Kathmandu, December 21, 2025
The British College (TBC), a prominent Kathmandu-based institution offering UK-affiliated
degrees through partnerships with universities like Leeds Beckett University and the University of the West of England. It is facing serious allegations of distributing fake or
invalid certificates and corrupt practices. Student groups, alumni, and
online forums have raised concerns about misleading information regarding
degree authenticity, substandard program delivery, and unethical fee collection
practices.
"We pay a premium fee for an internationally recognized degree, but
the continuous regulatory uncertainty and corruption claims make us question
the very value of our certificates," stated a student activist group
campaigning for better TNE oversight.
Key Allegations
1.
Fake or
Invalid Certificates: Some former students claim that
certain degrees or certificates issued through TBC were not fully recognized internationally, forcing them to either switch programs or face difficulties abroad.
2.
Corruption
and Fee Mismanagement: Complaints include excessive fees without corresponding
educational quality, misleading promises of internships and global
exposure (e.g., Dubai-based placements) and opaque financial practices.
3.
Low Quality
and Lack of Transparency: Critics
highlight inexperienced faculty,
outdated facilities and a focus
on profit over education, echoing long-standing criticisms of UK-affiliated
colleges operating in Nepal.
TBC has denied all
allegations, asserting that it:
·
Maintains formal partnerships with accredited UK universities
·
Operates under Nepali regulatory compliance
·
Offers programs such as BBA, BSc Computing and MBA
·
Provides scholarships and career
support
· The college emphasizes that its
degrees are legitimate and internationally recognized when proper procedures
are followed.
Advice
for Nepali Students
·
Verify
university affiliations before enrolling
·
Check whether certificates are officially recognized internationally
·
Avoid colleges making over-promising claims about visas,
internships, or global placements
·
Report concerns or irregularities to
the Ministry of Education or
local authorities
The
controversy highlights a broader need for transparency, verification and accountability in Nepal’s private
education sector especially for institutions claiming foreign partnerships. Nepal’s private education sector has
faced similar controversies before, including bogus foreign colleges and fake
certificate scandals in medical, engineering, and management programs.
Recent UAE and other overseas scandals have shown how students can be misled by unaccredited institutions.
To prevent risks, authorities like
the Ministry of Education have tightened No Objection Certificate (NOC)
processes, and students are advised to verify all affiliations, accreditation, and recognition
through official channels, such as the Ministry of Education or British Council Nepal.
