Navigating Inequalities: University Students’ Lived Experiences of Educational Barriers in Bangladesh

Educational inequality in Bangladesh persists despite significant expansion of higher education. This qualitative study explores how university students experience and navigate diverse educational barriers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 students from public and private universities, with thematic analysis revealing four major themes: financial struggles, institutional barriers, sociocultural pressures, and psychological impacts. Findings highlight how tuition fees, hidden costs, limited scholarships, rigid policies, gender norms, family obligations, and psychological stress converge to impede educational progress. Students’ voices underscore the inadequacy of institutional supports and the profound emotional toll of navigating inequities. The study suggests that comprehensive policy reforms expanding scholarships, enhancing student support, and addressing cultural stigma are crucial to foster equity and student well-being in Bangladeshi higher education.