The British College

27°41′32″N 85°19′10″E / 27.692352574°N 85.319518294°E / 27.692352574; 85.319518294

The British College, Kathmandu
Motto in English
Learn from the leaders, Become a leader
Established2011
Students2000+
Location,
Nepal
AffiliationsUniversity of the West of England, Leeds Beckett University
Websitewww.thebritishcollege.edu.np

The British College (also known as TBC)[1] is an independent institution located in Trade Tower Business Center,[2] Thapathali, Kathmandu. It offers British and international qualifications.

The British College offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes[3] which are awarded by its two partner UK universities: the University of the West of England (UWE) and Leeds Beckett University (LBU).

History

The British College was established in 2011 with the objective of providing undergraduate and postgraduate courses, awarded by reputable UK universities. As a subsidiary of the Kandel Foundation, TBC was founded by the CEO Rajen Kandel, along with his brother, Mahendra Kandel and father Upendra Sharma. The college works in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE) and Leeds Beckett University (formerly Leeds Metropolitan University). The undergraduate and postgraduate courses that TBC offers are focused on Business Studies and Computing. The college also provides other courses such as GCE A Level and ACCA.[4]

Courses

Intermediate

GCE A Levels

The British College's sister organisation, The British Model College (BMC),[5] offers Cambridge Assessment International Education A Level programmes. Established in 2013, the college is registered with Cambridge Assessment International Education (Centre Number NP 744) and has received approval from the Ministry of Education, Government of Nepal. The college offers a limited number of scholarships to meritorious but financially constrained students.[6]

Under-graduate programmes

BBA (Hons) Business and Management

The BBA (Hons) Business and Management degree is a four-year course affiliated with the University of the West of England (UWE).

BSc (Hons) Hospitality Business Management (BHM)

The BSc (Hons) Hospitality Business Management degree is a four-year course affiliated with Leeds Beckett University.

BSc (Hons) Computing

The BSc (Hons) Computing programme is run in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.

Post-graduate programmes

MBA (Graduate)

The MBA programme is delivered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.

MBA (Executive)

The MBA (Executive) programme is offered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.

MSc International Business Management

The MSc International Business Management programme is delivered in partnership with the University of the West of England.

MSc Information and Technology

The MSc Information and Technology programme is offered in partnership with Leeds Beckett University.

ACCA programme

The British Professional College, owned by The British College, offers the ACCA programme.[7]

Short courses

IELTS

The British College offers IELTS preparatory courses.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

The British College is an exam centre for the Pearson Test of English Academic.

ECA/CCA

The British College provides extracurricular and co-curricular activities as part of student development.

Controversy

In late 2025, The British College came under government and public scrutiny following student allegations that they were misled over overseas progression in the Bachelor’s in Hospitality Business Management (BHM) programme. According to reports published by The Kathmandu Post, students stated they were promised a multi-country academic pathway foundation studies in Nepal, intermediate study in Dubai, and final-year completion in Australia or the United Kingdom despite the programme lacking the required affiliations and regulatory approvals.[8]

Following written complaints and student protests, Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology constituted a study panel, which concluded that irregularities had occurred, including the operation of an unauthorised hospitality programme and enrolment of students without approval from Nepali authorities. Students who travelled to Dubai reportedly returned early, citing inadequate academic arrangements and the absence of promised internship opportunities.[9]

The investigation also examined allegations that students sent to Dubai as part of the programme’s overseas component were engaged in work activities inconsistent with the academic purpose of an internship. According to the government study cited by The Kathmandu Post, students reported being required to work long hours in hospitality-related roles, raising concerns about labour exploitation and potential violations of visa conditions. The study noted that educational institutions are not authorised under Nepali regulations to function as overseas placement or consultancy agencies, and concluded that the transfer of students abroad had occurred without official approval.[10]

The Dubai-based institute involved, The Woolwich Institute (TWI), was reported to be accredited by the UAE’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority but not accredited by the Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA). The Kathmandu Post further reported that Rajen Kandel, the chief executive officer of The British College, is also the chief executive officer of TWI, a fact that attracted attention during the government investigation.[11]

In response to the findings, the Ministry halted the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for study at unaccredited institutions linked to the case and stated that further action would be taken based on the study’s conclusions.[12]

In early 2026, The British College was named in a contractual payment dispute involving an India-based digital communications firm.[13] The British College denied allegations of deception related to the academic programme, stating that refunds had been issued to some affected students.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Business Age". Business Age. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Trade Tower Business Center". Trade Tower Business Center. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  3. ^ "The British College :: Educatenepal.com". EducateNepal. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Educate Nepal: College Details". EducateNepal. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  5. ^ "British Model College". EduSanjal. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  6. ^ "GCE A Level at The British College". The British College. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  7. ^ "British College starts ACCA". News Kantipur. 3 July 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  8. ^ "Students allege British College misled them on 'overseas courses'". The Kathmandu Post. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Government study finds irregularities at The British College". The Kathmandu Post. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Government study finds irregularities at The British College". The Kathmandu Post. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  11. ^ "Government study finds irregularities at The British College". The Kathmandu Post. 30 December 2025. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  12. ^ "International progression programme investigated in Nepal". British Council Opportunities Insight. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  13. ^ "The British College Named in Contract Dispute as Indian Firm Alleges Retaliatory Review Activity". Vanity Stardom. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Official Statement from The British College on Recent Media Reports". Vanity Stardom. 14 January 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.