Head to head · updated July 2026
🇰🇷 South Korea vs United Kingdom 🇬🇧 — for Nepali students
On pure cost, South Korea wins: a realistic first year runs Rs 12–18 lakh against United Kingdom's Rs 38–58 lakh. But cost is only one axis — work rights, language requirements, and what happens after graduation split these two more than the price tag does. Match the bullets below against your own situation, and remember the rule that survives every comparison: the right country is the one your budget and profile can actually carry, not the one with the better reputation at your local consultancy.
The numbers, side by side
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Realistic first year | Rs 12 – 18 L | Rs 38 – 58 L |
| Tuition (year 1) | Rs 6 – 8 L (language program, yr 1) | Rs 24 – 38 L |
| Living / required funds | Rs 6 – 9 L | Rs 12 – 20 L (28-day bank rule) |
| Visa & fees | Rs ≈0.2 L | Rs ≈2.5 L (visa + IHS) |
| Work rights | Part-time allowed after 6 months (D-4) | Work 20 hrs / week |
| Intakes | Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec | Sep & Jan |
| Visa processing | ~1–2 months | ~3–8 weeks |
| English test needed? | No — language route | Yes — IELTS / PTE |
Estimates in NPR, July 2026, rounded. Full breakdowns: South Korea cost guide · United Kingdom cost guide.
Choose South Korea if
- Your budget is under Rs 18 L — the cheapest legitimate route there is
- You want quarterly intakes and the fastest realistic departure
- You can fund yourself fully for the first six months without working
Choose United Kingdom if
- You have a Bachelor’s and want a Master’s in one year instead of two
- You want predictable, paperwork-driven visa processing with no interview
- Total time abroad matters more than maximum work hours
South Korea: watch out
- First 6 months: very limited legal work — bring real funds
- Degree admission later needs TOPIK level 3+
- The “easy factory job” content you see on TikTok describes visa violations
United Kingdom: watch out
- Dependents not allowed on taught Master’s routes
- The 28-day funds rule rejects careless applications
- London costs nearly double the rest of the UK
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