With over half of its population under 25, Nepal is rapidly emerging as one of the most significant sources of international students globally. This rising demand for overseas education recently brought together representatives from 16 leading universities from countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand—who visited Nepal as part of the Nepal Rising initiative led by Acumen.

Universities from the UK, including Aberystwyth, Bangor, Glasgow Caledonian, Lincoln, Central Lancashire, Hull, Leeds, Suffolk, and Cardiff, participated in the visit. From the US, Fordham University and Wayne State University joined the delegation, alongside York University (Canada), the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), and the Australian National University.

Japan, which has become a major destination for Nepali students—hosting over 45,000 in 2023—was represented by the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University of Advanced Sciences.

The Nepal Rising initiative offered global universities deeper insight into Nepal’s K-12 education sector, regulations around higher education, and the overall student recruitment ecosystem. It also fostered meaningful interactions with over 35 education counselors and agents based in Nepal.

Sagar Bahadur, Executive Director for India, South Asia, and Southeast Asia at Acumen, praised the strong engagement from Nepal’s academic community, noting the country’s growing relevance on the international education map.

Nepal: A Market Full of Potential

The US and UK are seeing Nepal as a high-potential market, particularly due to increased visa success rates in recent years. In the 2022–2023 academic year alone, the number of Nepali students in the US rose to 15,090—a remarkable 27.9% growth from the previous year.

Wayne State University has identified Nepal as a top-priority market, with its South Asia regional team gaining significant traction in student engagement.

Similarly, the UK has experienced a major surge, with Nepal becoming its sixth-largest source of international students by June 2024—a 63% year-on-year increase, even as the overall number of student visas fell globally. Favorable visa policies have been a key factor in this trend.

 

Shifting Preferences and Emerging Destinations

Despite the popularity of destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, recent policy changes and economic pressures are shaping new student mobility patterns.

"Following the post-pandemic surge in 2022, major destinations began tightening student visa norms in 2024, due to issues like housing shortages and inflation," shared Bigyan Shrestha, Executive Chairman of SoftEd Group.

He added that students are now exploring alternative countries like the UAE, South Korea, Thailand, and European nations, which offer simpler visa processes and more affordable study options.

Nepal’s high outbound student numbers are also tied to broader workforce dynamics. Remittances from migrant workers contribute a significant 26.6% to Nepal's GDP—around $11 billion in 2023—highlighting the country's deep ties to global mobility.

Students Prioritize ROI and Career Opportunities

Kshitiz Dahal, an academic counselor at St. Xavier's College, emphasized that today’s students are making strategic education choices, guided by employability prospects and return on investment. Countries like France, Norway, Sweden, China, Israel, and Singapore are gaining interest, along with traditional destinations.

“Students are thinking long-term—looking beyond just the degree and focusing on global opportunities and residency benefits,” he said.

Dwiraj Sharma, CEO of Alfa Beta, added that many Nepali students are now gravitating toward specialized fields like healthcare, engineering, and applied sciences, beyond the traditional choices of business and IT. Affordability and scholarships play a big role in their decisions, especially with the rising cost of education globally.

Local Challenges and the Push for Transnational Education

However, Nepal’s increasing interest in foreign education also points to systemic challenges, including brain-drain and limited quality tertiary education within the country. A recent tragedy involving a Nepali student in India sparked criticism of Nepal's outdated education policies, which many believe push students abroad.

In response, the government is now actively pursuing partnerships to strengthen its local education sector. Over 30 transnational education (TNE) campuses are in the pipeline, potentially serving around 30,000 students. These partnerships, supported through foreign direct investment (FDI), aim to bring branch campuses of international universities directly to Nepal.

“More than 115,000 students left Nepal for study abroad recently,” noted Shrestha. “But with updated government policies and the establishment of international campuses within Nepal, we aim not just to retain our students, but also to attract learners from across South Asia.”

Nepal’s favorable climate, affordable living, and reputation for safety and hospitality make it an attractive destination—not only for retaining local talent but also for becoming a regional education hub.