Study and find schools in Bangladesh

Studying in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, in South Asia, has Dhaka as its capital and Bangla as its official language. Its higher-education sector is large: the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), the body that oversees universities, lists 61 public universities, 117 private universities and three international universities. All the universities in our directory for Bangladesh are in or near Dhaka, and all of them teach business administration and electronic engineering; computer and electrical engineering and architecture are also common.

Because the sector is so large and varied, the most important step is to check that both the university and the specific programme are approved by the UGC.

The education system

School education leads to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and then the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC); Universities such as AIUB also accept O-levels and A-levels. Higher education is divided into three groups of institutions:

• Public universities, from the University of Dhaka to specialised universities of engineering, agriculture and medicine
• Private universities, set up under private university legislation since the Private University Act 1992 and approved by the UGC
• International universities, such as the Islamic University of Technology (IUT) in Gazipur, the Asian University for Women and South Asian University

Bachelor's programmes often last four years, as at UAP; architecture at AIUB runs over ten semesters. Master's and doctoral programmes follow. Private universities organise the year in semesters or trimesters, with intakes such as Spring and Fall. The UGC's list also flags private universities whose activities are restricted, for example one that has not been allowed to resume teaching since it was shut down in 2006, so check the list before you apply.

Admission and recognition

Each university runs its own admission process, and many hold admission tests: UAP, for example, publishes written test results for its Fall 2026 intake. Undergraduate applicants need the SSC and HSC, O-levels and A-levels, or recognised equivalents. Applicants with foreign qualifications usually need an equivalence certificate: at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), for example, foreign applicants to some science programmes must have completed 12 years of schooling and obtain an equivalence certificate from the Ministry of Education. In regulated fields such as pharmacy, foreign applicants may only apply for seats reserved by the Government of Bangladesh.

Ask the university's admissions office which documents it needs and how long equivalence takes, and check the language of instruction of your programme.

Student visa and residence

Foreign students need a student visa. According to the Bangladesh High Commission in London, students enrolled in, or seeking admission to, a government-approved educational institution in Bangladesh, as well as researchers, can apply. A student visa may be issued for up to one year with multiple entries, and it can be extended for the length of the course by the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) in Bangladesh. Visa fees are set by reciprocity and depend on your nationality. Apply at the Bangladesh embassy or high commission responsible for your country; information checked October 2026.

Costs and funding

Fees at private universities are usually charged per credit hour, plus admission and semester fees. At AIUB, for example, tuition for the Bachelor of Business Administration is BDT 8,000 per credit hour for students starting in the Fall 2026-27 semester, plus a one-time admission fee of BDT 25,000 and a student activities and facilities fee of BDT 12,500 per semester. At UIU, the published total for the BBA (125 credits over 12 trimesters) is Tk 9,10,500 without a waiver, and the university lists 25% and 50% tuition waivers, subject to conditions.

Where to study

Dhaka, the capital, has most of the private universities and many public ones. Examples in our directory include:

• Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), founded in 1995 by the Dhaka Ahsania Mission and, according to the university, the first private university to receive a permanent charter from the government
• American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in Kuratoli, Khilkhet
• United International University (UIU), established with the support of the United Group
• University of Asia Pacific (UAP), established in 1996 under the Private University Act 1992
• Stamford University Bangladesh, with more than 30 bachelor's and master's degrees
• Jahangirnagar University, a public university in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka

Culture and practical life

Bangla is the language of daily life, so learning a few words helps outside the campus. Ask your university early about housing and about the support it offers international students: UIU, for example, has a named contact for international student admission, and Stamford University Bangladesh has an international student section on its website. Arrange health insurance before you travel, keep copies of your equivalence certificate and admission letter, and plan your visa extension with the Department of Immigration and Passports well before your first visa expires.

Frequently asked questions

How many universities are there in Bangladesh?

The University Grants Commission lists 61 public, 117 private and three international universities. Check the list for the status of a university and its approved programmes.

Do I need a visa to study in Bangladesh?

Yes. Foreign students need a student visa, issued for up to one year with multiple entries and extendable in Bangladesh for the length of the course.

Are my foreign school qualifications accepted?

Usually, but you may need an equivalence certificate from the Ministry of Education. Ask your chosen university which documents it requires.

How much does a private university cost?

Private universities charge per credit hour. At AIUB, for example, the BBA costs BDT 8,000 per credit hour from Fall 2026-27, plus admission and semester fees.