Student case study · United Kingdom
Anushka, from Kathmandu to London
MSc Data Science, September 2025 intake
Her parents were ready to say no because of the cost. Seeing every pound written down is what changed their minds.
- Parents paying
- No gap
- After bachelor's
- Starting point
- BSc CSIT, CGPA 3.42
- English
- IELTS Academic 7.0
- Study gap
- None
- Paid for by
- Parents' savings and an education loan
- First call to visa
- 100 days
Where Anushka started
Anushka had the marks and the English. Her problem was at home. Her parents had heard London cost "one crore" and her father had already said no twice.
Nobody had shown them an actual number. One consultancy had given them a brochure; another said "don't worry about the cost, the loan will cover it".
What we found
We asked the whole family to come in. Her counsellor wrote every pound on one sheet: tuition, the deposit, the £558 visa fee, the £776-a-year health surcharge, rent in a shared flat in east London, food, travel, and the 28-day funds rule.
The total came to about Rs 78 lakh at the exchange rate that day. Less than they'd feared, and it fitted what they had in savings plus a loan they could repay.
We also told them what we wouldn't recommend: a more expensive central London university with the same course content, just a bigger name.
Step by step, with dates
12 May 2025
First counselling, with both parents. Full cost written down.
16 May 2025
Shortlist of 3 data science master's, with London and non-London options.
23 May 2025
Applications submitted.
17 Jun 2025
Offer from a London university; pre-CAS interview practised twice.
1 Jul 2025
Funds placed in her mother's account; 28-day count starts.
29 Jul 2025
28 days complete. NOC, deposit and CAS.
1 Aug 2025
TB test, biometrics and visa application.
20 Aug 2025
Visa granted, 100 days after the first call.
14 Sep 2025
Flies to London.
The result
Anushka finished her taught modules in June 2026 and handed in her dissertation in September. She's applying for the Graduate visa and for data analyst roles, and works 16 hours a week at a supermarket in term.
In Anushka's words
My parents were scared of the cost. My counsellor sat with them and went through every pound: tuition, the £776 health charge, rent. Seeing the full number is what made them say yes.
Everyone told us it would cost too much. Nobody told us how much. They did.
What it cost
| Our fee (one application file) | Rs 20,000 |
|---|---|
| Tuition (one year) | £21,500 |
| Student visa fee | £524 (the fee in 2025) |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | About £1,164 |
| Living costs, London, 12 months | About £16,000 |
Shared with the family's written consent. The visa fee has since risen to £558.
If your profile looks like this
- 1
Bring your parents to the first call. A written total settles more arguments than any brochure.
- 2
Compare a London and a non-London option for the same course. Rent is the biggest difference. See the UK cost table.
- 3
Start the 28-day funds count only when every rupee is in the account, and don't move it. More on the UK process.