How to Study in Dhaka for International Students

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Dhaka, one of the beautiful cities in Bangladesh, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Dhaka currently has 66 universities, from which 11 universities are a part of the public sector and 55 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Dhaka you should definitely check out are University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, and BRAC University.

Being able to study in Dhaka as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Dhaka, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Dhaka

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Dhaka, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 6,750 BDT to 450,000 BDT, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 9,000 BDT and 540,000 BDT.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Dhaka

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Dhaka, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University 6,750 BDT 15,000 BDT
Bangladesh University of Professionals 38,300 BDT - 49,100 BDT 74,100 BDT - 110,000 BDT
University of Dhaka 58,800 BDT - 141,000 BDT 58,800 BDT - 141,000 BDT

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Dhaka

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
European University of Bangladesh 39,400 BDT - 64,600 BDT 53,600 BDT - 82,000 BDT
International Standard University 56,400 BDT - 101,100 BDT 32,800 BDT - 63,000 BDT
University of Development Alternative 50,000 BDT - 70,000 BDT 50,000 BDT - 70,000 BDT
Gono Bishwabidyalay 65,000 BDT - 150,000 BDT 60,000 BDT - 85,000 BDT
Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology 25,600 BDT - 115,600 BDT 19,200 BDT - 123,000 BDT
International University of Business Agriculture and Technology 123,500 BDT - 223,700 BDT 139,600 BDT - 220,300 BDT
City University 56,800 BDT - 110,400 BDT 18,900 BDT - 56,000 BDT
State University of Bangladesh 114,300 BDT - 161,400 BDT 89,900 BDT - 126,800 BDT
Central Women’s University 80,200 BDT - 138,000 BDT 47,000 BDT - 119,000 BDT
ZNRF University of Management Sciences 97,500 BDT - 108,800 BDT 110,300 BDT
Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology 50,300 BDT - 175,000 BDT 40,500 BDT - 73,300 BDT
Canadian University of Bangladesh 76,500 BDT - 127,100 BDT 90,000 BDT - 126,000 BDT
University of Information Technology and Sciences 137,000 BDT - 223,500 BDT 52,900 BDT - 162,900 BDT
Prime University 52,500 BDT - 125,000 BDT 72,500 BDT - 87,500 BDT
Presidency University, Bangladesh 120,000 BDT - 146,000 BDT 120,000 BDT
Notre Dame University Bangladesh 105,800 BDT - 166,500 BDT 97,500 BDT
Asian University of Bangladesh 15,000 BDT - 69,000 BDT 9,000 BDT - 34,500 BDT
Islamic University of Technology 293,500 BDT 96,900 BDT
Stamford University Bangladesh 86,400 BDT - 163,600 BDT 68,000 BDT - 114,000 BDT
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh 35,300 BDT - 177,400 BDT 96,000 BDT - 142,500 BDT
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology 165,300 BDT 48,000 BDT - 75,000 BDT
Bangladesh Islami University 24,700 BDT - 82,800 BDT 26,300 BDT - 55,200 BDT
Bangladesh University 94,500 BDT - 170,200 BDT 50,000 BDT - 60,000 BDT
Green University of Bangladesh 66,400 BDT - 112,700 BDT 70,400 BDT - 73,900 BDT
Bangladesh University of Business and Technology 101,400 BDT - 167,500 BDT 76,100 BDT - 111,100 BDT
Manarat International University 35,000 BDT - 91,000 BDT 14,400 BDT - 20,800 BDT
Sonargaon University 36,000 BDT - 186,200 BDT 86,800 BDT
Eastern University, Bangladesh 101,600 BDT - 164,500 BDT 60,300 BDT - 108,500 BDT
University of Asia Pacific 70,000 BDT - 106,000 BDT 72,000 BDT - 540,000 BDT
Southeast University – Bangladesh 69,300 BDT - 197,600 BDT 45,000 BDT - 126,000 BDT
Fareast International University 30,000 BDT - 74,000 BDT 50,700 BDT - 85,800 BDT
University of South Asia 55,500 BDT - 107,300 BDT 41,200 BDT - 63,400 BDT
Millenium University 48,000 BDT - 72,100 BDT 48,100 BDT - 60,000 BDT
BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology 108,500 BDT - 183,200 BDT 122,800 BDT - 139,300 BDT
Primeasia University 93,000 BDT - 203,400 BDT 115,200 BDT - 140,400 BDT
Dhaka International University 100,000 BDT - 162,500 BDT 80,000 BDT - 125,000 BDT
ASA University Bangladesh 21,600 BDT - 88,500 BDT 15,000 BDT - 50,300 BDT
Uttara University 20,900 BDT - 132,000 BDT 40,100 BDT - 112,000 BDT
World University of Bangladesh 74,400 BDT - 157,600 BDT 22,200 BDT - 131,100 BDT
Victoria University of Bangladesh 37,800 BDT - 81,900 BDT 42,000 BDT - 92,400 BDT
People’s University of Bangladesh 24,700 BDT - 93,000 BDT 31,500 BDT - 90,800 BDT
IBAIS University 54,900 BDT - 70,800 BDT 27,000 BDT - 59,100 BDT
Bangladesh University of Health Sciences 95,600 BDT - 132,800 BDT 77,800 BDT - 165,200 BDT
East West University 111,800 BDT - 270,500 BDT 60,000 BDT - 180,000 BDT
Central University of Science and Technology 82,500 BDT - 108,000 BDT 86,300 BDT
United International University 179,600 BDT - 260,000 BDT 146,300 BDT - 195,000 BDT
American International University Bangladesh 135,000 BDT - 225,000 BDT 67,500 BDT - 90,000 BDT
Daffodil International University 109,900 BDT - 232,000 BDT 51,800 BDT - 117,900 BDT
North South University 195,000 BDT 67,500 BDT - 97,500 BDT
BRAC University 225,000 BDT - 450,000 BDT 90,000 BDT - 97,500 BDT
Royal University of Dhaka 22,500 BDT - 60,000 BDT 10,500 BDT - 30,000 BDT

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Dhaka, check out the Cheap Universities in Dhaka!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Dhaka for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Dhaka, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Dhaka, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Dhaka may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Dhaka are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Dhaka and their required minimum scores for each program level.

International University of Business Agriculture and Technology

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Canadian University of Bangladesh

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Dhaka

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Dhaka have online applications available on their websites, like University of Dhaka and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Dhaka.

University of Dhaka

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

BRAC University

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Dhaka differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Dhaka.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Dhaka

If you’re going to study in Dhaka, you will need to apply for a student visa in Bangladesh

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Bangladesh. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Study Visa.

To start your student visa application in Dhaka, you will need to present the following:

  1. Accomplished application form
  2. Passport valid for at least 6 months
  3. Passport-size pictures
  4. Letter of enrollment from university
  5. Proof of financial capability

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Bangladesh is 160 USD.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Fill up and submit the online application form.
  2. Pay the visa fee.
  3. Print your accomplished application form and prepare the required documents.
  4. Visit the nearest embassy or consulate and complete your application.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Dhaka. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!