Scholarship Overview & Full Details
6 min readBangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Bangladesh, has announced a special tuition fee arrangement for students from SAARC member countries for the 2026–27 academic session.
Pakistani students can apply directly to BUP for eligible undergraduate and Master's programs under this arrangement. The reduced tuition fee is approximately US$180 per semester.
According to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan announcement, four seats have been announced for Pakistani applicants. However, the scholarship information also states that the reduced tuition arrangement is available to a maximum of two students from each SAARC country. Applicants should confirm the final number of available awards and the selection procedure directly with BUP before applying.
Who Can Apply for the BUP SAARC Scholarship?
The opportunity is intended for students from SAARC member countries, including Pakistan.
Pakistani applicants must also meet the admission requirements of their selected BUP program.
Applicants should:
-
Be a citizen of a SAARC member country.
-
Meet the academic requirements of the selected BUP program.
-
Complete the required admission application.
-
Submit the required academic and supporting documents.
-
Be able to cover expenses not included in the special tuition arrangement.
There is no single academic percentage or CGPA requirement for all BUP programs. Admission requirements vary by degree and department.
For example, undergraduate programs may have specific SSC and HSC or equivalent qualification and GPA requirements. Applicants should check the requirements of their selected program before applying.
Which Programs Are Covered?
The special SAARC tuition arrangement covers eligible undergraduate and Master's programs.
Undergraduate Programs
Examples of undergraduate study areas available at BUP include:
-
Business Administration
-
Economics
-
International Relations
-
Computer Science and Engineering
-
Information and Communication Technology
-
Cyber Security
-
Data Science
-
Environmental Science
-
Law
-
Pharmacy
-
Mass Communication and Journalism
-
Development Studies
Program availability and admission requirements may vary. Applicants should verify the current requirements with BUP before submitting an application.
Master's Programs
Eligible Master's programs are also covered under the SAARC arrangement.
Each Master's program has its own admission requirements. For example, BUP's Master of Development Studies requires an Honours bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least a 2nd Class/Division or CGPA 2.5.
Applicants should check the specific eligibility requirements of their chosen Master's program.
Available Departments and Fields at BUP
The HEC announcement lists programs across several BUP faculties.
Faculty of Arts and Social Science
-
Economics
-
Development Studies
-
Disaster Management & Resilience
-
Public Administration
-
Sociology
-
International Relations
Faculty of Business Studies
-
BBA General
-
Finance & Banking
-
Accounting & Information Systems
-
Marketing
-
Management Studies
Faculty of Security & Strategic Studies
-
International Relations
-
Law
-
Mass Communication & Journalism
-
Peace, Conflict & Human Rights Studies
Faculty of Science & Technology
-
Information and Communication Technology
-
Environmental Science
-
Computer Science and Engineering
-
Cyber Security
-
Data Science
Faculty of Medical Studies
-
Pharmacy
Applicants should confirm whether their preferred program is currently available at the required degree level and whether they meet its admission requirements.
BUP SAARC Scholarship Benefits
The main benefit is a special tuition fee of approximately US$180 per semester.
This represents an approximately 80% reduction from the standard tuition fee.
The arrangement does not cover all study and living expenses. Students may still need to pay for:
-
Accommodation
-
Food
-
Travel to Bangladesh
-
Visa and immigration expenses
-
Books and study materials
-
Personal expenses
-
University or administrative charges not covered by the arrangement
Applicants should confirm which expenses are covered and which are separate with BUP before making financial arrangements.
Accommodation and Living Costs in Bangladesh
BUP's standard residential hall accommodation is estimated at approximately US$30–40 per month.
Food expenses are estimated at approximately US$50–60 per month.
These costs are separate from the special tuition fee.
Students should also prepare a budget for travel, visa expenses, study materials and other personal costs.
Is PhD Included in the BUP SAARC Scholarship?
Applicants should not assume that the US$180 per semester tuition arrangement applies to PhD study.
BUP has a separate MPhil and PhD admission process for the 2026–27 academic session, with its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
Students interested in PhD study should contact BUP directly to confirm whether any SAARC tuition benefit is available for their program.
How to Apply for the BUP SAARC Scholarship
Pakistani students should apply directly to Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Select an eligible undergraduate or Master's program and review its admission requirements.
Step 2: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet the academic and other requirements for your selected program.
Being a citizen of a SAARC country does not automatically guarantee admission.
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Complete the application through BUP's international student admission system.
Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents
Prepare the documents required for your selected program. These may include:
-
Academic certificates
-
Academic transcripts
-
Passport information
-
Other supporting documents requested by BUP
Always follow the latest instructions provided by BUP.
Step 5: Confirm the SAARC Tuition Arrangement
Because the number of places is limited, applicants should contact BUP's Office of International Affairs to confirm:
-
Availability of the tuition arrangement
-
Selection procedure
-
Final number of available awards
-
Other applicable conditions
Is HEC Pakistan Awarding the BUP SAARC Scholarship?
No. HEC Pakistan is disseminating the opportunity to Pakistani students. It is not the organization responsible for selecting scholarship recipients or awarding the tuition benefit.
Admission, selection and matters related to the special tuition arrangement are handled by Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Important Information for Pakistani Applicants
Before applying, applicants should keep the following points in mind:
-
Applications are submitted directly to BUP.
-
HEC Pakistan is not the awarding or nominating agency.
-
The special tuition fee is approximately US$180 per semester.
-
Accommodation is estimated at US$30–40 per month.
-
Food is estimated at US$50–60 per month.
-
Travel, visa and personal expenses are separate.
-
Admission requirements depend on the selected program.
-
The number of available places is limited.
-
Applicants should confirm the final scholarship allocation with BUP.
-
The published application deadline is 31 December 2026.
-
Classes are scheduled to begin on 31 January 2027.
Is the BUP SAARC Scholarship Fully Funded?
No. The US$180 per semester tuition fee should not be considered a fully funded scholarship.
The special arrangement mainly reduces the tuition fee. Students may still be responsible for accommodation, food, travel, visa expenses, study materials and other personal or administrative costs.
Pakistani students interested in studying at BUP should carefully review the admission requirements for their chosen program and confirm the SAARC tuition arrangement directly with BUP before submitting an application.
Eligibility Criteria
- Target Study Tiers: Bachelor's
- Eligible Disciplines: Computer Science, Business Administration, Law, Data Science, Computer Engineering, Pharmacy, International Relations, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Development Studies, Sociology, International Law, Biomedical Engineering
- Minimum Academic Score: 3.00 CGPA (out of 4.00) or equivalent.
- Minimum Percentage Required: 75.00%
- Age Restriction: Between 18 and 35 years old.
- Eligible Nationalities: Pakistan