Study and find schools in Pakistan

Studying in Pakistan

Pakistan is a large South Asian country with a broad university sector. Urdu is the national language, but English is widely used in higher education, government and business, and many university programmes, for example in business, engineering and computing, are taught in English. For international students the main attractions are professional degrees at moderate cost and specialist qualifications such as chartered accountancy.

Universities in Pakistan, public and private, operate under the oversight of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which recognises degree programmes and sets national rules on credit hours and degree length. Professional councils, such as the Pakistan Engineering Council and the National Business Education Accreditation Council, accredit programmes in their fields.

The education system

Pakistan counts education in years of schooling. Secondary school ends with the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC, also called Intermediate) after 12 years. The standard bachelor's degree now takes four years, so a bachelor's graduate has 16 years of education, which is the usual entry level for a master's (MS or MBA) or MPhil, followed by the PhD. Universities use semesters and credit hours, following HEC policy.

Universities can be public or private, and private universities need a government charter. Iqra University, for example, traces its origins to January 1998 and was chartered by the Government of Sindh in 2000; it is a private multi-campus university with campuses in Karachi, Hyderabad and Islamabad and more than 40 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It states that all its programmes are recognised by the HEC.

Professional bodies also award qualifications outside the university system. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), established on 1 July 1961 to regulate the accountancy profession, awards the Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification and has nearly 12,000 members. Depending on their previous qualification, students can follow a full-time scheme or a trainee scheme.

Admission and recognition

Each university sets its own admission criteria and many run their own admission tests. At Iqra University, for example, four-year bachelor's programmes in business require at least 50% marks in the HSSC or an equivalent qualification, and master's programmes require 16 years of education with at least a second division or a CGPA of 2.5. Applicants with A levels or other foreign school qualifications need an equivalence certificate from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC). Students should also check that their programme is recognised by the HEC, since recognition matters for further study and employment.

Student visa and residence

Foreign students need a study visa, one of the visa categories of Pakistan's Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI&P); the category covers students and students of religious schools (deeni madaris). According to the DGI&P, the study visa is granted after a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the relevant ministry (education, economic affairs or health), the student's own government's mission in Pakistan, and a security clearance. Applicants need the routine visa documents, a copy of the passport, a photo, an admission letter from the institution and the NOCs. Study entry visas and extensions are issued for two years after security clearance. Visa applications are made online through Pakistan's e-visa system. Check the current rules with the Pakistani embassy in your country before applying (checked October 2026).

Costs

Tuition fees are set by each university. Private universities often offer merit scholarships: Iqra University, for example, offers tuition discounts for the first semester based on previous results and its admission test. Ask each institution for the fees that apply to international students.

Where to study

• Karachi: Pakistan's largest city and commercial centre, home to the main campus of Iqra University and the head office of ICAP
• Multan: a city in southern Punjab, home to AIMS Springhill Cambridge International School
• Islamabad and Hyderabad: cities where Iqra University also teaches

Practical life

Pakistan's climate varies widely between regions, from the southern plains to the northern mountains; the Pakistan Meteorological Department publishes forecasts and climate information. Students should arrange accommodation with their university, and check the security situation for their region before travelling. Health insurance and any permission to work depend on your visa, so check them with the DGI&P and your university.

Frequently asked questions

Are university programmes in Pakistan taught in English?

Many are. English is widely used in higher education, and programmes in fields such as business, engineering and computing are commonly taught in English, although Urdu is the national language. Check the language of each programme with the university.

What visa do I need to study in Pakistan?

You need a study visa. It requires an admission letter and no-objection certificates from the relevant Pakistani ministry and your own country's mission, plus a security clearance, and is issued for two years.

Is my foreign school certificate accepted for a bachelor's degree in Pakistan?

Usually yes, but universities ask for an equivalence certificate from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) for A levels and other foreign qualifications.

How long is a bachelor's degree in Pakistan?

The standard bachelor's degree takes four years, giving 16 years of education, which is the usual requirement for a master's or MPhil.