A recent report reveals that Nepal is becoming a critical source of international students in the UK, with an 83% increase in study visas issued in 2023 compared to the previous year. Despite a 22% drop in student visas issued to all international students in the UK, Nepalese students remain highly interested in pursuing education in the country.
“We have seen a growth of 5% in international students coming from Nepal from the previous year,” Jaspreet Kaur, principal advisor, South Asia – UKIBC (supporting Queen Mary University of London). Nevertheless, universities are still navigating the market due to the economic downturn in recent years, which impacted Nepalese students’ access to education loans.
The report highlights that Nepal has a lower ratio of dependents to main applicants compared to India and Nigeria, making it less affected by visa curbs. Additionally, Nepalese students are attracted to the UK’s academic requirements including three-year undergraduate degrees and one-year master’s programs, which save time and money.
Education consultants in Nepal attribute the rise to flexible entry requirements, acceptability of gap years and fewer issues with documentation. However, some students express concerns about reduced working hours and limited scholarship options in the UK.
The report also notes that Nepalese students are increasingly considering alternative destinations like Germany, New Zealand and Japan due to affordable education and favorable visa policies. According to reports, programs such as astrobiology, artificial intelligence, computer architecture and game designing are now sought-after programs among Nepalese students.
With nearly 45,000 Nepalese students issued post-secondary student visas to “big four” English destinations in 2023, Nepal’s student mobility remains one of the highest in the world, with 19% of tertiary students studying abroad.
