Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary academic field that brings together the study of the physical, chemical, biological, geographical and even social science aspect. The idea is to get an understanding of natural and human environment by combining multiple perspectives and data sources.

While environmental science program started in 1994 in Nepal, it is still not as widely known as other subjects. So, here I present top 5 institutes where you can study environmental science in Nepal (not in particular any order):

1) Kathmandu University

a.    About the institute

Kathmandu University (KU) is an autonomous, not-for-profit, self-funding public institution dedicated to maintaining the standard of academic excellence in various classical and professional disciplines. It operates the environmental science program through the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering (DESE), earlier known as Department of Biological Sciences and Environmental Science. It was the first institute to start environmental science program in Nepal. It is located in Dhulikhel, Kavre.

b.    Offers:

• Bachelors (4 years/8 semesters) –
  • B.Sc. in Environmental Science

• Masters/MSc. (2 years/4 semesters) –
  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science – Specialization in Glaciology
  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science – Specialization in Natural Resources
  • M.Sc. in Environmental Science – Specialization in Wildlife Management

• MS by research (2-3 years)-
  • Master by Research in Environmental Science
  • Master by Research in Glaciology

• M.Phil. (1.5-2.5 years) –
  • M.Phil. Environmental Science

• Ph.D.

c.    Pros and Cons:

Pros

• A large number of research centers and involvement of interested students are allowed especially in Masters.
• A number of specialization in Masters/MSc.
• Both merit based (semester topper) and UGC formula based (need based) scholarships available in BSc.
• Funding for MS by research or M. Phil also available in some cases.
• Is quite adaptive to change. Conducted online classes and exams during the pandemic
• The institute has a reputation of timely completion of degree.
• Provides a lively, diverse environment

Cons:

• Residents from Kathmandu Valley do not get accommodation in the university hostel normally. So, for them the option is either applying accommodation privately outside the university or travel back and forth which is very hectic.
• Only UGC formula based (need based) scholarships available in Masters/MSc.

d.    Cost:

• BSc – NRs. 7,70,000
• MSc – NRs. 3,95,000
• MS by Research – NRs. 395,000
• M. Phil – NRs. 3,15,000

For academic Year 2078/079

e.    Eligibility:

Bachelor in Environmental Sciences

• Must have taken Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) or Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) in both XI or XII.
• Minimum grade of C individually in each courses or if the evaluation was in percentage system, minimum 50% in aggregate of PCM or PCB
• Entrance exam must be passed in the mode of Computer Based Test (CBT)

Master of Science in Environmental Science

• 4-years Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or equivalent degree (Geography, Geology, Agriculture or Forestry after intermediate/+2, or B.E. Civil/ Mechanical) with minimum CGPA of 2.0 or 50 % in aggregate are eligible for admission.
• Entrance exam in the form of interview or other mode must be passed.

Master by Research in Environmental Science

• 4-years Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or equivalent degree (Geography, Geology, Agriculture or Forestry after intermediate/+2, or B.E. Civil/ Mechanical) with minimum CGPA of 2.0 or 50 % in aggregate are eligible for admission.

M.Phil in Environmental Science

• The candidate must have completed minimum 16 years of formal study in relevant field. M.Sc. Degree with 50% marks in average or a CGPA of 3 or above in 4-point scale or B standing in Grades.

Ph.D

• The candidate must have completed minimum 17 years of formal study in relevant field. An MSc. Degree with 50% marks in average or a CGPA of 3 or above in 4-point scale or B standing in Grades. The candidate with 16 years of formal study may also be eligible if he/she possess a minimum requirement through relevant programme of the concerned department.

f.     Application Call:

• Call for application for BSc normally starts in September with registration end in October.
• Call for application for MSc normally starts in October with registration end in November.

2) Naaya Aayam Multi-disciplinary Institute (NAMI) 

a.    About the institute

Naaya Aayam Multi-disciplinary Institute (NAMI) is being developed as Nepal’s premium Educational Institution providing joint delivery of academic programs in partnership with the University of Northampton (UON), United Kingdom. It is located in Jorpati, Kathmandu.

b.    Offers:

• Bachelors (3 years) –
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science

c.    Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Opportunity to earn an international degree while in Nepal
• Courses are designed to secure practical experience
• Is quite adaptive to change. Conducted online classes and exams during the pandemic
• Application to European universities are a bit easier as the credits are given in ECTS.
• The classes are not very hectic which allows flexibility to work
• Merit based scholarship available
• The institute has a reputation of timely completion of degree.

Cons:

• The 3 years’ degree can be a hassle for further studies application. KU for instance requires 3-years BSc to have a bridge course of 1 year for studying Masters.
• It is quite an expensive program for a 3-year program.

d.    Cost:

• Approximately NRs. 9 lakhs

e.    Eligibility

• Minimum of 55% (2.2 GPA) or equivalent in +2 (NEB)
• Minimum of 60% in CBSE
• 280 UCAS tariff points in A levels
• Minimum of 60 marks in English at +2/ CBSE or IELTS score of 6 with no bands less than 5.5

f.     Application Call:

• Call for application normally starts in September with registration end in November.

3) Tribhuvan University

a.    About the institute:

Tribhuvan University is the first national institution of higher education in Nepal. It operates the environmental science program through the Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES). It is located in Kirtipur.

b.    Offers:

Masters (2 years/4 semesters) –

• MSc in Environmental Science

PhD

c.    Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Capacity to host a large of students
• Lots of research opportunities and funding opportunity
• 50% tuition fee waivers to the top two students of each semester based on the merit of previous semester examination or entrance examination.

Cons:

• Quite a lot of delay seen in conducting examination due to the pandemic.

d.    Cost:

• MSc – NRs. 2,17,000

e.    Eligibility

MSc in Environmental Science

• Candidate must appear in and pass the entrance examination conducted by Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University (IOST-TU) and the admission is strictly merit based.
• An applicant must have completed BSc in Environmental Science or equivalent degree recognized by Tribhuvan University with at least second division aggregate percentage.
• The application of the candidates having degrees other than BSc in Environmental Science can be accepted based on the decision of Faculty Board of IOST-TU.

f.     Application Call:

• Call for application for normally starts in April

4) Khwopa College

a.    About the institute:

Khwopa College is a community based service oriented college affiliated to Tribhuvan University. It is located in Dekocha, Bhaktapur.

b.    Offers:

• Bachelors (4 years) –
  • BSc (Environmental Science)

• Masters/MSc. (2 years/4 semesters) –
  • MSc (Environmental Science)

c.    Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• It is one of the cheapest institute providing quality education.
• There are a range of scholarships to the talented and deserving students. Such as toppers of each internal examination in Bachelors level awarded with scholarship of 4 months’ fee waive and monthly fee reduction (25-100%) for need based students.

Cons:

• Quite a lot of delay seen in conducting examination due to the pandemic.

d.    Cost:

• BSc: NA
• MSc: NRs. 194,000

e.    Eligibility

BSc (Environmental Science)

• The candidate must have completed 10+2 or equivalent examinations (with Biological Stream) with Minimum ‘C’ grade in all subjects to be eligible for admission

MSc (Environmental Science)

• The candidates who have passed B.Sc. Degree with major in environmental science with second division from Tribhuvan University or equivalent Degree from other University recognized by Tribhuvan University are considered eligible.
• The students other than BSc in environmental science in accordance with decision of Faculty Board of Institute of Science and Technology (TU-IOST) are also qualified to apply.

f.     Application Call:

• Call for application for BSc normally starts in August.
• Call for application for MSc normally starts in April.

5) School of Environmental Science and Management (SchEMS)

a.    About the institute

SchEMS was established by a team of highly qualified and motivated professionals and is affiliated to Pokhara University (PU). It is located in Mid Baneshwor Kathmandu, Nepal

b.    Offers:

• Bachelors (4 years/8 semesters) –
  • B.Sc. Environmental Management

• Masters/MSc. (2 years/4 semesters) –
  • M.Sc. in Environmental Management

c.    Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• SchEMS has a range of scholarships to deserving students to award their academic performance. 1^st and 2^nd position in each batch receive 50% and 25% waiver from the tuition fee. Also it provides up to 25% fee waivers during the admission to the students with either lower economic status or living in remote places or to recognize their academic performance in the previous degree.

Cons:

• It is an affiliate college so, it does not have the full facility and lively exposure of a university.
• Study fees seems to be up for discussion as it was reported that it cannot be disclosed.

d.    Cost:

NA

e.    Eligibility

B.Sc. Environmental Management

• Intermediate of Science or +2, Forestry, Agriculture, Engineering and other related technical subjects or equivalent from recognized institutions are eligible to enter into the B.Sc. in Environmental Management.
• Should also appear in an entrance examination to qualify for the program.

M.Sc. in Environmental Management

• Bachelor degree holders in science, forestry, agriculture, engineering and other related technical subjects or equivalent from recognized institutions are eligible to enter into the M.Sc. in Environmental Management degree course.
• Should also appear in an entrance examination to qualify for the program.

f.     Application Call:

• Call for application for BSc normally starts in April.
• Call for application for MSc normally starts in January but this year it has started in April.

This information is based on my personal research and these are my opinions, not news content.