The University of Rajshahi (Rajshahi University, RU) is a public university founded on 6 July 1953 on a 753-acre campus at Motihar, about seven kilometres east of Rajshahi city centre.[1] It lists more than 30,000 students and more than 1,200 faculty members.[1] In the QS World University Rankings 2027 it is in the 1401+ band; no individual rank is given for it.[2]
For foreign undergraduates, the Faculty of Engineering reserves 25 seats in six departments.[3] Its ordinance sets tuition of US$300 per academic year for applicants from SAARC and African countries and US$500 for applicants from other countries; accommodation is extra.[4]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Rajshahi (রাজশাহী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), also called Rajshahi University or RU[5] |
| Location | Motihar, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh; 753-acre campus near the Padma River[1] |
| Type | Public research university; described as the largest university in northern Bangladesh[5] |
| Founded | 6 July 1953 (Rajshahi University Act of 1953); administration today under the Rajshahi University Act, 1973[5] |
| Students | More than 30,000 (university website); Wikipedia gives 25,000+[1] |
| Teaching staff | More than 1,200 faculty members[1] |
| Structure | 12 faculties, 59 departments and 6 institutes (Wikipedia)[5] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 1401+ band; no individual rank (Bangladesh: one of nine universities in the 1401+ band)[2] |
| Seats for foreign undergraduates | 25, reserved in six departments of the Faculty of Engineering[3] |
| Tuition, foreign B.Sc. Engineering (SAARC and African countries) | US$300 per academic year (ordinance, undated)[4] |
| Tuition, foreign B.Sc. Engineering (other countries) | US$500 per academic year (ordinance, undated)[4] |
| Accommodation, foreign B.Sc. Engineering | US$125 per year (SAARC and African countries) · US$250 per year (other countries)[4] |
| Language of instruction | English and Bangla (Wikipedia); foreign engineering applicants need enough English to follow lectures[5] |
| Official website | ru.ac.bd |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 8 November 2026.
About the University of Rajshahi
The University of Rajshahi was founded on 6 July 1953. Wikipedia names the Rajshahi University Act of 1953 as its founding law and the Rajshahi University Act, 1973 as the law that governs its administration today.[5] The 753-acre campus is at Motihar, near the Padma River and about seven kilometres east of Rajshahi city centre. The university calls itself one of Bangladesh’s largest and the largest in the northern region.[1]
Wikipedia lists 12 faculties (Arts, Engineering, Fine Arts, Law, Science, Business Studies, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Veterinary and Animal Sciences), 59 departments and 6 institutes.[5] The university’s own homepage gives more than 30,000 students and more than 1,200 faculty members, while Wikipedia gives more than 25,000 students, so student numbers vary with the source.[1][5]
How is the University of Rajshahi ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Rajshahi appears only in the 1401+ band, with no individual rank. It shares that band with eight other Bangladeshi universities, listed after the University of Dhaka (600), BUET (711–720), 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 the University of Rajshahi?
Wikipedia lists 12 faculties, 59 departments and 6 institutes: Bangladesh Studies; Biological Science; Business Administration; Education and Research; English and Other Languages; and Environmental Science.[5] The university website links its undergraduate admission portal, which for 2026–2027 shows test dates for admission units A, B and C.[6]
For foreign students, the one route we could document is the B.Sc. Engineering programme in the Faculty of Engineering, which reserves 25 undergraduate seats for foreign students in six departments. The page does not name the departments.[3]
How much does the University of Rajshahi cost for foreign students?
The Faculty of Engineering’s ordinance for the admission of foreign students sets these amounts for the B.Sc. Engineering programme. The document carries no study year:[4]
| Item (per year) | SAARC and African countries | Other countries |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | US$300 | US$500 |
| Accommodation | US$125 | US$250 |
There is no application processing fee, and a limited number of scholarships may be available to supplement tuition and accommodation; applicants are told after successful enrolment.[4]
These rates apply to the engineering route only. The university’s general international admission notice for 2026–2027 was a placeholder without content when we visited, so we found no fees for other faculties and none for Bangladeshi students.[6] For living costs, see our Bangladesh guide.
How do foreign students apply to the University of Rajshahi?
The Faculty of Engineering sets these conditions for foreign applicants:[4][3]
- Non-Bangladeshi nationality.
- A standard 12-year school course completed outside Bangladesh, passed with at least 60% marks or equivalent grades.
- At least 60% or equivalent in each of mathematics, physics and chemistry in the last school certificate examination.
- Application within two years of completing the 12-year course.
- Enough English to follow lectures.
Documents for provisional admission: completed application form; photocopies of certificates and transcripts (with an official English translation if not in English); a copy of the valid passport; two passport-size colour photographs taken within three months.[4]
Process: an evaluation committee, chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and made up of the department chairmen, checks eligibility, prepares a merit list and recommends admission. The university then grants provisional admission and notifies the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh for approval.[4] Applications go to the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, by postal service, with scanned copies by e-mail to dean.engineering@ru.ac.bd.[4] We give no deadlines because they change every year.
Which language level do you need?
The engineering ordinance asks only that applicants have “sufficient English proficiency” to understand lectures and names no test or score.[4] Wikipedia lists English and Bangla as the university’s languages.[5] Ask the Dean’s office which evidence of English they accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the fees for foreign students at the University of Rajshahi?
For B.Sc. Engineering, the faculty’s ordinance lists tuition of US$300 per academic year (SAARC and African countries) or US$500 (other countries), plus accommodation of US$125 or US$250 per year.[4] The document has no study year.
How many seats are there for foreign students?
The Faculty of Engineering reserves 25 undergraduate seats for foreign students in six departments.[3]
How is the University of Rajshahi ranked?
It is in the 1401+ band of the QS World University Rankings 2027; no individual rank is published for it in that band.[2]
Is there an application fee?
For the engineering route, the ordinance states there is no application processing fee.[4]
Who approves foreign admissions?
The university grants provisional admission on the committee’s recommendation and notifies the Ministry of Education, Bangladesh for approval.[4]
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
- North South University
- University of Dhaka
Sources
[1] University of Rajshahi: Home page (page without a 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] University of Rajshahi, Faculty of Engineering: Foreign students (page without a date; footer 2026)
[4] University of Rajshahi, Faculty of Engineering: Ordinance for the admission of foreign students (PDF) (document without a date; uploaded to the site in July 2022)
[5] Wikipedia: University of Rajshahi (founding law, faculties, rankings; page without a clear update date)
[6] University of Rajshahi: Undergraduate admission portal 2026–2027 (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.