National University (NU) offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various disciplines. Admission to these programs is highly competitive, and aspiring students must meet specific eligibility criteria and diligently follow the application procedures. This comprehensive report provides detailed information about NU admission for the 2024-2025 academic year, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, important dates, and merit list determination. It is based on in-depth research conducted on the National University’s official website and admission guidelines.
NU Admission Timeline for 2024-2025
The online application window for the first year of undergraduate honours programs at colleges affiliated with National University for the 2024-2025 academic year will be open from 4:00 PM on January 21st, 2025, to midnight on February 28th, 2025.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Form Submission | January 21st, 2025 to February 28th, 2025 |
| Application Fee Submission to Colleges | January 22nd, 2025 to March 2nd, 2025 |
| Online Application Verification by Colleges | January 22nd, 2025 to March 4th, 2025 |
| Colleges Submit Application Fees to NU | March 6th, 2025 to March 12th, 2025 |
| Admission Test | May 3, 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for admission to NU’s undergraduate honours programs, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Educational Qualifications: Applicants must have passed the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or equivalent and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or equivalent examinations from a recognized board or university in Bangladesh. Minimum GPA requirements vary depending on the academic track, creating different levels of competition for each track:
| Academic Track | Minimum SSC GPA (including 4th subject) | Minimum HSC GPA (including 4th subject) | Minimum Combined GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities/Business Studies | 3.5 | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Science | 3.75 | 3.5 | 6.0 |
This difference in GPA requirements reflects the varying levels of academic rigor and competition across different disciplines. For instance, the higher GPA requirement for the Science track indicates the higher demand and competitiveness for science-related programs.
- O-Level and A-Level Qualifications: Students with O-Level and A-Level qualifications have a different set of requirements. They must have at least three subjects with a ‘B’ grade in O-Level and at least one subject with a ‘B’ grade in A-Level to be eligible. These applicants must submit a written application to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at NU, along with their transcripts and two passport-sized photographs. This separate application process ensures that students with different educational backgrounds are evaluated appropriately.
- Foreign Certificate Holders: Applicants with foreign certificates must have their certificates evaluated by a recognized education board in Bangladesh to ensure equivalency with the Bangladeshi education system. They must also submit a written application to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at NU, along with their transcripts, equivalency certificate, and two passport-sized photographs. This process ensures that all applicants, regardless of their educational background, meet the required standards for admission.
- Adherence to Academic Track: Applicants must apply for programs within their academic track. This ensures that students continue their studies in a field they are already familiar with and have demonstrated aptitude in. For example, students who passed the HSC examination in Home Economics should apply under the Humanities track.
- Minimum Grade Point in HSC Subjects: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 200) in the subjects they wish to study at the honours level. This requirement ensures that students have a strong foundation in the subjects they wish to specialize in.
- No Concurrent Enrollment: Students currently enrolled in undergraduate programs at NU cannot apply for admission to the first year of honours programs in the 2024-2025 academic year. This rule prevents students from being registered in multiple programs simultaneously, ensuring they focus on completing one program at a time. If they wish to apply for the honours program, they must cancel their previous enrollment.
- No Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment in the same or different academic years will result in the cancellation of both admissions and registrations. This strict rule prevents students from manipulating the system and ensures fair access to education for all.
Application Procedure
The application process for NU admission 2025 involves the following steps:
- Online Application: Applicants must visit the official NU admissions website (www.nu.ac.bd/admissions) and click on the “Apply Now (Honours)” option under the Honours tab. They need to provide their SSC and HSC roll numbers, registration numbers, board/university information, passing year, and a registered mobile number. This mobile number will be used for future communication and updates regarding the admission process.
- Gender Verification: Applicants must verify their gender information and make corrections if necessary. This step is crucial to ensure accurate data and prevent any issues with applications, especially for female students applying to women’s colleges.
- Subject Selection: Applicants can view the list of eligible subjects and select their preferred colleges and subjects based on their academic track and district. This allows students to choose programs that align with their interests and career goals.
- Quota Selection: Applicants eligible for quotas (freedom fighter’s children, ethnic minorities, special needs/differently abled, and ward quota) must select the applicable quota(s) and provide the necessary supporting documents. Applying under a quota can increase the chances of admission for students from specific backgrounds. It is important to note that the ward quota is specifically for children or grandchildren of NU teachers, officers, and employees.
- Photo Upload: Applicants must upload a recent passport-sized color photograph (120×150 pixels, JPG format, maximum 50KB). The photograph must meet the specified requirements to be considered valid.
- Application Submission: After filling out the form with accurate information and uploading the photograph, applicants must click on the “Submit Application” option. They will receive an Application ID and PIN code and must download and print the application form. This printed form serves as proof of application and contains important information for future reference.
- Application Form Correction: Applicants must carefully review the printed application form and make corrections if necessary. They can do this by logging in with their Application ID and PIN code and using the “Form Cancel/Photo Change Option.” A One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to their registered mobile number for verification. This OTP ensures that only the applicant can make changes to their application form. It is important to note that applicants can only cancel their application form once.
- Submission to College: Applicants must sign the printed application form and submit it along with the application fee of 700 Taka to the respective college. The application fee can be submitted through mobile banking or directly to the college.
- Application Confirmation: Colleges will verify the application forms and confirm the applications online. Applicants will receive an SMS notification upon confirmation. This notification confirms that the application has been successfully received and processed by the college.
Admission Test
- Admission Test Format: All eligible applicants must take a 100-mark MCQ-based admission test. The test will be conducted separately for Science, Humanities, and Business Studies students to assess their knowledge and aptitude in their respective fields.
- Test Duration: Applicants will have one hour to answer 100 MCQ questions, requiring them to manage their time effectively.
- No Negative Marking: There will be no negative marking for incorrect answers, encouraging students to attempt all questions without the fear of penalty.
- Marks Distribution: The distribution of marks for the admission test is as follows:
| Academic Track | English | Bangla | General Knowledge | Subject-Specific Marks | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science | 20 | 20 | 20 | Physics-17, Chemistry-17, Math/Biology-16 | 100 |
| Humanities/Home Economics | 20 | 20 | 20 | 4 x 10 = 40 (Any four subjects from HSC) | 100 |
| Business Studies | 20 | 20 | 20 | Accounting-20, Business Principles and Applications-20 | 100 |
The subject-specific marks distribution ensures that students are tested on their knowledge in core subjects relevant to their chosen field of study.
- Admit Card: Applicants whose applications are verified by the colleges can download and print their admit cards from the NU admissions website seven days before the admission test. The admit card will contain the roll number and examination center information.
- Required Documents for Exam: Applicants must bring their admit card and HSC registration card to the examination center for identification and verification purposes.
- Permitted Items: Scientific calculators are allowed, but mobile phones and other electronic devices are prohibited to maintain the integrity of the examination.
- Reporting Time: Applicants must report to their designated examination centers by 10:30 AM on the day of the examination to ensure a smooth and timely start to the test.
Merit List Determination
Passing Score: The minimum passing score for the admission test is 35 out of 100. This score acts as a threshold for eligibility in the merit list preparation.
Merit Score Calculation: A merit list will be prepared for each college based on a total score of 200, calculated as follows:
- Admission test score (out of 100)
- 40% of SSC GPA (including 4th subject)
- 60% of HSC GPA (including 4th subject)
This weighted average ensures that both academic performance in previous examinations and the admission test score contribute to the final merit score.
Tie-breaker: In case of a tie in merit scores, the following tie-breaking criteria will be applied:
- Higher score in the admission test.
- Higher combined GPA (excluding 4th subject) of SSC and HSC.
- Higher combined GPA (including 4th subject) of SSC and HSC.
- Earlier date of birth (or lower roll number if the date of birth is the same).
These tie-breaking criteria ensure a fair and transparent selection process in case of tied scores.
Merit Lists and Release Slips: The admission process will be conducted through a series of merit lists: 1st merit list, 2nd merit list (subject to availability), quota merit list, and merit lists for 1st and 2nd release slips. There will be no 3rd release slip. This multi-stage process allows students who may not have been selected in the initial list to have further opportunities for admission.
Merit List Publication: Colleges can access the merit list using their login credentials. Applicants can check the merit list on the NU admissions website, via SMS (by sending “nu athn roll no.” to 16222), or from their respective colleges. This ensures that students have multiple channels to access the merit list and stay informed about their admission status.
Important Notes
- Applicants are advised to keep track of important dates and deadlines to avoid missing any crucial steps in the application process.
- All information provided in the application form must be accurate and verifiable. Any discrepancies or false information may lead to disqualification.
- Applicants must adhere to the guidelines and instructions provided by NU.
- Any discrepancies or fraudulent activities may lead to the cancellation of the application or admission.
Conclusion
NU admission for the 2024-2025 academic year is a competitive process that requires careful planning and preparation. To secure a place in their desired programs, aspiring students must fulfill the eligibility criteria, follow the application procedures diligently, and perform well in the admission test. By staying informed and adhering to the guidelines, applicants can increase their chances of success in the NU admission process. Check the official NU website and admission guidelines for the most up-to-date information.