Applying to university can be stressful, and looking for the right one is even worse! For those applying in Pakistan, locally and from abroad, we have put together a list of universities (based on HEC rankings) to help you decide which one matches your criteria and fields of interest. The university ranking is based on the following criteria:

• Quality Assurance
• Teaching Quality
• Research
• Finance & Facilities
• Social Integration / Community Development

Below are the top five universities each for Business, Engineering, Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Medicine and Art.

Business

1. Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi

Established in 1955, IBA is the oldest business school outside North America. Find out more here.

2. Lahore School of Economics, Lahore

The Lahore School of Economics was established in 1993 and chartered by the Government of Punjab in January 1997. It has 150 full-time faculty and 3100 graduate and undergraduate students. Find out more here.

3. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST), Karachi

SZABIST Karachi offers 21 programs in disciplines of Management Sciences, Computer Sciences, Media Sciences, Social Sciences, Bio-Sciences, and Mechatronic Engineering. It even has many external programs. To apply, click here.

4. Sukkur Institute of Business Administration

The Sukkur Institute of Business Administration was established in 1994. The university aims to establish and sustain a competitive, meritorious environment by strengthening faculty and using state of the art technology to produce graduates with analytical & creative thinking, leadership skills and entrepreneurial spirit. To find out more, click here.

5. Institute of Management Science, Peshawar (IMS)

The Institute of Management Sciences, a pioneering business school, was established in 1995 and is the first of its kind in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their mission is to provide quality management education and new knowledge based research that enables IMSciences to be a school with foundations in excellence at all levels. Click here for more information.

Engineering

1. National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad

The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) was established in March 1991 and aims to emerge as a comprehensive residential institution responsive to technological change, dedicated to excellence and committed to the international educational and research needs of the country. For more information, visit their website here.

2. Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad

Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences was named in 1997 but was established in 1972 under a different name. PIEAS is committed to excellence in science and engineering education. They seek to impart education in fields which are essential for the technological development of Pakistan and, in particular, to play a pioneering role in fostering the establishment of educational programs in newly emerging technological fields in the country. Click here for information.

3. University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore

The University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore was established in 1921 The UET faculty consists of 741 people including 14 international faculty members; around 122 have doctoral degrees. Its faculty holds one Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, one Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one Izaz-e-Kamal Presidential Award and nine HEC Best Teacher Awards. Find out more here.

4. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi

The Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology was registered in 1988 the institute seeks to provide excellent teaching and research environment to produce graduates who distinguish themselves by their professional competence, research, entrepreneurship, humanistic outlook, ethical rectitude and pragmatic approach to problem solving. Visit their website here.

5. University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar

The University of Engineering. & Technology, was established in 1952 as an engineering college. It is a public research university located in Peshawar,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and is one of the premier institution of higher learning in Pakistan with a strong emphasis on the development of science and engineering. To learn more click here.

Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences

1. University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

The University of Agriculture was established in 1906 as the first major institution of higher education in undivided Punjab. The university faculty consists of 500 teachers and over 5000 students. Click here to apply.

2. University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore

The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences was established and affiliated with the Punjab university in 1971. Their mission is to develop human resource through professional education, research and training in the field of Life Sciences. Find out more here.

3. PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

The PMAS Arid Agriculture University has been around since 1947 and was given university level status in 1994. The university seeks to produce high quality agricultural scientists and to form an organized scientific infrastructure for teaching and research for the development of dry land regions of the country, thus minimizing the income gap between rich and poor. Visit their website here.

4. The University of Agricultural, Peshawar

The University of Agriculture was established in 1981. The university seeks to to further excellence in agricultural education and research, which will ultimately help in the development of the province in particular and the country at large. Find out more here.

5. Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam

The Sindh Agriculture University became a university in 1977. It’s aim is to sharpen focus on agricultural education, improve quality of learning, promote integrated outlook in the functions of teaching, research and extension, produce service-oriented graduates and generate appropriate technologies. Learn more about it here.

Medicine

1. Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University was founded in 1983 and was named after its benefactor and philanthropist Aga Khan. Aga Khan university seeks to s committed to the development of human capacities through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge, and application through service. Learn how to apply here.

2. University of Health Sciences, Lahore

The University of Health Sciences was inaugurated in 2002. The university seeks to be an innovative global center of excellence in learning and research, supporting a community of scholars and professionals committed to serving society, promoting the development of students to reach their true potential in becoming competent, ethical, caring and inquiring health professionals for the benefit of the country and the wider world. Read more about the university here.

3. Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi

The Dow University of Health Sciences was established in 1945 and is known for its strong emphasis on biomedical, health and medical research programs. The university strives for its students to develop better communication skills to communicate with their patients and prepare its students for a meritorious professional career. Visit their website here.

4. Khyber Medical University, Peshawar

The Khyber Medical University was established in 2007 and is relatively a young university it seeks to prove medical students with state of the art knowledge, skills and attitude to deliver the highest standards of health care to the people. Click here and visit their website.

5. Riphah International University, Islamabad

The Riphah International University was established in 2002 by the Islamic International Medical College Trust. They seek to help the Muslim Ummah in solving the pressing problem of deteriorating academic standard, by establishing State of the Art Institutions in Pakistan, engaging eminent scholars and scientists. Find out more here.

Arts

1. National College of Arts, Lahore (NCA)

The National College of Arts was recognised as the premier art institution in 1963. The college finds education as a fluid process, where students are assisted in the exploration, investigation and expression of their ideas. Find out more about the university by clicking here.

2. Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture, Karachi

The Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture was founded in 1989. They seek to impart education in art, design and architecture creating a culture of excellence in research and innovation, contributing towards a just and tolerant society and enable students to serve as instruments of positive change. Find out more here.