What now after the SEE Result: An overview of post-school education in Nepal.

The National Examination Board, Sanothimi, published the SEE results of 2024 on 27th June, 2025. The result was more spectacular than the previous year's result, as almost 61.81% passed this year's examination, a jump of 14%. This opened a gate of opportunity for the successful candidates to achieve higher academic success.

In the Nepalese context, higher education begins by enrolling in one of the various programmes offered by the National Examination Board (NEB). Commonly known as 10+2 or plus 2, the National Examination Board oversees Grades 11 and 12, enrolling millions into its system.

Streams offered by HSEB and potential career

Fundamentally speaking, Higher education in Nepal after SEE begins with enrollment into plus 2 programmes, which ultimately leads students bright academic and professional future. This is the most significant academic decision a student ever makes while leapfrogging into the Higher Secondary School from the Secondary School.

So, selecting the right subjects for Plus Two education holds significant importance, serving as the cornerstone for future academic and professional journeys. As per one's likes and interests, candidates who cleared the SEE may enrol on any one of these streams explained below:

+2 Science

Science is especially preferred by SEE graduates who achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 and attain at least a C+ in Science, English, and Math. Some colleges may also require an entrance examination during student admission. The Science stream aims to offer students a comprehensive understanding and the skills necessary for advanced studies in fields such as technology, medicine, engineering, and biotechnology. The programme concentrates on building a solid foundation, ultimately enabling graduates to pursue further studies in medicine, engineering, or other science-related disciplines.

The basic courses for students enrolled on Science are:

·       Compulsory English

·       Nepali (Grade XII)

·       Physics (Compulsory)

·       Chemistry (Compulsory)

·       Computer Science

·       Mathematics

·       Biology (Zoology + Botany)

Important points

·       For Grade XI Students:Mathematics is a compulsory subject. Computer Science and Biology are the optional subjects, so you have to choose one of them.

·       For Grade XII Students: You have to study Nepali in Grade XII. You have to leave one subject: either Biology or Mathematics. Example: If you’ve taken Computer Science in Grade XI, then you have to study Mathematics in Grade XII, not Biology.

·       But Biology students can study both Biology as well as Mathematics (additional/extra/non-credit) in Grade XII.

Career path

Depending upon your optional subject (Mathematics / Biology), Science has a great scope in various fields. If you’ve taken Mathematics, the Engineering fields (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Software Engineering, etc.) are open for you.

If you’ve taken Biology, the medical field greets you. Bio students have more choices than other students. Mainly, MBBS (Doctor), Nursing, Pharmacy, Bio-Technology, and Agriculture are some of them. Interested candidates may pursue their higher education at various national and foreign educational institutes for academic excellence.

+2 Management

The SEE graduates with a minimum GPA of 1.6 and at least a D+ in English, Nepali, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science are eligible for enrolment in the Management Stream. Colleges offering +2 Management may also conduct an entrance examination while enrolling students. The programme offers courses to provide a theoretical foundation and practical knowledge in business management, business administration, hotel management, and travel and tourism management. The programme aims to produce qualified professionals who have the knowledge and skills in managerial areas such as general management, accountancy, finance, office practices, and marketing. Students passing this level will be capable of undertaking various managerial activities.

The basic courses for students enrolled on Management are:

·       Compulsory English

·       Nepali (Grade XI)

·       Accountancy

·       Economics

·       Business Studies

·       Hotel Management

·       Computer Science

·       Travel and Tourism

·       Business Mathematics

·       Marketing

Important points

·       For Grade XI Students: English, Nepali, and Accountancy are the compulsory subjects. Economics, in many colleges, is a compulsory subject. Students are allowed to choose their optional subjects among Business Studies, Hotel Management, Computer Science, etc. Few colleges offered subjects like: BOOM, Elements of Finance, Co-operative Management and others.

·       For Grade XII Students: In Grade XII, most of the students opt for Business Maths or Marketing for Nepali.

Example: For a student who chooses Business Studies in Grade XI and Business Mathematics in Grade XII, then he/she has to study English, Nepali, Account, Economics, Business Studies in Grade XI and English, Account, Economics, Business Studies and Business Mathematics in Grade XII respectively.

Career path

The +2 management candidates may begin their careers at the lower managerial level in Banks, financial institutions after a short in-house training. They are also qualified to work in the Travel and Tourism industries, Hotels and restaurants, small factories and industries, or may start their own small-scale industry. Most of the business organisations hire +2 management graduates as lower-level managers or as assistants to the chief finance officer. If one chooses, he/she may join Nepali or foreign Universities for higher studies for academic excellence. 

+2 Humanities

The Humanities and Social Sciences stream is a two-year plus two-level foundation course administered by the National Examination Board (NEB). The curriculum is designed so that students who are +2 Humanities graduates gain a holistic education with subjects like Language Studies, Mass Communication, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Marketing/Business Mathematics, Contemporary Society, and others. Candidates who scored a minimum GPA of 1.6 in the SEE and a minimum of D+ in English, Nepali, and Social Studies are eligible to apply for the programme. Being an interdisciplinary course in Management, Social Science, and Law, students will develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills by the end of this programme.

The basic courses for students enrolled on Humanities are:

·       Compulsory English

·       Nepali (Grade XI)

·       Political Science

·       Sociology

·       General Law

·       Mass Communication

·       Rural Development

·       Optional Subject (Eng/Nep/Maths)

·       Culture

• Population Studies
• Psychology
• History, etc.…

Important points

·       For Students of Grade XI: English and Nepali are compulsory, while they can choose any three elective subjects from the available list.

·       For Students of Grade XII: English and Marketing/ Business Mathematics are compulsory subjects, while students may choose any of the three elective subjects from the available list.

·       It is worth mentioning that students from different colleges may appear for examinations of different subjects while graduating in +2 Humanities.

Career path

The +2 graduates in Humanities may pursue various careers including Journalism, Law, Public Administration, Teaching, Social Work and others. The graduates may choose to engage as civil servants, teachers or at NGOs/INGOs. The graduates may also pursue careers as social scientists, revealing various facts about the community. The graduates are also qualified to work as planners and developers while settling new cities. They also help in providing services to communities that have already settled.

+2 Education

This academic programme is especially significant for Lower Secondary level teachers. The academic curriculum is designed to give general knowledge and highlight the function and role of education, prominent educationalists, curriculum, educational administration, modern trends in education, guidance and counselling, and Nepal's education aspects. The curriculum trains students about the methods, procedures, concepts, and importance of guidance and counselling, which will help them build their leadership skills. The curriculum tries to relate education and educational administration in our society, and also relates to historical perspectives of education. Any individual who scored a minimum GPA of 1.6 in the SEE is eligible for application.

The basic courses for students enrolled on Education are:

·       Compulsory English

·       Nepali (Grade XI)

·       Introduction to Education

·       Population Studies

·       Major Subject (Eng/Nep/Maths)

·       Psychology

·       Instructional Pedagogy

·       Instructional Evaluation

·       Child Development and Learning (Grade XII)

·       Economics, etc.

Important points

·       For Students of Grade XI: English, Nepali, Social Studies/Maths are compulsory, while they can choose any two elective subjects from the available list.

·       For Students of Grade XII: English, Nepali, Social Studies/Maths are compulsory subjects, while students may choose any of the two elective subjects from the available list.

Career path

The academic course is designed in such a manner that it is more suitable for students who wish to engage in the teaching field. The +2 Education curriculum is designed and executed to satisfy the needs of future teachers, educational administration, curriculum development, educational research, or other fields related to education. So, one should not be surprised to see them employed in Schools, Colleges, Universities and various other academic institutions. The graduate may, however, seek a higher educational qualification.

+2 Law

The SEE graduates scoring a minimum of 1.6 GPA are eligible for application in the +2 Law stream. This two-year academic offering from the NEB is envisioned to provide a foundational understanding of legal principles, encompassing constitutional, civil, and criminal law, human rights, and others. This programme is a prime attraction for those SEE Graduates who seek a professional career in law. The program aims to prepare a strong base for future lawyers to address legal crises. The curriculum also enhances analytical thinking, legal understanding, and awareness of legal remedies, rights, and responsibilities as a citizen of Nepal.

The basic courses for students enrolled on Law is given in the table below:

Important points

·       Other subjects can be taken alternatively for the subject marked * from the list of optional subjects given in the curriculum of Grades 11-12.

Career path

Renowned for its ability to catalyze societal transformation and facilitate access to justice, law is a highly sought-after field both domestically and internationally. Additionally, law graduates have a wide range of career options, including working in law firms, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and international organisations. Potential areas after obtaining a law degree include civil service, public prosecutor, legal secretaries, judiciary, research, politics, diplomats, academics, negotiation and conflict resolution, legal advisors for banks and financial institutions, NGOS/INGOs, and many more.

What are the types of colleges/institutions that offer +2 programmes in Nepal?

The SEE graduates find two types of colleges in Nepal that are offering the NEB +2 programmes as mentioned below:

·       Private Colleges

Various private NEB-affiliated colleges offer multiple programmes. Most of them grant admission immediately after the publication of the SEE results. Many of these colleges have opened recently, so fresh SEE graduates should not be surprised to see state-of-the-art facilities, well-furnished, and well-equipped buildings. They have better infrastructure, fully equipped laboratories, cozy and comfortable classrooms, and a college canteen serving fresh food. In addition to these facilities, they conduct internal assessments and regularly evaluate students' performance. By offering specialized programmes in fields such as business administration, engineering, humanities and social sciences, hospitality management, agriculture, and more, they are the primary options for recent SEE graduates. However, their academic fees are exceptionally high for middle and low-income families.

·       Government or Public Colleges

These colleges are owned and run by the government of Nepal. Like private colleges, they also offer the NEB courses. Most of these are old, except a few, so they have outdated infrastructure and are poorly furnished and ill-equipped compared to private colleges. Since these colleges are funded by the government, SEE graduates can find at least one such college in their home district. Apart from a few with exceptional academic records, most of these colleges lack a good academic reputation; however, they offer most of the programmes provided by the NEB. Nonetheless, these colleges attract thousands of students seeking NEB enrolment because they charge very little or even offer free education compared to private colleges.

Expected Academic expenses of the NEB programme

Depending on the type of academic institution (Government or Private) and its location, the expected annual expenses of programmes offered by the NEB vary as shown in the table below:

The required documents for enrollment at NEB

Candidates seeking enrollment in programmes offered by the NEB are SEE graduates so any college, government or non-government, seeks the following documents for enrolling new students:

·       Original SEE Marksheets and Certificate (for verification purposes only).

·       Original Character certificate (for verification purposes only).

·       Photocopy of SEE Marksheets and Certificate.

·       Photocopy of the Character Certificate.

·       Passport-sized photos-2.

·       Filled out the admission form.

Many colleges, while enrolling new candidates, also administer the Entrance Examination, and students are required to score at least the minimum points to pass it. Further, a few also conduct in-person interviews with the students to know about their interest in the course.  Only those who succeed in these are then administered.

Value-Added programmes offered by the NEB Affiliated Colleges

The NEB colleges not only offer academic courses for Grade 11 and 12 but also offer multiple other programmes for their professional growth as well. These programmes are offered in the NEB-affiliated colleges as Extra-Curricular activities that are meant for developing personal and other skills one may require for developing a successful career.

Some of these are listed below:

·       Entrance preparation courses: Besides running the courses as prescribed by the NEB, most of these colleges offer entrance preparation classes, like classes on MBBS, Engineering, Pharmacy, or Higher education, for better academic and professional growth.

·       Skill Development courses: A few of these colleges also run classes for developing various personal skills like IT skills, language skills, listening and speaking skills, industry-related skills and others.

·       Guidance and Career Counselling:  Many of such colleges also offer guidance and career counselling, which allows students to decide and choose the right career for their professional development. They may work as a bridge for students to their bright academic and professional future.

·       Internship and interaction with industries: On various occasions, these colleges also conduct industrial interactions, allowing their students to have industrial insight, their challenges and needs. They also send their students for an internship in the industries with which they have a good working professional relationship. This internship helps students sharpen their skills.

·       Cultural and sporting activities: The NEB-affiliated colleges also organise cultural events representing various Nepali communities and regularly organise and participate in sports. This helps the candidate in physical development as well as mental development.

·       Student Exchange Programme: Though rare in the context of the Nepali educational system, a very few NEB-affiliated colleges run this programme, which allows them to swap students between any two colleges which have agreed to do so.

Alternative to the +2 Programme after the SEE.

Not all the fresh SEE graduates, SEE graduates join +2 programmes while seeking higher educational qualifications. As an alternative to +2 programmes, many SEE graduates seek to join the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), established in 1989 AD. The CTEVT is an independent body that primarily focuses on producing skilled technicians who are highly sought by the market and industries. The CTEVT is especially concerned with producing mid-level technical resources through various vocational trainings who are equipped with various industry-related skills that are highly sought. These kinds of skilled human resources are in high demand, especially in a country like Nepal, where a very large percentage of its population is still uneducated.  The institution has a vision to skill Nepal for people's affluence and a mission to develop competent manpower aligned with global needs within the TEVT framework.

Aims of CTEVT Programmes

The CTEVT primarily focuses in producing technical human resources by administering Technical Education and Vocational Training. These skilled trainees are qualified enough to immediately work as technical human resources to satisfy the industrial needs. They play a highly significant role in nations like Nepal where a very large percentage of the population is illiterate and involved in cottage industries, especially agriculture and animal husbandry. So, the CTEVT aims to provide skilled human resources to support them.

CTEVT for Technical Training

As an alternative to +2 education, the CTEVT provides various technical training to the students who are enrolled. Most of the trainings are of a three-year duration which produces qualified technical resources who can satisfy the immediate industrial needs. Some of the training offered by the CTEVT are:

·       Cookery

·       Barista

·       Baker

·       Hotel Assistant

·       Science

·       Engineering

·       Agriculture

·       Forestry

·       Animal and Plant Sciences

·       Medical Lab Technology

·       Pharmacy

·       Radiography

·       General Medicine

·       Dental Hygiene

·       Livestock

It is worth mentioning that individuals who complete the CTEVT training are eligible for enrollment in higher education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which stream is better?

Each stream is excellent on its own. However, students should decide their choice based on their strengths, interests, and career goals. E.g., a candidate with good grades in Science, Maths, and English may choose Science. Individuals seeking a career in the Banking and Finance sector, a managerial role, or a marketing executive position may choose the Management Stream. Someone with strong language skills might opt for the humanities. If you are still unsure, consult your career counsellor.

Which is the best +2 college?

It would be an injustice to label just a single college as “The Best”. However, there are many reputed colleges from which any student can choose the best that meets their academic requirements. If you are still confused, contact CollegesNepal at Putalisadak now.

What careers are available for +2 graduates?

A successful +2 graduate has numerous career opportunities depending on their chosen stream. Graduates in Management can enter the banking and financial sector, science graduates may pursue careers in the health and medical sectors, law graduates might seek professional roles in the judicial and legal sectors, and so on. However, fresh +2 graduates do not need to focus immediately on professional growth; they may opt for higher education at various national and international colleges.

Is it possible to switch streams after the completion of +2?

Not exactly unless you satisfy the minimum condition required by the University to switch the stream. Ex: If you wish to switch to the Science stream, you need to successfully appear in full marks Science and Math, and so on. Consult your counsellor for further information or contact CollegesNepal at Putalisadak now.

Do the +2 colleges offer any scholarships?

Of Course, they do. But you need to have good grades in the SEE, and need to perform excellently in their Entrance examination. A few of them also offer discounts to underprivileged community members and deserving candidates.

Is it necessary to migrate to cities and towns to join +2 colleges?

No, absolutely not. You may also find many +2 colleges in your village near you.

Do the +2 colleges also offer counselling services for higher education?

Yes, many of the +2 colleges also offer counselling services to the students who seek higher education or vocational training.

Do the foreign educational institutes recognise our +2 programmes?

Indeed. Many of our +2 graduates are currently studying in foreign Universities and colleges.

What is the difference between programmes offered by +2 and CTEVT?

The +2 programme is purely academic, producing highly skilled persons, while the CTEVT offers vocational training, producing skilled technicians who can fulfil the immediate market demand.

Are the programmes offered by +2 and the CTEVT recognised?

Yes, programmes offered by the +2 and the CTEVT are nationally and internationally recognised.