Regions · checked 21 October 2026
Studying in Wales for Nepali Students: Universities, Costs and Visa Money
Wales is a smaller part of the UK with lower living costs than London and three-year bachelor’s degrees. Its universities award UK degrees, and the visa and Graduate visa rules are the same as in England.
Is Wales a Good Choice for Nepali Students?
Wales has 9 universities in HOA’s guides, including Cardiff University, the Russell Group member, 179th equal in the QS World University Rankings 2027, plus Swansea, Bangor, Aberystwyth and Cardiff Metropolitan. A bachelor’s takes three years. For applications from 30 November 2026 you show £1,203 a month of living costs.
It suits students who want a smaller city, lower rent in HOA’s estimates and a UK degree on the same visa terms. The choice is narrower than in England, so check that your course is offered first.
Key facts
Checked against the sources cited on 21 October 2026.
- Living costs to show
- £1,203 a month (£10,827 for 9 months) from 30 November 2026; £1,171 (£10,539) beforeUKVI; HC 584
- Universities in HOA’s guides
- 9HOA university profiles
- Russell Group
- Cardiff University, 179th equal in QS 2027The Tab, QS 2027
- Degree length
- 3-year bachelor’s, 1-year taught master’sUniversity course pages
- Graduate visa
- 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027, and 3 years after a PhDGOV.UK
All 9 Welsh Universities in HOA’s Guides
| University | Location | Published international fee | Visa living-cost rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aberystwyth University | Aberystwyth, Wales | from £19,190 | Outside London |
| Bangor University | Bangor, Wales | from £18,000 | Outside London |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Cardiff, Wales | from £16,000 | Outside London |
| Cardiff University | Cardiff, Wales | £33,950 for MSc Natural Language Processing | Outside London |
| Cardiff University Business School | Cardiff, Wales | £33,950 for MSc Natural Language Processing | Outside London |
| Swansea University | Swansea, Wales | £23,900 for MSc International Business | Outside London |
| University of South Wales | Pontypridd, Wales | from £16,800 | Outside London |
| University of Wales Trinity Saint David | Swansea & Carmarthen, Wales | from £15,600 | Outside London |
| Wrexham University | Wrexham, Wales | from £11,750 | Outside London |
“By course” means the university lists fees course by course; open its profile for the source link.
How Much Money You Show for the Visa
You show the tuition you still owe for the first year plus living costs for up to nine months. For a university outside London: £1,203 a month (£10,827, about NPR 21.1 lakhs) for applications from 30 November 2026, or £1,171 a month (£10,539) before then. The money must stay in the account for 28 days in a row, ending no more than 31 days before you apply.
Worked example. A one-year master’s with £17,000 tuition and a £3,000 deposit paid: £14,000 still owed + £10,827 living costs = £24,827 (about NPR 48.4 lakhs) held for 28 days. Add the £558 visa fee and about £1,164 health surcharge, paid when you apply.
All 20 of Nepal’s Class A commercial banks meet UKVI’s rules for the account. See bank balance for the UK visa and banks in Nepal.
Cities and Student Life
Cardiff is the capital and the largest city, with Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan. Swansea is on the south coast; Bangor and Aberystwyth are small university towns. Most international students arrive through London Heathrow and travel on by coach or train.
Teaching is in English. Welsh is widely seen on signs and offered as a subject, but you do not need it.
How to Apply to Welsh Universities from Nepal
Check your course is offered
The range is narrower than in England.
Apply
Master’s: directly. Bachelor’s: through UCAS, by 18:00 UK time on 13 January 2027 for most courses.
Get your CAS
Meet the conditions and pay any deposit.
Prepare the visa file
NOC, TB test and 28-day funds, then apply online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lower living costs than London and south-east England in HOA’s estimates, three-year bachelor’s degrees and universities such as Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor, on the same visa terms as the rest of the UK.
Yes. Welsh universities award UK degrees, and the visa route and Graduate visa are the same.
The outside-London figure: from 30 November 2026, £1,203 a month, up to £10,827 for nine months, plus any first-year tuition you still owe.
HOA’s guides cover Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan, Swansea, Bangor, Aberystwyth, the University of South Wales, Wrexham and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Some do for some courses, decided by each university. Cardiff University generally asks for a test.
No. Courses for international students are taught in English.
Yes: up to 20 hours a week in term time at degree level and full-time in official vacations. At £12.71 an hour, 20 hours is about £1,017 a month before tax.
The UK Graduate visa: 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027, and 3 years after a PhD.
No. HOA’s admissions guidance is free to students. Partner universities pay HOA when a student enrols; you pay only official costs such as the visa fee, health surcharge, TB test and NOC.
Key Terms
- 28-day rule
- Visa money must stay in the account for 28 days in a row, ending no more than 31 days before you apply.
- Graduate visa
- Lets you stay and work after a UK degree without a sponsor: 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.
- CAS
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies: the reference a licensed university issues so you can apply for a Student visa.
Sources
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 21 October 2026. If an official page and this page disagree, the official page is right.
- Home Office, Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 584
- UK Visas and Immigration, Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants
- The Tab, All 24 Russell Group universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027
- Russell Group, Our universities
- GOV.UK, Graduate visa
- GOV.UK, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates
About This Guide
Written by House of Admissions (HOA), a UK-only education consultancy founded in 2016 with offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. All 20+ HOA counsellors hold the British Council’s UK counsellor certification. HOA’s guidance is free to students. Reviewed by Rahul Chhetri, Director. This is admissions guidance, not immigration advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Related Guides
Thinking About Wales?
A counsellor can check which Welsh universities offer your course. HOA’s guidance is free.