% acceptance rates) but financially viable for Nepali students.

Q: Is doing an MA in International Relations enough to work at the UN?

It's necessary but not sufficient. The UN system hires through specific programmes (JPO, Young Professionals Programme, internships) that have country-of-origin quotas and require fluency in 2+ UN official languages. A strong MA helps you compete, but real entry depends on languages, internships during your MA, and persistence in applying to specific UN agency openings. Nepali graduates have entered the UN system through UNDP Nepal office, UNHCR field operations, and the UN Population Fund.

Q: What's the difference between an MA in Political Science vs MPA / MPP in Public Policy?

MA Political Science: theoretical, research-focused, often a stepping stone to PhD. MPA (Master of Public Administration) / MPP (Master of Public Policy): applied, policy-design focused, designed for careers in government or NGOs. For Nepali students aiming at policy careers, MPA/MPP is usually the more useful choice; MA Political Science makes sense only if you're seriously considering an academic career.

5 programs found

PhD programs in Arts & Social Sciences are research-intensive and usually fully funded through assistantships or fellowships. Nepali students are competitive for PhD admissions in the USA, Canada, and Japan.

All degrees Bachelor's Master's PhD Diploma

PhD programs in Arts & Social Sciences

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Country

Degree

5 programmes

Doctoral Programs (across all disciplines)

École Normale Supérieure Paris (ENS)Paris

PhD< $20k/yrIELTS 7.0+

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Doctorate (Economics, Law, Philosophy)

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-SorbonneParis

PhD< $20k/yrIELTS 6.5+

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MSc / PhD Physics

Nagoya UniversityNagoya

PhD< $20k/yrIELTS 6.5+

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MSc / PhD Chemistry

Nagoya UniversityNagoya

PhD< $20k/yrIELTS 6.5+

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PhD International Studies

Sophia UniversityTokyo

PhD$40–60k/yrIELTS 6.5+

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5 programmes · Data verified from official sources · Disclaimer

Best countries for PhD in Arts & Social Sciences

Top destinations Nepali students choose for this field and degree level.

🇺🇸USA

Deepest liberal arts tradition and best for research-oriented social science PhDs. Heavily funded PhD programmes in psychology, political science, anthropology at top universities. Bachelor's at liberal arts colleges (Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore) is unmatched.

Explore USA →

🇬🇧UK

Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL — globally elite for politics, economics, history, philosophy. 1-year Master's programmes are time-efficient. Graduate Route gives 2 years to find post-study work.

Explore UK →

🇫🇷France

Sciences Po, ENS, Sorbonne — historic strength in political science, sociology, philosophy. Many English-taught Master's. Eiffel Scholarship for top international applicants. Strong for international relations.

Explore France →

🇨🇦Canada

Toronto, McGill, UBC have strong social science departments. Lower cost than US/UK. PR pathway via Express Entry for those with social science Master's + 1 year work experience.

Explore Canada →

🇦🇺Australia

ANU, Melbourne, Sydney have well-regarded humanities. Strong for Asia-Pacific studies and Indigenous studies. PSW visa for 2–3 years after graduation.

Explore Australia →

🇩🇪Germany

Free/low tuition for sociology, philosophy, political science Master's. LMU Munich, Humboldt Berlin, Heidelberg are world-class. English-taught Master's available, especially at private universities like Hertie School and Bard College Berlin.

Explore Germany →

Arts & Social Sciences for Nepali Students

Key things to know before you apply

NOC requirement

All Nepali students studying abroad need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Nepal's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology before applying for a student visa.

NRB forex limit

Nepal Rastra Bank allows students to remit up to $12,000 per year for most destinations (USA, Canada, Australia, EU) and $6,000 for select Asian destinations. Check the current NRB circular for your destination.

NOC checklist NRB forex calculator Free counseling

Tests required for admission

IELTSOften 7.0+ required for arts/humanities programmes (essay-heavy work demands strong English). 7.5+ for Oxford, Cambridge.GRERequired at many top US PhD/Master's programmes in social sciences. Verbal score matters more here than for STEM. Aim V160+.TOEFLIELTS alternative. 100+ for strong programmes; 105+ for Ivy League.

Related fields of study

📚Education ⚖️Law 💼Business & Management

Frequently asked questions

Are arts and social science degrees worth the cost for Nepali students?

Yes if you choose the right programme and have realistic career expectations. A history or sociology Master's from Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Sciences Po, or Harvard genuinely opens doors that domestic Nepali degrees can't. A history Master's from a mid-tier overseas university with poor placement often doesn't. Be ruthless: only apply to programmes where you can verify recent graduate placements at organisations you'd realistically want to join.

Can I find a job after a humanities Master's abroad? I keep hearing the field is dying.

Yes, but you need to be intentional. Direct 'history jobs' are rare. But humanities Master's graduates land at McKinsey, Bain, Google, Apple, banks, INGOs, and government. The skill profile (writing, analysis, contextual thinking) is valuable; you just have to be able to articulate it. Many post-MA students pursue an additional credential — public policy Master's, MBA — to bridge to corporate careers.

How does PhD funding work in the USA for Nepali students in social sciences?

Top US programmes (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Berkeley, Columbia, Chicago, Stanford, NYU) typically guarantee 5–6 years of full funding for accepted PhD students — meaning tuition is waived and you receive a $30,000–45,000/year stipend in exchange for teaching/research duties. This makes PhD admissions extremely competitive (3–8% acceptance rates) but financially viable for Nepali students.

Is doing an MA in International Relations enough to work at the UN?

It's necessary but not sufficient. The UN system hires through specific programmes (JPO, Young Professionals Programme, internships) that have country-of-origin quotas and require fluency in 2+ UN official languages. A strong MA helps you compete, but real entry depends on languages, internships during your MA, and persistence in applying to specific UN agency openings. Nepali graduates have entered the UN system through UNDP Nepal office, UNHCR field operations, and the UN Population Fund.

What's the difference between an MA in Political Science vs MPA / MPP in Public Policy?

MA Political Science: theoretical, research-focused, often a stepping stone to PhD. MPA (Master of Public Administration) / MPP (Master of Public Policy): applied, policy-design focused, designed for careers in government or NGOs. For Nepali students aiming at policy careers, MPA/MPP is usually the more useful choice; MA Political Science makes sense only if you're seriously considering an academic career.

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