BRAC University

BRAC University (BRACU) is a private, nonprofit university established in 2001 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate education through a multidisciplinary academic structure covering business, engineering, computer science, architecture, law, pharmacy, public health, humanities and natural sciences. English is the university's medium of instruction and examination.

The university follows a liberal arts approach that combines specialized academic education with general education, critical thinking and social responsibility. Its educational philosophy draws on the development-oriented background of BRAC, the Bangladesh-based organization founded by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed.

BRAC University's main academic campus is in Merul Badda, Dhaka. It also operates a residential learning campus in Savar, where undergraduate students undertake a structured program combining academic coursework and experiential education.

History and Institutional Background

BRAC University was founded in 2001 by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. The university developed as a private higher education institution with an emphasis on liberal arts education, professional disciplines and research relevant to Bangladesh and broader international development challenges.

Its academic organization expanded beyond its original undergraduate offerings to include postgraduate education, specialized schools, institutes and interdisciplinary research activities.

The university's relationship with BRAC's development experience is reflected in academic areas such as public health, development studies, social sciences and community-oriented research.

Academic Schools and Areas of Study

BRAC University organizes its academic activities through specialized schools and departments. These units provide education across professional, scientific, creative and social science disciplines.

BRAC Business School

BRAC Business School provides business and management education, including Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA programs.

Its academic scope includes management, finance, accounting, marketing and other business-related disciplines. These qualifications support academic and professional development in business organizations, entrepreneurship and management.

Engineering and Computer Science

The university provides engineering and computing education through its BSRM School of Engineering and School of Data and Computational Sciences.

Relevant academic fields include electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, computing systems and data-oriented disciplines. These areas connect mathematical and scientific foundations with technical problem-solving and computing applications.

School of Architecture and Design

The School of Architecture and Design provides architectural education through its Department of Architecture.

Architecture studies combine design thinking, spatial planning, technical knowledge and consideration of the built environment. Professional recognition of architecture qualifications is subject to the requirements of the relevant licensing or registration authority.

School of Law

BRAC University's School of Law provides legal education, addressing legal principles, institutions, jurisprudence and related areas of legal studies.

Legal education can support further academic study and career development in law-related fields. Admission to legal practice is governed separately by professional authorities in the jurisdiction where a graduate intends to work.

School of Pharmacy

The School of Pharmacy provides education in pharmaceutical sciences and related subjects. Pharmacy is an interdisciplinary field involving chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical knowledge and health-related scientific applications.

Students planning to pursue professional pharmacy registration must distinguish an academic qualification from professional licensing requirements.

School of Life Sciences

The School of Life Sciences covers biological sciences and related scientific disciplines. Its academic interests include the study of biological systems, molecular processes and applications relevant to health, agriculture and environmental challenges.

Humanities and Social Sciences

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences supports education and research in subjects concerned with human society, culture, language, history and social institutions.

These disciplines complement the university's liberal arts approach and contribute to interdisciplinary understanding across professional and scientific programs.

Public Health

The BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health is a specialized academic unit associated with BRAC University. Established in 2004, it focuses on public health education and research, with particular relevance to population health and development challenges.

Public health education addresses population-level health issues, health systems, epidemiology, research and related disciplines. It is distinct from training that independently qualifies graduates for clinical medical practice.

General Education

The School of General Education provides a common academic foundation that complements students' specialized degree subjects.

The university's general education model emphasizes broader intellectual development, communication, ethical understanding and engagement with social and cultural issues.

Degrees and Academic Qualifications

BRAC University offers undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications through its academic schools and institutes.

Undergraduate education includes bachelor's degree pathways in academic and professional disciplines, while postgraduate education includes master's-level study and specialized programs.

Examples of established qualifications include the BBA, MBA and Executive MBA. Other degrees are administered by their respective academic departments and schools.

The academic content, qualification awarded and study format depend on the particular program. A postgraduate taught qualification should not automatically be treated as equivalent to a research-based qualification or a professional license.

English-Medium Education

BRAC University identifies English as its medium of instruction and examination. This is an important characteristic for students comparing higher education options in Bangladesh.

English-medium teaching supports engagement with English-language academic literature, research publications and technical materials used across international higher education.

However, the language used in instruction does not by itself establish that a degree is professionally recognized in another country or that it satisfies a foreign institution's language requirements.

Recognition and Higher Education Oversight

BRAC University is a private university recognized within Bangladesh's higher education system. The university states that it is approved by the Ministry of Education and recognized by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC).

The UGC performs regulatory and oversight functions within Bangladesh's higher education framework. Institutional recognition should be distinguished from the separate accreditation or professional approval of an individual academic program.

For regulated disciplines such as engineering, architecture, pharmacy and law, additional professional or program-level requirements may apply.

International recognition of BRAC University qualifications depends on the destination country's higher education system, credential evaluation practices and applicable professional licensing rules. Recognition in Bangladesh does not automatically establish equivalency in every other jurisdiction.

Research and Specialized Academic Institutes

Research is part of BRAC University's academic activities, with work conducted through its schools, departments, institutes and research centres.

The university's research interests extend across engineering, computing, public health, natural sciences, business, social development and other interdisciplinary subjects.

The BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health provides an example of specialized education and research connected with public health challenges in Bangladesh and other developing regions.

Research activities and academic supervision vary by department. Students interested in research-oriented postgraduate education should distinguish the university's general research activity from the specific academic opportunities available within an individual program.

Merul Badda Campus in Dhaka

BRAC University's main campus is situated at Pragati Sarani in Merul Badda, Dhaka. The campus forms part of the city's urban higher education environment and accommodates the university's academic and student activities.

The purpose-built campus was designed by Singapore-based architectural practice WOHA, with consideration given to the tropical climate of Bangladesh.

Its architecture incorporates greenery, shaded spaces, natural ventilation, daylighting and energy-conscious design. These features reflect an approach to campus planning that responds to Dhaka's dense urban setting and environmental conditions.

Academic and Student Facilities

The main campus includes classrooms, lecture theatres, laboratories, library resources, common spaces and facilities for student activities.

The Ayesha Abed Library supports academic study and research through its collections, study environments and information resources.

Other campus amenities include a multipurpose hall, recreational areas, student gathering spaces and facilities supporting academic and extracurricular activities.

Residential Semester at Savar Campus

A distinctive feature of BRAC University's undergraduate education is its Residential Semester (RS), conducted at a dedicated campus in Savar, outside central Dhaka.

The Residential Semester is designed to combine general education coursework with experiential learning, independent living, teamwork and community engagement.

Students participate in academic and co-curricular activities within a residential environment. The program emphasizes communication, social responsibility, interpersonal development and practical learning beyond conventional classroom instruction.

The Savar campus includes student dormitories, teaching spaces, dining facilities, a library, computer facilities, recreational areas and student support services.

This structured residential learning arrangement is different from ordinary long-term university housing. Students should distinguish the Residential Semester from general accommodation arrangements associated with the main Dhaka campus.

Student Services and Campus Life

BRAC University has dedicated units supporting different aspects of student academic and campus life.

These include the Office of Academic Advising, Office of Co-curricular Activities, Counseling and Wellness Centre, Student Information Centre and Office of Career Services and Alumni Relations.

Academic advising supports students in understanding their academic pathways, while co-curricular activities provide opportunities for involvement outside formal coursework.

The Counseling and Wellness Centre provides student wellbeing support, and the career services office connects academic development with career-related guidance and alumni engagement.

Services and access arrangements may differ by student category, academic program and campus.

International Academic Perspective

BRAC University may be relevant to international students and researchers interested in English-medium higher education in Bangladesh, especially in business, engineering, computing, development-related disciplines and public health.

Its location in Dhaka provides an urban setting for studying in Bangladesh, while its academic structure offers both professional and interdisciplinary educational pathways.

For internationally mobile students and professionals, the key distinction is between receiving an academic qualification from a recognized Bangladeshi university and having that qualification evaluated or accepted by an institution, employer or regulator in another country.

Graduates pursuing further study, employment or professional registration overseas may encounter additional credential evaluation, qualification equivalency or professional licensing requirements.

Who May Find BRAC University Relevant?

BRAC University may be of interest to students seeking private university education in Bangladesh with English-medium instruction and multidisciplinary academic offerings.

Its educational structure is particularly relevant to those interested in business and management, engineering and computing, architecture, pharmacy, law, life sciences, social sciences and public health.

Students interested in broader general education and structured experiential learning may also find the university's Residential Semester model an important feature to consider.

The relevance of any institution ultimately depends on the student's intended academic discipline, preferred learning environment, qualification objectives and the recognition requirements of the country where the degree will be used.

Frequently Asked Questions About BRAC University

Is BRAC University public or private?

BRAC University is a private, nonprofit university established in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2001. It operates within Bangladesh's recognized higher education framework.

Does BRAC University teach in English?

Yes. BRAC University identifies English as the medium of instruction and examination for its academic education.

Where is BRAC University's main campus?

Its main academic campus is located in Merul Badda, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The university also operates a residential learning campus in Savar.

What is the Residential Semester at BRAC University?

The Residential Semester is a structured undergraduate learning experience at the university's Savar campus. It combines general education coursework with experiential learning, residential living, communication and community-oriented activities.

Does BRAC University offer postgraduate education?

Yes. BRAC University offers postgraduate education through its academic schools and institutes, including programs such as the MBA and Executive MBA alongside other specialized master's-level qualifications.