About the University of Yangon
The University of Yangon is Myanmar's oldest, most storied public university — a living institution that has shaped the country's intellectual, political, and cultural life for over a century. Located on Pyay Road in Kamayut Township along the shores of Inya Lake, its tree-lined campus is one of the most recognizable academic landmarks in Southeast Asia.
Founded in 1878 as Rangoon College under the University of Calcutta, it was renamed Government College in 1904 before merging with Judson College in 1920 to form Rangoon University — later renamed the University of Yangon. The modern campus was completed in 1920 and has since been a crucible of Myanmar's national identity, hosting the student movements that led to independence and, later, the democracy movement.
Today the university comprises 21 academic departments spanning liberal arts, pure and applied sciences, law, political science, social work, and geology. It offers undergraduate degrees — BA, BSc, and LL.B — alongside postgraduate programs including Master's degrees (MA, MSc, LLM), doctoral programs (PhD), and postgraduate diplomas. Undergraduate programs resumed full-time around 2014 through a Centre of Excellence (COE) arrangement following years of restricted access.
Why Choose University of Yangon?
Myanmar's Historic Flagship
Over 100 years of academic tradition since 1920, with origins tracing to 1878 — the foundation of modern higher education in Myanmar.
21 Academic Departments
From Anthropology and English Literature to Zoology and Geology — one of the broadest academic ranges of any university in Myanmar.
Nation-Shaping Alumni
Six Myanmar presidents, six prime ministers, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, and UN Secretary-General U Thant are among its graduates.
Iconic Lakeside Campus
Set along Inya Lake in Kamayut, with lush greenery, Convocation Hall, Judson Church, and historic buildings that survived WWII and were restored.
Student-Centred Learning
Ongoing modernization of teaching methods encourages autonomous learning, critical thinking, and intellectual entrepreneurship among students.
Research and Postgraduate Depth
Hundreds of PhD, MA, and MSc students research across faculties — strengthening UY's role as Myanmar's foremost research university.
Academic Staff
862 total staff across 21 departments supporting Myanmar's largest academic faculty
Campus Gallery
Academic Programs
Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across arts, sciences, and law
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Liberal Arts — UndergraduateArts degrees offered across departments including Myanmar Language & Literature, English, History, Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, International Relations, Political Science, and Social Work — among the broadest arts offerings in Myanmar.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Pure & Applied Science — UndergraduateScience degrees through departments including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology, Zoology, and Biology-related fields — preparing graduates for research, academic careers, and technical government service.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
Law — UndergraduateLaw degree from the Department of Law, preparing graduates for legal practice, legal officer roles in government, advocacy, and further advanced legal study. Covers civil, criminal, constitutional, and international law.
Postgraduate Degrees
MA · MSc · LLM — Master's LevelMaster's programs across arts, science, and law subjects. Requires a minimum of one year of study, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and a GPA of 4.0 in each subject. Assessed by thesis, coursework, and viva voce examination.
Doctorate & Postgraduate Diplomas
PhD & PG DiplomasDoctoral programs (PhD) across selected arts and science disciplines require an approved research proposal and a master's degree. Postgraduate diplomas are also available in specialized areas, providing advanced qualifications without a full doctoral commitment.
Department Overview
All 21 academic departments at University of Yangon
| Department | Stream | Primary Degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmar Language & Literature | Arts | BA, MA, PhD |
| English | Arts | BA, MA, PhD |
| History | Arts | BA, MA, PhD |
| Philosophy | Arts | BA, MA |
| Psychology | Arts | BA, MA |
| Anthropology | Arts | BA, MA, PhD |
| International Relations | Arts | BA, MA |
| Political Science | Arts | BA, MA |
| Social Work | Arts | BA, MA |
| Law | Law | LL.B, LLM |
| Physics | Science | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Chemistry | Science | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Mathematics | Science | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Geology | Science | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Zoology | Science | BSc, MSc, PhD |
| Botany / Biology-related | Science | BSc, MSc |
| Geography | Arts / Science | BA, MA |
| Economics | Arts | BA, MA |
| Oriental Studies | Arts | BA, MA |
| Library & Information Science | Arts | BA, MA |
| Other Departments | Various | BA / BSc / Diplomas |
Historical Milestones
Over 140 years of history — from colonial college to Myanmar's foremost research university
Rangoon College — Origins Under University of Calcutta
Established in 1878 as Rangoon College, affiliated with the University of Calcutta — the earliest roots of higher education in British Burma, making it the oldest post-secondary institution in the country.
Government College
Renamed Government College in 1904 as British Burma's colonial education system expanded. The college continued to develop its academic offerings across arts and sciences under government direction.
Rangoon University — Merger with Judson College
Government College merged with Judson College (a Baptist missionary institution) in 1920 to form Rangoon University. The modern campus was completed the same year, setting the stage for over a century of academic life. The university became a hotbed of anti-colonial student activism almost immediately.
Hub of the Independence Movement
The university's Students' Union was the launching pad for Burma's independence movement. General Aung San, U Nu, Ba Maw, and many future leaders of Burma organized here — making UY a cradle of the nation's political history.
WWII Damage and Restoration
Campus buildings were damaged during World War II Japanese occupation and Allied liberation of Rangoon. Historic structures were subsequently restored, preserving the architectural heritage of the university into the post-independence era.
Post-1996 Protests — Undergraduate Access Restricted
Following major student protests in 1996, the military government closed and decentralized universities across Myanmar. The University of Yangon had its undergraduate programs significantly restricted, with full-time undergraduate access not restored for nearly two decades.
Centre of Excellence (COE) — Undergraduate Programs Resumed
Around 2014, undergraduate programs were formally resumed through a Centre of Excellence (COE) arrangement, reopening the university to full-time undergraduate students and beginning a new chapter of academic modernization.
100-Year Centenary Celebration
The University of Yangon celebrated its centenary in 2020 — 100 years since the founding of Rangoon University in 1920. The milestone marked a century of academic life, political history, and cultural influence in Myanmar.
Ongoing Modernization and Research Expansion
UY continues to modernize its curriculum with student-centred learning approaches. Hundreds of PhD, MA, and MSc students are enrolled across 21 departments, and international collaboration projects in areas including renewable energy, biodiversity, and environmental science are active.
Notable Alumni
Presidents, prime ministers, Nobel laureates, and global diplomats among UY graduates
| Name | Role & Achievement | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Aung San Suu Kyi | Nobel Peace Laureate · State Counsellor | Democracy movement icon, most recognized Myanmar figure globally |
| General Aung San | Independence Hero · Founder of Burmese Armed Forces | Led the fight for Myanmar independence from Britain |
| U Thant | UN Secretary-General 1961–1971 | Myanmar's most celebrated figure on the world stage |
| U Nu | First Prime Minister of Burma 1948–1962 | Nation-building pioneer in independent Myanmar |
| Ba Maw | Premier 1937–1939 | First Premier of Burma under British colonial framework |
| Ne Win | President & Prime Minister | Socialist era leader — shaped decades of Myanmar history |
| Win Maung, San Yu, Maung Maung, Htin Kyaw, Win Myint | Myanmar Presidents | Five of Myanmar's six presidents are UY alumni |
| Ba Swe, Maung Maung Kha, Khin Nyunt, Min Aung Hlaing | Prime Ministers | Among six prime ministers who are UY alumni |
The University of Yangon Campus
Historic lakeside campus with iconic landmarks, green grounds, and on-campus student life
Main Campus — Kamayut, Pyay Road
The historic main campus along Pyay Road and University Avenue in Kamayut Township, situated north of downtown Yangon. Home to Convocation Hall, Judson Church, the former Students' Union building, Yadanar Hall, and the lake that defines the campus's unmistakable character.
Hlaing Campus
A secondary campus in Hlaing Township supporting additional departments and academic activities, extending the University of Yangon's physical footprint across western Yangon.
On-Campus Hostel Life
Students live on campus in Yadanar Hall and other hostels — studying, eating, and spending time together in a shared community unlike any commuter university experience.
Lakeside Green Campus
Known for lush greenery and scenic Inya Lake views — especially striking during the rainy season when the campus is at its most vibrant and peaceful.
Libraries & Study Spaces
The university library offers quiet study rooms, subject collections, and independent research facilities for students developing autonomous learning habits.
Key Campus Landmarks
Historic buildings and spaces that define the UY experience
Convocation Hall
The heart of the campus — hosts graduation ceremonies with its ornate ceiling and iconic stained-glass skylight
Judson Church
A heritage building from the Judson College era (1920), part of the university's architectural and historical identity
Former Students' Union Building
Site of the 1930s independence movement student organizing — a landmark of Myanmar's political history on campus
Inya Lake & Gardens
The lakeside setting and landscaped gardens make UY one of the most scenic university campuses in Southeast Asia
Student Voices
"Students at Yangon University are again living on-campus in hostels, studying and talking together like old times. There is a real sense of community here that you do not find anywhere else."
"I love the campus because in the rainy season everything is fresh and green, and the library is my favourite cool, quiet place to study. The campus itself has a history you can feel walking through it."
Contact
Website
Location
Pyay Road & University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Yangon
Phone / Email
Available via official UY website
Admission
Via national matriculation results and UY council announcements
Career Paths for University of Yangon Graduates
From civil service and academia to law, diplomacy, and the private sector
Government & Public Service
Many graduates serve in government ministries, education departments, local administration, and public policy — a tradition deeply embedded in UY's history.
Ministry of Education & BeyondAcademic & Research Careers
MA, MSc, and PhD graduates become university lecturers, researchers, and department heads at UY and other institutions across Myanmar and abroad.
University & Research InstitutionsLegal & Professional Practice
LL.B graduates pursue careers as legal officers, advocates, court practitioners, and corporate legal advisors — or continue with LLM and bar qualifications.
Law — Government & Private BarInternational Relations & Diplomacy
IR, Political Science, and English graduates enter Myanmar's foreign service, international organizations, NGOs, and diplomatic missions — following in U Thant's footsteps.
Foreign Service · UN · NGOsPrivate Sector & NGOs
Arts and science graduates find roles in business, media, publishing, development organizations, and international companies operating in Myanmar.
Business · Media · DevelopmentScience & Technical Roles
BSc graduates work as science teachers, technical officers, laboratory researchers, and environmental scientists in government and private sector roles.
Science · Environment · Research