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How to Verify Bangladeshi Degrees and Educational Credentials

Bangladesh has over 160 private universities and 55 public universities accredited through the University Grants Commission (UGC). The country also has a significant workforce migration to the Middle East, UK, and US — and a corresponding market for fraudulent credentials. Here's how to verify any Bangladeshi degree before relying on it.

· 7 min read

Key takeaway

The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) is the sole authority for recognizing universities. As of 2025, UGC lists 55 public universities and 115 approved private universities. Any institution not on UGC's approved list is operating illegally. For foreign employers, WES Canada or WES USA credential evaluation is the fastest way to verify a Bangladeshi degree.

Bangladesh's higher education structure

Bangladeshi higher education is regulated by the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), established under the University Grants Commission Order 1973. UGC approves all public and private universities, monitors program quality, and publishes the official list of recognized institutions.

Key institution types:

  • Public universities: Funded by the government, free or heavily subsidized tuition. Include the "ancient universities" (Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chittagong, Jahangirnagar) and newer specialized universities.
  • Private universities: Established under the Private University Act 2010. Must be UGC-approved. ~115 approved as of 2025.
  • National University (NU): An affiliating body that oversees all government and private degree colleges nationwide — hundreds of affiliated colleges. NU credentials are legitimate but require additional context for foreign employers.
  • Bangladesh Open University (BOU): Distance learning institution. Degrees are government-recognized but distance-learning context matters for some employers.
  • Madrasa education: Regulated by the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board (BMEB). Dakhil/Alim/Fazil/Kamil certificates are recognized for specific sectors.

Major public universities

The most recognized public universities include:

  • University of Dhaka (established 1921 — the "Oxford of the East")
  • University of Rajshahi
  • University of Chittagong
  • Jahangirnagar University (Savar)
  • Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET, Dhaka)
  • Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU, Mymensingh)
  • Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST, Sylhet)
  • Khulna University
  • Islamic University (Kushtia)
  • Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP — military-affiliated)

How to verify a Bangladeshi degree

Step 1: Check UGC's approved institution list

  1. Go to ugc.gov.bd
  2. Navigate to "University" → "List of Universities" or "Approved Universities"
  3. Confirm the institution appears on the current approved list
  4. If not listed — the institution is not recognized. Do not accept the credential.

Step 2: Contact the institution directly

For public universities, registrar offices accept degree verification requests:

  • Write to the Registrar's office with the applicant's name, student ID, program, and year of graduation
  • Public universities typically respond within 2-4 weeks
  • Many private universities have online verification portals — check the university website

Step 3: WES credential evaluation (for foreign employers)

For employment outside Bangladesh, a World Education Services (WES) evaluation is the most widely recognized verification method:

  • Go to wes.org
  • Submit documents: official transcripts + degree certificate sent directly from the institution
  • WES verifies authenticity and provides a Canadian or US credential equivalency
  • Processing: 7 business days (rush) to 20 business days (standard)

Step 4: Embassy attestation (for Gulf employment)

For employment in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, or other Gulf states:

  1. Notarize the degree at a Bangladeshi notary public
  2. Attestation by the Ministry of Education (MoE Bangladesh)
  3. Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA Bangladesh)
  4. Attestation by the destination country's embassy in Dhaka

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries require this full chain for work visa applications.

National University (NU) affiliated colleges

The National University of Bangladesh is an affiliating body that oversees roughly 2,200 affiliated colleges across the country. NU-affiliated colleges award degrees under the NU banner, not their own institutional names. This means a "Bachelor of Commerce from Dhaka Commerce College" is technically a "National University Bachelor of Commerce."

Verify NU affiliations at nu.ac.bd → College Information. Confirm the college is currently affiliated and the specific program is approved.

Common fraud patterns

  • Fake private universities: Bangladesh has seen repeated shutdowns of unauthorized "universities" that operate without UGC approval. If the school isn't on the UGC list, its degrees have zero legal standing.
  • Forged University of Dhaka transcripts: As Bangladesh's most prestigious institution, Dhaka University degrees are frequently forged. Always verify directly with the university registrar or through WES.
  • BUET impersonation: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology is the country's top engineering school. Its name and credentials are targets for sophisticated forgeries aimed at tech and engineering employers abroad.
  • National University vs. private university confusion: Applicants sometimes present NU-affiliated college degrees as degrees from the affiliated college itself (a non-degree-granting institution). Verify which body actually awarded the credential.
  • BMEB madrasa fraud: Fazil and Kamil certificates (equivalent to bachelor's and master's under 2006 reforms) are sometimes forged or inflated to appear as secular university degrees. The certificates look different — verify through BMEB if relevant.

NHS and healthcare credential notes

Bangladesh is a significant source country for UK NHS nurses and doctors. The Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) registers all medical graduates. UK employers should verify:

  • BMDC registration at bmdc.org.bd
  • Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (BNMC) for nurses at bnmc.gov.bd
  • CGFNS International for US nursing credential evaluation

Quick reference: which database to use

Credential type Primary source For foreign employers
Public university degrees UGC list + university registrar WES evaluation
Private university degrees UGC approved list (ugc.gov.bd) WES evaluation
National University college degrees nu.ac.bd affiliate list WES evaluation
Medical degrees BMDC (bmdc.org.bd) GMC / AMC / ECFMG
Nursing credentials BNMC (bnmc.gov.bd) CGFNS / NMC (UK)
Madrasa certificates BMEB WES (with context)

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