From Dhaka to the World

For many students finishing HSC or A Levels, the excitement of results is quickly followed by uncertainty. Should they choose public or private universities? Stay in Bangladesh or go abroad? What subject will best secure their future? These questions not only trouble students but also weigh heavily on their parents.

Traditionally, the most ambitious students looked abroad. Yet today, studying overseas has become harder: admission competition is rising, scholarships are shrinking, visa policies are stricter, approvals are fewer, and costs for tuition and living continue to climb. Even part-time job opportunities abroad are less available than before. For many families, the dream of international education feels increasingly out of reach.

Professor Hew Gill, President and Provost, Universal College Bangladesh (UCBD)

That is where Universal College Bangladesh (UCBD) steps in. Created in partnership with some of the world's leading universities, UCBD offers Bangladeshi students the chance to earn prestigious international degrees without leaving Dhaka.

Direct Pathways Abroad

UCBD collaborates with globally respected institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE) under the University of London, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), and Monash College in Australia. Through these partnerships, students gain access to internationally recognised programs with the same curriculums, exams, and faculty approval as their overseas counterparts.

The Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) provides a direct route to Monash University in Melbourne or Malaysia, guaranteeing admission for students who successfully complete the program. The UCBD International Foundation Year (UIFY) prepares SSC and O Level students for university study in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

Meanwhile, the Monash College Diploma (MCD) fast-tracks AS, HSC, and MUFY graduates straight into the second year of Monash University degrees. This option saves time, reduces costs, and still leads to the same prestigious Monash qualifications.

After HSC or A Levels, students often face tough choices: which university to join, what subject to study, whether to stay in Bangladesh or go abroad. Parents share the same worries, especially as tuition costs rise, visa policies tighten, and scholarships shrink. Studying abroad is still a dream for many, but with fewer part-time work opportunities and increasing expenses, the emotional and financial strain on families is greater than ever.

International Degrees in Dhaka

UCBD also delivers full University of London degrees under the academic direction of LSE. Programs include Accounting & Finance, Business & Management, Data Science & Business Analytics, Economics, and Finance. Students graduate with certificates identical to those earned in London, with UCBD listed only as the teaching centre. They even have the option to attend their graduation ceremony in the UK.

In addition, UCLan offers UK-accredited degrees in Business & Marketing, Cyber Security, and Software Engineering at UCBD. These three-year programs can be completed entirely in Bangladesh or partly in the UK, with students receiving the exact same certificates as those in Britain.

Stay Local, Go Global

UCBD's philosophy is simple: stay local, go global. Every program mirrors the standards of its international partner, from curriculum to assessment, while UCBD faculty undergo rigorous approval processes. Small-group teaching encourages engagement and confidence, and the cost is far more manageable for middle-income families compared to overseas study.

Graduates leave with international credentials, global skills, and the confidence to succeed — whether in top Bangladeshi firms, multinational companies, or careers abroad. For current SSC, HSC, O and A Level students, UCBD represents a reliable gateway to world-class education and long-term opportunity.