Total Cost to Apply UK Study Visa From Nepal 2024 | Afno Visa

Isn't budgeting for your education a bit like chasing a moving target? Imagine navigating this ever-changing financial landscape as a Nepali student planning to study in the UK. It's a challenge, alright.

So, we've created this comprehensive guide of UK student visa cost breakdown 2024 to help Nepali students gearing up for their journey to study in the UK, offering detailed insights into both the average and minimum costs they can expect to encounter. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of what you need to start planning your UK adventure. So let us begin:

Note: the conversion rates between UK sterling and Nepali rupees provided in this guide are accurate as of March 15th, 2024.

tl;dr How Much is the Absolute Minimum? Skip to the end!

1. English Proficiency Test or IELTS

One of the first things you need to study in the UK is proof of your proficiency in English. If you've scored 70% or above in English in your 10th and 12th grades, you might not need to take an additional English proficiency test, depending on the university you choose. If you do need an IELTS certificate, you can take the test through two institutions in Nepal: The British Council and IDP Education.

As of March 15th, 2024, the prices for both institutions are as follows:

British Council:

• IELTS on Paper (Academic and General Training): NPR. 29,500

• IELTS on Computer (Academic and General Training): NPR. 27,100

IDP Education:

• IELTS on Paper (Academic and General Training): NPR. 29,500

• IELTS on Computer (Academic and General Training): NPR. 27,100

2. No Objection Certificate (NOC)

A No Objection Certificate (NOC) is an official document issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) confirming that Nepal has no objections to your plans to study abroad.

You can easily apply for this certificate online through the website MOEST NOC. Once verified, it usually takes 2 to 3 business days for the NOC to be processed. Once the document has been approved, you can easily pay the application fee of Rs 2000 online using eSewa, Khalti, or connectIPS.

3. College Application Fees

Some colleges require application fees, typically ranging from £20 to £100. Be sure to check the college websites for exact amounts.

4. Tuberculosis (TB) Test

Next up is the tuberculosis test. You'll need to get it done at an International Organization for Migration (IOM) clinic approved by the Home Office. The cost is NPR 7,800. Female applicants aged 12 to 54 might also need to do a urine pregnancy test, which costs NPR 650. Please note that the test fee doesn't include treatment if you're diagnosed with TB.

Here are the hospitals where you can schedule your TB test appointments in Kathmandu:

• IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre, located at Thirbam Sadak, Baluwatar-4.

• Norvic International Hospital & Medical College Ltd, situated in Thapathali

5. Visa Application Fees

When filling out the visa application form on Apply for UK Student Visa, you'll need to pay £490 or Rs. 83,063.

6. Immigration Health Surcharge

The immigration health surcharge is a mandatory fee for international students heading to the UK. This fee makes you eligible to get access to the National Health Service (NHS) for free medical care. IHS is paid as part of your visa application.

This charge amounts to £776 per year and £235 for any additional period that is less than 6 months. If you are applying for a Bachelor's degree of 3 years, it might cost you anywhere from £2,563 - £3,000 depending on factors like visa type, university, and location.

You can check your surcharge amount using UK Health Surcharge.

7. Tuition Fees

Now, the biggest expense of all: tuition fees. On average, tuition fees range from £10,000 to £25,000 annually, depending on the university, course, and level of study. Additionally, some universities offer the option of paying for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) with a deposit ranging from £3,000 to £4,000. This deposit secures your place at the university, and you can pay the rest of the tuition fees for the first year after arriving in the UK.

If you convert that into Nepali rupees, you will need to pay between 17 lakhs to 44 lakhs annually until you complete your degree.

8. Flight Ticket

For your flight ticket, prices can vary from NRs. 44,200 to NRs. 2,33,000. You can check out different flight booking websites to compare prices. Just remember, most websites display prices in Indian Rupees.

9. Shopping Expense

When it comes to shopping before leaving for the UK, the cost is entirely subjective and varies based on individual preferences and needs. However, it's advisable to budget wisely and avoid overspending. Setting a limit of around 50,000 Nepali Rupees can help ensure you don't exceed your budget. This amount can cover essential items like clothing, accessories, and travel necessities without breaking the bank.

10. Living Expense

The average living expense in London is around £1,334 (NRs. 2,25,312) per month, totaling up to a maximum of £12,006 (NRs. 20,27,806) for nine months. If you are planning to study outside London, you can expect lower living costs, averaging around £1,023 (NRs. 1,72,784) per month.

It is recommended to ensure you have enough funds to cover your living costs for at least the first six months of your stay in the UK. So, in total, you should have around NRs. 14 lakhs on you, converted to £8300, just for living expenses. This budget would cover accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials.

Now, let's condense all of this information into a concise table:

The Minimum

Upon calculation, the minimum amount required to study in the UK is 38 lakhs, with the figure potentially exceeding 68 lakhs. It's important to recognize that this estimate only covers tuition fees for one year and also does not take external or personal expenses into account.

Hence, to start thinking about studying in the UK, it's advisable to ensure you have a minimum of 38k readily available.

Conclusion

To sum up, studying in the UK as a Nepali student involves various expenses, ranging from English proficiency tests to tuition fees. Remember, there are various hidden expenses, so it is advisable not to go with the bare minimum amount. Consider it as an investment in your education and future prospects.

Always do your own research as use this blog as a guide to plan out your journey to the UK. Happy budgeting!

Further Support

Now that you know all about the expenses, do you think you're ready to dive in headfirst? Well, we can help you out with our guide on How to apply for a UK Study Visa as a Nepali Student.

Or, if you need additional help, check out Top Consultancy for UK in Nepal 2024.