Universities in Bhutan

Bhutan's university sector is small and young. Its main public institution, the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), was launched on 2 June 2003 to bring the country's previously independent tertiary institutions together in a federated university. Today it has nine constituent colleges and two affiliated private colleges across the country, each with academic autonomy under shared governance and quality assurance.

Medicine has its own institution, the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, with faculties of undergraduate and postgraduate medicine, traditional medicine, and nursing and public health. Institutional accreditation is handled by the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA); in 2026 the ministry announced that four higher education institutions had received it.

How it works

The RUB colleges teach science, technology, education, business, humanities, health sciences and engineering, among other fields. Award-bearing programmes range from diplomas and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate certificates and diplomas, master's degrees and PhDs. All RUB programmes are taught in English.

Each college sets its own programmes, places, entry requirements and fees, and the university advises applicants to check the website of the college concerned. For international students, RUB also offers non-award options: a semester abroad (at least two modules), short tailor-made study abroad programmes of one to six weeks for groups, and visiting research student placements.

Admission

Bhutanese students apply online after Class XII and are ranked on merit, first for government scholarship places and then for self-funded places.

International applicants to undergraduate programmes need at least a higher secondary school certificate or equivalent; postgraduate applicants need a bachelor's degree. The English requirement is an IELTS overall band of 5.5 or an equivalent test. Students who studied in English may be exempt, although colleges can set their own proficiency test, and those below the level must first take a bridge course in English for Academic Purposes, for a separate fee. Applications for full-time programmes are open from March to May each year, and the application fee is USD 100, non-refundable.

Costs and funding

RUB publishes tuition in ngultrum (Nu.) for the 2026-27 financial year. International students outside the SAARC region pay three times the government scholarship rate: Nu. 316,324 for an undergraduate programme in arts and humanities and Nu. 370,396 in science and engineering. Students from SAARC countries pay 1.5 times the scholarship rate, or Nu. 158,162 and Nu. 185,198 respectively. A semester abroad costs USD 3,533.

Students can live on or off campus, depending on availability, and pay their own accommodation and living costs. Health insurance is compulsory for the whole period of enrolment.

Visa

Students pay for and obtain their own visa, and the college supports the process. The application needs a valid passport, a Confirmation of Admission (CoA) from the college and the visa form. The Department of Immigration publishes a Visa/Entry Permit Guideline for International Students, 2026, and student visas are valid for the duration of the programme unless the department decides otherwise.

How to choose

• College: programmes and fees differ between the RUB colleges, so compare them one by one
• Award or non-award: a full degree, or a semester or short programme abroad
• Field: for medicine or traditional medicine, look at the medical university as well as RUB
• Fees: check whether you pay the SAARC or the international rate
• English: plan for IELTS or the bridge course if your previous studies were not in English

Frequently asked questions

In which language are university programmes taught in Bhutan?

All programmes at the Royal University of Bhutan are taught in English. International applicants need an IELTS overall band of 5.5 or an equivalent result.

How much does it cost an international student to study at the Royal University of Bhutan?

For 2026-27, undergraduate tuition for students outside the SAARC region is Nu. 316,324 in arts and humanities and Nu. 370,396 in science and engineering. SAARC students pay half of that.

When can I apply?

Applications for full-time programmes open from March to May each year, with a non-refundable application fee of USD 100.

Can I spend just one semester in Bhutan?

Yes. RUB offers a semester abroad in which students take at least two modules, as well as short study abroad programmes for groups.