University of Dhaka (DU)
ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়
The oldest and most prestigious university in Bangladesh, founded in 1921. Known as the "Oxford of the East", it has produced Nobel laureates, presidents and prime ministers.
History
The University of Dhaka was established in 1921 under the Dacca University Act of 1920, following recommendations of the Nathan Commission, as the premier seat of higher learning in East Bengal. Modelled loosely on Oxford and Cambridge with a residential-hall system, it quickly became the intellectual and political heart of the Bengali-speaking region. It was central to the 1952 Language Movement and the 1971 Liberation War, when its faculty and students were specifically targeted, and it has since grown into a large multi-faculty research university with dozens of affiliated institutes.
🏫 Campus
The 275-acre Ramna campus is centred on the red-brick Curzon Hall science building and the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), with historic residential halls such as Salimullah Muslim Hall, Jagannath Hall and Rokeya Hall, and the national Shaheed Minar standing at its edge.
📍 Location & overview
📊 At a glance
Dhaka is known for capital city, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, muslin heritage.
Admission & programs
📝 Admission
Admission runs through DU's own unit-based test (A, B, C, D and other units) held after HSC results; roughly 300,000 candidates compete each year for about 7,000 undergraduate seats.
🎓 Programs & faculties
Notable alumni
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - founding President of Bangladesh
- Sheikh Hasina - Prime Minister of Bangladesh
- Dr. Muhammad Yunus - Nobel Peace Prize laureate and microfinance pioneer
- Humayun Ahmed - best-selling novelist and filmmaker
- Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman - former Chief Adviser of Bangladesh
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Public Tejgaon, DhakaFrequently asked questions about University of Dhaka
When was University of Dhaka established?
University of Dhaka was established in 1921.
Where is University of Dhaka located?
University of Dhaka is located in Dhaka, Dhaka district, Bangladesh.
Is University of Dhaka a public or private university?
University of Dhaka is a public university in Bangladesh.
How can I get admission into University of Dhaka?
Admission runs through DU's own unit-based test (A, B, C, D and other units) held after HSC results; roughly 300,000 candidates compete each year for about 7,000 undergraduate seats.
What programmes does University of Dhaka offer?
University of Dhaka offers programmes including Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Business Studies / IBA, Faculty of Law.