Architecture Schools and Programs in Bangladesh

Architecture Studies in Bangladesh

National animal of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, architecture is a five-year professional bachelor's degree, the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch). It combines design studios with building technology, structures, planning and the history of architecture in Bengal, and ends with a thesis or design project. SpainExchange lists four universities in Dhaka with architecture programmes, all of them private: American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) and Stamford University Bangladesh.

How the architecture degree is organised

The B.Arch is organised in ten semesters over five years. AUST lists its B.Arch as a five-year programme; Stamford gives a minimum of five and a maximum of seven years. Credit loads are set by each university and are not the same as European ECTS: 177 credits at AIUB, 182 at UAP and 187 credit hours at Stamford.

The AIUB curriculum shows what students do. Every semester has a design studio, and the studios grow from 4.5 credits in the first year to a final Design Studio X (thesis or project). Around the studios are courses in architectural graphics, construction, structures, building services, urban design, landscape and housing, and topics specific to the region, such as the society and architecture of Bengal and design in the tropics. The programme also includes professional training and a course in professional practice and ethics.

Accreditation and further study

Private universities in Bangladesh operate under the University Grants Commission (UGC), which publishes the list of approved private universities and their approved courses. For architecture, the professional body is the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), which accredits B.Arch programmes. AUST, which has existed since 1995, states that its B.Arch has non-conditional accreditation from the IAB. Students who want to work as architects should check the accreditation status of a programme with the university before they apply.

After the B.Arch, AUST offers a Master of Architecture (M.Arch, 1.5 years) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture (1 year).

Admission

Admission is decided by each university, usually with an admission test and an interview (viva voce). UAP's rules are a typical example. Applicants for the B.Arch need:

• a total GPA of 7.00 in the SSC and HSC school exams, with at least 3.50 in each, or the O-level and A-level equivalent
• a science background
• skill in freehand drawing
• a pass in the admission test and viva voce

Candidates with British-style qualifications need at least five O-level and two A-level passes. International applicants at Stamford receive an admission offer letter from the university's Foreign Students' Service Cell, which also handles student visa extensions with the government offices.

Costs

Fees are set per university and paid in Bangladeshi taka (BDT):

• AIUB: BDT 6,500 per credit hour for the B.Arch for students starting in Fall 2026-27, plus a one-time admission fee of BDT 25,000
• UAP: BDT 1,182,700 for the full ten-semester B.Arch, including admission and other fees
• Stamford: BDT 743,000 for the full programme; foreign students also pay a service charge of BDT 20,000 at admission

Studio and lab fees come on top at some universities, and fees can change, so it is best to check the current fee page before applying.

Careers

Graduates work in architecture and design practices, in construction and real estate, in urban planning and in public bodies. Many programmes include professional training, so students gain office experience before graduating. Those who plan to work abroad should check how the country where they want to practise recognises a Bangladeshi B.Arch.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to study architecture in Bangladesh?

Five years. The B.Arch has ten semesters; Stamford allows up to seven years to complete it.

Do I need drawing skills to study architecture in Bangladesh?

Usually yes. UAP, for example, asks for a science background and skill in freehand drawing, and admission includes a test and a viva voce.

How much does a B.Arch cost in Bangladesh?

It depends on the university. Stamford lists BDT 743,000 for the whole programme and UAP BDT 1,182,700; AIUB charges BDT 6,500 per credit hour from Fall 2026-27.

Is the B.Arch accredited?

The Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB) accredits architecture programmes. AUST states that its B.Arch has non-conditional IAB accreditation; check the status of other programmes with each university.