Best Universities in Pakistan including IT Universities – Pakistan has struggled in recent years to ensure that all children, especially those disadvantaged, can remain within the school system. Unicef have confirmed that an estimated 22.8 million children aged 5-16 are out of school.
Whilst this is the case, Pakistan has expanded their higher education significantly which has slowly improved the percentages of learners outside of school. Universities welcome international students and all teaching is in English.
Universities in Pakistan and Cambridge Qualifications
The government of Pakistan recognises Cambridge Qualifications and accepts them as equivalence to the local education system. This includes Cambridge IGCSEs, O Levels and Advanced Levels.
The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) is responsible for issuing equivalence and in order for learners to qualify for Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) level, the IBCC have issued a list of compulsory and elective subjects that must be studied on their website.
Cambridge IGCSE and O Levels Pakistan
IGCSEs and O Levels are equivalent to the Secondary School Certificate (SSC). Students must pass the following subjects in order to be considered by the IBCC.
- English
- Urdu
- Islamiyat
- Pakistan Studies
- Mathematics
- Three electives
If learners are not looking for IBCC equivalence and want to choose their own subjects, then this is fine too. You may be looking to apply for a University outside of Pakistan who would not require those exact subjects at IGCSE / O Level.
Cambridge A Levels Pakistan
If you achieve International A Levels and want to progress onto Further Education / University, there will be certain pathways to choose from. Here are some examples.
Profession: Medical Doctor
For this career, you would normally be asked to have a subject background in science which must include Biology. Once you progress onto GCE Advanced Levels, the subjects that would support this career include Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
You can expect to by studying for approximately 11-12 years after A Levels and career pathways include MBBS, House job and Postgrad specialisation.
Profession: Engineering/Computer Science
A background in science subjects including Biology and Computer Science are helpful for this pathway. Once you move onto A Levels, you will most likely want to take Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry or Computer Science.
You would normally take a Bachelor’s Degree and could also progress onto a Masters. The length of study for this pathway is normally approximately 6 years.
Profession: Chartered Accountant
In order to work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant in further education, you will need to have a subject background in science/humanities subjects. Once you move onto A Levels, you will be looking to take Accounting A Level but could also add subjects such as Business or Mathematics.
You may then move onto a Bachelor’s Degree or LLB. This can take approximately 8 years to complete.
Profession: Academia
For a career in Academia, you would need a subject background in science and/or humanities subjects. Once you move onto Advanced Levels, you would be looking to specialise in the subject you want to teach.
Further education could be a Bachelor’s Degree, Masters/MPhil/PHD and take approximately 10-11 years.
Profession: Business Administration / Management Sciences
A background in science/humanities subjects would help along with an A Level in Business.
Progression onto a Bachelor’s degree and Masters can take approximately 6 years to complete.
For all the above professions, you must check the individual University requirements. It is important to bear in mind that Universities in different countries will have different entry rules.
Best Universities in Pakistan
Now, lets look at the best universities in Pakistan.
- National University of Sciences and Technology
- Quaid-i-Azam University
- COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
- University of the Punjab
- Lahore University of Management Sciences
- The University of Lahore
- Government College University, Faisalabad
- International Islamic University, Islamabad
- University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
- University of Peshawar
What are the best IT Universities in Pakistan?
One question we get asked quite often is ‘what are the best universities in Pakistan for a career in IT?’
Pakistan offers a range of IT careers including ai architects, data scientists, cybersecurity and software engineering. Pay within the IT sector can be very good with a degree and is constantly expanding. Here are our top five.
- COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
- National University of Sciences and Technology
- Information Technology University
- University of the Punjab
- Quaid-i-Azam University
Have you considered the University of London Programme?
The University of London Programme allows learners from all over the world to study a degree by distance or flexible learning. Therefore, learners in Pakistan can study a degree and obtain the qualification with flexibility.
There will be no travel or relocation costs and learners can choose from over 100 degrees, diplomas and certificates.
Entry requirements will differ to other degrees offered by Universities within Pakistan. For example, in most cases three O Level/IGCSE passes at Grade C or above in non-overlapping subjects plus two further Cambridge International A Level passes at grade E or above in non-overlapping subjects would be accepted.
Institutions that are recognised by the University of London to conduct international programmes include:
- Beaconhouse International College, Islamabad & Faisalabad
- Denning Business School, Karachi
- The Institute of Legal Studies (TILS), Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore & Multan
- Blackstone School of Law & Business, Lahore
- Management Development Institute (MDi), Islamabad
- LGS International Degree Programme, Islamabad
- UCL Business School, Multan
- Bay View College, Karachi
- Islamabad School of Law, Islamabad
- School of International Law, Islamabad
- The Millennium Universal College TMUC, Islamabad, Lahore & Karachi
- Pakistan College of Law, Lahore
- Metropolitan International United College, Islamabad
- Roots College International IVY Campus, Islamabad
- Universal College Lahore, Lahore
- College of Accounting and Management Sciences (CAMS), Karachi
- University College of Islamabad, Islamabad