Over 4,000 Nepali students receive Cambridge June 2025 results as international education demand surges

KATHMANDU: Cambridge International Education has officially released the results of its June 2025 examination series to over 680,000 students worldwide, including more than 4,000 students in Nepal, signaling a continued rise in demand for international curriculum in the country. The total number of global candidates reflects a 9% increase compared with last year, highlighting a strong shift toward global-standard education amid technological change, climate risk and geopolitical uncertainty.

Globally, exam entries rose to nearly 1.7 million, marking a 7% increase year-on-year. In Nepal alone, there were over 9,600 entries for Cambridge examinations in the June 2025 session. This underscores Nepal’s growing orientation toward international academic qualifications as families seek future-ready education pathways for their children.

Results for Cambridge IGCSE and O Level were published worldwide on Tuesday, while the Cambridge International AS & A Level results were released earlier on 12 August. In Nepal, the most popular Cambridge qualification continues to be the International AS & A Level, which is widely recognized by universities around the world. More than 4,000 students across 22 schools in Nepal took AS & A Level exams in the latest series — a 4% increase compared to June 2024.

Among the top subject choices in Nepal this year were Mathematics, Physics, English General Paper, Chemistry, and Computer Science. The increasing preference for these subjects reflects growing interest among Nepali students in STEM education and global mobility.

Vinay Sharma, Senior Vice President for International Education in South Asia at Cambridge, highlighted the acceleration: “We are thrilled to celebrate Cambridge learners in Nepal and recognise their hard work and success. It’s heartening to see how parents increasingly value an education that makes learners into global citizens.” He added that the growth in participation reflects trust in Cambridge’s rigorous curriculum and its alignment with Nepal’s international education ambitions.

Similarly, Satyajit Sarkar, Senior Manager for International Education in South Asia, emphasized that the expansion of Cambridge entries in Nepal is the result of sustained dedication from learners, schools and families. “The rising number of students taking Cambridge exams reflects the growing aspiration among parents and students for world-class education that opens doors to top universities and global opportunities,” he said.

Global Growth Trend in International Schools

The demand for globally recognized qualifications is rising not just in Nepal but across the world. Over the past five years, the number of schools registering candidates for the June exam series has increased by 38%, accompanied by a 74% jump in exam entries. A total of 5,507 Cambridge International Schools across 149 countries submitted entries for the June 2025 exams.

With more than 160 years of experience in international assessment, Cambridge now serves nearly two million students annually through its various programmes —including Cambridge Checkpoint, Cambridge IGCSE, O Level, International AS & A Level, and the International Project Qualification — all of which are widely accepted by leading global universities.

Nepal’s Growing Turn Toward Global Education

The rise in exam entries in Nepal indicates a broader shift in educational preference, where families are increasingly prioritising global competitiveness, critical thinking, and international university admissions. Education experts note that the rising interest in Cambridge programmes in Nepal also mirrors the country’s long-term aspiration to create a globally oriented workforce.

Along with academic quality, parents and schools in Nepal are emphasizing adaptability, soft skills, and exposure to global issues — a trend that aligns with Cambridge’s international curriculum structure.

With an expanding number of Nepali students opting for AS & A Levels and a notable 4% growth in exam entries in a single year, the adoption of Cambridge International Education in Nepal is set to continue rising. As more Nepali students access internationally benchmarked education, the country’s academic profile could also see increased alignment with global higher education standards.