Largest Universities in the World by Enrollment Numbers
Out of the many institutions across the world, some universities are exceptionally large and enroll many learners into their institutions. To better understand some of the largest universities in the world and what they have to offer to both global citizens and individual students, let’s take a look at a list of the largest universities in the world today.
- Top 10 Largest Universities in the World
- Largest Universities in the World: Know Details
- Universities with the Largest Campus Areas Globally
- Why Choose a Big University to Study Abroad?
- Admission Process at the Largest Global Universities
- Are Open University Degrees Recognised for Study Abroad?
Top 10 Largest Universities in the World
The following universities are the largest in the world by latest enrollment numbers.
| Rank | Institution | Location | Students Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indira Gandhi National Open University | New Delhi, India | 7,140,000 |
| 2 | National University, Bangladesh | Gazipur, Bangladesh | 2,097,182 |
| 3 | Anadolu University | Eskişehir, Turkey | 1,974,343 |
| 4 | California Community Colleges System | California, United States | 1,800,000 |
| 5 | Allama Iqbal Open University | Islamabad, Pakistan | 1,027,000 |
| 6 | Laureate Education, Inc. | International | 875,000 |
| 7 | Bangladesh Open University | Gazipur, Bangladesh | 650,000 |
| 8 | Universitas Terbuka | Jakarta, Indonesia | 646,467 |
| 9 | National Technological Institute of Mexico | Mexico | 620,000 |
| 10 | Tribhuvan University | Kirtipur, Nepal | 604,437 |
Source: Ceoworld Magazine
Largest Universities in the World: Know Details
In this section, we are going to be discussing the top 10 largest universities in the world.
1. Indira Gandhi National Open University

Indira Gandhi National Open University is the largest universities in the world. It is located in New Delhi, India. It has a huge IGNOU Students Enrollment of 7,140,000. It was Founded in 1985. It is a Public university and they do Distance/In-Person classes. Its very famous in India because so many people study there. IGNOU gives a wide choice of undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programs, so students from every part of India and other countries can study here. The main office is in New Delhi, India, and it works as a private university.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi, India | 7,140,000 | 1985 | Public | Distance/In-Person | BCA, MBA, BA, B.Ed, M.Com |
2. National University, Bangladesh

Started in 1992, the National University of Bangladesh (NUB) is counted as one of the largest universities in the world and also the biggest in Bangladesh. This university has millions of students studying through its 57+ affiliated colleges and institutions. NUB gives both graduate and post-graduate education with its four main units – School of Undergraduate Studies, Centre for Post-Graduate Studies Training & Research, M.Phil./Ph.D. Programme Unit, and Centre for Curriculum Development and Evaluation. The main goal of NUB is to make higher education easy and reachable in rural and semi-urban areas of Bangladesh, by giving affordable and flexible programs for students.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gazipur, Bangladesh | 2,097,182 | 1992 | Public | In-Person | B.A. (Honours), B.S.S., B.B.A., Political Science, Accounting |
3. Anadolu University

Anadolu University is in Eskişehir, Turkey. It has 1,974,343 students. It was Founded in year 1958. It is a Public university. They offer Distance/In-Person education. It is very big for Turkey. It is famous for its open education system and many different programs, which attracts students from Turkey and other countries too.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eskişehir, Turkey | 1,974,343 | 1958 | Public | Distance/In-Person | Business Admin, Public Admin, Economics, Hospitality |
4. California Community Colleges System
California Community Colleges System is in the United States, mostly in California. It has 1,800,000 students. It was made in 1967. It is a Public system. Classes are generally In-Person. It is good for community learning.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California, USA | 1,800,000 | 1967 | Public | In-Person | Nursing, Business Admin, Psychology, Computer Science |
5. Allama Iqbal Open University
Allama Iqbal Open University is located in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Students Enrollment is 1,027,000. It was Founded back in 1974. It is Public and uses Distance/In-Person methods. It helps people study from far away.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamabad, Pakistan | 1,027,000 | 1974 | Public | Distance/In-Person | B.Ed, M.Ed, B.A., Computer Science, M.A. Education |
6. Laureate Education
Laureate Education is not one university but many universities in different countries. It gives degrees in business, health, design, and more. Students from all over the world join for international education. It has 875,000 students. It is Private, not public. It started in 1999. They do Distance/In-Person learning.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International | 875,000 | 1999 | Private | Distance/In-Person | Business, Health Sciences, Engineering, Design |
7. Bangladesh Open University
Bangladesh Open University another largest universities in world from Bangladesh. It has 650,000 students. It was Founded in 1992 same as the other one. It is Public but this one is mostly Distance learning. Good if u cannot go to class every day.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gazipur, Bangladesh | 650,000 | 1992 | Public | Distance | B.B.A., M.B.A., B.Ed, Agriculture (B.Ag.Ed) |
8. Universitas Terbuka
Universitas Terbuka is in Jakarta, Indonesia. The enrollment is 646,467. It started in 1984. It is a Public university for Distance education. Many people in Indonesia use it.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jakarta, Indonesia | 646,467 | 1984 | Public | Distance | Management, Accounting, PGSD (Teacher Education) |
9. National Technological Institute of Mexico
National Technological Institute of Mexico is in Mexico. It has 620,000 students right now. It is very old, Founded in 1948. It is Public and classes are In-Person. It is big school in Mexico.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 620,000 | 1948 | Public | In-Person | Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Civil Engineering |
10. Tribhuvan University
Tribhuvan University is in Kirtipur, Nepal. It has 604,437 students. It was Founded in 1959. It is a Public university and is In-Person. It is the main university in Nepal.
| Location | Enrollment | Founded | Type | Mode | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirtipur, Nepal | 604,437 | 1959 | Public | In-Person | B.B.S., B.Ed, B.A., Engineering, Medicine (MBBS) |
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Yes, IGNOU is the largest university in the world based on student enrollment. It offers distance and open education to over 7.14 million students globally.
Yes, Trinity College USA accepts international students. There are total 2,000+ students at this college. The students at this college hail from more than 60 countries. At this college, students can study at the UG and PG levels. Acceptance rate at this university is around 29%, making it a very selective college. Apart from meeting the general entry requirements, international studenst are also required to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
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The largest university in the world by enrollment is Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).