BRAC University

What BRAC University does

BRAC University is a private, non-profit university established in 2001 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, operating under the BRAC (Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) framework, the world's largest NGO. Founded by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the university serves 21,000+ students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs delivered through 11 schools, 3 institutes, and 5 centers, with international representation from 27 countries. The academic portfolio spans business administration, engineering, computer science, architecture, biotechnology, microbiology, pharmacy, law, public health, governance and development, educational development, languages, and the humanities, with English as the medium of instruction and a compulsory Residential Semester at a countryside campus. Notable specialized units include the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (founded 2004), the School of Data & Computational Sciences, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), and the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER).

The university generates revenue primarily through per-semester tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, with pricing varying by department and program (e.g., MBA at 60 credits, EMBA at 45 credits, MPH at USD 12,000 for the 18-month program, SOAS-BRAC Joint PhD at GBP 5,517 per year). The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via online application portals (separate domestic and international), competitive admission tests and interviews, and outreach through education fairs and the BRAC NGO network. Scholarships and financial aid totaling BDT 381 million annually, plus tuition waivers of up to 50%, are deployed as both social impact instruments and demand-side levers. Research is a significant expenditure line at BDT 644 million in 2023, supported by partnerships with OSUN, SOAS, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Columbia, and others. Underlying technology infrastructure includes a Connect student lifecycle management portal, an Atlassian-based online helpdesk, and the Ayesha Abed Library digital portal; no proprietary AI/ML platform or externally documented API exists.

Name

BRAC University

Legal name

BRAC University

Website

https://bracu.ac.bd

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

BRAC University is a private non-profit university in Dhaka, Bangladesh, founded in 2001. It serves 21,000+ undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students through 11 schools, 3 institutes, and 5 centers, with international representation from 27 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & Management Research Universities (EDAHABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB), Technical Universities with Architecture, Built Environment & Design Engineering (EDAHAEAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Postgraduate programs
• Academic research
• Liberal arts education

Headquarters

HQ city

Dhaka

HQ country

Bangladesh

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Tuition fees charged per semester for undergraduate programs, with different fee structures for various departments. Full-time students typically take 12+ credits per semester.
2. Postgraduate Tuition: Graduate programs charge tuition including MBA (60 credits), EMBA (45 credits), and specialized master's programs with varying credit requirements and durations.
3. Scholarships and Financial Aid: University provides BDT 381 million in annual scholarships. Tuition waivers available for postgraduate programs. Merit-based scholarships awarded each semester.
4. Joint PhD Program Fees: SOAS-BRAC University Joint PhD program charges GBP 5,517 per year. The MPH program charges USD 12,000 for the 18-month full-time program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BRAC University delivers higher education services across 11 schools, 3 institutes, and 5 centers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, offering undergraduate degrees (BBA, BSc Engineering, Computer Science, Pharmacy, Architecture, Biotechnology, Law, and humanities), graduate programs (MBA, EMBA, MPH, MSc, MA), and a joint PhD with SOAS University of London. The university operates an English-medium liberal arts curriculum supported by a residential semester program, research institutes, and student services such as the Connect portal and on-campus medical centre.

Product overview

BRAC University is a private university in Bangladesh established in 2001, offering a portfolio of educational programs across 11 schools, 3 institutes, and 4 centers. The university's product portfolio consists primarily of academic programs including undergraduate degrees (BBA, BS in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Architecture, and more), graduate programs (MBA, MPH, MS in various fields), and doctoral programs. The institution operates several specialized schools including the BRAC Business School, James P Grant School of Public Health, BSRM School of Engineering, and School of Data & Computational Sciences. Key institutes include BRAC IED (Educational Development), BIGD (Governance and Development), and BIL (Languages). Supporting services include the Connect student portal, Online Student Helpdesk, Ayesha Abed Library portal, student transport, medical centre, and residential semester program. The university follows a liberal arts approach with English as the medium of instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BRAC Business School (BBS) School offering Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Executive MBA programs for students seeking business and management degrees.
• BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) School of public health offering Master of Public Health (MPH) program, founded in 2004 to address public health challenges in Asia, Africa and South America.
• BSRM School of Engineering School of engineering hosting the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with programs in EEE, ECE, and related engineering fields.
• School of Data & Computational Sciences School hosting the Department of Computer Science and Engineering offering BS in Computer Science and BS in Computer Science and Engineering programs.
• BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BRAC IED) Institute offering Master of Science in Early Childhood Development, Master of Science in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and PGD/Master of Education programs.
• BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) Institute offering Master of Development Studies, MA in Governance and Development, and Masters in Procurement and Supply Management programs.
• BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL) Institute offering BA in Applied English Language Studies, MA in TESOL, Certificate in TESOL, and various modern language courses.
• Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) Multi-disciplinary post-graduate institute focused on peace and justice studies.
• Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) Centre established in 2011 to encourage Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and develop entrepreneurial knowledge and skills.
• Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) Research centre working on climate physical science and natural resources management for sustainable and adaptive solutions.
• SOAS-BRAC University Joint PhD Program Joint PhD program with SOAS University of London in Political Economy of Development, offering joint supervision and mobility between institutions; three-year program at GBP 5,517 per year.
• Master of Public Health (MPH) Program Full-time 18-month MPH program with USD 12,000 tuition and up to 50% waiver on tuition fees based on merit; multiple scholarships available.
• MBA Program 60-credit (19 courses and internship) two-year full-time MBA program with up to 24 credits waiver available based on academic background.
• Executive MBA (EMBA) Program 45-credit part-time EMBA program expected to complete within two years, with waiver of up to 12 credits available; offered on weekends/evenings for working professionals.
• MSc in Medical Physics 48-credit, 2-year (4 semesters) MSc in Medical Physics program with 25% tuition fee waiver available for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
• Residential Semester Program Unique higher education experience involving practical activity at a specially designed countryside campus, compulsory for all students.
• Connect Student Portal Student lifecycle management system providing access to course registration, grade tracking, billing information, and faculty/staff communication for enrolled students.
• Online Student Helpdesk Portal Centralized platform for students to submit queries, track issue resolution, and access frequently asked questions.
• Ayesha Abed Library Portal Digital library resource portal providing access to academic journals, e-books, and research tools for students and faculty.
• Student Transport Service Affordable, safe, and comfortable transport facilities for students through air-conditioned buses operating on eleven routes across Dhaka city.
• Medical Centre On-campus medical assistance services available to students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26,000+ graduates serving in various sectors globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

45 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Open Society University Network (OSUN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021BRAC University is the first university from South Asia to be part of the Open Society University Network. This partnership provides access to global classroom courses, student exchange programs, OSUN summer courses at CEU Budapest, Social Impact Lab, OSUN Science Shop, and Global Fellows program with yearly stipend and travel opportunities.
• SOAS University of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint PhD program in Political Economy of Development combining SOAS's world-class academic programme with BRAC University's field research opportunities. Students are jointly supervised and spend time at both institutions. SOAS is ranked third globally for development studies.
• Asian Institute of Management, ManilaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under BRAC Business School for academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Asian Institute of Technology, BangkokminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership under BRAC Business School for education and research collaboration.
• Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership under BRAC Business School for academic exchange.
• University of South AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership under BRAC Business School for academic collaboration.
• Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJames P Grant School of Public Health maintains extensive partnership with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for public health research and education collaboration.
• Harvard School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Harvard University for public health research and academic programs through the James P Grant School of Public Health.
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with LSHTM for public health research and academic collaboration.
• Columbia UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMailman School of Public Health partnership under James P Grant School of Public Health, plus broader collaboration through BRAC Institute.
• University of CambridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under School of General Education for academic collaboration.
• Princeton UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for faculty connections and academic collaboration under School of General Education.
• University of Texas at AustinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under School of General Education for academic collaboration.
• Tufts UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of English & Humanities partnership for academic exchange.
• Stockholm UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of English & Humanities partnership for academic collaboration.
• University of DhakaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for academic collaboration.
• ICDDR,BminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration under Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
• CNRS/CEA, GrenobleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration under Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
• Bangladesh Atomic Energy CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences for research collaboration.
• Aga Khan Foundation, CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Institute of Educational Development for education research.
• Yale UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Institute of Educational Development for academic collaboration.
• Columbia University, New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRAC Development Institute partnership for development research collaboration.
• Institute of Development Studies, SussexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under BRAC Institute of Governance and Development for development studies research.
• School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for joint PhD program and academic research collaboration.
• Karolinska Institutet, SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under James P Grant School of Public Health for public health research.
• Makerere University, UgandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under James P Grant School of Public Health for cross-regional public health collaboration.
• George Washington UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under James P Grant School of Public Health for public health research.
• University of Illinois, ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Architecture partnership for academic exchange.
• Lancaster University, UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartment of Architecture partnership for academic collaboration.
• Kyoto UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Disaster Management programs for research collaboration.
• Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for postgraduate disaster management programs and research.
• Bard CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of OSUN network with multiple Bard College campuses (Berlin, Annandale, NYC, Simon's Rock) participating in global classroom and exchange programs.
• Central European UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSUN network partner for global classroom courses, summer programs, and collaborative research.
• UN WomenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships under School of General Education and various departments for gender studies and women's empowerment research.
• World BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with various faculty members under Department of Economics and Social Sciences.
• ILO (International Labour Organization)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with faculty members on labor rights and employment studies.
• RAND CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration with faculty under Department of Economics and Social Sciences.
• Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for legal aid and justice sector collaboration.
• ActionAid BangladeshminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for development and humanitarian work.
• Amnesty InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for human rights research and advocacy.
• UNDPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for development initiatives.
• The Asia FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for governance and development work.
• USAIDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Centre for Peace and Justice for development projects.
• Northumbria University, UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Disaster Management programs for academic exchange.
• BANGLACRAFTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed to strengthen Bangladesh's handicraft sector through collaborative research and development initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• North South University: North South University is Bangladesh's first private university and a direct competitor for the same domestic and international student pool, offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs in business, engineering, and humanities.
• Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB): IUB is a leading Bangladesh private university with similar liberal arts orientation, English-medium instruction, and comprehensive program offerings spanning business, engineering, and sciences — competing head-to-head with BRACU for top-tier students.
• East West University: East West University is a top-ranked Bangladesh private university offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs with similar quality positioning, competing with BRACU in Dhaka for the same applicant pool.
• IBA Dhaka (Institute of Business Administration): IBA Dhaka is the University of Dhaka's business school and a direct competitor for MBA and BBA students, with similar English-medium instruction and corporate-recruitment positioning.
• Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST): AUST is a Bangladesh private university with strong engineering and applied science programs, competing with BRACU's BSRM School of Engineering and School of Data & Computational Sciences.
• United International University (UIU): UIU is a Bangladesh private university offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs, frequently benchmarked against BRACU on local rankings and competing for the same student segment.
• Daffodil International University: Daffodil International University is one of Bangladesh's largest private universities, competing with BRACU across multiple disciplines including computing, business, and engineering.

Broad incumbents

• University of Dhaka: University of Dhaka is Bangladesh's oldest and largest public university, serving as the dominant incumbent in the Bangladesh tertiary education market and the principal low-cost alternative to BRACU's private offerings.
• Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET): BUET is Bangladesh's premier public engineering and technology university, serving as the dominant low-cost incumbent competing with BRACU's engineering and architecture programs.

Regional players

• Aga Khan University: Aga Khan University is a private research university operating across South Asia and East Africa with a similar NGO-affiliated development-focused model, offering comparable health sciences and graduate programs — though primarily in Pakistan and Kenya rather than Bangladesh.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/bracuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/BRACUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brac-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/bracuniversity/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BRAC University