The British College (also known as TBC) is an independent institution located in Trade Tower Business Center, Thapathali, Kathmandu. It offers British and international qualifications.
Following complaints and student protests in late 2025 claiming that the institution made false promises relating to their academic opportunities outside Nepal, the Nepali Ministry of Education, Science and Technology investigated TBC, and halted issuance of No Objection Certificates in relation to study at unacreddited institutions linked to the case.
Unaccredited and incomplete program complaints
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.[citation needed]
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.[1]
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. Some students who travelled to Dubai returned early, citing inadequate academic arrangements and the absence of promised internship opportunities.[2]
In response to the findings, the Ministry halted the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for study at unaccredited institutions linked to the case,[2] and stated that further action would be taken based on the study’s conclusions.[3]
2026 contractual payment dispute
In early 2026, The British College was named in a contractual payment dispute involving an India-based digital communications firm.[4] The British College denied allegations of deception related to the academic programme, stating that refunds had been issued to some affected students.[5]
