With a total population of 247,653,551 (2023 est.), the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the sixth-most populous country in the world. The territory that now constitutes Pakistan is considered a cradle of civilization –home to ancient cultures such as the Mehrgarh of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilisation.
It is the 36th-largest country in the world in terms of area, covering 796,095 sq km (307,374 sq mi.) Pakistan is one of the best destinations in South Asia for tertiary education with a number of acclaimed colleges and universities providing quality education at an affordable cost.
For foreign students who wish to study in Pakistan, you will need a student visa upon acceptance by a Pakistani university, along with the following requirements: application form, two passport-sized photographs, acceptance letter from university, original transcripts, proof of residence, and three months bank statement.
Students in Pakistan enjoy a reasonable tuition fee at approximately US$3,500 per year for undergraduate degrees and US$1,140 per year for master’s degrees.
Higher education in Pakistan consists of colleges and universities where students seek education after finishing secondary school.
These are the top cities in Pakistan where most universities and colleges are located:
Universities in Karachi
Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and also one of the largest in the world. It is a main seaport and financial center in Pakistan and has a total of 24 million people. It is also considered a center of higher education in South Asia and is ranked as one of the world’s least expensive cities to live in for students.
Universities in Lahore
Lahore is the cultural center of Pakistan with around 10 million inhabitants. Lahore is famous for its cuisine and architecture. Most books in Pakistan are also published in Lahore. Universities and other colleges are located in this city, including the University of the Punjab which is the oldest university in Pakistan.
Universities in Islamabad
Islamabad is one of the most-developed cities in Pakistan. Advanced universities in Pakistan are located in this city dubbed as the “City of Islam”. An example of the notable universities in the city is the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).
Universities in Faisalabad
The third-largest city in Pakistan is Faisalabad which is famous for its agriculture and textile industries. It is home to public and private universities in Pakistan including the University of Agriculture.
There are 8% of Pakistanis which complete qualifications in tertiary education. The government aims to increase it to 20% by 2020. A Bachelor’s pass requires students to complete at least 2 years of study, and an honors degree.
| Level | Grades | Age | Years |
| Primary | 1-8 | 6-14 | 8 |
| Secondary | 9-12 | 14-18 | 4 |
| Tertiary (Bachelor’s Pass - Doctoral) | 13-24 | 7 |
Below is a comprehensive list of all universities in Pakistan (Balochistan, Quetta, Turbat, Khuzdar, Hub, Gwadar, Chaman, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Mardan, Mingora, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Abbotabad, Mansehra, Swabi, Nowshera, Kabal, Charsadda, Punjab, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Rahim Yar Khan, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujrat, Sahiwal, Wah Cantonment, Kasur, Okara, Chiniot, Kāmoke, Hafizabad, Sadiqabad, Burewala, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Khanpur, Pakpattan, Daska, Gojra, Muridke, Bahawalnagar, Samundri, Jaranwala, Chishtian, Attock, Vehari, Kot Abdul Malik, Ferozwala, Chakwal, Gujranwala Cantonment, Kamalia, Ahmedpur East, Kot, Addu, Wazirabad, Layyah, Taxila, Khushab, Mianwali, Lodhran, Hasilpur, Bhakkar, Arif Wala, Sambrial, Jatoi, Haroonabad, Narowal, Bhalwal, Sindh, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nawabshah, Kotri, Mirpur Khas, Shikarpur, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Dadu, Tando Allahyar, Tando Adam, Umerkot, Shahdadkot, Badin, Ghotki, Daharki, Tando Muhammad Khan, Kamber Ali Khan, Mirpur Mathelo, Kandhkot). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best university in Pakistan with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.
Edarabia showcases all universities and colleges in Pakistan which can be filtered by courses and tuition fees. International students looking to get a degree in Pakistan can choose from a diverse range of programs and diplomas and obtain their Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhDs (or MBAs) from some of the top-rated institutions. Some universities also offer online courses through which students can apply for distance learning and get an online degree in certain fields.
Students who require financial aid can apply for scholarships in order to study higher education at a lower cost. Student visas and accommodation are also provided to students at many universities. There are study abroad and exchange programs offered in order to promote language development skills while giving students the opportunity to interact with other cultures around the world. Additionally, each university/college has ratings based on student reviews and are ranked below accordingly.
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