Exploring Private Universities in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

The landscape of higher education in Bangladesh has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with private universities playing an increasingly significant role. While public institutions have long been considered the backbone of higher education, the emergence of private universities has expanded opportunities, allowing more students to pursue higher education tailored to their specific interests and career goals.

In this blog, we will explore the rise of private universities in Bangladesh, highlight key institutions, and provide insights into how students can navigate the diverse offerings to make informed academic choices.

The Rise of Private Universities in Bangladesh

Private universities in Bangladesh began to take shape in the late 1990s and early 2000s, driven by the growing demand for higher education and the limited capacity of public institutions. Today, as of 2024, there are over 100 private universities operating across the country, offering a wide range of programs in disciplines like engineering, business, medicine, the arts, and more.

Advantages of Private Universities:

1. Personalized Education: One of the major benefits of private universities is smaller class sizes. This allows for more personalized interactions between students and faculty, providing tailored academic guidance and a more supportive learning environment.
2. Global Collaborations: Many private institutions have international partnerships, allowing students to participate in exchange programs, joint degree offerings, and internships with global organizations.
3. Focus on Employability: Private universities often emphasize practical skills and industry-specific knowledge, making them an attractive option for students aiming for quick job market entry.

Challenges in Private Higher Education

Despite the advantages, private universities in Bangladesh face several challenges:

• Higher Tuition Fees: Compared to public institutions, the cost of attending a private university is often significantly higher, making affordability a concern for many students.
• Variability in Quality: Not all private universities are created equal. While some maintain high academic standards and excellent reputations, others face criticism for inadequate facilities or insufficient accreditation. As a result, students must carefully assess the reputation and academic quality of individual institutions before enrolling.

Key Private Universities in Bangladesh

With so many options, students must do thorough research to find the right fit for their academic and professional aspirations. Below is a list of some of the most well-regarded private universities in Bangladesh, organized by location:

Dhaka:

1. North South University (Website)
2. BRAC University (Website)
3. American International University-Bangladesh (Website)
4. East West University (Website)
5. United International University (Website)

Chittagong:

1. University of Science & Technology Chittagong (Website)
2. International Islamic University Chittagong (Website)
3. Premier University (Website)

Sylhet:

1. Leading University (Website)
2. North East University Bangladesh (Website)

Rajshahi:

1. Varendra University (Website)
2. Rajshahi Science & Technology University (Website)

Choosing the Right University

With such a wide range of institutions, it can be overwhelming to decide where to apply. Here are some tips to help you choose the right university:

1. Consider Your Career Goals: If you’re pursuing a career in a specific field (e.g., engineering, business, or medicine), look for universities that are known for excellence in those areas. Research faculty qualifications and university partnerships with industry leaders.
2. Evaluate the Campus Environment: Some students thrive in large, bustling campuses, while others prefer a smaller, more intimate environment. Visit campuses if possible, or explore virtual tours to get a feel for the environment.
3. Look for Accreditation: Ensure the university you’re considering is accredited and recognized by relevant academic bodies in Bangladesh. This guarantees the quality of education and enhances your degree’s recognition both locally and internationally.
4. Check for Scholarships and Financial Aid: Many private universities offer scholarships to outstanding students or financial aid for those in need. Explore these options to help reduce the financial burden.

The Future of Private Universities in Bangladesh

As Bangladesh continues to grow economically and socially, the role of private universities in the country’s educational ecosystem will only become more important. With increased competition among institutions, standards are likely to rise, and students will benefit from improved academic offerings and career opportunities.

Conclusion

The private university sector in Bangladesh has expanded to meet the diverse needs of today’s students, with over 100 approved universities offering programs that cater to various interests and career paths. This guide provides an overview of the most prominent private universities in the country, along with practical advice for prospective students.

By thoroughly researching universities, considering personal academic and career goals, and reflecting on the kind of learning environment that will best suit them, students can make informed decisions that set the stage for a successful future.

Best of luck with your applications! The leaders of tomorrow are studying in these universities today—building the skills and knowledge that will shape industries and communities across Bangladesh and beyond.

List of UGC-Approved Private Universities in Bangladesh.

SL	University Name	Website	Location
1	North South University	www.northsouth.edu	Dhaka
2	University of Science & Technology Chittagong	www.ustc.edu.bd	Chittagong
3	Independent University, Bangladesh	www.iub.edu.bd	Dhaka
4	Central Women’s University	www.cwu.edu.bd	Dhaka
5	International University of Business Agriculture & Technology	www.iubat.edu.co	Dhaka
6	International Islamic University Chittagong	www.iiuc.ac.bd	Chittagong
7	Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology	www.aust.edu	Dhaka
8	American International University-Bangladesh	www.aiub.edu	Dhaka
9	East West University	www.ewubd.edu	Dhaka
10	University of Asia Pacific	www.uap-bd.edu	Dhaka
11	Gono Bishwabidyalay	www.gonouniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
12	The People’s University of Bangladesh	www.pub.ac.bd	Dhaka
13	Asian University of Bangladesh	www.aub.ac.bd	Dhaka
14	Dhaka International University	www.diu.ac	Dhaka
15	Manarat International University	www.manarat.ac.bd	Dhaka
16	BRAC University	www.bracu.ac.bd	Dhaka
17	Bangladesh University	www.bu.edu.bd	Dhaka
18	Leading University	www.lus.ac.bd	Sylhet
19	BGC Trust University Bangladesh	www.bgctub.ac.bd	Chittagong
20	Sylhet International University	www.siu.edu.bd	Sylhet
21	University of Development Alternative	www.uoda.edu.bd	Dhaka
22	Premier University	www.puc.ac.bd	Chittagong
23	Southeast University	www.seu.ac.bd	Dhaka
24	Daffodil International University	www.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd	Dhaka
25	Stamford University Bangladesh	www.stamforduniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
26	State University of Bangladesh	https://www.sub.ac.bd	Dhaka
27	City University	www.cityuniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
28	Prime University	www.primeuniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
29	Northern University Bangladesh	www.nub.ac.bd	Dhaka
30	Southern University Bangladesh	www.southern.edu.bd	Chittagong

SL	University Name	Website	Location
31	Green University of Bangladesh	www.green.edu.bd	Dhaka
32	Pundra University of Science & Technology	www.pundrauniversity.edu.bd	Rajshahi
33	World University of Bangladesh	www.wub.edu.bd	Dhaka
34	Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology	www.smuct.ac.bd	Dhaka
35	The Millennium University	www.themillenniumuniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
36	Eastern University	www.easternuni.edu.bd	Dhaka
37	Metropolitan University	www.metrouni.edu.bd	Dhaka
38	Uttara University	www.uttarauniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
39	United International University	www.uiu.ac.bd	Dhaka
40	University of South Asia	www.southasiauni.ac.bd	Dhaka
41	Victoria University of Bangladesh	www.vub.edu.bd	Dhaka
42	Bangladesh University of Business & Technology	www.bubt.ac.bd	Dhaka
43	Presidency University	www.presidency.edu.bd	Dhaka
44	University of Information Technology & Sciences	www.uits.edu.bd	Dhaka
45	Primeasia University	www.primeasia.edu.bd	Dhaka
46	Royal University of Dhaka	www.royal.edu.bd	Dhaka
47	University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh	www.ulab.edu.bd	Dhaka
48	Atish Dipankar University of Science & Technology	www.adust.edu.bd	Dhaka
49	Bangladesh Islami University	www.biu.ac.bd	Dhaka
50	ASA University Bangladesh	www.asaub.edu.bd	Dhaka
51	East Delta University	www.eastdelta.edu.bd	Chittagong
52	European University of Bangladesh	www.eub.edu.bd	Dhaka
53	Varendra University	www.vu.edu.bd	Rajshahi
54	Hamdard University Bangladesh	www.hamdarduniversity.edu.bd	Dhaka
55	BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT)	www.buft.edu.bd	Dhaka
56	North East University Bangladesh	www.neub.edu.bd	Sylhet
57	First Capital University of Bangladesh	www.fcub.edu.bd	Chittagong
58	Ishakha International University, Bangladesh	www.ishakha.edu.bd	Dhaka
59	Z.H Sikder University of Science & Technology	www.zhsust.edu.bd	Dhaka
60	Exim Bank Agricultural University, Bangladesh	www.ebaub.edu.bd	Dhaka

SL	University Name	Website	Location
61	North Western University	www.nwu.edu.bd	Khulna
62	Khwaja Yunus Ali University	www.kyau.edu.bd	Chittagong
63	Sonargaon University	www.su.edu.bd	Narayanganj
64	Feni University	www.feniuniversity.ac.bd	Feni
65	Britannia University	www.britannia.edu.bd	Comilla
66	Port City International University	www.portcity.edu.bd	Chittagong
67	Bangladesh University of Health Sciences	www.buhs.ac.bd	Dhaka
68	Chittagong Independent University	www.ciu.edu.bd	Chittagong
69	Notre Dame University Bangladesh	www.ndub.edu.bd	Dhaka
70	Times University, Bangladesh	www.timesuniversitybd.com	Dhaka
71	North Bengal International University	www.nbiu.edu.bd	Rajshahi
72	Fareast International University	www.fiu.edu.bd	Dhaka
73	Rajshahi Science & Technology University (RSTU), Natore	www.rstu.edu.bd	Rajshahi
74	Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib University	www.sfmuniversity.org	Dhaka
75	Cox’s Bazar International University	www.cbiu.ac.bd	Cox’s Bazar
76	R. P. Shaha University	www.rpsu.ac.bd	Dhaka
77	German University Bangladesh	www.gub.edu.bd	Dhaka
78	Global University Bangladesh	www.globaluniversity.edu.bd	Barisal
79	CCN University of Science & Technology	www.ccnust.ac.bd	Dhaka
80	Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology (BAUST), Saidpur	www.baust.edu.bd	Rajshahi

SL	University Name	Website	Location
81	Bangladesh Army University of Engineering and Technology (BAUET), Qadirabad	www.bauet.ac.bd	Natore
82	Bangladesh Army International University of Science & Technology (BAIUST), Comilla	www.baiust.edu.bd	Comilla
83	The International University of Scholars	www.ius.edu.bd	Dhaka
84	Canadian University of Bangladesh	www.cub.edu.bd	Dhaka
85	N.P.I University of Bangladesh	www.npiub.edu.bd	Dhaka
86	Northern University of Business & Technology, Khulna	www.nubtkhulna.ac.bd	Khulna
87	Rabindra Maitree University, Kushtia	N/A	Kushtia
88	University of Creative Technology, Chittagong	www.uctc.edu.bd	Chittagong
89	Central University of Science and Technology	www.cust.edu.bd	Dhaka
90	Tagore University of Creative Arts, Uttara, Dhaka	www.tuca.edu.bd	Dhaka
91	University of Global Village	www.ugv.edu.bd	Dhaka
92	Rupayan A.K.M Shamsuzzoha University	N/A	Dhaka
93	Anwer Khan Modern University	www.akmu.edu.bd	Dhaka
94	ZNRF University of Management Sciences	www.zums.edu.bd	Dhaka
95	Ahsania Mission University of Science and Technology	www.amust.ac.bd	Dhaka
96	Khulna Khan Bahadur Ahsanullah University	www.kkbau.ac.bd	Khulna
97	Bandarban University	www.bubban.edu.bd	Bandarban
98	Shah Makhdum Management University, Rajshahi	N/A	Rajshahi
99	Trust University, Barishal	www.trustuniversity.edu.bd	Barishal
100	International Standard University	www.isu.ac.bd	Dhaka
101	University of Brahmanbaria	www.uob.edu.bd	Brahmanbaria
102	University of Skill Enrichment and Technology	www.uset.edu.bd	Dhaka
103	Microland University of Science and Technology	N/A	Dhaka
104	R.T.M Al-Kabir Technical University	www.rtm-aktu.edu.bd	Dhaka
105	Sheikh Hasina University of Science and Technology	N/A	Dhaka
106	Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology	www.cbuft.edu.bd	Chittagong
107	Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology, Khulna	N/A	Khulna
108	Teesta University, Rangpur	www.teestauniversity.ac.bd	Rangpur
109	International Islami University of Science and Technology	N/A	Dhaka
110	IBAIS University	N/A	Dhaka
111	The University of Comilla	N/A	Comilla
112	Queens University	N/A	Dhaka

This completes the list of UGC-approved private universities in Bangladesh as of 2024.