Student crisis to worsen in medium, small private universities

The pass rate in this year’s HSC and equivalent examinations has nosedived to the lowest in the past two decades. The recently published results of the public exams show a pass rate of 58.83 per cent. A total of 726,960 examinees have passed while 508,701 failed. In this situation, student admission in private universities across the country may decrease.

Especially, universities already facing low enrolment are likely to see the student crisis worsen further, apprehend persons concerned. However, they believe the crisis can be overcome if the varsities maintain quality of higher education.

It is learnt that academic activities are currently running in over 100 private universities in the country. Unlike public universities, these private varsities receive no financial grant from the government. As a result, they run on student enrolment. The more students enrol, the higher the revenue under the policy followed by these universities. Thus, lower enrolment hits revenue.

Consequently, the universities fall into financial crisis. Many a time, they even shut down. According to the latest annual report of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the number of operational private universities (with student enrolment) stands at 102. These varsities have 358,414 students in total.

On average, the student strength is around 3,500. However, top-tier universities have student numbers ranging from a maximum of 23,000 to a minimum of 6,000. On the other hand, the smallest private university in terms of enrolment has only 53 students.

As per the UGC’s latest annual report and information from private university stakeholders, there are 21 universities with student strength between a maximum of 23,000 and a minimum of 6,000. North South University tops the list with 23,113 students. There are 14 medium-sized private universities with enrolment ranging from a minimum of 3,000 to a maximum of 6,000. The highest number—67 out of 102 private universities—are small ones with student numbers between a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 3,000.

The University of Skill Enrichment and Technology has the lowest enrolment of 53 students. As per UGC directives, a minimum GPA of 2.50 in HSC/equivalent is required for admission to undergraduate and equivalent levels in public and private universities. However, the requirement is raised further depending on the university and subjects. On the other hand, among the 726,960 students who passed the 2025 HSC and equivalent exams, 615,448 secured GPA-3 to GPA-5.

According to information, over 600,000 students who have completed higher secondary will first sit for admission tests in public universities and medical colleges (if they meet the HSC/SSC GPA eligibility). If they fail to secure a seat there, they will opt for private universities or colleges affiliated with the National University.

Private universities generally admit students under dual and tri-semester systems. Dual semesters start in January and July. For tri-semester programmes, admission opportunities are available thrice—in Spring (January-April), Summer (May-August) and Fall (September-December).

Private university insiders say except a handful of top-tier varsities, most higher education institutions struggle every year to achieve desired student enrolment. As a result, these universities suffer from student shortage. This forces them to offer various incentives—waivers, special discounts, scholarships. Due to the record-low pass rate in HSC, they will naturally face student crisis this time.

Vice-Chancellor of State University of Bangladesh Prof Dr Md Akhter Hossain Khan told The Daily Campus, “Due to the lower pass rate in HSC and equivalent exams, student admission in private universities may decrease to some extent, leading to a crisis. It is true that the number of GPA-5 has dropped this year. But GPA-4 and GPA-4.5 have not decreased.” He further said, “Students first take admission tests in public universities for higher education. If they do not get a chance there, they come to private universities. However, I believe private universities that ensure quality will not face student crisis.”

Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University and President of Bangladesh Society for Private University Academics Prof Dr Farid Ahmed Sobhani told The Daily Campus, “The drop in pass rate in this year’s HSC exams means a significant reduction in the number of university-eligible students compared to total examinees. This will directly impact the admission process in private universities. Because private universities are primarily tuition fee-dependent institutions. If enrolment falls, many universities may face financial crisis.” He said, “This could pose a major challenge especially for relatively new or small-sized universities. Meeting their administrative and academic expenses will become difficult. If the downward trend in HSC results continues in the future, some private universities may struggle for survival—this apprehension is not unfounded.”

“But on the positive side, this situation may encourage universities to adopt quality education, technology-based teaching methods, skilled human resource development and innovative strategies to attract students. I believe quality universities will remain capable of attracting students as always.”

A member of the Board of Trustees of a private university in the capital told The Daily Campus, “Universities will have to struggle to ensure quality education. Because they will have to offer many concessions in student admission this time. Top-tier institutions like North South and BRAC will not face student crisis. But completely new and struggling universities will be badly affected.” He further said, “The government provides no support to private universities. They run on student enrolment. The more students enrol, the higher their revenue. Thus, lower enrolment will hit revenue. Universities will suffer.”

“Many (university authorities) have assumed that student enrolment will drop in the upcoming semester. But again, many think that those securing comparatively lower GPA due to the low pass rate may skip public university admission tests and come directly to private universities. So, whether there will be a student crisis or not is hard to tell now.”

Director of Private University Association Belal Ahmed told The Daily Campus, “The pass rate and number of GPA-5 in HSC and equivalent exams have decreased this year. This will have some impact on student admission in private universities. However, given the eligibility (GPA) for private university admission, most students will be able to apply.”