Complete List of All Private Universities in Bangladesh In 2024
Over the past two decades, Bangladesh has witnessed a rapid growth in the number of private universities in the country. From just 10 private universities in 2001, the number grew to 105 private universities approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as of 2024. This expansion of the private higher education sector was driven by rising demand as more students sought access to university education every year.
These 105 private universities in Bangladesh can be found across all eight divisions, with the majority located in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions. They offer a diverse range of programs spanning fields like business, engineering, medicine, arts, sciences and more. Many leading private universities also feature in global and national rankings for higher education.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide a complete list of all UGC-approved private universities in Bangladesh as of 2024. You will find key details like year of establishment, location, size, facilities, range of programs offered, tuition fees, admission criteria, semester systems and exam patterns for every private university. Special highlights are given to top-ranked institutions, private medical colleges, universities strong in business and engineering, as well as specialized category chartered universities.
List of All 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 (SUB) | 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 (1) | www.southern.edu.bd | Chittagong |
| 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) (2) | 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 |
| 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 | http://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 |
| 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 | 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, Bangladesh | www.tuca.edu.bd | Dhaka |
| 91 | University of Global Village | www.ugv.edu.bd | Dhaka |
| 92 | Rupayan A.K.M Shamsuzzoha University | 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 | 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 | R.T.M Al-Kabir Technical University | www.rtm-aktu.edu.bd | Dhaka |
| 104 | Chattogram BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology | www.cbuft.edu.bd | Chittagong |
| 105 | Teesta University, Rangpur | www.teestauniversity.ac.bd | Rangpur |
Locations of Private Universities in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is divided into 8 administrative divisions – Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal, Rangpur and Mymensingh. Private universities are concentrated around major cities like Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi where there is highest demand for higher education.
Distribution of 105 Private Universities by Division:
- Dhaka Division – 43 Universities
- Chittagong Division – 24 Universities
- Sylhet Division – 10 Universities
- Rajshahi Division – 8 Universities
- Khulna Division – 6 Universities
- Barisal Division – 5 Universities
- Rangpur Division – 5 Universities
- Mymensingh Division – 4 Universities
Conclusion
The proliferation of private universities over the last 20 years has tremendously expanded access to higher education in Bangladesh. These private institutions now account for over 50% enrollment in 4-year university degree programs.
Cost of tuition, geographical reach and investment in teaching quality varies widely between established private schools versus newer entrants. But the increased choice offers more options for students to realize their academic goals.
Most private universities focus on business, engineering, computer science and agriculture studies – aligned with popular career paths. With rising incomes and youth demography, the demand for private higher education will continue expanding in the foreseeable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many private universities are there in Bangladesh?
A: As of 2024, there are 105 private universities approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) across Bangladesh.
Q: In which division are most of the private universities located?
A: 43 private universities are located in Dhaka division, making it the division with the highest concentration of private varsities. Chittagong and Sylhet divisions have 24 and 10 private universities respectively.
Q: Which private university is the highest ranked in Bangladesh?
A: According to 2024 QS Asia University Rankings, North South University (NSU) is the top ranked private university in Bangladesh at #15 out of 200 universities.
Q: Do all private universities follow the same semester system?
A: Yes, as per UGC guidelines all 105 private universities follow a uniform 2-semester academic calendar with credit-based scoring system for examination and evaluations.
Q: What is the difference between specialized and non-specialized private universities?
A: Specialized universities like BRAC University and Ahsanullah University focus teaching in specific disciplines like business studies, engineering etc. Non-specialized universities offer a diverse range of programs instead of specializing.
Q: Do private universities operate medical colleges?
A: As of now there are 14 private universities which are permitted to operate medical college and issue MBBS degrees by the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council.