The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is a public engineering university in Dhaka. It became a university in 1962; its roots go back to the Dacca Survey School of 1876.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is placed in the 711–720 band, second among Bangladeshi universities after the University of Dhaka.[2]
For foreign undergraduates, a 2025–26 admission notice relayed by Kenya’s Ministry of Education sets an admission fee of US$200 and a course registration fee of US$50 per credit hour, with all other fees the same as for local students.[3] Wikipedia reports 26 undergraduate seats for foreign students, with no more than 10 from any one country.[1]
Key facts
| Official name | Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (বাংলাদেশ প্রকৌশল বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), known as BUET[1] |
| Location | Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh (urban campus in the Palashi area)[1] |
| Type | Public research university[1] |
| Founded | 1876 as Dacca Survey School; Ahsanullah School of Engineering from 1908; university from 1962 as East Pakistan University of Engineering and Technology; renamed BUET after 1971[1] |
| Students | 9,234 in February 2020: 5,636 undergraduate and 3,598 postgraduate[1] |
| Faculties | 6 faculties and 18 departments[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 711–720 (Bangladesh: 2nd of 13 listed universities)[2] |
| Language of instruction | English (Wikipedia infobox)[1] |
| Seats for foreign undergraduates | 26 (Wikipedia, undated); no more than 10 from one country[1] |
| Foreign undergraduate fees, 2025–26 notice (Kenya) | US$200 admission fee + US$50 per credit hour (or the equivalent in taka); other fees as for local students[3] |
| Undergraduate entry (Bangladeshi applicants) | Written admission test and viva voce; the test for 2025–26 was held on 10 January 2026[4] |
| Official website | buet.ac.bd |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.
About BUET
BUET began in 1876 as the Dacca Survey School, was renamed Ahsanullah School of Engineering in 1908 and became a university in 1962 as the East Pakistan University of Engineering and Technology. It took the name BUET after the 1971 liberation war.[1]
It is a public university with six faculties: Chemical and Materials Engineering; Civil Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Science; Mechanical Engineering; and Architecture and Planning. In total it has 18 departments.[1] In February 2020 it had 9,234 students, of whom 5,636 were undergraduates and 3,598 postgraduates.[1]
How is BUET ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, BUET is placed in the 711–720 band. It is the second-ranked Bangladeshi university, behind the University of Dhaka (600) and ahead of North South University (901–950) and BRAC University (1001–1200).[2]
Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings. See also the Bangladesh university list.
What can you study at BUET?
BUET is organised in six faculties: Chemical and Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture and Planning, with 18 departments in total.[1]
Postgraduate degrees listed by Wikipedia are MSc, MSc Engg, M.Engg, MURP, MArch, MPhil and PhD, plus postgraduate diplomas in IT and water resources development. About 1,000 graduate students are admitted each year, based on interviews and/or written tests.[1] BUET’s own website is a script-driven page whose text we could not read, so the full programme list is on buet.ac.bd.
How much does BUET cost for foreign students?
We found one dated fee statement for foreign undergraduates. It is a notice for the 2025–26 academic year that Kenya’s State Department for Higher Education published after receiving BUET’s admission notice through the Bangladesh High Commission in Nairobi. For students from Kenya it states:[3]
| Item | Amount (2025–26) |
|---|---|
| Admission fee | US$200, or the equivalent in taka |
| Course registration fee | US$50 per credit hour, or the equivalent in taka |
| All other fees | Same as for local students |
The notice says this is not a scholarship.[3] It is specific to Kenyan applicants, and we could not read a BUET-published fee table for other nationalities, so fees for other countries may differ. Wikipedia (undated) lists the same US$200 and US$50 figures and adds about US$100 per month for food and lodging.[1]
Fees for Bangladeshi students are not covered here. For living costs in Dhaka, see our Bangladesh guide.
How do foreign students apply to BUET?
The 2025–26 notice relayed by Kenya’s ministry sets this route and these conditions:[3]
- Where to apply: through the applicant’s government (in that notice, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of Kenya), not directly to the university.
- Qualifications: a Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or equivalent with GPA 4.00 out of 5.00 or an equivalent score, and a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent obtained in 2024 or later, with at least A grades or 70% in mathematics, physics, chemistry and English.
- Documents: certified copies of educational certificates and three recent passport-size photographs with the BUET admission form.
According to Wikipedia, there are 26 undergraduate seats for foreign students, applicants need HSC or GCE A-level (or equivalent) with high grades in mathematics, physics and chemistry, and no more than 10 students from one country can be admitted.[1] That page is undated and may lag behind the current rules; the notice above is the more recent source.
Bangladeshi applicants sit a written admission test with a viva voce; for 2025–26 the test was on 10 January 2026.[4] We give no deadlines because they change every year. Check the notice for your admission year.
Which language level do you need?
Wikipedia lists English as BUET’s language of instruction.[1] The 2025–26 notice requires a minimum grade in English in the HSC or equivalent, but it names no language test such as IELTS.[3] We could not find a BUET page that states a test requirement for foreign applicants, so confirm with the admissions office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BUET cost for international undergraduates?
The 2025–26 notice for Kenyan applicants states an admission fee of US$200 and a registration fee of US$50 per credit hour, with other fees as for local students.[3] Fees for other nationalities were not found on a page we could read.
How many places are there for foreign students at BUET?
Wikipedia reports 26 undergraduate seats for foreign students and a limit of 10 from one country; the page is undated.[1]
How is BUET ranked?
It is in the 711–720 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, second among Bangladeshi universities.[2]
Can I apply directly to BUET as a foreign student?
The 2025–26 notice says applications are submitted through the applicant’s government ministry, together with certified copies of certificates and three passport photographs.[3]
Is BUET only for engineering?
No. Besides engineering faculties it has a Faculty of Science and a Faculty of Architecture and Planning; 18 departments in total.[1]
More about studying in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Bangladesh
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (history, faculties, students, admissions section; page without a clear update date)
[2] The Daily Star: QS World University Rankings 2027, where did Bangladeshi universities rank? (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Kenya Ministry of Education, State Department for Higher Education: Admission notice for foreign students, BUET, academic year 2025–2026 (PDF created 20 Jan 2026; notice for Kenyan applicants)
[4] Prothom Alo: BUET admission, online application process opens on 16 Nov (article updated 28 Oct 2025)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.