Public university A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government , as opposed to private universities . A national university may or may not be considered a public university , depending on regions . In some regions of the world prominent public institutions are highly influential centers of research ; many of these universities are ranked among the best in the world by THES - QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities . Argentina . In Argentina the National Universities , also called " Public or State - run Universities " , is the name used to refer to all those institutions whose creation arose from the enactment of a National Congress Act , except for those whose creation preceded that of the state itself ( as is the case of the National University of Córdoba and the University of Buenos Aires ) . They lie as Public Law legal entities and their regular operation funding comes from the national state , pursuant to what is set out on the annual national budget act . National universities hold the largest share of the entire Argentine university system : counting over 80 % of the undergraduate population and with campuses stretched throughout to all provinces comprising the national territory , they account for over 50 % of the country ' s scientific research while additionally providing technical assistance to both the public and private sectors . Public universities are absolutely free ( no fee is paid during the studies ) , and also the access to books in the universities ' libraries . However buying in bookstores and studying material ( such as photocopies of books which are very common ) is usually paid for by each student . For low - income students there is a great variety of scholarships . Australia . In Australia , there are 38 public universities and 4 private universities . The private universities are Bond University , the University of Notre Dame Australia ( both Australian ) , and two foreign universities , Carnegie Mellon University ( USA ) and Cranfield University ( UK ) , which have campuses in Adelaide . Australia ' s public universities are variously grouped : Bangladesh . There are 33 public universities in Bangladesh as of January 2010 . The University Grant Commission is the monitoring body for all the public universities in Bangladesh . The Universities does not deal directly with the government , but with the University Grants Commission , which in turn deals with the government . Recently many private universities are established under the Private University Act of 1992 . Some recognized public universities are , University of Dhaka , Jahangirnagar University ( Only full residential university of Bangladesh ) , Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology ( BUET ) , Bangladesh Agricultural University ( BAU ) , Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology ( DUET ) , Bangladesh Textile University , Jagannath University , Rajshahi University , Khulna University , Chittagong University , Sher - e - Bangla Agricultural University ( Oldest agricultural institution in Bangladesh ) , Sylhet Agricultural University , Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University , Shahjalal University of Science and Technology , Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology ( RUET ) , Khulna University of Engineering and Technology ( KUET ) , Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology ( CUET ) , Chittagong Vaterinary and Animal Science University , Islamic University , Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University , Jessore Science & Technology University , Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University , Noakhali Science and Technology University , Pabna University of Science and Technology , Patuakhali Science and Technology University , Begum Rokeya University , Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science & Technology University , Comilla University , Bangladesh University of Professionals , National University of Bangladesh etc . Brazil . In Brazil , there are a few hundred public universities funded by the Federal or State governments , and they include the most renowned universities in the country , such as the University of São Paulo and the University of Campinas . Professors are public servants , most of them tenured and selected by public contests , where international research publications is a major criterion for hiring . Teaching load is usually modest and leaves time for research . In contrast , most private institutions are for - profit enterprises which hire teachers on a per - hour basis and have little research when compared with the public ones ( notable exceptions are certain private but non - profit universities , mostly affiliated with religious organizations , such as the Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie of São Paulo and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro . There are no tuition or entrance fees in public universities ( a right established in the Brazilian Federal Constitution ) , but since they have thousands of applicants every year , because there are no tuitions or fees , only the best students can pass the entrance examination . In many Universities , there are quotas for students whose secondary ( high school ) education was made entirely in a public funded school ( generally , the quota is 50 % ) , and there are also racial quotas , but usually restricted to students from public high school too . Some Universities , like UFMG , the largest federal university in Brazil , give extra points in their admission tests instead of quotas . In UFMG a public high school student is granted a 10 % bonus over his test grade , if he previously agrees to receive this advantage . Public school students that declare themselves as blacks or " pardos " ( mixed race ) have a 15 % bonus , also if they previously agree to receive race based benefits . In recent years public funded higher education has grown a lot . Since 2005 the Brazilian Government has been offering a limited number of tuition grants to enable poor students to attend private universities . Canada . In Canada , education is a constitutional responsibility of the individual provinces . Many early universities were privately endowed ( e . g . McGill ) or founded by church denominations ( e . g . Laval , Queen ' s , Dalhousie , Mount Allison , McMaster , Ottawa ) but in the 20th century became publicly funded and secular . Provincial governments established the University of Toronto on the Oxbridge model and elsewhere ( Alberta , Manitoba etc . ) in the pattern of American state universities . All major Canadian universities are now publicly funded but maintain institutional autonomy , with the ability to decide on admission , tuition and governance . The U15 is an organization of the country ' s fifteen leading research - intensive universities . Additionally , McGill University and the University of Toronto are members of the Association of American Universities , along with sixty public and private institutions in the United States . Private universities in Canada are relatively new and mostly exist at the undergraduate level . Chile . In Chile , older , so called " traditional " universities are more prestigious than the ones created after 1980 . Even though some of those " traditional " universities are non - profit private entities , they belong to same superior university council called " Consejo de Rectores " ( Council of Chancellors ) ; the " Consejo de Rectores " runs its own admission system called " Prueba de Selección Universitaria " or " PSU " , which is roughly similar to SAT . Even though state run universities are much cheaper than the private ones , they are not tuition free for the students . It is remarkable that Chile spends only 4 % in education , compared to the 7 % of GDP recommended by the UN for developed nations . And in Chile the financing of higher education , private and public , is contributed by 75 % by self - effort of families . The most prestigious universities in Chile are the state run Universidad de Chile , the private with State contributions Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , the private with State contributions Universidad de Concepción and the private with state contributions Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María , these four universities admit the largest numbers of high scoring students in the PSU admission test and are responsible for the largest portion of research ( with the Universidad de Chile at the top ) . The non - traditional universities are , the most part , for - profit universities , and , with a few exceptions , don ' t have the same prestige as the above " traditional " ones . China . In China , nearly all universities and research institutions are public . They are usually run by the provincial governments . Some public universities are national which are directly administered by the central government . There are few private undergraduate colleges ( mostly engineering schools ) sponsored by some private enterprises and the majority of these are not entitled to give bachelor degrees . Currently , all important and significant centers for higher education in the country are publicly administered . Costa Rica . In Costa Rica the Universidad de Costa Rica , the Universidad Nacional , the Universidad Estatal a Distancia , Universidad Técnica Nacional and the Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica , all public universities , are among the nations most prestigious institutions . Nevertheless , the UN - sponsored University for Peace and the INCAE Business School ( with campuses in Nicaragua and Costa Rica ) , are also notable . Egypt . In Egypt , Al - Azhar University opened in 975 AD as the second oldest university in the world . It was followed by a lot of universities opened as public universities in the 20th century such as Cairo University , Alexandria University , Ain Shams University , Helwan University , Assiut University , Beni - Suef University , Zagazig University , Suez Canal University , Benha University , where tuition fees are totally subsidized by the Government . Hong Kong . Eight institutions are funded by the University Grants Committee . The Academy for Performing Arts also receives funding from the government . The Open University of Hong Kong is also a public university , but it is largely self - financed . The Shue Yan University is the only private institution with the status of a university , but it also receives some financial support from the government since it was granted university status . Indonesia . Indonesia has thousands of higher educational institutes . Generally , there are three types of higher educational institutes : Universities , High Schools or Institutes and Academies . Universities usually offer science oriented degree such as Doctoral Degree ( Doktor / Strata 3 ) , Master Degree ( Magister / Strata 2 ) and Undergraduate ( Sarjana / Strata 1 ) . Some universities also offer professional degrees . High Schools or Institutes generally offer professional degree . The educational system in high school or institutes usually based on an expertise such as health , economic , engineering , etc . Academy usually offer full professional degree ( nursing , tourism , enterprise management , etc . ) The study length for university and high school is normally four years ( undergraduate ) , two years ( master degree ) and four years ( doctoral degree ) ; academy has shorter study length , three years on average . There are public and private educational institutes in Indonesia . The government ( Ministry of National Education ) provide public universities , institutes , high schools and academies in each province . The private educational institution usually provided by religious organizations , public organizations , and some big companies . Some of the leading public universities are : India . In India , most universities and nearly all research institutions are public . There are some private undergraduate colleges , mostly engineering schools , but a majority of these are affiliated to public universities . Some of these private schools are also partially aided by the national or state governments . India also has an " open " public university , the Indira Gandhi National Open University ( IGNOU ) , which mostly offers distance education , and in terms of the number of enrolled students is now the largest university in the world . Iran . All of Iran ' s prestigious universities are public . State - run universities such as Tehran University or Sharif University of Technology are highly selective . Iran ' s most famous private university is Islamic Azad University with branches all around the country . It is one of the largest universities in the world in student numbers . Israel . There are eight official universities in Israel . In addition , there are a few dozen colleges and other institutes of higher learning , as well as about a dozen foreign university extensions . All are academically supervised by the Council for Higher Education in Israel ( CHEI ) . The main difference between a university and a college in Israel is that only a university can issue doctorate degrees . Theoretically , a college can apply to the CHEI to upgrade its status to university . Japan . In Japan , public universities refer to schools that are not national universities but are run by local governments , either prefectural or municipal . According to the Ministry of Education , public universities have " provided an opportunity for higher education in a region and served the central role of intellectual and cultural base for the local community in the region " , and are " expected to contribute to social , economical and cultural development in the region " ; this contrasts to research - oriented aspects of national universities . As of April 2006 , there were 76 public universities , compared to 87 national and 571 private universities , and 127 , 872 students attended the schools . The number of the public universities has increased sharply in recent years ; in 1980 there were only 34 public universities and in 1993 there were 46 . Since July 2003 when the Local Independent Administrative Institutions Law was put into effect , public universities have been allowed to be incorporated . The average tuition in public universities for 2007 fiscal year was 536 , 238 yen , the average entrance fee 399 , 351 yen and the average application fee 17 , 095 yen . Kenya . In Kenya , the Ministry of Education controls all of the public universities . Students are enrolled after completing the 8 - 4 - 4 system of education and attaining a mark of C + or above . Students who meet the criteria for government sponsorship receive a loan from the Higher Education Loan Board . They are expected to pay back after completing higher education . Mexico . In Mexico , the UNAM ( Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ) , sometimes simply known as the " National University of Mexico " , was founded in 1910 . It is the largest university in the country and one of the largest in the world with over 250 , 000 students including its system of high schools . By percentage , it contributes the most to the country ' s academic research and cultural development although there are other significant public institutions such as the Instituto Politécnico Nacional , and the federal state - run universities . Macau . University of Macau is the only public university in Macau . Also , the Macau Polytechnic Institute and Institute for Tourism Studies are the public educational institute which can offer undergraduate education . Nepal . Tribhuvan University is the first public university of Nepal . The university is highly reputed both in Nepal as well as abroad , and runs various programs in a wide number of academic disciplines . It operates through six different schools , and also provides affiliation to various colleges across the country . Kathmandu University is also the public university of Nepal founded by government act in 1991 . Due to high fee and single person ' s administration , many people think that this university is a private university however it is not ( see kathmandu University type ) . The university offers new and demanding subjects especially in the field of science and technology through different schools . New Zealand . In New Zealand , all eight universities are public . Public funding is supported by research grants . The oldest ( University of Otago ) was established in 1869 by Provincial Ordinance . From 1870 to 1961 , there was effectively a single university structure - the University of New Zealand - with constituent colleges located in Auckland , Wellington , Christchurch and Dunedin . In 1961 , the constituent colleges were dissolved into four independent universities by the New Zealand Parliament to become the University of Auckland , Victoria University of Wellington , University of Canterbury and University of Otago . This change also established a new university in Hamilton , the University of Waikato . Two associated agricultural colleges - Massey and Lincoln - subsequently become universities in 1963 and 1990 respectively . An eighth university ( Auckland University of Technology ) was formed in 2000 by an Order in Council under the Education Act 1989 . Pakistan . In Pakistan , universities receive guidance and are partially regulated by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan ( HEC ) " ( formerly the University Grant Commission ) " . There are around 67 public and 57 private universities in Pakistan . The University of Punjab is the biggest public university followed by the University of Karachi . Peru . In Peru , the admission test required to enter national ( public ) universities requires higher scores . The public opinion sees this from the four century old National University of San Marcos ( the oldest university of the Americas , founded in May 1551 ) , that it has seen as the most respected public education institution in the country . Also many other public universities follow the same rigorous pattern used at San Marcos university , like National Agrarian University , the National University of Engineering and Federico Villarreal University . Philippines . Universities and colleges in the Philippines are controlled and managed by the Commission on Higher Education , with the exception of the University of the Philippines . There are more than 500 government - run higher education institutions , of which 436 are state colleges and universities , including satellite campuses , 31 local colleges and universities , and a handful of community colleges . In 2008 , through Republic Act 9500 , the University of the Philippines was bestowed as the National University to distinguish it from all other state universities and colleges . Aside from the University of the Philippines , there are other notable state colleges and universities within the archipelago . These include the Polytechnic University of the Philippines , Technological University of the Philippines , Philippine Normal University , and Mindanao State University . In 2008 , state colleges and universities have a PHP 26 . 2 - billion budget , out of which PHP 19 . 4 billion will be funded by direct subsidies . Russia . In Russia , about 7 . 5 million students study in thousands of universities . South Africa . South Africa has 23 public tertiary educational institutions , either categorised as a traditional university or a comprehensive university ( providing theoretical and vocational training ) . Prominent public South African universities include the University of Cape Town , University of KwaZulu - Natal , University of Pretoria , University of Stellenbosch , University of Witwatersrand , Rhodes University and the University of South Africa . Monash University of Australia established a campus in Johannesburg in 2001 . Sri Lanka . In Sri Lanka all universities are public universities with most funded by government via the University Grants Commission which handles undergraduate placements and staff appointments . Therefore these are not independent institutions . Taiwan . Taiwan has more than 150 universities ( 2 / 3 were established after the 1980s ) , while only 1 / 3 of them are public universities . Tuition fees at public universities are less than half those of private universities because the Taiwan government puts more funding to the public universities . Additionally , there are 10 public universities ( established before the 1980s ) are more accredited and more prestigious in Taiwan and the majority of top - ranking schools are public . Therefore , most students choose public universities for their tertiary education . Thailand . Thailand The demands of officials specialized in various fields by the government in the late 19th century Siam was an aftermath of King Rama V ' s bureaucratic reforms , which aimed to transform the feudal Thai society into a modernized state . In 1899 , the king founded the School for Training of Civil Officials ( Thai : โรงเรียนสำหรับฝึกหัดวิชาข้าราชการฝ่ายพลเรือน ) near the northern gate of the Royal Palace . Those who graduated from the school would became royal pages . Being royal pages , he must learn how to administrate organization by working closely with the king , which is a traditional way of entrance to Siamese bureaucracy . After being royal pages , he would then served in the Mahattai Ministry or other government ministries . Currently , Thailand has 24 public universities Does not include private universities . United Kingdom . In the United Kingdom , public funding provides around two - thirds of all universities ' funding , with the exceptions of the University of Buckingham and BPP University College , are currently funded mainly by government teaching and research grants . From September 2012 government funding for teaching and background funding for research will be substantially reduced , with one study indicating that annual Government funding for teaching and research will make up just 15 % of universities ’ income by 2015 . At all English universities , excluding the University of Buckingham and BPP University College , the UK government also caps tuition fees for first ( bachelor ' s ) degrees ; setting the maximum that a university can charge , student funding and student loans . The state controls the founding of universities , through Royal charter s . The UK government commissions and regulates a research assessment and teaching review . However , unlike in some Continental European countries , the UK government does not own universities ' assets , and university staff are not civil servants . Government regulation arises as a condition of accepting funding from bodies such as HEFCE and any university can choose to leave the HEFCE regulated system at any time . In Scotland , the first degree studied is free and paid for by the Scottish government ; as a result of EU law , this means that students from other EU countries can study for free . There is also a change of direction funding in which a student can change course or degree after a year without imposing financial penalties or having to pay extra . With the release of the 2010 Browne report and the Government ' s Comprehensive Spending Review , this model of funding higher education has been modified in England . From 2012 much more of the responsibility for funding undergraduate university teaching will be placed on students , through increased student loans provided by the UK government . The government will also continue to fund research , give limited funding to master ' s degrees and will continue to contribute ( albeit in a reduced manner ) to some undergraduate degrees , particularly those in the natural sciences . Different arrangements will continue to apply elsewhere in the United Kingdom . United States . In the United States , most public universities are state universities founded and operated by state government entities ; the oldest being the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and The University of Georgia , although the overall oldest school now designated as public is The College of William & Mary ( founded in 1693 and first considered private ) . Every U . S . state has at least one public university to its name , and the largest states have more than thirty . This is partly as a result of the 1862 Morrill Land - Grant Acts , which gave each eligible state 30 , 000 acres ( 120 km² ) of federal land to sell to finance public institutions offering courses of study in practical fields in addition to the liberal arts . One example of a state university that is a top tier school in the world that is state funded is the University of California system . Their top institutions include San Diego , Los Angeles , and Berkeley . Many U . S . public universities began as teacher training institutions and eventually were expanded into comprehensive universities . Examples include the University of California , Los Angeles , formerly the southern branch of California State Normal School , the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee , formerly Milwaukee Normal School , and Missouri State University , formerly Southwest Missouri State Teachers College . States generally charge higher tuition to out - of - state students . The higher fees are based on the theory that students from the state , or much more often their parents , have contributed to subsidizing the university by paying state taxes , while of out - of - state students and their parents have not . It has never been determined whether the U . S . Constitution would allow the federal government to establish a federal university system ; the only federally chartered public universities that currently exist are the United States Service academies and military - associated educational institutions administered by the United States Department of Defense . In addition , Gallaudet University and Howard University are federally chartered private universities in Washington , DC . Historically , many of the prestigious universities in the United States have been private . Some public universities are also highly prestigious and increasingly selective though ; Richard Moll designated such prestigious public universities Public Ivies . At schools like the University of Michigan , UCLA , the University of California , Berkeley , the University of Texas at Austin , the University of Virginia , the University of Wisconsin - Madison , the College of William and Mary , and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , a vast majority of the departments are consistently highly ranked . Public universities generally rely on subsidies from their respective state government . “ The historical data for private and public institutions reveal that public institutions have always been more dependent on external support than have private institutions . ” Recently , state support of public universities has been declining , forcing many public universities to seek private support . The real level of state funding for public higher education has doubled from $ 30 billion in 1974 to nearly $ 60 billion in 2000 . Meanwhile , the percent of state appropriations for the cost of schooling per student at public university has fallen from 78 % in 1974 to 43 % in 2000 . The increasing use of teaching assistants in public universities is a testament to waning state support . To compensate , some professional graduate programs in law , business , and medicine rely almost solely on private funding . There are a number of public liberal arts colleges , including the members of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges .