Nepal (NP)

Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan nation between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849m).

Capital: Kathmandu

Region: Asia

Language: Nepali

Currency: NPR (Rs)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 18)

Emergency: 100

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Nepal.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Local daycare / Montessori nursery NPR 8,000–30,000

Age: 18 months–5 years

No government childcare subsidy scheme for private nurseries. Some community-based childcare centres (Child Development Centres) are government-supported and serve low-income Nepali families but are not typically used by expat families.

Contact the nursery directly. Submit child records (birth certificate, vaccination card — EPI card), parent IDs, and pay a registration/admission deposit. Many nurseries require a formal application and trial session.

⏱️ Visit in person — quality and safety standards vary widely. Check child-to-staff ratios, hygiene, air quality provision (purifiers are important in Kathmandu during pollution season October–February), and emergency contacts.

International preschool NPR 40,000–120,000+

Age: 2–5 years

No subsidy. International preschools are entirely fee-funded. Some embassy and multinational employer packages include childcare allowances — confirm with HR before accepting a posting.

Submit application form, child passport, vaccination records, previous school reports (if applicable), and pay admission deposit and annual development fee. A brief parent-child interview or play assessment is common.

⏱️ Apply 3–6 months ahead for Kathmandu international preschools, especially those affiliated with Lincoln School, The British School, or Ullens. Midyear enrollment is sometimes possible if space allows.

🏫 Schools

Public and private primary school Free

Aadhaarbhut Shiksha / Basic Education (आधारभूत शिक्षा)

Ages: 5–12 (grades 1–8 under the new National Curriculum Framework) · Language: Nepali in public schools; English in many private schools

For public schools: bring the child's ward-level address documents (nagarpalika certificate or ward letter), birth certificate, vaccination record (EPI card), and prior school records to the local school. Foreign children need passport and valid visa; the school may request a letter from the ward office. Private schools have their own application and entrance assessment processes.

Public basic education (grades 1–8) is free and government-mandated. Most expat families use private or international schools due to language of instruction and curriculum differences. Private schools in Kathmandu range from Nepali-medium budget schools to English-medium institutions following the Cambridge, IB, or US curriculum.

Public and private secondary school Free

Madhyamik Shiksha / Secondary Education (माध्यमिक शिक्षा)

Ages: 13–18 (grades 9–12) · Language: Nepali or English depending on school

For public secondary schools: submit academic records, transfer certificate, and prior SEE results. For private schools, entrance tests, transcripts, and application forms are required. Foreign transcripts should be apostilled and may require recognition by the National Examination Board.

Grade 10 culminates in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) — Nepal's national secondary exit exam, conducted annually (approx. April), with around 500,000+ candidates. The SEE result determines progression to grades 11–12 (+2 level). Grades 11–12 are offered in Science, Management, Humanities, and Education streams. International schools (Lincoln School, The British School, Ullens) offer IB Diploma, Cambridge A Level, and US diploma pathways that bypass the national SEE system.

International Schools

Kathmandu has a well-established international school community. Key schools include Lincoln School (US curriculum, Pre-K to grade 12, US Embassy-associated), The British School (UK National Curriculum, Early Years to IGCSE), Ullens School (IB Primary Years and MYP), Rato Bangala School (strong Nepali-English bilingual programme, not a traditional international school), and Aling International Academy. Annual fees range from USD 8,000 to USD 30,000+ depending on grade and school. Budget separately for registration/admission fee, annual development contribution, transport, and activity fees. Ask about air quality measures, emergency evacuation plans (earthquake preparedness), and school-bus routes before choosing a residential area.

University

Tuition fee

Public universities (Tribhuvan University, Pokhara University, Kathmandu University) are lower-cost for Nepali and foreign students: NPR 100,000–500,000/year depending on programme and college affiliation. Private and international-affiliated programmes range up to NPR 1,000,000+ per year. Kathmandu University is the most internationally engaged public institution, with some programmes taught entirely in English.

Semester fee

Programme-dependent. Private universities charge per semester including lab, library, and activity fees. Public university semester charges are minimal. No semester transport-ticket system exists.

Student visa

Foreign students need a study visa issued by the Department of Immigration (doi.gov.np). Apply with an admission letter from a recognised Nepali institution, proof of funds, and medical documents. Study visas are typically issued for 1 year and renewed annually. Overstaying is strictly penalised.

Health insurance

Private international health insurance is strongly recommended. University clinic cover is limited. Kathmandu has several hospitals used by expats (CIWEC Hospital, Nepal International Clinic, Grande International Hospital), but serious conditions often require evacuation to Bangkok or Delhi. Evacuation cover is essential.

Application process

Apply directly to the university or constituent/affiliated college with academic transcripts (apostilled for foreign credentials), equivalency letter from IBCC/Nepal Education Authority where required, passport, visa, and photographs. Tribhuvan University (TU) is the largest — most affiliated colleges run their own entrance exams. Kathmandu University uses its own entrance test. No single national portal for all institutions.

🗣️ Language Courses

Nepali (Nepali भाषा) language classes

Provider: Private tutors / language schools / NGOs / cultural centres · Duration: Flexible — from single sessions to full courses of 40–80 hours · Levels: Beginner to intermediate

NPR 800–2,500/hour private; NPR 10,000–40,000 for a structured course

The most practical investment for daily life in Nepal: navigating markets, landlords, drivers, medical appointments, and government offices. No mandatory integration language programme exists for foreign residents.

Tibetan / Newari community language learning

Provider: Community tutors, cultural associations, monasteries · Duration: Flexible · Levels: Basic cultural awareness and functional phrases

Varies; often donation-based or low-cost

Useful for those living or working in specific communities (Newari in Patan/Bhaktapur, Tibetan in Boudha). Not a substitute for Nepali but adds cultural depth.

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