UK guide · Scholarships · 3 min read
UK scholarships for Nepali students: what's realistic, and how to win one.
Most Nepali students who get UK funding get a university scholarship: on our shortlists last year, £1,000 to £6,000 off the first year's tuition, often for good grades or an early deposit. Chevening is the full scholarship that's open to Nepal: tuition, living costs and flights, for graduates with 2,800 hours of work who'll return for 2 years. Commonwealth Scholarships aren't open to Nepali citizens.
The short version
- The realistic one: a university scholarship, £1,000 to £6,000 off year 1 on our shortlists, often automatic.
- Chevening fully funds a one-year master's: you need 2,800 hours of work after your bachelor's and must return to Nepal for 2 years.
- The 2027/28 Chevening round closed on 6 October 2026. The next one usually opens in August.
- Commonwealth Scholarships aren't open to Nepali citizens: Nepal isn't a Commonwealth member.
- A scholarship lowers the funds you hold for 28 days, because unpaid tuition goes down.
The options, compared
| Scholarship | Worth | Open to Nepali citizens? | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| University scholarships | £1,000 to £6,000 off year 1 tuition (our shortlists) | Yes | Most students with good grades |
| Early-deposit discounts | Often £500 to £1,000 | Yes | Students who decide early |
| Chevening | Full tuition, a living allowance, flights | Yes | Graduates with 2,800 hours of work and plans for Nepal |
| GREAT Scholarships | About £10,000 towards tuition at participating universities | Check the current country list | |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Full funding | No |
What each is worth in rupees
At Rs 202.99 per GBP (18 Oct 2026):
| Award | Saving |
|---|---|
| £1,000 university award | about Rs 2 lakh |
| £3,000 university award | about Rs 6.1 lakh |
| £6,000 university award | about Rs 12.2 lakh |
| Chevening (tuition of £18,000, plus living and flights) | well over Rs 60 lakh |
University scholarships: where most of the money is
Most universities on our UK shortlists offered something: a merit award for good grades, an early-acceptance discount, or a regional award for South Asian students. They’re smaller than Chevening, but real, and you don’t compete with thousands of applicants.
Ask three things, and get the answers in writing:
- What grade do I need, in my bachelor’s CGPA or percentage?
- Is it automatic, or does it need a statement and its own deadline?
- Is it off the tuition invoice, or paid later as a bursary?
Chevening, honestly
Chevening is the UK government’s flagship award. It wants:
- 2,800 hours of work after your bachelor’s (about 2 years full time; part-time, voluntary and internship work count)
- A clear plan to use the degree in Nepal, and leadership you can show
- Three UK university choices with offers
- A commitment to return to Nepal for 2 years after the degree
For 2027/28 study, applications closed on 6 October 2026. If you’re aiming for 2028/29, start your essays in June 2027 and book your IELTS for the spring.
Don’t get this confused: Chevening isn’t for students who want to stay in the UK. If working in the UK after graduating is your plan, a university scholarship and the Graduate visa are the honest route.
How a scholarship changes the funds you hold
The UK funds rule counts your unpaid tuition. A £3,000 scholarship off an £18,000 course, with a £5,000 deposit paid:
| At a glance | Without scholarship | With £3,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid tuition | £13,000 | £10,000 |
| Living, 9 months outside London | £10,539 | £10,539 |
| To hold for 28 days | £23,539 (about Rs 47.8 lakh) | £20,539 (about Rs 41.7 lakh) |
The CAS shows the scholarship if the university deducts it from the fee.
How to give yourself the best chance
- Apply early. Some university awards are first come, first served.
- Get your best English score before you apply; some awards ask for more than entry.
- Write a short, specific scholarship statement: what you’ve done, what you’ll do with the degree. The statement of purpose guide has the method.
- Compare offers on cost after scholarship, not on the scholarship’s size.
From our files. Our UK plans put each university’s award next to its tuition, in rupees, so families compare the real cost. Last year the cheapest option on several shortlists wasn’t the one with the biggest scholarship, but the one with the lowest fee to start with.
