Study in Karachi, Pakistan

About Karachi

Karachi is the seat of the government of Sindh province in southern Pakistan, and the province's secretariat is in the city. Sindh became a separate province in 1936, after being annexed to the Bombay Presidency in 1843. Karachi is a large port and business city.

Students come to Karachi for business, accounting, computing, health and media degrees. We could not retrieve an official population figure for the city: the 2023 census tables of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics are published only as PDF files.

Studying in Karachi

Our directory lists two institutions in Karachi:

• Iqra University (IU) traces its origins to January 1998 and was chartered by the Government of Sindh through Sindh Ordinance VI of 2000. It is a private, multi-campus university with five campuses in Karachi (Main, Gulshan, North, M-9 and Airport) and sites in Hyderabad and Islamabad. Its main campus, a 13-storey building, is on Shaheed-e-Millat Road. IU offers associate degrees, diplomas, bachelor's, master's and postgraduate programmes in departments such as business administration, computer science, engineering, fashion and design, law, media sciences, nursing and pharmacy. The university states that all its programmes are recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) is the statutory body set up by the Government of Pakistan to regulate the accountancy profession. It was established on 1 July 1961, has its head office in Clifton, Karachi, and has nearly 12,000 members around the world. Students follow ICAP's education and training scheme towards the Chartered Accountancy qualification, with study through approved learning providers.

When choosing a degree, check that it is recognised by the Higher Education Commission, the national body for universities.

Visa and admission

Foreign students need a Pakistani visa for study. We could not reach the official online visa and HEC pages, so we do not give requirements or fees here; ask the university's admissions office and the nearest Pakistani embassy or consulate for the current rules before you apply.

Cost of living for students

We found no official student budget, rent or fare figures for Karachi. Costs depend strongly on the district and type of housing. Universities with several campuses, such as Iqra University, let you choose a campus close to where you live, which can save daily travel time and money.

Getting around and daily life

The Sindh government has developed bus rapid transit (BRT) lines with dedicated lanes. The Green Line BRT covers about 22 kilometres from Surjani Town in the north to the city centre, including Downtown and Saddar. The Red Line BRT project, about 26 kilometres long, connects Malir Halt in the east with Korangi Crossing.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Karachi?

Our directory lists Iqra University, a private university chartered by the Government of Sindh in 2000 with five campuses in the city. Check the Higher Education Commission's recognition of any programme you consider.

Where can I study accounting in Karachi?

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), founded in 1961, has its head office in Clifton, Karachi, and awards the Chartered Accountancy qualification through its education and training scheme. Iqra University also teaches business administration.

How do I get around Karachi?

The Green Line BRT links Surjani Town with Downtown and Saddar on dedicated bus lanes, and a Red Line BRT is planned for the eastern corridor between Malir Halt and Korangi Crossing.