Universities in Pakistan

Universities in Pakistan are degree-awarding institutions chartered by the federal government or by a provincial government. They can be public or private, and their programmes are recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the national body for higher education. Iqra University in Karachi, for example, is a private university chartered by the Government of Sindh through Sindh Ordinance VI of 2000, and it states that all its programmes are recognised by the HEC.

SpainExchange lists three institutions in Pakistan in this category, two in Karachi and one in Multan. Besides Iqra University, they include the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), which is not a university but the statutory body that awards the Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification.

How higher education is organised

Pakistani degrees are described in years of education counted from the start of school. Bachelor's degrees normally take four years after the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC, 12 years of schooling), so a bachelor's degree equals 16 years of education. Master's degrees such as the MS or MPhil build on those 16 years and lead to the 18-year level, and a PhD normally requires an MS or MPhil first. Universities also offer associate degrees and diplomas. Course credits and durations follow HEC policy.

Professional fields have their own councils that accredit programmes on top of HEC recognition, such as the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for engineering, the National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC) for business and the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council for nursing. For a degree that leads to a regulated profession, check that the programme is accredited by the relevant council.

Professional qualifications: the CA route

Accountancy has a separate route outside the universities. ICAP was established on 1 July 1961, regulates the accountancy profession and has nearly 12,000 members. Students can follow a full-time scheme or a trainee scheme, depending on their previous qualification. ICAP lists recognition of the CA qualification by the HEC among its national recognitions, as well as agreements with professional bodies abroad.

Admission for international students

Each university sets its own admission criteria within HEC rules. For a four-year bachelor's degree at Iqra University, for example, applicants need at least 50% marks in the HSSC or an equivalent qualification, and holders of A levels or other foreign school qualifications need an equivalence certificate. Engineering programmes add an entry test, and foreign degree holders who apply for a master's programme need an HEC equivalence.

School-level equivalence is issued by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), which assesses foreign qualifications up to HSSC level. It only considers qualifications from institutions recognised in the country that issued them, and documents in languages other than English or Urdu must be translated by the relevant embassy or by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). Foreign nationals also need a visa; visas are handled by the Directorate General of Immigration & Passports of the Ministry of Interior and by Pakistan's embassies.

Costs and funding

Tuition fees are set by each university and differ between public and private institutions, so ask for the current fee schedule of the programme. Universities may also offer their own scholarships. Iqra University, for example, offers financial support of 10% to 100% based on merit, need and course load, although some of its schemes are limited to Pakistani citizens.

How to choose a university in Pakistan

• Recognition: confirm that the university and programme are recognised by the HEC
• Professional accreditation: for engineering, business, nursing or pharmacy, check the relevant council
• Location: the institutions on SpainExchange are in Karachi and Multan; Iqra University also has campuses in Hyderabad and Islamabad
• Entry requirements: check the minimum marks, entry tests and equivalence documents you need
• Professional goal: for accountancy, compare a university degree with the ICAP CA route

Frequently asked questions

Who recognises universities in Pakistan?

The Higher Education Commission (HEC). Universities are chartered by the federal or a provincial government, and professional programmes are also accredited by councils such as the Pakistan Engineering Council.

How long is a bachelor's degree in Pakistan?

Usually four years after the HSSC, which equals 16 years of education. Master's degrees such as the MS or MPhil lead to the 18-year level.

Do I need an equivalence certificate to study in Pakistan with a foreign school diploma?

Yes, universities ask for one. The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) assesses foreign qualifications up to HSSC level.

Is ICAP a university?

No. ICAP is the statutory body that regulates accountancy in Pakistan and awards the Chartered Accountant qualification.