Founded in 1876 as the Dacca Survey School and gained university status in 1962, it is the oldest institution for the study of engineering, architecture, and urban planning in the country.

[8] A large number of BUET alumni are active in notable engineering and non-engineering roles in Bangladesh and abroad.

[9][10] Dacca Survey School was established in 1876 at Nalgola, west of the current Sir Salimullah Medical College campus, in Old Dhaka by the government of Bengal under British Raj.

[6] It offered two-year engineering and survey courses toward the Sub-Overseer's examination, which certified land surveyors.

[11] According to a report on public instruction in Bengal, on 31 March 1903, Dhaka Survey School had 117 students of which 103 were Hindus and 14 were Muslims.

After his death in 1901, his son, the then Nawab of Dhaka, Sir Khwaja Salimullah Bahadur released the grant in 1902 in accordance with his late fathers wish.

During this period, EPUET offered courses in mechanical, electrical, civil, metallurgical, and chemical engineering, and architecture.

[15] In 2002, a first year student in the chemical engineering department, Sabekun Nahar Sony, was killed during a factional clash between two feuding groups of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at BUET.

[18] In 2007, BUET celebrated 60 years (1947–2007) of engineering education in Bangladesh by arranging a 6-month-long series of programs and events.

[20] Fahad's murder sparked nearly two months of student protests against violent ragging and bullying at the residence halls.

After completion of higher secondary level (HSC) education, a student can submit her or his application for undergraduate admission if he/she fulfills the minimum requirements.

[57] The students with the best grades in mathematics, physics and chemistry on their Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examination are allowed to take the admission test.

The screening process allows 18,000 students to sit for the preliminary admission test based on the cumulative sum of their GPA in those three subjects.

[61] The pre-requisite qualification for admission is HSC or GCE A-level or its equivalent with high grades in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

A separate institution – Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) has been formed to oversee these activities.

[63][64] The university undertakes research programs sponsored by outside organizations like United Nations Organizations, Commonwealth Foundation, European Union, University Grants Commission (Bangladesh), World Bank, Asian Development Bank, DfID, JICA etc.

[65][15][64] In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, BUET developed OxyJet, a cost-effective CPAP ventilator, which was approved by the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) in July 2021.

[66][67] BUET regularly organizes national and international conferences and workshops in its campus to enhance the research capabilities of its students and faculties.

[68] Among the conferences organized by BUET, following are notable: Source:[69] According to Ordinance 1962, all organizational politics have been banned in Bangladesh Engineering University.

[6][71] Most are named after eminent figures in the history of Bangladesh:[72] The administrative head of a residence hall is its provost, usually chosen from the senior teachers of different faculties.

[72] Students who do not stay at halls of residence are facilitated by the university's own commuter buses which cover major routes of Dhaka city.

Following is the position of BUET in ICPC world finals over the years: *AWC = Asia-West Champion; HM = Unranked but Honourable Mention; NQ = Not Qualified