Bangladeshi students planning to pursue graduate studies abroad need stronger research skills before applying, according to Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head of the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). She said students’ growing interest in overseas education must be matched with better preparation in research methodology, academic writing and thesis work.
The number of students seeking recommendation letters for international graduate applications has increased significantly in recent years, Rahman said in an article. Bangladesh ranked ninth globally in the number of students studying in the United States during the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. However, she warned that many students remain underprepared for the demands of graduate-level research.
ULAB said in a press release that Rahman highlighted research capability as a crucial factor for students aiming to succeed in postgraduate programmes abroad.
Rahman recalled that when she first travelled to the United States for higher studies, she had already completed undergraduate and master’s degrees from a reputed public university and had several years of teaching experience. However, she said research methodology remained unfamiliar because she had not received formal training in the area.
While teaching and publishing academic work, she learned research practices by studying previously published papers and gradually developing an understanding of academic standards. She said she initially had little knowledge about formatting requirements, citation systems and the importance of different referencing styles because research training was not included in her earlier education.
Her understanding of research methods developed further during a required Bibliography course in her US master’s programme. Later, as a Research Assistant under a professor who edited an academic journal, she was required to proofread articles and verify citations.
Rahman said she initially struggled with citation formats and academic conventions, including styles such as MLA and Chicago. Her professor provided her with the Chicago Style Manual used by the journal, helping her learn citation practices independently at a time when online research resources and tutorial materials were limited.
She noted that many Bangladeshi universities now offer Research Methodology courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Several institutions also require students to complete theses during their academic programmes.
At undergraduate level, students generally learn research fundamentals under the supervision of faculty members and present their work before an internal panel comprising supervisors, teachers and peers. Rahman said this process provides valuable preparation for more demanding postgraduate research.
At master’s level, students undertake more advanced research methodology courses and complete thesis projects that are reviewed by external examiners. These evaluations involve presentations, detailed assessments and revisions before final approval is granted.
According to Rahman, such academic procedures help students understand the expectations of international universities and reduce difficulties when they move abroad for higher education.
She said students often face significant challenges after arriving overseas, including adapting to independent living and managing academic pressure. For many Bangladeshi students accustomed to a more sheltered lifestyle, adjusting to a foreign environment can be difficult.
Rahman suggested that students consider completing a master’s degree in Bangladesh before pursuing further studies abroad. She said gaining research experience at home, within a familiar academic environment, can make the transition to foreign universities smoother and improve students’ ability to succeed academically.
