Dhaka, Nov. 7 -- Rifat's father works as a day labourer, earning barely enough to feed their family of five. His mother works as a seamstress to support the education of their three children.

Having passed his HSC examinations this year, Rifat dreams of studying at the University of Dhaka. But the cost of applying for admission has become a source of worry for him and his family.

Application fees for Dhaka University's admission tests have risen by around 15 percent this year. Over the past eight years, they have more than tripled, rising from Tk 350 to Tk 1,200 for most units.

According to the Dhaka University Admission Test Committee, the application fee for the faculties of Science, Arts, Law and Social Sciences, and Business Studie...