North South University (NSU) is a private university in Dhaka, founded in 1992 under the Private University Act.[1] Teaching is in English and the curriculum follows the American model.[2] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is placed in the 901–950 band, third among Bangladeshi universities and the highest-ranked private one.[3]
NSU states that the tuition fee is the same for everyone, regardless of nationality.[4] About 150 international students from 16 countries study there.[2] We could not read NSU’s undergraduate fee table, because the university’s admissions pages block automated access, so no undergraduate per-credit fee is quoted on this page.
Key facts
| Official name | North South University (নর্থ সাউথ বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), known as NSU[1] |
| Location | Bashundhara Residential Area, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh[1] |
| Type | Private university (Private University Act, 1992)[1] |
| Founded | 1992[2] |
| Schools | Business and Economics; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Health and Life Sciences[1] |
| Students | About 26,000 according to Wikipedia (2020, marked “citation needed”); NSU’s own page gives no total[1] |
| International students | About 150, from 16 countries[2] |
| Language of instruction | English; American-style curriculum[2] |
| Accreditation | University Grants Commission (UGC); School of Business and Economics accredited by ACBSP[2] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 901–950 (Bangladesh: 3rd of 13 listed universities; first among private universities)[3] |
| Tuition policy | “The tuition fee for everyone is the same, regardless of their nationality” (Office of External Affairs)[4] |
| Foreign applicants, entry rule | An average of at least 60% in Grades 10 and 12[5] |
| Official website | northsouth.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.
About North South University
North South University was founded in 1992; Wikipedia states that it was set up under the Private University Act, 1992.[1] Its main campus is in the Bashundhara Residential Area of Dhaka.[1] NSU describes itself as accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC), which it calls the only national accreditation authority in Bangladesh, and says its School of Business and Economics is accredited by ACBSP.[2]
The four schools are Business and Economics; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Health and Life Sciences.[1] Wikipedia gives about 26,000 students for 2020, a figure it marks as needing a citation, so treat it as approximate.[1]
How is North South University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, NSU is placed in the 901–950 band. That is third among the 13 Bangladeshi universities listed, behind the University of Dhaka (600) and BUET (711–720) and ahead of BRAC University (1001–1200).[3] Among private universities it is the highest-placed.[3]
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 North South University?
NSU teaches in four schools: Business and Economics; Engineering and Physical Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Health and Life Sciences.[1] The international admission pages mention, among others, BS programmes in CSE, EEE and CEE, B.Arch, Biochemistry and Microbiology, and BPharm Professional at undergraduate level, and, at graduate level, the MSCSE master’s programme.[5][6]
The full programme list is on northsouth.edu.
How much does North South University cost?
NSU says that the tuition fee is the same for everyone, regardless of nationality, and refers readers to its tuition-fee and admissions pages for the programme costs.[4] Those pages block automated access, so we could not confirm the current undergraduate fee per credit. Check the official tuition page before you plan a budget.
As one confirmed example, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s MSCSE (master’s) page lists the following for regular students. The page shows no study year, only a 2026 copyright notice:[6]
| Item (MSCSE) | Amount in BDT |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit | Tk 4,500 |
| Admission fee (one time, non-refundable) | Tk 20,000 |
| Caution fee (one time) | Tk 10,000 |
| RFID card (one time) | Tk 1,000 |
| Per semester: computer lab / student activity / library | Tk 3,000 / Tk 4,500 / Tk 1,500 |
| Estimate for 30/33 credits (regular MS students) | about Tk 185,000 |
The page lists no separate fee structure for international applicants.[6]
Waivers and scholarships
For undergraduates, the ECE department’s financial-aid page says newly admitted students can receive aid from 100% down to 25% of tuition based on their NSU admission-test score; the top two places in the test receive a full waiver.[7] NSU’s Office of External Affairs says awards for international students are based on “excellent academic results” and does not list percentages.[8]
For living costs in Dhaka, see our Bangladesh guide.
How do international students apply to North South University?
International applicants use NSU’s online application form. The Office of External Affairs (OEA) says undergraduate and graduate requirements are linked separately, and that announcements for each semester are posted on the university’s announcements page.[5]
- Undergraduate: any one of (1) a combined GPA of 8.0 in SSC and HSC with at least 3.5 in each; (2) O-Levels in five subjects with an average grade point of at least 2.5 and A-Levels in two subjects with an average of at least 2.0 (only one E grade allowed); (3) a US High School Diploma, IB Diploma or equivalent. Foreign applicants need an average of at least 60% in Grades 10 and 12. Engineering and science degrees (CSE, EEE, CEE) also set mathematics and physics grades.[5]
- Graduate: a bachelor’s degree with a CGPA of at least 2.75 out of 4.00. The admission test is waived with SAT 1500 (old format) or 1000 (new format) together with TOEFL 500 (CBT 213 / iBT 79) or IELTS 5.5 or higher.[5]
The OEA page does not list required documents. Contact: oea@northsouth.edu.[5] We give no deadlines because they change every semester.
Which language level do you need?
Teaching is in English.[2] The OEA eligibility page mentions English test scores only as part of the graduate admission-test waiver (IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 500 / iBT 79) and lists no separate English test for undergraduate applicants.[5] The MSCSE page also does not mention IELTS.[6] Ask the admissions office whether a test applies to your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students pay more at North South University?
NSU states that the tuition fee for everyone is the same, regardless of nationality.[4] We could not read the undergraduate fee table, so check the official tuition page for the current per-credit rate.
How is North South University ranked?
It is in the 901–950 band of the QS World University Rankings 2027, third among Bangladeshi universities and the highest-ranked private university.[3]
Is North South University taught in English?
Yes. NSU says its language of instruction is English and that the curriculum follows the American model.[2]
What do foreign applicants need for an undergraduate degree?
An average of at least 60% in Grades 10 and 12, plus subject requirements for engineering and science programmes; other qualifications such as O/A-Levels, a US High School Diploma or an IB Diploma are also accepted.[5]
More about studying in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
- BRAC University
- University of Dhaka
- University of Rajshahi
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: North South University (type, address, schools, student figure; page without a clear update date)
[2] North South University, Office of External Affairs: Why NSU? (page without a date; footer 2026)
[3] 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)
[4] North South University, Office of External Affairs: Tuition fee (page without a date; footer 2026)
[5] North South University, Office of External Affairs: Eligibility and application (page without a date; footer 2026)
[6] North South University, Electrical and Computer Engineering: MSCSE admission (page without a date; footer 2026)
[7] North South University, Electrical and Computer Engineering: Undergraduate financial aid (page without a date; footer 2026)
[8] North South University, Office of External Affairs: Scholarship (page without a date; footer 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.