Study in Bangladesh

Higher Education Structure in Bangladesh

Study In Bangladesh

Bangladesh is home to 54 Public Universities, 112 Private Universities, and 3 International Universities. Its Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a large number of courses taught in English, and it is therefore a popular destination among Asian students, who do not necessarily need to learn the language fluently at the beginning of their degree.

Bangladesh is a country situated in South Asia. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with 170 million people living primarily in the fertile river delta region of the country. Its capital and largest city, Dhaka, is the economic and higher education hub, with many public and private Universities calling the capital city home. Bangladesh is an emerging regional power and economic center; as a member of the SAARC, OIC, Commonwealth, and the United Nations. The official language of the country is Bengali, though English is also widely spoken and understood.

The Perks of Studying in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is ranked slightly below the median on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #121 in the world in the WiseVoter “Best Countries for Education” report in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #95 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #121 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #168 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in Bangladesh

There are three kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Bangladesh:

1. Public Universities: There are 54 Universities in Bangladesh that are funded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), including the highest ranked HEIs in the country. They have a diverse set of departments, ensuring teaching and research in multiple disciplines of study, including science, medicine, engineering, business, arts, and humanities. Some specialize in certain fields of study e.g. Science and Technology, Engineering, and Agriculture.

2. Private Universities: Unlike Public Universities, which are spread across all the major cities of Bangladesh, more than 50% of private Universities in the country are located in the capital city of Dhaka, and have significantly higher fees than Government-funded HEIs. 

3. International Universities: The three International Universities in Bangladesh are funded and overseen by international organizations, and not by the Government of Bangladesh or private organizations in the country. For example, the Islamic University of Technology in Gazipur is funded by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Bangladesh is also home to several Vocational Training Institutes, which directly serve the needs of the labor market, instead of being under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education.

Certificate Programs

Most Certificate Programs in Bangladesh Universities are of two types: additional qualifications for experienced professionals, or language certificates for short term visitors and tourists. In the former case, the courses can be completed in virtual part time modes, while language learning courses are usually completed in 3-12 months.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Bangladesh take 3 or 4 years to complete, depending on the field of study. The pattern is similar to that in Indian Universities, where students choose their UG major before starting their studies, and study specialized courses within their Department after completing their first year of general studies. Public, Private, and International Universities in Bangladesh are authorized to award UG degrees.

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master’s Programs in Bangladesh normally last two years. They involve specialized study in one or more subjects, and focus on topics that are relevant in current research or in the labor market. The final semester is usually spent on Master’s thesis work; this involves a complex project guided by a member of a research group. There is no requirement for original output, but the quality of work required is very high. Most postgraduates tend to take up full time jobs after receiving their degrees, though some immediately start with Doctoral studies. Finally, some Master’s degrees are also integrated with Bachelor’s programs (e.g. in the case of Medicine, Law, and Architecture).

Doctoral Programs

PhD students in Bangladesh work towards their degrees for 4-5 years, of which the majority is spent in conducting original research within a research group. Faculty supervisors play an important role in guiding the direction of doctoral studies, and the award of the degree is based on a Thesis defense before a panel of external advisors. Most projects focus on advanced studies within a topic related to the Department, and students must prepare a research proposal before starting the main body of their work.

Popular Disciplines Available in Bangladesh

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available to study in Bangladesh are-

Computer Science & EngineeringSociologyPharmacy
ArchitectureElectrical & Electronics EngineeringLaw
Social Science & EconomicsHuman Resources ManagementAccounting
Business AdministrationFinanceEnglish Literature
Bangla Language & LiteratureMathematicsMarketing

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Bangladesh

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Bangladesh.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Dhaka74
Chittagong21
Khulna10
Rajshahi7
Gazipur10
Sylhet12

Average Monthly Expenses in Bangladesh for International Students

The tuition fee in Bangladesh Universities is much lower than in most other Asian countries. For example, even in private Universities, the tuition fee rarely exceeds $1,000 (110,000 Bangladeshi Taka) per semester. Even the MBBS course is not as costly as in neighboring countries like India.

The cost of living in Bangladesh is also much lower than in other Asian countries. For example, even in the capital city of Dhaka, students will not need to spend more than $300 (33,000 BT) per month. This covers accommodation, food, laundry, transportation, technical infrastructure, school supplies, and entertainment.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Bangladesh.

Applicants for a long term Bangladesh Student Visa must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A filled online application form, on the Bangladesh visa government website.
  • Two passport size photographs.
  • The visa application service fee.
  • An international passport, valid for at least the duration of the program during which the candidate will study in Bangladesh.
  • Details of the expected address in Bangladesh.
  • A Letter of Admission from a University in Bangladesh.
  • A bank statement showing that the student has access to funds to sustain himself/herself in the country, or a Letter of Sponsorship issued by a permanent resident of Bangladesh.
  • A positive police report showing that the applicant has no criminal record.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The application fee for a Bangladesh student visa is significantly lower than for many other countries. For example, Indian citizens only need to pay 825 INR as visa application service charges, to the nearest Bangladesh Embassy authorities.

Two photographs must be submitted with the Bangladesh student visa application. The dimensions must be 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm, and the photographs must be recent (taken within the previous six months). The background color must be white.

A Bangladesh student visa application may be rejected for several reasons, including erroneous or incomplete details in the application form, and serious issues like withholding a criminal record. In the former case, the applicant should pay the application fee again and submit a new set of documents. However, in the latter case, the student will likely be banned from entering the country for a period of several months or years.

International students are allowed to work part time in Bangladesh to fund their studies. Unlike in other countries, not all Universities keep a record of the total number of hours worked, but students should be careful to ensure that their academic performance is not affected by their part time work.

Three Public Universities in Bangladesh are ranked in the top 1,000 in the world, according to the QS 2024 rankings: the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and North South University.

The top ranked Universities in Bangladesh have medical degree programs that are recognized worldwide, and whose quality is very high. The fact that the average fees are much lower than the average fees for MBBS programs in Indian private Universities makes Bangladesh a favored destination for medical aspirants from India.

The best HEIs in Bangladesh (e.g. the University of Dhaka) have excellent MBA programs, with strong job placement statistics. The popular specializations for students include Finance, Marketing, and International Business. Students also choose to take modules in emerging fields including Digital Marketing and Artificial Intelligence Revenue Models.

Approximately 2,000 students from other countries are currently (as of 2019) enrolled in Universities in Bangladesh, with a majority of them being from Nepal.

Bangladesh is safe for foreign students, most of whom study in Bangladeshi Universities located in Dhaka. The capital city of Bangladesh has a cosmopolitan environment, and international students can move around freely within the country for study and recreation purposes.