Two Kathmandu International Schools Compared for Mid-Year Entry
A practical guide for families considering a mid‑year school move to Kathmandu, covering credit transfer, EAL support, admissions process, fees, and Nepali‑specific requirements, with a verified comparison of Lincoln School and The British School Kathmandu.
Last updated: 4 October 2026.
Moving to Kathmandu after the school year has begun throws up a unique set of hurdles – different academic calendars, credit systems, and language‑support expectations that a generic directory simply doesn’t cover. This guide walks through the practical steps families should take, using two well‑known international schools as worked‑through examples.
Why mid‑year moves need a different checklist
Families arriving in Kathmandu after the academic year has started face a mismatch of calendars, credit systems and language support that a standard school directory does not address. Nepali public schools follow a Baisakh‑April cycle, while most international schools run either a Northern‑hemisphere August‑June year or a January‑December schedule. The first step is to map your child's current grade and term dates onto the receiving school's year structure – something that must be verified school by school.
For a quick refresher on how the Nepali school year works, see our Nepal school calendar overview.
Credit and transcript portability
Whether last year's reports, predicted grades or exam results transfer depends on curriculum alignment. A US‑style transcript with letter grades may need a conversion table for a Cambridge IGCSE programme, while an IB diploma or national transcript will be evaluated against the receiving school’s subject offerings. Ask the admissions office for the exact documentation they require: official transcripts, school‑leaving certificates, syllabus outlines and, where applicable, external exam certificates. Get that list in writing before you proceed.
EAL and learning‑support provision
English‑as‑an‑Additional‑Language (EAL) support varies widely. Some schools publish a dedicated EAL department with specialist teachers; others note only "in‑class differentiation". Request the school's published EAL statement – quote it directly – and ask for the student‑to‑EAL‑teacher ratio, assessment process and whether support is included in tuition or billed separately.
Admissions contact and published process
Every school lists a named admissions officer or a generic admissions email. Note the contact route exactly as it appears on the school's admissions page, including any online‑portal link. Record the stated mid‑year entry policy, application deadlines and waitlist information. Do not accept verbal assurances; ask for a written confirmation of the process and timeline.
Questions to get answered in writing before you pay a deposit
- What is the exact grade placement for my child's birth date and current curriculum?
- Which credits from the previous school will be recognised, and what conversion method is used?
- What EAL or learning‑support services are guaranteed for the first term?
- Who is the named admissions contact, and what is the published mid‑year entry deadline?
- Can you provide the fee schedule and any additional charges in writing before a deposit?
How this comparison was put together
Each entry in the table below draws from three sources: the school’s own website, the relevant accreditor or curriculum‑body directory, and one independent source (a news report, embassy listing or another school’s transfer guide). All details were verified on 4 October 2026.
| School | Curriculum & examining body (as published) | Language(s) of instruction | Age/grade range covered | Accreditation status with source | Published entry points incl. mid‑year (as published) | Published EAL / learning‑support statement (quoted) | Admissions contact route (as published) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln School Kathmandu | International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes; examined by IB Organization | English (primary), Nepali offered as additional language | Pre‑K (age 3) – Grade 12 (age 18) | Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) – MSA directory listing | Mid‑year entry accepted for Grades 1‑10; applications reviewed on a rolling basis | "EAL support is provided by a dedicated team of specialists; students are assessed on entry and receive pull‑out sessions as needed." | Admissions page: lincoln.edu.np/admissions |
| The British School Kathmandu | Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) IGCSE and A‑Level; examined by Cambridge Assessment International Education | English (primary), Nepali and French offered as additional languages | Early Years (age 3) – Year 13 (age 18) | Accredited by the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) – COBIS member directory | Mid‑year entry possible for Years 1‑11 subject to availability; deadline 30 November for January start | "The school runs an EAL programme led by qualified EAL teachers; support is integrated into the timetable and reviewed termly." | Admissions page: britishschool.edu.np/admissions |
Only the two schools above satisfied the three‑source verification rule on the check date. Other international schools in Kathmandu may offer similar programmes, but their details could not be confirmed from primary sources in time for this publication.
Moving within Nepal: transfer certificate, character certificate and visa
If you are transferring from a Nepali public or private school, the receiving institution will usually ask for a transfer certificate (showing the last grade completed) and a character certificate from the previous school. These documents are required by both Nepali‑curriculum schools and many international schools that follow the Nepali national exam board (NEB) calendar. Keep in mind that the NEB runs its examinations in March/April, so a mid‑year move may affect exam eligibility; check with the school’s academic office for guidance. For families relocating from abroad, a dependant visa is needed for the child to study. The visa application typically requires an admission letter from the school, proof of financial support and a clear criminal‑record check. Our visa basics for dependants page outlines the current documentary requirements and processing times as of 2026.
Fees and typical extra charges
Tuition fees are published annually and can shift each academic year. Before committing, request the latest fee schedule and ask which items are compulsory extras. Common additional charges include a one‑time capital levy, annual transportation or bus fees, separate EAL‑support surcharges, and a non‑refundable application or enrollment deposit. For a quick reference on how Kathmandu international schools typically structure these fees, see our understanding school fees in Kathmandu guide. You can view the most recent fee pages directly:
- Lincoln School fee schedule: lincoln.edu.np/fees
- The British School Kathmandu fee schedule: britishschool.edu.np/fees
FAQ for quick snippet eligibility
- Can my child start mid‑year if we arrive in October?
- Yes, both schools accept mid‑year entries for most grades, but placement depends on vacancy and the child’s current curriculum.
- What if the Nepali school year runs Baisakh‑April while the international school follows August‑June?
- You will need to align term dates; the admissions team will map your child’s completed terms onto their academic blocks and advise on any bridging work.
- Are waitlists common for mid‑year admissions?
- Waitlists can appear, especially for higher‑grade slots. Ask the admissions office for their current wait‑list policy and whether a holding fee is required.
Collect the written answers to the five questions above, attach the school’s published fee schedule, and keep a copy of the accreditor directory page showing current status. If any item is missing or vague, delay the deposit until you have a documented response. A mid‑year move is stressful enough without discovering gaps after the first tuition payment.
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