Unlocking Global Opportunities Bringing International Degrees to Your Doorstep

Pursuing an international degree can be overwhelming and expensive. From navigating the admissions process to securing a visa and relocating to a new country, each step demands a significant amount of time and effort. Universal College Bangladesh (UCB) helps you transcend geographical boundaries by allowing you to prepare for, pursue, or even complete your long-dreamt foreign degree right here in Dhaka. Whether you come from a Bangla or English medium background, UCB's internationally accredited curriculum and classrooms will connect you directly to educational powerhouses in the UK, Australia, and beyond.

Overview of UCB

There are very few institutions like Universal College Bangladesh (UCB), located in the heart of Dhaka's elite district, that offer world-class educational services to Bangladeshi students. UCB, as the first-ever international higher education provider approved by the Ministry of Education in Bangladesh, has partnerships with some of the world's leading universities. It is a great privilege to be a part of the UCB family, especially as a student.

With the ever-growing opportunities for global exposure, it has become increasingly common for young Bangladeshis to seek better educational opportunities abroad. The most striking aspect of UCB is that it has redefined the landscape of higher education in Bangladesh by offering top university programmes from leading Australian and UK partner institutions right here at home.

As expected, all of UCB's programmes are taught by highly qualified faculty who creatively utilise small group teaching and provide personalised attention to every student. The teachers are equally committed to guiding students in all aspects of life, including extracurricular activities and other support services.

It's important to note that while studying abroad often requires students to live away from their families, UCB offers a wide array of world-class programmes close to home, with lower tuition fees compared to other international universities. This allows students to receive a top-tier education while staying within reach of their families, saving money, and maintaining a close connection with home. For students interested in pursuing studies abroad, UCB also provides support in test preparation, college applications, visa processing, and financial aid counselling.

Being a UCB student offers the opportunity for a successful career, particularly through placement opportunities with esteemed local and international multinational corporations. To this end, UCB has established partnerships with leading companies such as Singer, LankaBangla, and Berger.

UCB is also planning to develop a 15-acre fully integrated learning and living centre, equipped with world-class facilities for over 10,000 students. Additionally, UCB is in discussions with top-ranked universities globally and has already made significant strides in introducing new programmes in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), as well as in soft sciences such as design, fashion, logistics, hospitality, and many other disciplines that will contribute to the economic development and success of Bangladesh.

New postgraduate programmes are also on the horizon.

Next, we will explore the state-of-the-art collaborations between UCB and its partner institutions, including the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Monash University, and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

London School of Economics (LSE)

UCB has successfully partnered with the prestigious University of London. This partnership allows UCB to offer its students a full Bachelor of Science Honours degree under the academic supervision of the London School of Economics (LSE). This collaboration provides UCB students with a remarkable opportunity to pursue LSE curricula for three-year degrees in Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Economics, and Finance.

In addition, UCB has introduced a unique course called the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Science (CHESS). This programme is specifically designed to integrate students who have completed their HSC in Bengali or English versions. Upon successfully completing CHESS, students can transition directly into the University of London degree programme and complete it in three years without the need for any additional qualifications.

Choosing to study under the London School of Economics (LSE) curriculum at UCB offers numerous advantages. Students can earn a University of London degree while benefiting from the academic rigour and prestige of LSE. Upon completion of their studies, they have the opportunity to attend the convocation ceremony in London, celebrating their achievements on a global stage. The programme also provides a seamless pathway to pursue a Master's degree at LSE or other top-tier universities, further enhancing their academic and career prospects.

Exceptionally high-performing students may have the opportunity to transfer to LSE, allowing them to experience the vibrant academic environment of one of the world's leading institutions. Additionally, students can participate in the LSE Summer School, a three-week programme that offers intensive courses and the opportunity to network with peers and professionals from around the world.

UCB students also gain access to valuable internship opportunities, helping them gain industry exposure and practical experience with top corporations. This hands-on experience, combined with the quality of education, positions graduates for successful career placement in leading companies in Bangladesh and multinational corporations, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in their chosen fields.

UCB launched its University of London degree programme with the gracious presence of Dr. James Abdey from LSE, and the first batch of UCB students began their international education in Gulshan last October. It is expected that this cohort will complete their international degrees by May 2026.

University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

UCB launched its programme not long ago, and within a short period, it has shown remarkable progress in student recruitment. According to a UCB official, the number of students has doubled compared to the previous year in existing programmes. Inspired by this recent success, UCB plans to upgrade and expand its offerings by establishing new partnerships with globally recognised universities. A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is a prime example.

UCB is already preparing to launch UCLan academic programmes, aiming to blend academic excellence with cultural diversity. Through this partnership, UCB is committed to producing a new generation of leaders and innovators, equipping Bangladeshi students with a global perspective and industry-relevant skills.

UCLan sent a team to inspect UCB last July. "I've already received the official confirmation, and what I can tell you is that we've passed the accreditation validation and received 11 commendations for excellence—the highest number they've ever awarded to any institution, including their UK partners. So, they rated us better than their British partners, which I'm very pleased about. In the first year, the degree programmes will be in Business & Management and Software Engineering. The good news is these will also be direct entry programmes for HSC students, allowing them to complete a full three-year honours degree from the UK right here," said Prof. Hew Gill, President & Provost of UCB.

With training at UCB, students will be well-equipped to tackle challenges both globally and locally, thanks to their exposure to world-class education. UCB students can also easily secure placements and opportunities, such as joining the summer school at UCLan, where they can engage with real-world problems and industry challenges. In terms of access to online academic resources, UCB students will be able to take a virtual tour of UCLan, further enhancing their academic experience.

While UCLan programmes at UCB offer a globally consistent curriculum, this does not mean that the education is ahistorical or non-contextual with reference to Bangladesh. Instead, it will be aligned with local sensibilities and context-specific resources.

The assessment process will be uniform across all locations. UCB students can easily transfer between institutions if they wish, spending a year at UCB and then seamlessly continuing their studies in the UK.

Monash University

UCB's exclusive partnership with Monash University enables it to offer the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) and Monash College Diploma (MCD) programmes in Bangladesh. With these programmes, students benefit from a curriculum designed to meet international standards, preparing them for seamless entry into one of the world's leading universities. Additionally, studying at UCB offers a cost-effective alternative while maintaining the same academic rigour and support available at Monash University.

Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)

MUFY is a pre-university comprehensive programme that provides students with a solid foundation, allowing for a smooth transition to their bachelor's degree. It qualifies students to enter all 10 Monash faculties with a wide range of subject choices, including business, engineering, architecture, law, medicine, and information technology. Successful completion of MUFY allows students guaranteed entry into the first year of their chosen undergraduate degree at Monash University in Australia or Malaysia.

The foundation programme has three intake sessions in January, July, and August. It has a duration of 10 months and is taught over two semesters. Each semester consists of at least four units, and completing the programme requires passing a minimum of eight units. However, students can also choose to complete bonus units each semester to increase their final score. This university pathway programme enables HSC, O, AS, or A level students to gear up and step into their guaranteed first-year entry at Monash University.

Monash MCD Programmes

The Monash College Diploma (MCD) is equivalent to the first year of a degree programme at Monash University in Australia and Malaysia, providing students with direct entry into the second year of degrees in data science, business, IT, and engineering. Monash College fully oversees and directs everything related to the annual teaching plan, semester structure, learning objectives, curriculum, testing, and evaluation process for UCB's MCD programmes. "Everything that we do under Monash is exactly similar to them and is marked by Monash. So, the marks we're getting, the exams we're taking, the way we're teaching students are identical to what students would get if they went directly to Melbourne," remarked Professor Hew Gill, Provost & President at UCB.

The MCD programmes are offered in three fields of study: business, engineering, and IT, and they are divided into two parts. The first part teaches students basic maths and science theories, while the second part covers the same subjects offered in the first year at Monash University, helping students gain specialised knowledge in engineering, IT, or business. The MCD in Business is a 9-month long programme, and students are free to choose from two main streams. The business stream is for students who want to pursue a business degree majoring in banking, finance, marketing, or accounting. Students can also opt for a specialised degree, such as a Bachelor of International Business, where they will develop the expertise to operate in global business environments and acquire the skills necessary to conduct business across various countries and settings. The commerce stream is for those looking to major in economics, finance, actuarial studies, or accounting and requires a higher level of mathematics.

The MCD in Engineering requires 12 months, while the IT programme requires 9 months to complete. After completing the Engineering MCD, students are eligible to transfer to the second year of various engineering degrees, including software engineering, robotics, aerospace, chemical, and biomedical engineering. Conversely, the IT MCD equips students to pursue a range of majors, from computer science to cybersecurity to game design or IT for business. Both of these programmes help students enter the most competitive and high-demand subjects in the world. Additionally, UCB students are eligible for special fee waivers when they enrol at Monash University.

One significant advantage of the MCD programmes is that they make world-class Monash degrees affordable by reducing the cost of the first year. If students were to pursue the first year in Australia, it would require at least 60 to 70 lakh BDT, whereas the amount would be around 35 to 40 lakh BDT if they completed the first year at the Monash Malaysia campus. However, S M Risalat Rahman, Assistant Manager at UCB, highlights that with the MCD programmes, students can complete the same first year for 8 to 9 lakh BDT, which makes a substantial difference to the overall spending for the Monash degree.

Unlock global opportunities with UIFY

UCB's International Foundation Year (UIFY) programme can give students a head start if they intend to pursue a degree with global prestige. The Level 3 UCB International Foundation Year (UIFY) for Higher Education Studies offers a unique opportunity for students to follow their desired career paths in more than 70 universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, or Ireland. It is a one-year pre-university qualification exclusively crafted to enhance students' English language skills and provide a practical introduction to their chosen field of study, while also honing their research and study skills. Completing the foundation year gives Bangladeshi students, especially those from HSC backgrounds, the edge to excel in their undergraduate studies abroad.

Students can choose from fields such as business, engineering, computing, chemical engineering, higher finance, and health sciences through the UIFY programme. Eight universities in the UK, Australia, and Ireland offer guaranteed access to graduates of the NCC Educational Level 3 International Foundation Programme for Higher Studies. To gain entry into the UIFY programme, students must have completed either their GCSE/IGCSE 'O' levels or HSC with at least a GPA of 3.0 or above. HSC students are required to achieve an average of 50% with passes in four or more subjects, including Maths and English. Alternatively, they can gain admission with a valid score of 4.5 or above in the IELTS or by taking the free NCC Education Standard English Placement Test.

UCB is not all about studies. They offer a wide range of facilities, including a library and various clubs, and each week is packed with different social and co-curricular activities. UCB's President shared that last month they successfully completed a Chess Championship and are also planning to celebrate World Photography Day and World Online Learning Day. Their highly equipped labs are accessible to non-STEM students as well, provided they are members of the science club. There are also regular online sessions and physical visits from partner universities, offering students opportunities to engage directly and build connections that enhance their academic experience.

UCB offers a unique blend of opportunities for growth both academically and personally while ensuring a bright future in terms of employability and further higher education. Obtaining an international qualification from the comfort of your home country not only makes international education affordable but also increases the chances of securing scholarships for fully funded Master's or PhD programmes in the future. "I'd say now is a very exciting time for Bangladesh for many reasons. What Bangladesh needs now is a lot of bright, internationally educated people to take the country's economy to the next stage. So, don't think about going abroad; now is the time to serve the nation, and we can give you that international experience without having to go abroad," shared Professor Gill.