Rajan Kandel established British College in 2011, pioneering British model-based higher education in Nepal. Currently, the college educates around 2,000 students in subjects such as Computer Science, Business Management, and Data Science. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between the government and relevant bodies to transform Nepal into an educational hub. Kathmandu, 8 Jestha.
Twenty-six years ago, when opportunities were limited and the political situation unstable in Nepal, Rajan Kandel from Chitwan left for the UK in search of higher education and opportunities. “I went to the UK with the aims of studying, securing employment, understanding the world, and improving my family’s financial situation,” he recalls the day in 1999. At 17, Rajan’s struggle began in the UK. “It was not easy. It took me time to adjust to the language and culture. I had to repay loans and support my family. So, the initial two to three years were spent more on working and learning the language than on studying,” he shared.
Globally, demand for Computer Science was growing, which motivated his studies in the UK, but many challenges remained. University fees were expensive for international students, and he couldn’t rely on family funds. He had to work and save while also supporting his family. After considerable struggle, he completed his degree in the UK. “Quality education abroad is not accessible to everyone,” he said. “Foreign education is particularly difficult for middle-class students.” This experience inspired him to establish a college that would provide education to middle-class students. Subsequently, in 2002, he and his brothers opened their first college in London. However, Nepali students still had to travel abroad to earn foreign university degrees. To address this, British College was founded in Thapathali, Kathmandu, in 2011, with Rajan as its founder and CEO. “Nepal’s higher education system faced delays in courses, examinations, and results, so we collaborated with foreign universities to offer courses,” he explained.
Thus, British model-based higher education began in Nepal. “It’s a system that encourages students to develop critical thinking, independent ideas, and practical skills. That’s why the institution is named British College,” Rajan said. The college’s establishment was not without hurdles. “We struggled for seven months just to obtain the license. Policy ambiguities and complex government procedures were significant challenges. Files kept shifting from one department to another,” he recalled. Without the license after seven months, they faced the risk of shutting down after investing millions. “After finally securing the license, the college started with 21 students and has grown to 2,000.” Starting with a UK-based Business Management program, the college expanded to include Computer Science, Networking, Accounting, Hotel Management, and more. Currently, subjects like Data Science, Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence attract many students. The institution also offers A-level courses.
British College provides education from school level up to master’s degrees and is expanding across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Chitwan, and Rupandehi. SEE-level education follows the Nepali board curriculum, whereas select primary and A-level programs adhere to the British model. “Bachelor’s and master’s programs are fully affiliated with British universities,” Rajan stated. “The British education system is practical, creative, and student-centered.” He is committed to reducing the compulsion for Nepali students to study abroad. “Not all students can be stopped from going abroad, but they can gain international experience while studying in Nepal,” he added. According to him, approximately 35,000 to 40,000 students are enrolled in colleges affiliated with foreign universities within Nepal. “Parents now have the opportunity to provide their children with international-level education at home,” Rajan noted.
Tuition fees at British College range from approximately NPR 1.6 million to 2.1 million for bachelor’s degrees. Studying Chartered Accountancy (ACCA) costs about NPR 800,000 to 900,000. These fees cover the entire course duration. Various scholarships and a study-friendly environment are available to talented students. Students from low-income families also have access to education. “Those who wish to study will get the opportunity,” he said. The campus provides supportive study environments, well-equipped labs, and libraries. Students study in a peaceful setting, with emphasis on extracurricular activities and sports. “Students are engaged in academics alongside additional activities and sports,” he noted. To foster skilled manpower and education, the college arranges overseas internship opportunities for students willing to intern abroad. “We provide chances for students to intern abroad,” he emphasized.
Each year, approximately 120,000 Nepali students go abroad for higher education, spending nearly USD 100 million annually, according to the Nepal Rastra Bank. This results in a significant economic loss for the country. “We currently have 2,000 students in our campus. If they had studied abroad, their tuition, living, and other expenses would have amounted to about USD 120 million going overseas. Having institutions like British College in Nepal keeps this money within the country,” Rajan explained.
He believes that the availability of international-level education domestically reduces the necessity for students to study abroad. “This saves foreign currency,” he said. Education is also creating employment. “About 1,000 people are employed directly and indirectly within our group,” Rajan shared. “Sometimes we are accused of sending students abroad, but those funds are solely used for educational management related to universities.” Colleges affiliated with foreign universities contribute significantly to saving foreign currency, producing skilled human resources, generating employment, and increasing tax revenue. “Since we are a private institution, we do not receive grants or financial support from the government. Without incurring any government expense, we make substantial contributions to the private sector,” he added. “Encouraging such institutions is in the national interest.”
Rajan has also proposed plans to skill Nepali youth and create employment in Nepal. He owns an IT company providing job opportunities. He envisions Nepal becoming an educational hub. Operating colleges in the UK, Dubai, and Canada, Rajan believes Nepal can develop into an educational hub. “Education and skilled manpower are the foundation of Nepal’s development, making it necessary to become an education hub,” he said. He stresses the importance of collaboration among the government, policymakers, and related agencies. Rajan also expresses the need for the government to improve its approach toward the diaspora. “Despite having an NRN card, issues like visa hassles, difficulties in repatriating investments, and recognition of foreign degrees discourage the diaspora. However, the diaspora is the greatest source of love and contribution,” he concluded.
