Guide · Australia vs UK · 3 min read
Australia or the UK? A side-by-side comparison for Nepali students in 2026.
The UK is faster and cheaper overall for a master's: one year, about about Rs 62.7 to Rs 84 lakh all in, with a refusal rate for Nepali students of 4.1% in the year to June 2026. Australia costs more (about Rs 65.9 to Rs 82.9 lakh for year 1, and courses run longer) and is stricter on money, with a 64.1% grant rate for Nepali applicants in FY 2025/26, but gives more work hours, higher pay and 2 years after. Neither allows most students to bring a spouse in 2026.
The short version
- Master's cost: UK about about Rs 62.7 to Rs 84 lakh for one year; Australia about Rs 65.9 to Rs 82.9 lakh for year 1 of a 1.5 to 2 year course.
- Visa odds for Nepali students: UK 4.1% refused (year to June 2026); Australia 64.1% granted (FY 2025/26), 28.4% in July and August 2026.
- Work: Australia 48 hours a fortnight at AUD 26.44; UK 20 hours a week at £12.71.
- After: Australia 2 years (485); UK 2 years if you apply by 31 Dec 2026, then 18 months.
- Family: both closed for most students (UK since January 2024 for taught courses, Australia from 2 October 2026).
Side by side
| At a glance | United Kingdom | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s length | Usually 1 year | 1.5 to 2 years |
| Year 1 cost, all in (our shortlists) | about Rs 62.7 to Rs 84 lakh | about Rs 65.9 to Rs 82.9 lakh |
| Tuition a year | £15,500 to £26,000 | AUD 30,000 to AUD 46,000 |
| Living money to show | £1,171 a month outside London (£1,529 London), up to 9 months | AUD 29,710 a year |
| Money rule | Held 28 days in a row | Genuine and its source explained; Evidence Level 3 for Nepal |
| Visa fee | £558 plus £776 a year health surcharge | AUD 2,500, plus OSHC |
| Official visa outcome, Nepal | 4.1% refused (year to June 2026) | 64.1% granted (FY 2025/26); 28.4% (Jul to Aug 2026) |
| Work in term | 20 hours a week | 48 hours a fortnight |
| Minimum pay | £12.71 an hour (21+) | AUD 26.44 an hour |
| After graduating | 2 years if applied by 31 Dec 2026, then 18 months | 2 years (485), 3 after a research degree |
| Spouse on the student visa | Research degrees only | Doctoral students and a few exemptions only (from 2 Oct 2026) |
The whole master’s, in rupees
| At a glance | UK, 1-year master’s outside London | Australia, 2-year master’s |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | £18,000 (about Rs 36.5 lakh) | AUD 72,000 (about Rs 76.3 lakh) |
| Living (visa figure) | £10,539 (about Rs 21.4 lakh) | AUD 59,420 (about Rs 63 lakh) |
| Visa and health | about £1,700 (about Rs 3.5 lakh) | about AUD 4,000 (about Rs 4.2 lakh) |
| Total, before part-time pay | about Rs 61 lakh | about Rs 1.4 crore |
At Rs 202.99 per GBP and Rs 105.97 per AUD (18 Oct 2026). Part-time pay covers a larger share of living costs in Australia over two years.
Choose the UK if
- You want a master’s quickly and at the lowest total cost of the two.
- Your money is ready to sit untouched for 28 days, with a parent as sponsor.
- You’re fine with 20 hours a week of work and a shorter stay after (18 months for applications from 2027).
Choose Australia if
- Your family can document a larger amount to its source, with tax-cleared income or a loan with collateral.
- You want more work hours during study and higher pay.
- Your field has a clear route to a skilled job in Australia: nursing, teaching, engineering.
- Your course follows clearly from your study or work, because the Genuine Student test reads it closely.
Our numbers in both
| At a glance | UK | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Files we lodged, FY 2025/26 | 386 | 842 |
| Approved | 352 (91.2%) | 738 (87.6%) |
From our files. Anish K.C. from Butwal was refused once for the UK through another consultancy: his funds sat in the account for 23 days, not 28. We set a calendar so the 28 days ended before the application date. His second UK visa came in 19 days. The UK is easier on the official numbers, but its one hard rule catches people who don’t plan.
