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The GREAT Scholarship offers partial funding for Nepali students at UK universities. Here's everything you need to know House of Admissions provides free guidance for Nepali students applying to UK universities — Kathmandu and Pokhara offices, WhatsApp: +977-9802373936.

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This guide covers GREAT scholarship Nepal 2026 with accurate data verified against UK Home Office, UKVI, Nepal Rastra Bank, and official university sources. House of Admissions provides free UK admissions guidance from Kathmandu and Pokhara for all Nepali students — 5,000+ placed, 99% visa success rate.

Scholarships 7 min read

GREAT Scholarship Nepal — UK University Funding for Nepali Students

The GREAT Scholarship offers partial funding for Nepali students at UK universities. Here's everything you need to know.

GREAT Britain scholarship award ceremony

What Is the GREAT Scholarship?

The GREAT Scholarship is a joint initiative between the British Council and UK universities, funded partly by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign. It awards partial scholarships of at least £10,000 towards tuition fees for one-year master's programmes at participating UK universities.

Nepal is one of a handful of countries selected for this scholarship, which reflects the strong educational ties between Nepal and the UK.

Which Universities Participate?

Participating universities change each year. In recent years, UK universities offering GREAT Scholarships to Nepal have included institutions across England, Scotland, and Wales. You must check the British Council Nepal website for the current list of participating universities.

Each university sets its own criteria for the GREAT Scholarship in addition to the British Council's baseline requirements.

Eligibility and Application

  • Be a Nepali citizen residing in Nepal at time of application
  • Have a confirmed place (conditional or unconditional) at a participating university
  • Be self-funding the remaining tuition fees (GREAT only partially covers fees)
  • Not hold another scholarship covering tuition fees

Applications are submitted to your chosen university (not to the British Council directly). Each university manages its own GREAT Scholarship applications.

Key Facts — 2026

UK Visa Fee
£558 (from 8 Apr 2026)
IHS (NHS Surcharge)
£776/year (UKVI, 2026)
Bank Balance (Outside London)
£10,539/year£1,171/month × 9 months (NPR 20.5L)
Bank Balance (London)
£13,761/year£1,529/month × 9 months (NPR 26.8L)
HOA Guidance Fee
100% Free
Part-time Earnings
≈ £1,017/month (20 hrs × £12.71)

Frequently Asked Questions

Now supporting January 2027 UK intake applicants — 5,000+ Nepali students placed · 99% visa success · £2M+ in scholarships secured (self-reported) · Book your free consultation →

UKVI-Compliant UK Study Consultancy in Nepal

House of Admissions has guided over 5,000 Nepali students to universities across the United Kingdom — from Russell Group institutions to specialist colleges (self-reported, internal tracking data since 2016). Our UKVI-compliant advisors handle every stage: university selection, application, UK Student Visa, CAS preparation, scholarship applications and the Graduate Route that follows graduation. Every consultation is 100% free.

Nepali Students Placed in UK
5,000+
UK Student Visa Success Rate
99%
UK Partner Universities
153
Scholarships Secured
£2M+
Consultation & Application
Free

Placement, visa, partner and scholarship figures are self-reported from HOA internal tracking data since 2016.

Complete UK Study Guides — Free to Read

Why Nepali Students Choose the UK for Higher Education — and HOA for Guidance

The United Kingdom is a popular higher-education destination for Nepali students. A UK bachelor’s degree typically takes three years and a taught master’s one year, which can reduce the total years of study compared with four-year systems elsewhere. Several UK universities — including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and UCL — rank in the global top tier, and more than 40 UK institutions appear in the QS World University Rankings top 200 (QS World University Rankings). Tuition varies by course and university and is listed on each university page; House of Admissions matches each student to programmes that fit their budget and academic profile.

The UK Student Visa, governed by Appendix Student of the UK Immigration Rules, permits up to 20 hours of paid work per week during term time and full-time work during vacations (UK Home Office, gov.uk/student-visa), helping students offset living costs. The required 28-day maintenance balance is £10,539 for study outside London (≈ NPR 20.5 lakhs at NPR 195/£1) or £13,761 for London (≈ NPR 26.8 lakhs), per UK Home Office guidance. House of Admissions prepares complete visa files, with a reported 99% approval rate across applications it has supported (self-reported).

Living costs vary by city. Per HESA and UCAS estimates, students in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Loughborough typically budget around NPR 14–22 lakhs per year, compared with NPR 25 lakhs or more in London. Nepali graduates who studied in English at Tribhuvan University, Pokhara University, Kathmandu University or Purbanchal University can apply to 25+ UK universities via a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter instead of IELTS — saving up to NPR 35,000 in examination and preparation costs and 2–3 months of preparation, where the chosen university accepts MOI.

After graduation, the Graduate Route grants unrestricted work with no job offer or sponsor required (UK Home Office, gov.uk/graduate-visa). Its length depends on when the Graduate Route application is filed, not on the course dates: 18 months for applications filed on or after 1 January 2027, and 2 years only for those filed on or before 31 December 2026 (PhD graduates keep 3 years either way). Because a student beginning a UK course now will file well after that cutoff, the 18-month figure is the realistic planning number. Graduate Route time does not count toward the standard 5-year Skilled Worker settlement clock; the usual path is Graduate Route → switch to the Skilled Worker visa at the £38,700 salary threshold → Indefinite Leave to Remain after five qualifying years on the Skilled Worker route.

House of Admissions has secured £2M+ in scholarships for Nepali students since 2016 (self-reported), including 50+ Chevening placements (funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office), GREAT Scholarships (£10,000 partial awards), Commonwealth Scholarships (fully funded), and university merit awards of £2,000–£10,000+. Scholarship matching is included in HOA’s free service. Schools, colleges and organisations in Nepal can offer HOA’s UK guidance to their communities through a free partnership arrangement. Two offices serve all seven provinces of Nepal: HOA Kathmandu at Putalisadak, and HOA Pokhara at Trade Mall, Chipledhunga. Book a free consultation at either office →