Overview
The Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) is Bhutan's main public university system, established under a Royal Charter. It is not a single campus but a federation of nine constituent colleges and two affiliated colleges spread across the country, covering fields such as science and technology, engineering, education, business, natural resources, humanities and health sciences. There is no single national "RUB entrance exam" that applies to every programme; undergraduate admission is a centralised, merit-based selection process run through one online portal.
Who can apply
Applicants must have completed Class XII (the Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education) in the current or a recent year. Returning applicants who already submitted documents to the RUB Office of the Vice Chancellor in an earlier cycle may also be eligible. Because each college sets its own subject and grade requirements for its programmes, applicants are expected to check the specific eligibility criteria published by the college and programme they want before applying.
Structure or exam pattern
Admission does not use a separate written entrance test for most programmes. Instead, RUB runs a single online application cycle:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Application | Applicant logs into the RUB admission portal using date of birth, Class XII index number and CID number |
| Programme choice | Applicant lists preferred colleges and programmes |
| Selection | RUB ranks applicants by merit (mainly Class XII academic performance) against the eligibility and ability-rating criteria for each programme |
| Result | Applicants log back into the portal to see their selected programme and merit ranking |
Selection happens through two tracks: a Government Scholarship track (funded seats, the main route) and Self-Funding seats, which are offered if a scholarship seat is not secured.
What it covers
There is no separate syllabus to prepare for at the RUB level. Selection is based on the applicant's existing Class XII academic record and the programme-specific eligibility rules each college publishes.
Recognition
RUB degrees are the primary route to Bhutanese government-recognised university qualifications, awarded by RUB's constituent and affiliated colleges under the university's Royal Charter.
How to register
Applicants apply online through the RUB admission portal, choosing colleges and programmes and submitting their Class XII and identity details. Because application windows differ by college group and change each year, applicants should check the current announcement on the RUB website before the portal opens.
Preparation tips
Confirm the exact subject and grade requirements for each target programme on the relevant college's own page, since these vary by college.
Keep Class XII certificate, index number and CID details ready before the portal opens, since these are used to log in.
Apply to more than one programme choice where the portal allows it, since selection is by merit ranking against available seats.
Is there a separate RUB entrance exam?
Most RUB undergraduate programmes do not use a separate entrance test. Admission is based on merit ranking from Class XII (Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education) results against each programme's eligibility criteria.
Can a student apply to more than one RUB college?
Yes. Applicants use a single online portal to list their preferred colleges and programmes, and are ranked by merit against each choice.
What is the difference between the Government Scholarship and Self-Funding tracks?
The Government Scholarship track covers funded seats and is the primary route. Self-Funding seats are offered to eligible applicants who are not selected for a scholarship seat.
Who is eligible to apply to RUB?
Applicants who have completed Class XII, including the current year's cohort and eligible applicants from earlier years who already submitted documents to the RUB Office of the Vice Chancellor.