Nepali for foreigners

Overview

Nepal has no single national Nepali proficiency test for foreigners. The main formal route is the Nepali language course at Bishwa Bhasa Campus (Campus of International Languages) of Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, where students move up level by level by passing semester exams. This page uses that course as the worked example.

Nepali is taught under the campus's Himalayan Language Program, which also covers Sanskrit, Newari and Tibetan. These Himalayan language courses are open only to foreign (non-Nepalese) students.

Levels or stages

The campus runs the Nepali course over six semesters:

The Post-Advanced year covers Nepali grammar, history, culture and literature.

Who can apply

• You must be a foreign (non-Nepalese) national.

• According to the university's 2023 guidance for foreign students, you need at least ten years of school education, equivalent to Nepal's School Leaving Certificate (SLC) or Secondary Education Examination (SEE).

• The same guidance asks for a passport valid for more than one year and a current visa with more than one month's validity, plus copies of your school records.

Exam pattern

Important dates

The campus runs two sessions a year:

The 2023 guidance gives 31 December as the last registration date for the February course and 31 May for the July course, with a late fee after those dates.

Fees

As listed on the official site in 2026, the documents for admission include:

• An application fee of Rs 1,000, paid to Nepal Bank Ltd.

• A bank voucher of US$500 from Nabil Bank, and a copy of the campus receipt for US$500.

• A bank statement showing at least US$3,000 or the equivalent in Nepali rupees.

Late admission costs an extra US$100 in either session, and the admission fee is not refunded. The university's 2023 guidance lists tuition as US$500 per semester and a service charge of US$60 per semester for each dependent family member.

How to apply

1. Apply during the admission window for the winter or summer session.

2. Submit the application with photos, passport and visa copies, school records, and a letter to the Campus Chief saying how long you want to study.

3. Pay the fees and provide the bank statement.

4. The campus recommends students for a study visa. According to the 2023 guidance, this must then be approved by the Ministry of Education and granted by the Department of Immigration, which makes the final decision.

After the exam

Passing each semester's final exam with at least 60% moves you up to the next level, from Ordinary to Advanced and then to the Post-Advanced year. Under the 2023 guidance, you must attend at least 70% of classes; otherwise your visa may not be extended. Foreign students on the course may not take any paid or unpaid work in Nepal.

Preparation tips

• Treat the two internal tests as checkpoints; they show whether you are on track for the 60% pass mark in the final exam.

• Keep attendance well above 70%, since your visa depends on it.

• If you already speak some Nepali, ask the campus about the right starting level before you enrol.

FAQs