B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS) in Dharan is one of Nepal’s most respected medical institutions — and one of the most competitive. Every year, thousands of Nepali students ask the same question: how much does it actually cost to study at BPKIHS? This guide covers the complete fee structure for MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing, and B.Sc. MIT at BPKIHS, along with seat availability, eligibility, the admission process, and what you need to know before you apply.
About BPKIHS Dharan
B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences was established on January 18, 1993 in Dharan, Sunsari District in eastern Nepal. It was upgraded to a fully autonomous Health Sciences University on October 28, 1998 under the BPKIHS Act. Named after Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala — Nepal’s first democratically elected Prime Minister — BPKIHS is one of only a handful of autonomous medical universities in Nepal that sets its own curriculum, entrance examinations, and fee structure.
BPKIHS is recognised by the Nepal Medical Council (NMC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the National Medical Commission of India (NMC India). It operates a 700-bed teaching hospital on campus and runs undergraduate, postgraduate, and university certificate programmes across four faculties: Medicine, Dental Surgery, Nursing, and Public Health.
Key facts:
- Location: Dharan, Sunsari District, Province No. 1, Nepal
- Type: Government autonomous university
- Established: 1993 (university status: 1998)
- Recognition: NMC Nepal, WHO, NMC India, WDOMS
- Total students: Over 3,000 across all programmes
- Teaching hospital: 700-bed BPKIHS Central Teaching Hospital (on campus)
- Medium of instruction: English
BPKIHS Fee Structure for Nepali Students (2024–2025)
BPKIHS operates a three-tier fee system for its undergraduate programmes. Seats are categorised based on subsidy level — heavily subsidised (government/scholarship seats), partially subsidised, and full-fee seats. The fees below are approximate and based on Medical Education Commission (MEC) regulated fee structures. BPKIHS being autonomous may vary slightly — always verify the exact figures in the official prospectus published each year on the BPKIHS website.
MBBS Fee Structure at BPKIHS
- Total seats: 100
- Programme duration: 4.5 years + 1 year compulsory internship (5.5 years total)
- Heavily subsidised (scholarship/government seats): Significantly reduced fees — typically NPR 5,00,000 to 10,00,000 total for the full programme (awarded to top-ranked Nepali students)
- Partially subsidised seats: Approximately NPR 25,00,000 – 35,00,000 for the full programme
- Full-fee (paying) seats for Nepali students: Approximately NPR 40,00,000 – 46,00,000 for the full programme (in line with MEC-regulated rates)
- International/Indian student seats: Approximately INR 45–55 Lakhs (NPR equivalent) for the full programme
Note: The MEC-regulated total MBBS fee for institutions outside the Kathmandu Valley is approximately NPR 45,95,720. BPKIHS, being an autonomous institution, sets its own fees — but these remain broadly aligned with MEC guidelines.
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) Fee Structure at BPKIHS
- Total seats: 50
- Programme duration: 4 years + 1 year internship
- Subsidised seats: Available for top-ranked Nepali students
- Full-fee (Nepali students): Approximately NPR 18,00,000 – 22,00,000 for the full programme
- MEC reference fee for BDS: NPR 20,92,290
B.Sc. Nursing Fee Structure at BPKIHS
- Programme duration: 4 years
- Full-fee (Nepali students): Approximately NPR 8,00,000 – 11,00,000 for the full programme
- MEC reference fee for B.Sc. Nursing: NPR 10,36,000
- Subsidised seats available for top-ranked Nepali students
B.Sc. MIT (Medical Imaging Technology) Fee Structure at BPKIHS
- Programme duration: 4 years
- Full-fee (Nepali students): Approximately NPR 7,00,000 – 8,00,000 for the full programme
- MEC reference fee for B.Sc. MIT: NPR 7,77,000
- Subsidised seats available for top-ranked Nepali students
Important: Fees listed above are total programme fees and are approximate. They do not include hostel charges, examination fees, mess charges, or other miscellaneous costs. The official and binding fee for any given academic year is published in the BPKIHS prospectus — download it from bpkihs.edu before applying.
Additional Costs to Budget For
Beyond tuition fees, students at BPKIHS should budget for the following approximate annual costs:
- Hostel fees: NPR 60,000 – 1,20,000 per year (varies by room type)
- Mess/food charges: NPR 50,000 – 80,000 per year
- Examination fees: NPR 10,000 – 20,000 per year
- Stationery, books, and equipment: NPR 20,000 – 50,000 per year (higher in first year)
- Uniform and lab coat: NPR 5,000 – 10,000 (one-time)
- Transport (for outreach postings): Variable
For a Nepali student on a partially subsidised MBBS seat, the realistic total cost of studying at BPKIHS including living expenses over 5.5 years is approximately NPR 40,00,000 – 55,00,000.
Seat Categories and Scholarship Seats
BPKIHS allocates its seats across three categories for Nepali students in MBBS and BDS programmes:
- Heavily subsidised (government scholarship seats): Awarded strictly on merit based on entrance exam rank. These carry dramatically reduced tuition fees. This is the most competitive category — only the top-ranked Nepali students qualify.
- Partially subsidised seats: Available to Nepali students who qualify through the entrance exam but fall outside the heavily subsidised cutoff. Fees are reduced compared to the full-fee category.
- Full-fee paying seats: Open to Nepali and international students. Fees are the highest but still below most private medical colleges in Nepal.
BPKIHS has 100 MBBS seats and 50 BDS seats in total. The exact breakdown between categories varies by academic year and is published in the prospectus.
Eligibility Criteria
For MBBS and BDS
- Passed +2 (Class 12) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- Minimum age: 17 years at the time of admission
- Must appear in and qualify the BPKIHS entrance examination
- Indian students: must have a valid NEET score
- Other international students: must meet equivalent requirements as specified in the prospectus
For B.Sc. Nursing and B.Sc. MIT
- Passed +2 (Class 12) with Science (Biology group preferred for Nursing)
- Minimum 50% marks in relevant subjects
- Must qualify the BPKIHS entrance examination for these programmes (separate from MBBS/BDS)
- Minimum age: 17 years
Admission Process at BPKIHS
BPKIHS runs its own autonomous admission process, separate from the centralised Medical Education Commission (MEC) process used by TU and KU affiliated colleges. Here is how the process works:
- Prospectus release: BPKIHS publishes separate prospectuses for MBBS/BDS and for B.Sc. Nursing/MIT each year. Download from the official website at bpkihs.edu.
- Online application: Apply online through the BPKIHS official website within the specified application window. Submit required documents and pay the application fee.
- Entrance examination: Appear in the BPKIHS entrance exam held in Dharan and Kathmandu. The exam tests Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English.
- Merit list publication: BPKIHS publishes a merit list based on entrance exam scores.
- Counselling and seat allocation: Qualified students are called for counselling in order of merit rank. Seat category (subsidised/full-fee) is determined at this stage.
- Fee payment and admission: Admitted students pay the applicable fees and complete document verification to confirm their seat.
Internship note: The MBBS programme includes a 1-year Compulsory Community Oriented Residential Rotating Internship (CORRI), which must be completed at BPKIHS’s Central Teaching Hospital and its Teaching District Hospitals. This is mandatory for graduation.
Why Students Choose BPKIHS
- Government autonomous status: Fees are regulated and lower than most private medical colleges in Nepal
- On-campus teaching hospital: 700-bed hospital provides extensive clinical exposure from early years
- Strong FMGE performance: BPKIHS graduates have one of the highest FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) pass rates among Nepal’s medical colleges — 71.43% in 2024, making it a strong choice for Indian students or Nepali students who may practise in India
- Eastern Nepal access: For students from Province 1, Madhesh Province, and Bagmati Province’s eastern districts, Dharan is far more accessible than Kathmandu
- Research culture: Active research university with publishing faculty and postgraduate programmes
- Recognition: NMC Nepal, WHO, NMC India recognition means graduates can practise in Nepal and pursue licensing in India and other countries
BPKIHS vs Other Medical Colleges in Nepal — Fee Comparison
| College | Type | MBBS Total Fee (Approx. NPR) |
|---|---|---|
| BPKIHS, Dharan | Government Autonomous | NPR 25,00,000 – 46,00,000 (by category) |
| IOM (TU), Maharajgunj | Government (TU) | NPR 5,00,000 – 15,00,000 (scholarship/merit) |
| PAHS, Lalitpur | Government Autonomous | Scholarship-based (service bond required) |
| Kathmandu University affiliated colleges | Private (KU affiliated) | NPR 50,00,000 – 65,00,000 |
| TU affiliated private colleges | Private (TU affiliated) | NPR 40,00,000 – 55,00,000 |
BPKIHS offers a middle ground — better subsidies than private colleges, with more seats than IOM or PAHS, and without the service bond requirements of PAHS.
Postgraduate Programmes at BPKIHS
For students planning ahead, BPKIHS also runs MD/MS, MDS, M.Sc., MPH, and DM/MCh postgraduate programmes. Approximate fees for reference:
- MD/MS Clinical Science: approximately NPR 23,00,000 – 24,00,000
- MD/MS Basic Science: approximately NPR 10,50,000 – 11,00,000
- MDS (Clinical): approximately NPR 23,00,000
- M.Sc. MIT / MLT / Medical Microbiology: approximately NPR 7,50,000 – 8,00,000
- DM/MCh (super-speciality): approximately NPR 25,00,000
- MPH: approximately NPR 8,50,000 – 9,00,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MBBS fee at BPKIHS for Nepali students?
For Nepali students, MBBS fees at BPKIHS range from heavily subsidised rates (as low as NPR 5–10 lakhs total for top-merit scholarship seats) to approximately NPR 40–46 lakhs for full-fee paying seats. The exact fee depends on the seat category awarded at counselling, which is determined by your entrance exam rank.
What is the BPKIHS fee structure for B.Sc. Nursing?
B.Sc. Nursing fees at BPKIHS are approximately NPR 8,00,000 to 11,00,000 for the full 4-year programme. Subsidised seats are available for top-ranked students in the entrance examination.
Does BPKIHS follow MEC fee regulations?
BPKIHS is an autonomous university and technically sets its own fees. However, its fee structure broadly aligns with the Medical Education Commission (MEC) regulated fees. The binding figures are published in the official BPKIHS prospectus each year.
Can Indian students study at BPKIHS?
Yes. BPKIHS accepts Indian students, particularly for MBBS. Indian students are selected based on NEET scores and do not require a visa to enter Nepal. Total fees for Indian students are approximately INR 45–55 lakhs for the 5.5-year MBBS programme. No visa is required for Indian nationals travelling to Nepal.
How do I apply to BPKIHS?
Applications are submitted online through the official BPKIHS website (bpkihs.edu). The prospectus is released before each admission cycle with exact dates, fee structures, and required documents. There is no single centralised application for BPKIHS — it runs its own independent process.
Is BPKIHS degree valid for USMLE or UK GMC?
BPKIHS is recognised by WHO and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), which is the primary requirement for applying to USMLE (US) and UK GMC licensing. Graduates should verify current eligibility requirements directly with the respective licensing bodies, as criteria can change.
What is the BPKIHS entrance exam pattern?
The entrance exam tests Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English — structured similarly to other medical entrance exams in Nepal. Separate exams are held for MBBS/BDS and for B.Sc. Nursing/MIT. Exam centres are available in Dharan and Kathmandu. Exact syllabus and pattern are published in the prospectus.
Final Note
BPKIHS remains one of the best-value medical institutions in Nepal for Nepali students — particularly for those who rank high enough to access subsidised seats. The combination of a government-regulated fee structure, an on-campus 700-bed hospital, WHO recognition, and a strong postgraduate programme makes it a genuinely competitive option against private colleges that charge significantly more.
For the most accurate and current fee figures, always download the official BPKIHS prospectus from bpkihs.edu before making any decisions. Fees are updated each academic year and the prospectus is the authoritative source.
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