Why study a Bachelor or Master in Pakistan

Study in Pakistan

Many international students choose to study in Pakistan, although you might not think of it as a typical study abroad destination. Read on to learn why you should study in Pakistan and how much it costs to do so. 

Why should you study in Pakistan?

Here are some reasons why international students choose to study in Pakistan: 

• Endless adventure: From hiking in mountains to canoeing, the adventure and adrenaline rush never stop. There are also many cultural activities that you can enjoy,  like attending an authentic English-style polo game.
• Spectacular sights: there are also amazing natural sights to enjoy in Pakistan such as the Lahore Fort and Shah Faisal Mosque that you have to visit if you study there! 
• Amazing food: Food like kebab and naan are amazing and known around the world for being delicious. This is yet another reason to study in Pakistan. 
• Easy access to neighbouring Asian countries: It’s easy to visit China, India, Iran and Afghanistan from Pakistan as they are close and just a rail or bus ride away. 

How much does it cost?

If you want to study in Pakistan, it will cost you around 3,500 USD a year for an undergraduate degree and about 1,000 dollars per year for a master’s degree.  

Living in Pakistan

There are many options for student accommodation in Pakistan that you’ll need to look into if you want to study there. You’ll also need to consider the costs of living, from transportation to utilities to groceries. Read on to learn more about the costs of living and studying in Pakistan. 

 

Accommodation

Here are some of the options for accommodation in Pakistan: 

• University dorms
• Homestay: This means you are placed with a Pakistani family and can experience the culture firsthand while living with them.  
• Private rentals: You might choose to rent a private apartment, either alone or with other students. In general, there’s a wide range of rental costs, depending on the size of the apartment, services offered and whether you share it with other students or not. If you rent an apartment in the city centre, you’ll pay around 100 dollars per month, while renting outside of the city centre will cost you around 80 dollars a month. 

Other costs of living

Other costs of living to consider are these:

• Monthly transportation pass: 7 dollars a month
• Internet: 20 dollars a month 
• Groceries: 100 dollars a month  
• Basic utilities: 60 dollars a month 

Universities in Pakistan

When it comes to studying in Pakistan, there are several degree options available and many universities that are top-ranked to study at. Read on to learn more about the different degree options and top universities. 

Degrees available

There are several different degree types available at Pakistani universities. Bachelor’s degrees are divided into Pass Bachelor’s and Honour’s bachelor’s, the difference between them being that a Pass bachelor student doesn’t choose a subject specialisation but only a track, while an honours one picks a specific major. For postgraduate degrees, there are master’s degrees and doctorate degrees available to study in many of the top-ranked universities. 

Top-ranked universities

Here are some of the top-ranked universities to look into if you want to study in Pakistan: 

National University of Sciences and Technology

Founded in 1991 to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, the National University of Sciences and Technology is the best Pakistani university, according to university rankings. The university prizes innovation and research as its approach to learning. It ranks in the top 250 worldwide for the subject of electrical engineering. 

Quaid-i-Azam University

The second top-ranked university is Quaid-i-Azam University, which was originally named Islamabad University. It was founded in 1967 and has collaborations with many international universities and institutes, like the United Nations and the University of Tokyo.

Lahore University of Management Sciences

Established in 1984, Lahore University of Management Sciences is a private university with a focus on research. It’s a small and highly selective university with only 3,500 students studying there. They are taught by more than 200 faculty members, giving the university a great student-faculty ratio. 

University of Engineering and Technology

The University of Engineering and Technology, also known as UET Lahore, is a public university that was founded in 1921. It has a wide range of courses offered to students. It was the first university in Pakistan to offer a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering in the year of 1954.

Examples of other universities

Other good universities to look into if you want to study in Pakistan are the University of Karachi and The University of Lahore. 

Student Visa - Pakistan

When studying in Pakistan, you’ll need to apply for a study visa. Most nationalities will need a  visa to be able to study in the country. 

 

Here is the list of required documents to apply for a study visa to be eligible to study in Pakistan:

• Passport size photographs
• Passport or another valid identification document
• Admission letter from the Pakistani university
• NOC from HEC/Economic Affairs Division/IPC/Health Ministry/Education Ministry
• Proof of Sponsorship or scholarship 
• If you are accompanying family, you’ll need to present a bank statement. 

How to apply - Pakistan

In order to apply to study in Pakistan, you’ll need to apply to the university you desire separately. You can learn more about the exact admission process to your chosen university on their website, and you may also be able to submit your application online. Otherwise, you’ll be required to send it by post. Read on to learn about the required documents when you apply to a university in Pakistan. 

 

General Requirements 

Here are some of the general requirements when applying to a university in Pakistan: 

• Diplomas from previous education degrees 
• Transcripts of completed courses and grades for each course
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Fulfilling other specific entry requirements which you can find on the website of your chosen program, like essays, letters of recommendation or letters of motivation
• Passport or another identification document with your name, picture and another ID number. 

 

Scholarship in Pakistan

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship or financial aid when you study in Pakistan, there are several options you can apply to as an international student in the country. 

 

Here are some of the best scholarships you can apply for when you go to study in Pakistan: 

 

• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program for Developing Countries in Asia & Pacific: This scholarship offers a fully-funded grant for all master’s students, studying any master’s subject. 
• State Bank of Pakistan – Merit Scholarship Scheme: This scholarship gives the recipient a fully paid grant to any university in Pakistan. You are eligible if you are studying for any subject of diploma, undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree but the minimum duration for the program must be 6 months. 
• Pakistan Science Foundation Scholarships: This scholarship offers Rs 10000 per month for undergraduate students at all Pakistani universities. Students majoring in all subject areas are eligible to apply.