BRAC University
ব্র্যাক ইউনিভার্সিটি
A Dhaka private university, founded by BRAC's Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, teaching in English on a liberal arts model.
- Students
- 21,000
- Tuition
- BDT 247.5K
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2001
- QS World Ranking
- 1001-1200
- 2027 edition
About BRACU
BRAC University was founded in 2001 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder of the development organisation BRAC, and is a private university approved by the Bangladesh Ministry of Education and accredited by the University Grants Commission. Its own website describes a liberal arts approach to education, English as the medium of instruction and examination, and a goal of pairing students with BRAC's experience of tackling extreme poverty.
The university reports more than 21,000 students, more than 26,000 graduates and students from 27 countries. It runs 18 undergraduate and 18 graduate programmes across 11 schools, 3 institutes and 5 centres, including the BRAC Business School, School of Law, School of Pharmacy, School of Architecture and Design, School of Data and Computational Sciences and School of Life Sciences.
Its permanent city campus in Merul Badda, Dhaka, is a 13-story building with three basements, designed for around 12,000 to 15,000 students and built with rainwater harvesting and rooftop solar panels. The university also runs a Residential Semester on a countryside campus at Savar. BRAC University suits students who want an English-language degree in Dhaka, are comfortable with an admission test and interview, and want access to a scholarship system that awarded 1,927 students in 2024.
Why students choose BRACU
All teaching and examination is in English, with a Pre-University course and foundation English courses for students who need to strengthen their English before starting.
The university reports scholarship awards to 1,927 students in 2024 and more than 100 million takas in scholarships each year, including merit, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed and BSRM engineering scholarships.
Programmes include B.Arch, LL.B. (Hons), Bachelor of Pharmacy, BSc in Computer Science and in Computer Science and Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology and Physics.
The Residential Semester and the new Badda campus (123 classrooms, 105 laboratories and the Ayesha Abed Library with over 45,000 books) are part of the student experience.
Admissions
Spring, Summer and Fall 2027 intakes (dates not published)
Selectivity
BRAC University does not publish an acceptance rate. Admission depends on meeting minimum qualifications, passing a written admission test section by section and, for those who qualify, an interview.
Typical entry requirements
| SSC and HSC (Bangladesh) | Minimum GPA 3.5 in each; EEE, ECE, CSE, Applied Physics and Physics need at least a B in Physics and Mathematics; Computer Science and Mathematics need at least a B in Mathematics |
|---|---|
| O-levels and A-levels | Minimum GPA 2.5 in five O-level subjects and in two A-level subjects (A=5 to E=1); C in Physics and Mathematics for engineering and physics programmes, C in Mathematics for Computer Science and Mathematics |
| IB Diploma | Minimum DP score of 24, with a 4 at HL/SL in the programme's key subjects (Mathematics and Physics, or Biology and Chemistry) |
| Other 12-year schooling (US High School Diploma, Ontario OSSD, William Carey Academy) | Eligible to apply; contact the Admissions Office before applying. Pharmacy applicants need an equivalence certificate from the Pharmacy Council before admission |
| English language | No IELTS or TOEFL score was published on the pages we retrieved. The admission test has an English section, and students who do not pass it can be placed in the Pre-University course or in ENG 091, ENG 101 or ENG 102 (freshman courses). |
Deadlines
BRAC University offers three semesters a year (Spring from January, Summer from May, Fall from September). The FAQ gives a tentative admission-test schedule only for Pharmacy (Spring: November and December; Summer: March and April) and Law (Spring; Fall: July and August). Exact 2027 application deadlines were not published on the pages we retrieved.
How to apply
Apply online through the university's admissions portal (admissions.bracu.ac.bd) with an application fee of Tk 1,500 for local applicants or US $20 for foreign applicants. Sit the written admission test; candidates who qualify are called for an interview. International applicants apply online in the same way and can contact the admissions office for guidance.
What admissions looks for
- The minimum GPA or IB score and the subject grades required for the programme.
- Passing each section of the written admission test separately.
- Performance in the interview, which applies to candidates who qualify on the written test.
- Recognised equivalents for students schooled outside Bangladesh, with verified documents and an equivalence certificate.
Tips for applying to BRACU
- 1 Check the subject grade rule for your programme first: engineering, physics and computer science need Physics and Mathematics at HSC B or A-level C.
- 2 If you come from a Bangla-medium background, plan for the Pre-University English course or ENG 091, which the university offers.
- 3 Foreign applicants should email the admissions office before applying if their school certificate is not SSC/HSC, O/A-levels or IB.
- 4 Pharmacy applicants must complete admission within three years of their HSC result publication and need an equivalence certificate from the Pharmacy Council if qualified abroad.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in BDT
BRAC University awards more than 100 million takas a year in scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students, according to its scholarships page, and lists merit-based, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Imdad Sitara Khan and BSRM Engineering scholarships, plus an application form for foreign students. Postgraduate programmes have 20 to 40 percent tuition waivers. The university's accommodation page says fee waivers of up to 50 percent are available for students from remote areas or with financial need.
- 1,927
- Scholarship awardees in 2024
- BDT 381 million
- Annual scholarships (About page)
- More than 100 million takas
- Annual scholarships (Scholarships page)
- Tk 88,000
- Residential Semester fee (from Spring 2025)
Academics
Academic calendar: Three semesters a year: Spring (January), Summer (May) and Fall (September)
BSc in Computer Science and Engineering
136 credits; the admission test covers English, Mathematics, Higher Mathematics and Physics.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)
164 credits, with two admission intakes a year and strict GPA rules.
LL.B. (Hons)
135 credits, offered in Spring and Fall intakes, at Tk 8,800 per credit.
Bachelor of Architecture
207 credits over a five-year (15-semester) curriculum, with an admission test that includes a drawing section.
BBA
130 credits from the BRAC Business School.
BSc in Biotechnology and Microbiology
136 credits each in the School of Life Sciences, requiring at least a C in Biology and Chemistry.
Research
- The university reports BDT 644 million of research spending in 2023 and 76.5 percent of publications in Q1 and Q2 journals.
- A joint PhD programme with SOAS University of London in the political economy of development (per Wikipedia).
- Research is organised through 3 institutes and 5 centres.
Schools & faculties
- BRAC Business School
- School of Architecture and Design
- School of Data and Computational Sciences
- School of General Education
- School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of Law
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Pharmacy
Student life
BRAC University runs a Residential Semester at its Savar countryside campus, with activities such as quiz competitions, creative writing and drama conducted in English. On the Badda city campus, the cafeteria, rooftop jogging track, green lawn and multipurpose hall are shared spaces. Separate male and female dormitories provide three meals a day, air conditioning in shared spaces, Wi-Fi and 24/7 security.
- Residential Semester at the Savar campus, fee Tk 88,000 for students enrolled from Spring 2025.
- Rooftop green lawn and jogging track on the Badda campus.
- A club community and an Office of Co-Curricular Activities.
- Male and female dormitories with three meals a day and an on-site nurse.
Housing. On-campus and nearby off-campus accommodation for international students, plus separate male and female dormitories with fee waivers of up to 50 percent for students from remote areas or with financial need.
Location
The main campus is in Merul Badda, Dhaka, along Pragati Sarani. The city campus is a 13-story building designed around natural light, rainwater harvesting and solar panels. The residential campus is at Savar. Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh.
Notable alumni
- NH Nuhash HumayunFilm director (Moshari, Pett Kata Shaw); BRAC University graduate
- YR Yash RohanActor, model and director; engineering degree from BRAC University
- HI Hochemin IslamNurse and transgender rights activist; was studying for a master's in public health at BRAC University as of 2022
Frequently asked questions
Does BRAC University require IELTS or TOEFL?
No English test score was published on the pages we retrieved. Applicants sit an admission test with an English section, and the university offers Pre-University and foundation English courses.
What are the tuition fees at BRAC University?
For students who enrolled from Spring 2025, tuition is Tk 8,250 per credit for most programmes and Tk 8,800 for LL.B. and B.Arch studio courses. Our annual estimate (credits x per-credit fee / 4 years, or 5 for B.Arch) is about Tk 247,500 to 341,550, plus a one-time admission fee of Tk 33,900 and a semester fee. Foreign students from developed countries pay double the per-credit fee.
When do classes start at BRAC University?
There are three semesters a year: Spring (January), Summer (May) and Fall (September). Pharmacy starts in January and July and Law in January and September.
What is the QS ranking of BRAC University?
BRAC University is in the 1001-1200 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027 and the 1001-1200 band of THE 2026.
Is the admission test compulsory?
Yes. All eligible candidates sit a written admission test on the sections required for their programme, and those who qualify are interviewed.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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