Study Nepal from Abroad: Complete Guide for Nepali Diaspora Students
Complete guide for Nepali diaspora students wanting to study in Nepal. NRN scholarships, quota seats, admission requirements, and how to research Nepal colleges from the US, UK, and Australia.
Jul 13, 2026 9 min read 7 views
Study Nepal from Abroad: Complete Guide for Nepali Diaspora Students
Nepal has a large diaspora spread across the US, UK, Australia, Gulf countries, and Southeast Asia. Many Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) families want their children to study in Nepal — to connect with their roots, benefit from lower fees, or pursue Nepal-specific fields like Mountaineering, Buddhism, or South Asian Studies. This guide covers everything about studying in Nepal from abroad: NRN scholarships, quota seats, admission requirements, and how to research Nepal colleges from overseas.
Why Study in Nepal as a Diaspora Student?
Nepali diaspora students choose to study in Nepal for various reasons:
1. Cultural Connection
Learn Nepali language, culture, and traditions
Connect with extended family
Understand Nepali society firsthand
Build a Nepal-based network
2. Cost-Effective Education
Nepal college fees: NPR 5–15 lakh for 4-year bachelor's
US college fees: NPR 80+ lakh for 4-year bachelor's
UK college fees: NPR 60+ lakh for 3-year bachelor's
Australia college fees: NPR 70+ lakh for 3-year bachelor's
Even with NRN quota (higher fees), studying in Nepal is significantly cheaper.
3. Nepal-Specific Programs
Some fields are best studied in Nepal:
Mountaineering and Adventure Tourism — Nepal is the global capital
Buddhist Studies — Lumbini Buddhist University
South Asian Studies — TU and KU have strong programs
Tibetology and Himalayan Studies — specialized programs
Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine — unique to South Asia
Nepali Language and Literature — immerse in the language
4. Pathway to Nepal-Based Career
Government jobs (with Nepali citizenship)
Family business in Nepal
Nepal-based NGOs and INGOs
Tourism and hospitality industry
Who Qualifies as Nepali Diaspora?
Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Definition
Under the NRN Act 2007, a Non-Resident Nepali is:
Nepali citizen living outside Nepal — holding Nepali passport, residing abroad
Foreign citizen of Nepali origin — e.g., Indian Gorkha, British Gurkha, US citizen with Nepali parents
Nepali citizen who acquired foreign citizenship — dual citizenship not recognized, but NRN status applies
NRN ID Card
To access NRN quotas and scholarships, students need an NRN ID card from the NRN Association (nRNA):
Apply through nRNA website (nrna.org)
Requires proof of Nepali origin (parents' citizenship, birth certificate)
Annual membership fee: ~NPR 5,000–10,000
Valid for 1–5 years depending on membership type
NRN Quota Seats in Nepal Colleges
Many Nepal colleges reserve NRN quota seats for diaspora students:
Tribhuvan University (TU)
NRN seats: ~10% of total intake at constituent campuses (varies by program)
Fees: Higher than government rate but lower than full international rate
Eligibility: NRN ID card + equivalent of +2 (A-Levels, IB, US High School)
Programs: BE, MBBS, BBA, BSc, BA, LLB
Kathmandu University (KU)
Foreign/NRN category: Separate quota at KU schools
Fees: Higher than Nepali rate (approximately 2–3x)
Eligibility: NRN ID + equivalent qualification
Programs: BE, BSc CS, MBBS, BBA, BPharm
Pokhara University (PoU) and Purbanchal University (PU)
NRN quota: Limited seats at affiliated colleges
Fees: Varies by college — contact college directly
Eligibility: NRN ID + equivalent +2
Private Colleges
Many private colleges have special quotas for NRN students:
Higher fees than Nepali students (typically 1.5–2x)
Direct admission — may not require entrance exam (varies)
English-medium instruction — comfortable for diaspora students
How to Research Nepal Colleges from Abroad
Step 1: Use Online Resources
Khojney.com — Nepal's Education Directory
Khojney is the best resource for diaspora students:
Some programs require entrance exams even for NRN students:
| Program | Entrance Exam | NRN Exemption |
|---------|--------------|---------------|
| Engineering (BE) | IOE Entrance | Some colleges exempt with SAT II |
| Medicine (MBBS) | CEE | NRN quota may not require CEE |
| Management (BBA) | CMAT | Some colleges exempt |
| BSc CSIT | TU IOST Entrance | Varies by college |
Alternative: Many colleges accept SAT scores as equivalent to entrance exams for NRN/foreign students.
Step 4: Apply to Colleges
Application Process for NRN Students
Identify colleges through Khojney's directory
Contact college admissions office — confirm NRN quota availability and fees
Submit application with:
Equivalent +2 certificate (from CDC)
NRN ID card
Passport copy
Passport photos
Application fee (varies by college)
Direct admission or merit list — depends on college
Pay fees — NRN fees are higher than Nepali student fees
Application Timeline
Application opens: Bhadra–Ashwin (August–October) for most colleges
Visa required: Tourist visa (for visit) or Student visa (for study)
Student visa: Apply through Nepal Embassy in your country
Required: Admission letter from Nepal college, passport, photos, fee
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Fee: ~NPR 5,000–15,000 per year
For Nepali Citizens Living Abroad
No visa required if you hold a Nepali passport
Just return to Nepal and begin studies
NRN Scholarships for Diaspora Students
1. NRN Association Scholarship
Who: Children of NRN members
Amount: Varies — 25–100% tuition waiver at partner colleges
How to apply: Through nRNA website, requires NRN ID + academic records
Partner colleges: Several TU, KU, and private colleges
2. College-Specific NRN Scholarships
Some colleges offer scholarships to NRN students:
Reduced fees compared to full international rate
Merit scholarships for top NRN applicants
Need-based aid for deserving students
Contact college admissions offices directly for details.
3. Nepali Government Scholarships
The Government of Nepal reserves some seats for:
Foreign students through embassy quotas
SAARC quota for South Asian students
Bilateral agreements with friendly countries
4. International Scholarships to Study in Nepal
Some international organizations offer scholarships for study in Nepal:
Ford Foundation — for development studies
Open Society Foundations — for various programs
Rotary Peace Fellowship — for peace and conflict studies
Confucius Institute Scholarship — for Chinese language (in Nepal)
Challenges of Studying in Nepal as Diaspora
1. Language Barrier
Many courses taught in Nepali (especially at TU constituent campuses)
Private colleges and KU are more English-friendly
Solution: Choose English-medium colleges or learn basic Nepali
2. Cultural Adjustment
Different classroom culture (more formal, teacher-centered)
Different social norms and expectations
Solution: Connect with other diaspora students, join NRN community
3. Bureaucracy
Equivalence process can be slow (2–4 weeks)
Visa processing takes time
College admission paperwork is extensive
Solution: Start early, use educational consultancy if needed
4. Infrastructure
Internet and electricity can be unreliable
Library and lab facilities may be below Western standards
Solution: Choose colleges with better infrastructure (KU, top private colleges)
5. Limited Course Options
Specialized courses common abroad may not be available
Limited interdisciplinary programs
Solution: Research course offerings before applying
Tips for Nepali American Students Researching Nepal Colleges
1. Start Early (12–18 months before)
Begin research in junior year of high school
Take SAT/ACT and required SAT Subject Tests
Apply for NRN ID card (can take 1–2 months)
2. Visit Nepal if Possible
Tour colleges during summer break
Meet admissions officers in person
Get a feel for campus culture and location
3. Connect with Alumni
Find diaspora students who studied in Nepal
Ask about their experience
Use LinkedIn and NRN networks
4. Verify Recognition
Ensure the Nepal degree is recognized in your home country
For US: Check with WES (World Education Services) for credential evaluation
For UK: Check with UK NARIC
For Australia: Check with AEI-NOOSR
5. Consider Transfer Options
Some Nepal colleges have transfer agreements with US/UK universities
You can study 1–2 years in Nepal, then transfer
Saves money while getting international degree
FAQ
Can Nepali diaspora students study in Nepal?
Yes. NRN students can study in Nepal through NRN quota seats at TU, KU, PU, and private colleges. You'll need an NRN ID card and equivalent +2 certificate.
What is the NRN scholarship?
The NRN Association Scholarship offers 25–100% tuition waiver at partner colleges in Nepal for children of NRN members. Apply through nRNA website with NRN ID and academic records.
Do I need to take entrance exams for Nepal colleges?
It depends on the program and college. Some colleges exempt NRN students from entrance exams (especially with SAT scores), while others require IOE, CEE, or CMAT.
How do I get +2 equivalence from Nepal?
Submit your foreign +2 (A-Levels, IB, US High School) transcripts to the Curriculum Development Center (CDC) in Nepal. The process takes 2–4 weeks and costs ~NPR 5,000.
Is a Nepal degree recognized in the US/UK/Australia?
Yes, degrees from TU and KU are internationally recognized. For official evaluation, use WES (US), UK NARIC (UK), or AEI-NOOSR (Australia).
Can I work in Nepal after graduation as a diaspora student?
Foreign citizens need a work visa. Nepali citizens (holding Nepali passport) can work freely. NRN ID may provide some work privileges — check with Nepal Department of Immigration.
How much does it cost for NRN students to study in Nepal?
NRN fees are higher than Nepali student fees but lower than full international rate. Example: BE at Pulchowk — Nepali: NPR 5L, NRN: NPR 10–15L (vs US: NPR 80L+).
Can I transfer credits from Nepal college to US/UK university?
Yes, many universities accept transfer credits from Nepal. Check with your target university's transfer policy. WES evaluation helps with credit transfer.