For the September intake UK 2027, Nepali students should apply between now and January 2027. The UCAS undergraduate deadline is 13 January 2027 (18:00 UK time). Most master’s courses take applications until summer 2027, but popular courses and scholarships close much earlier. Your Student visa can be applied for up to six months before your course starts, once you have a CAS. Because every September 2027 visa application will be made after 30 November 2026, you should plan for the new, higher bank balance: £1,203 a month outside London or £1,570 a month in London (up to nine months), plus any unpaid first-year tuition.
Why September is still the main UK intake
September (sometimes late September or early October) is when most UK undergraduate and master’s courses start. It offers the widest course choice, the most scholarships and the longest settling-in period before exams. January intakes exist, but with fewer courses.
Three things make planning for September 2027 different from previous years:
- Higher funds: New maintenance amounts apply to Student visa applications made on or after 30 November 2026.
- Stricter university checks: Since 1 June 2026, UK universities must keep visa refusals below 5%, enrolment at 95% or more, and course completion at 90% or more to stay in good standing. Many are checking Nepali applications more carefully, with more document checks and credibility interviews.
- Shorter Graduate visa: Graduates applying on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months on the Graduate visa (PhD graduates get 3 years). September 2027 starters will fall under the 18-month rule.
Key deadlines for the September 2027 intake
| Date | What happens | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | UCAS opened for 2027 entry | Undergraduate applicants |
| 15 October 2026 (passed) | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses | Undergraduate applicants to those courses |
| 30 November 2026 | Higher maintenance funds apply to visa applications made from this date | All Student visa applicants |
| 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time | UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most courses | Undergraduate applicants |
| January–July 2027 | Most master’s applications close; dates vary by university and course | Postgraduate applicants |
| About 6 months before your course start | Earliest date to apply for your Student visa | All Student visa applicants |
| Summer 2027 | Clearing for undergraduate places still open | Late undergraduate applicants |
Master’s deadlines vary widely. As one example, the University of Sheffield opened September 2027 postgraduate applications on 15 September 2026. Its last date for applicants who need a visa is 26 August 2027, and it suggests requesting your CAS by 6 September 2027. Treat these as the latest possible dates, not targets. Competitive courses and scholarships fill months earlier.
Month-by-month timeline from Nepal
The plan below works backwards from a late-September 2027 start. Adjust it to your university’s exact dates.
| When | Undergraduate (after +2) | Master’s (after bachelor’s) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov–Dec 2026 | Shortlist universities, book IELTS/PTE, write personal statement, get references | Shortlist courses, book IELTS/PTE, write SOP, request transcripts and references |
| By 13 Jan 2027 | Submit UCAS application | Apply early to popular courses and scholarship-linked offers |
| Jan–Apr 2027 | Receive offers, reply to UCAS, check scholarships | Receive offers, apply for scholarships, accept your firm choice |
| Apr–Jun 2027 | Meet offer conditions, pay deposit, complete credibility interview | Meet conditions, pay deposit, complete credibility interview |
| May–Jun 2027 | Put full bank balance in place and start the 28-day count | Same |
| Jun–Jul 2027 | Receive CAS; book TB test | Receive CAS; book TB test |
| Jul–Aug 2027 | Apply for Student visa (usually decided within 3 weeks) | Same |
| Late Aug–Sep 2027 | Travel (up to 1 month before course start) | Same |
Undergraduate students (after +2)
Apply through UCAS by 13 January 2027 for equal consideration. After that date, universities only consider you if places remain.
Entry rules for Nepali +2 (NEB) students vary by university. Some offer direct entry with strong grades. Others, such as the University of Exeter, ask students with Nepal school qualifications to complete a foundation programme first. Check each university’s Nepal country page before you apply.
Master’s students
Most UK master’s courses use rolling admissions, so earlier is better. Universities usually expect a four-year bachelor’s degree from Nepal, though some accept three-year degrees with extra study. For example, Exeter accepts a four-year degree and lists 65% (CGPA 3.0/4) as the equivalent of a UK 2:1. It also lists a £10,000 postgraduate taught scholarship for Nepali students starting in September 2027, applied automatically to eligible offers.
The CAS: your real starting gun
You cannot apply for your Student visa without a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university. Universities usually issue a CAS only after you have:
- Met all offer conditions (academic and English)
- Paid the required tuition deposit
- Passed any credibility interview or pre-CAS check
- Submitted financial documents, if the university asks for them
Many universities issue September CAS numbers from around June. Sheffield, for example, starts CAS processing in June 2027. If your CAS is delayed, read our guide on what to do while waiting for your CAS.
Bank balance and visa costs for September 2027
All September 2027 visa applications will use the higher maintenance amounts introduced by HC 584.
| Cost (2027 applications) | GBP | Approx. NPR* |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs, outside London (9 × £1,203) | £10,827 | NPR 21.98 lakh |
| Living costs, London (9 × £1,570) | £14,130 | NPR 28.68 lakh |
| Student visa fee (outside UK) | £558 | NPR 1.13 lakh |
| IHS, 1-year master’s (visa over 1 year, up to 18 months) | £1,164 | NPR 2.36 lakh |
| IHS, 3-year degree (visa about 3 years 4 months) | £2,716 | NPR 5.51 lakh |
| TB test, Norvic International Hospital | NPR 7,800 | NPR 7,800 |
*Converted at the Nepal Rastra Bank GBP selling rate of NPR 202.99 (17 October 2026). Rates change daily; recheck before transferring money.
You must also show any first-year tuition still unpaid on your CAS. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £776 per year for students, charged on the length of your visa, not your course.
The 28-day rule
Your money must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that period must fall within 31 days of your visa application. If you top up your account partway through, the 28-day count normally restarts at the new balance.
Example: if you apply on 15 July 2027, your 28-day period must end on or after 14 June 2027. Holding the full amount from mid-May 2027 to your application date keeps you safe.
For more detail on accepted accounts and loans, see our UK Student visa cost guide.
TB test in Nepal
Students applying from Nepal need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for 6 months from your chest X-ray.
| Clinic | Location | Fee (age 11+) |
|---|---|---|
| IOM Migration Health Assessment Center | Lazimpat, Kathmandu | USD 60 (paid in NPR) |
| IOM Resettlement Health Assessment Centre | Damak, Jhapa | USD 60 (paid in NPR) |
| Norvic International Hospital | Thapathali, Kathmandu | NPR 7,800 |
Appointments can take up to 10 days in the busy June–October season. Book as soon as you know your visa date.
English test requirements
For degree-level study, the Student visa requires English at CEFR level B2. Universities can assess this themselves or ask for a Secure English Language Test (SELT). Most courses ask for a higher score than the visa minimum, so check your course page.
With stricter compliance rules, some universities are now more careful about waiving English tests based on Class 12 results or medium-of-instruction letters. If you plan to rely on a waiver, confirm it in writing early. Book IELTS or PTE by December 2026 so you have time to retake if needed.
What has changed for Nepali students in 2026–27
- Fewer offers, more checks: Under the tougher compliance rules from 1 June 2026, many universities are extending fewer offers to some markets, including Nepal, and holding more credibility interviews.
- Sponsor ratings: Universities now have red, amber or green ratings. Check a university’s licence status before paying a deposit. See our UKVI RAG rating guide.
- Graduate visa: 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhD graduates). Read our UK Graduate visa guide for Nepali students.
- Dependants: Most taught master’s students can no longer bring family. See UK Student Dependant visa rules.
September 2027 checklist
- Choose 4–6 courses and check each university’s Nepal entry requirements.
- Book IELTS or PTE before December 2026.
- Prepare transcripts, character certificate, references and SOP or personal statement.
- Submit UCAS by 13 January 2027 (undergraduate) or apply directly as early as possible (master’s).
- Apply for university scholarships and note their deadlines.
- Accept your firm offer and pay the deposit to a university with a valid sponsor licence.
- Prepare for the credibility interview: know your course, costs and career plan.
- Hold the full bank balance for 28 days at the 2027 rates.
- Get your CAS and check every detail on it.
- Take the TB test at an approved clinic in Nepal.
- Apply for your Student visa and pay the IHS.
- Book flights and accommodation once your visa is granted.
Is it too late to apply for September 2027?
No. October and November 2026 are good months to start. Undergraduate students have until 13 January 2027 for equal consideration. Master’s students can apply for months yet, but early applicants have the best course choice and scholarship chances.
Frequently asked questions
When does the September intake UK 2027 start?
Most courses start in mid-to-late September 2027, with some starting in early October. Check your offer letter and CAS for your exact start date.
What is the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry?
The main equal-consideration deadline is 13 January 2027 at 18:00 UK time. Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses closed on 15 October 2026.
When should I apply for my UK Student visa for September 2027?
You can apply up to six months before your course starts, once you have a CAS. Most Nepali students apply in July or August after their CAS arrives. Decisions usually take about three weeks.
How much bank balance do I need for the UK in 2027?
For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, it is £1,203 a month outside London or £1,570 a month in London, for up to nine months. That is £10,827 or £14,130, plus any first-year tuition still unpaid.
Do Nepali students need a TB test for a UK visa?
Yes. You need a certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic in Nepal, valid for six months from the date of the X-ray.
Can I still get a 2-year Graduate visa if I start in September 2027?
No. You will graduate after 1 January 2027, so you will get 18 months (or 3 years for a PhD).
Is the January intake easier than September?
January has fewer courses and scholarships. September usually gives you more choice, though January can suit students who miss September deadlines.
How Education Global can help
Education Global helps Nepali students plan and apply for UK study, from shortlisting universities to visa guidance. Our counsellors can help with:
- Choosing courses that match your grades, budget and career goals
- University applications, SOPs and UCAS personal statements
- IELTS and PTE preparation
- Bank balance planning and Student visa documents
- Pre-departure preparation before your September flight
Ready to plan your September 2027 start? Book a free discovery call with an Education Global counsellor today.