Public university admission applications open Jan 2027: UGC
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Application processing for admission tests at public universities across the country for the 2026-27 academic session will begin in January 2027. Plans have been drawn up to organize admission tests starting in February 2027 following the completion of applications.
Universities will determine and announce dates based on mutual coordination, considering student convenience and national interest.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Mamun Ahmed confirmed the matter at a press conference on Monday, following a meeting with vice-chancellors (VC) of public universities at the UGC.
The UGC chairman said the VCs have been requested to keep the month of Ramadan in mind while setting admission test schedules. An appeal has been made to those universities that have already announced admission test dates to reconsider their announced schedules in light of national interest and student convenience.
He added, “Importance has been laid on coordination so that conflicting situations do not arise regarding university admission test dates. UGC’s goal is to ensure that students get the opportunity to sit for admission tests at several universities.”
Admission activities following re-evaluation and supplementary results
The meeting also discussed coordinating HSC and equivalent examination results with admission activities. This year, the number of students passing the HSC and equivalent examinations decreased compared to the previous year. While more than 7,00,000 students passed in 2025, slightly over 6,00,000 students passed this year.
The UGC chairman added, “Answer scripts of students were properly evaluated this year. As a result, many students could not achieve their expected results. Re-evaluation of answer scripts and the organization of supplementary examinations are being arranged for these students.”
He informed that the government is working with the goal of publishing the results of re-evaluations and supplementary examinations by 31 December. Following that, admission activities at public universities will commence. Students who pass in re-evaluations or supplementary examinations will also receive the opportunity to participate in admission tests.
MCQ questions this academic session, analytical questions next year
Modifications to admission test question formats were also discussed at the meeting. However, a decision was made to organize admission tests using multiple-choice questions or MCQ format for the academic session, just like last year.
The UGC chairman said, “Not just rote-based knowledge, but students’ subject-specific skills, analytical capacity, and problem-solving abilities also need to be verified. Importance must be placed on testing a student’s fundamental knowledge and capability in the subject they wish to pursue in higher education.”
For this reason, discussions took place on whether student evaluations could be conducted starting next academic session through subject-specific and analytical questions alongside MCQs. Subsequent decisions regarding this matter will be made after considering the opinions and preparedness of universities.
VCs were also requested to properly consider the GPA criteria when determining eligibility for sitting admission tests. The necessity of conducting admission processes while taking into account the number of students passing the HSC examination this year alongside existing seats in higher education was highlighted.
Even if admission tests are organized slightly later, the VCs were requested to take necessary measures so that regular academic activities of universities are not affected. In this regard, the UGC will extend necessary cooperation to the universities.
Proposal for central coordination committee and seat allocation
A proposal to form a central coordination committee to ensure continuous coordination in admission test activities was also discussed at the meeting. The proposed committee will include representatives from the UGC, the Ministry of Education, and universities.
This committee will work throughout the year on coordinating university admission test-related activities and schedules. Discussions also took place at the meeting regarding whether advance admission activities could be initiated in a more planned manner starting next year.
There are around 180 public and private universities across the country. There are nearly 63,000 seats for first-year admissions at public universities. Affiliated institutions of National University, Islamic Arabic University, and other public universities offer more than 1 million seats. Private universities account for over 4,00,000 seats.
The UGC chairman said, “The initiative to coordinate admission activities has been taken while respecting the autonomy and individual legal powers of universities. Universities will conduct admission activities according to their respective laws and regulations. The UGC will play a role of cooperation and coordination; no decision will be imposed on the universities.”
He expressed hope that with mutual cooperation among the VCs, this year’s admission activities will be more disciplined, coordinated, and student-friendly, emphasizing that the core objective of this initiative is to ensure the proper utilization of students’ valuable time and guarantee admission opportunities in higher education.
