Universities in Nepal

Nepal's university sector is young and largely public. The country adopted a multi-university system in 1983, and universities are set up by acts of parliament as autonomous institutions; at both universities on this page the Prime Minister is Chancellor and the Minister of Education Pro-Chancellor. Universities also work through affiliated colleges, and Pokhara University encourages private-sector participation through extension programmes. The University Grants Commission (UGC) manages grants and scholarships for higher education and issues equivalence decisions for qualifications.

Both universities listed on this page follow this model. Kathmandu University (KU) is an autonomous, not-for-profit, self-funding public institution established by an Act of Parliament in December 1991, with its central campus in Dhulikhel. Pokhara University (PU) was established in 1997 under the Pokhara University Act and is funded partly by the government and partly by fees from its students and affiliated colleges.

How universities in Nepal work

Universities offer bachelor's, master's, MPhil and PhD programmes, and some also run certificate and intermediate courses. Programmes are organised by school or faculty. KU, for example, has seven schools: Arts, Education, Engineering, Law, Management, Medical Sciences and Science. It offers more than 200 long- and short-term programmes, from intermediate to PhD level, and had produced 41,275 graduates by June 2023, according to the university. PU offers undergraduate, graduate, MPhil and PhD programmes and works with affiliated colleges and private-sector extension programmes.

Both universities cooperate internationally: KU runs a jointly awarded international master's in Energy Systems with IIT Madras, and PU has an International Relation Center that supports foreign students and researchers.

Admission for international students

Each university and school sets its own entry requirements. At KU, the main intake for all undergraduate and most graduate programmes is in the autumn (July to September). Selection may include an entrance test, an analytical essay, a group discussion and a personal interview, and each school publishes its own eligibility criteria. Qualifications from abroad may need an equivalence decision; the UGC publishes notices on equivalence.

Foreign students need a study visa, issued by the Department of Immigration for academic or non-academic degree programmes and research. It is granted for up to one year at a time, according to the recommendation or the length of study. Applicants need a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education, the original admission receipt from the university or college and a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds; renewals require a progress report. A monthly visa fee applies and depends on the type of study and nationality; US students can obtain a five-year visa limited to the study period.

Costs and funding

Fees are set by each university and published by school. KU publishes its fee structure for all schools by Nepali fiscal year (the latest is 2082/83), and student fees cover 60% of its budget. About 10% of KU students receive scholarships, including merit-based and need-based awards available in all schools. International students should ask the university's international office which fees and scholarships apply to them.

PU's International Relation Center helps foreign students and scholars with accommodation and airport pickup and coordinates other aspects of university life.

How to choose a university in Nepal

• Constituent school or affiliated college: check whether a programme is taught by the university itself or by an affiliated, often private, college
• Subject: KU and PU both cover engineering, management and health sciences, among other fields
• Intake: most programmes start once a year, so apply well before the July-September intake
• Recognition: check how your home country will recognise the degree, especially for regulated professions such as medicine
• Location: KU's central campus is in Dhulikhel; PU's central office is in Pokhara

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to study at a university in Nepal?

Yes, foreign students need a study visa from the Department of Immigration. It requires a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education, proof of admission and a bank statement, and is granted for up to one year at a time.

When do university programmes start in Nepal?

At Kathmandu University, the main intake for undergraduate and most graduate programmes is from July to September. Other universities publish their own calendars.

Are universities in Nepal public or private?

Kathmandu University and Pokhara University are autonomous, not-for-profit universities created by acts of parliament and partly funded by student fees. Universities also teach through affiliated colleges, including private ones.