The results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations have been released recently, paving the way for yet another challenge — the “University Admission Battle.” Aspiring to secure a place at the nation’s top public universities, students are bracing for a fierce contest where merit, preparation, and resilience will determine their fate. This year, more than 700,000 students will vie for a limited number of university seats to realise their dreams of higher education.
According to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), Bangladesh currently has 55 public universities, of which 53 are conducting regular academic programmes. These institutions collectively offer just over 50,000 seats — a fraction compared to the overwhelming number of applicants.
Competition is especially intense in medical, engineering, and top-tier public universities. BANBEIS data shows that:
| Category | Number of Institutions | Total Seats |
| Public Medical Colleges | 36 | 13,500 |
| Engineering Universities | 5 | Included in above |
| Top Public Universities (Dhaka, Jahangirnagar, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Islamic) | 5 | 22,000+ |
A total of 726,960 students have passed this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations. Among them:
| GPA Category | Number of Students |
| GPA 5.00 | 69,097 |
| GPA 4.00 | 159,000 |
| GPA 3.50 | 139,000 |
Most of these students will now join the admission race. However, experts caution that while GPA indicates academic achievement, the true determinant for university admission lies in performance on the admission tests.
The demand for seats in elite universities continues to grow. Institutions such as Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong University, Jagannath University, and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) remain the top choices for students.
Due to limited seats, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Last year, many GPA 5.00 achievers failed to secure admission, while some students with GPA 4.00 or even 3.50 succeeded through better preparation and examination strategy. This highlights that academic merit alone is not enough — proper preparation, strategy, and a touch of luck also play vital roles.
This year, approximately 484,000 students will compete for around 40,000 seats across medical, engineering, and top government universities — meaning 12 candidates per seat on average.
While over 726,000 students have passed, the combined number of seats across universities, medical, dental, and private institutions is about 1.3 million. However, the reality is far different — many of these seats remain unfilled as the majority aim for a few prestigious public universities.
Education analysts note that demand and availability are uneven: seats are scarce where students wish to go, and abundant where demand is low. Historically, universities such as Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Jahangirnagar, BUET, and medical colleges see the fiercest rivalry — with up to 20 applicants per seat in recent years.
Twenty public and science & technology universities will once again conduct their admission tests under the Cluster System (Guccho) this year.
| Cluster Type | Minimum GPA Requirement | Total Seats |
| Science | 7.0 | 23,104 |
| Business Studies | 6.5 | |
| Humanities | 6.0 |
The Cluster Admission Committee has announced that the application start date, fees, and exam schedule will soon be finalised. Meanwhile, BUET, KUET, CUET, and RUET will hold their own joint admission test, and six agricultural universities will also conduct a combined entry examination.
For those unable to secure admission to public universities, the National University (NU) remains the final hope. Affiliated with around 2,200 colleges, the NU offers approximately 640,000 seats at the honours level.
Additional seat availability includes:
| Institution | Available Seats |
| Seven Government Colleges (Dhaka) | 23,630 |
| Islamic Arabic University | 64,529 |
| Open University | 87,593 |
| Nursing and Midwifery Institutes | 5,600 |
| Textile & Engineering Colleges | 1,440 |
Thus, alternative pathways for higher education remain open.
Professor Dr A. S. M. Amanullah, Vice-Chancellor of the National University, said: “Since last year, we have introduced admission tests, ensuring merit-based selection. This has created an opportunity for qualified students to enrol. Alongside increasing seat numbers, we are also prioritising quality education. However, infrastructure deficiencies and teacher shortages at the college level remain major challenges, which we are working to address.”
UGC Chairman Professor S. M. A. Faiz stated:“We do not foresee major complications in university admissions. Selection will depend strictly on merit and qualifications. Not every student in any country pursues higher education, but due to fierce job market competition in Bangladesh, such a culture has emerged. It is time to gradually change that mindset.”
The forthcoming months will thus mark a critical juncture for Bangladesh’s youth — a high-stakes contest where determination, skill, and perseverance will define who secures a place in the country’s most coveted seats of higher learning.