Rankings of universities in Pakistan
This article presents an overview of university rankings in Pakistan. Within Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission provides official rankings of higher education institutions nationally, based on a multitude of criteria. There are also various magazines, newspapers and international agencies/standards which provide rankings and analysis.
According to the 2015 HEI rankings released by the HEC, the top five universities in Pakistan are, in descending order: Quaid-i-Azam University, University of the Punjab, National University of Sciences and Technology, University of Agriculture in Faisalabad and Aga Khan University.
As of 2016, six universities in Pakistan are currently placed by QS World University Rankings in the top 800 world rankings: National University of Sciences and Technology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, University of Karachi and the University of Lahore.
As of 2018-2019 QS Ranking of Universities. There are 7 Pakistani universities in top 1000. P.I.A.S #397 N.U.S.T #417 QAU #551-560 L.U.M.S #701-750 C.O.M.S.A.T.S #751-800 U.E.T Lahore #801-1000 P.U Lahore #800-1000
National
Up to date, the HEC has published rankings for the years 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and most recently 2015. In addition to the top ten and general rankings, independent rankings are also provided for universities and institutes in the categories of agriculture and veterinary science; arts and design; business; engineering and technology; and medicine. The HEC ranking uses five criteria, all of which have specific weightings and are summed to give an aggregate score out of 100. Institutional rankings are determined based on this aggregate score. Each criterion and its weighting is dependent upon a set of sub-components. The five criteria, along with their weighted score and sub-components are summarised below:- Quality assurance – Standard of M.Phil., M.S. and PhD courses; eligibility criteria for faculty member appointments; plagiarism policy compliance; assessment of Quality Enhancement Cells for internal quality assurance; international awards/honours attained by students; affiliation of coursework with national accreditation bodies e.g. NAEAC, NBEAC, NCEAC, PEC and PMDC; latest international rankings of the university/institute.
- Teaching quality – Staff to student ratio; ratio of PhD faculty and full-time faculty; faculty training and recruitment; student enrollment ratio and selectivity; national and international awards/recognition attained by faculty members.
- Research – Nationally and internationally registered patents, varieties, technologies, breeds and creative work; university industrial linkages through Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation ; ratio of PhD students and total PhD output per year; amount of external research grants obtained; amount of travel grants obtained by faculties for presentation of papers abroad; number of papers published in ISI Web of Science impact factor journals and HEC-recognised journals; citations per paper; university h-index; number of W and X category journals published; internet bandwidth and HEC Digital Library utilisation; number of national and international conferences/seminars/workshops/symposia organised.
- Finance and facilities – Ratio of non-salary expenditures in total budget; amount generated through own resources; amount of budget expended on research and libraries; computers available per student and faculty; number of books and resources in libraries; number of external scholarships received by students.
- Social integration/community development – Community outreach programs and services; international collaborations and student exchange programs; number of international students enrolled and foreign faculty.
Top ten rankings
Ranking | University | Score |
1 | Quaid-i-Azam University | 100.00 |
2 | University of the Punjab | 83.28 |
3 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 80.27 |
4 | University of Agriculture | 78.72 |
5 | Aga Khan University | 77.28 |
6 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 76.51 |
7 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences | 74.88 |
8 | University of Karachi | 70.09 |
9 | University of Health Sciences | 68.00 |
10 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | 66.78 |
Agriculture and veterinary science
Arts and design
Business
According to the 2015 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking business schools in the country.1 | Iqra University | 100.00 |
2 | Lahore School of Economics | 98.70 |
3 | Institute of Business Administration | 96.00 |
4 | Institute of Management Sciences | 80.32 |
5 | Sukkur Institute of Business Administration | 75.82 |
6 | Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology | 75.70 |
7 | The Superior College | 74.30 |
8 | Institute of Business Management | 72.91 |
9 | University of Central Punjab | 67.34 |
10 | Greenwich University | 58.75 |
11 | GIFT University | 54.66 |
12 | COMMECS Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences | 41.79 |
13 | Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education | 37.54 |
14 | Institute of Management Sciences | 25.39 |
15 | Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology | 22.16 |
Computer sciences and information technology
Rankings for computer science and information technology institutes are updated as of 2012.Ranking | University | Score |
1 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 68.00 |
2 | National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences | 61.00 |
3 | Qurtuba University | 43.00 |
4 | Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences | 37.00 |
5 | City University of Science and Information Technology | 28.00 |
6 | CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences | 26.00 |
Engineering and technology
According to the 2015 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking engineering universities in the country.Ranking | University | Score |
1 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 100.00 |
2 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences | 96.67 |
3 | Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology | 75.34 |
4 | Institute of Space Technology | 72.46 |
5 | University of Engineering and Technology | 63.97 |
6 | Mehran University of Engineering and Technology | 58.88 |
7 | University of Engineering and Technology | 57.74 |
8 | Air University | 57.22 |
9 | University of Engineering and Technology | 55.32 |
10 | National Textile University | 51.09 |
11 | NED University of Engineering and Technology | 51.06 |
12 | Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences | 48.60 |
13 | Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology | 45.78 |
14 | Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology | 45.08 |
15 | HITEC University | 45.01 |
16 | CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences | 43.96 |
17 | Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology | 43.91 |
18 | Indus University | 43.39 |
19 | Dawood University of Engineering and Technology | 42.48 |
20 | Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology | 37.07 |
21 | Textile Institute of Pakistan | 23.40 |
Medicine
According to the 2015 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking medical schools in the country.Ranking | University | Score |
1 | Aga Khan University | 100.00 |
2 | University of Health Sciences | 83.54 |
3 | Dow University of Health Sciences | 64.53 |
4 | Khyber Medical University | 61.62 |
5 | Isra University | 57.28 |
6 | King Edward Medical University | 53.62 |
7 | Ziauddin University | 51.99 |
8 | Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences | 50.56 |
9 | Gandhara University | 43.64 |
10 | Baqai Medical University | 41.58 |
11 | Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University | 37.03 |
12 | Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences | 36.45 |
13 | Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women | 32.25 |
General rankings
Notes:- Institutions not included in the HEC rankings include distance learning universities, military academies, universities chartered after the 30th of June 2010 and those institutions for which sufficient data is not available.
- Source: , as of 23 February 2016.
International rankings
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)
The QS World University Rankings is one of the most widely referenced international ranking systems. Pakistan is ranked 50th globally in terms of its higher education system's strength. The 2015–2016 edition academically ranked the following Pakistani universities:Ranking | World ranking | Asia ranking | University | Subject ranking/s | Top 50 Under 50 | QS Stars |
1 | 501–550 | 112 | National University of Sciences and Technology | Computer science and information systems: 251–300; Electrical and electronic engineering: 201–250; Engineering and technology: 340 | 81–90 | — |
2 | 701+ | 149 | Quaid-i-Azam University | Computer science and information systems: 351–400; Mathematics: 301–400; Physics and astronomy: 301–400 | — | — |
3 | 701+ | 111 | Lahore University of Management Sciences | Business and management studies: 251–300; Computer science and information systems: 401–450 | — | — |
4 | 701+ | 201–210 | University of Karachi | — | — | — |
5 | 701+ | 241–250 | University of Engineering and Technology | Electrical and electronic engineering: 251–300 | ||
6 | 701+ | — | University of Lahore | — | — | — |
— | — | 149 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences | — | — | — |
— | — | 183 | Aga Khan University | Medicine: 301–400 | — | — |
— | — | 221–230 | University of the Punjab | — | — | — |
— | — | 231–240 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | Computer science and information systems: 401–500 | — | 3 |
— | — | 301–350 | University of Agriculture | Agriculture and forestry: 51–100 | — | — |
- The QS Top 50 Under 50 ranking lists the highest-performing universities which are under 50 years old.
- The QS Star methodology rates universities out of 5 stars, based on a multitude of academic criteria.
- Source: and for Pakistan, QS World University Rankings.
Research Papers in Economics/IDEAS
Ranking | University | School or department |
1 | Pakistan Institute of Development Economics | Department of Econometrics and Statistics |
2 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | Department of Management Sciences |
4 | Lahore School of Economics | — |
5 | Quaid-i-Azam University | School of Economics |
6 | Institute of Business Administration | — |
7 | Federal Urdu University | School of Economic Sciences |
8 | International Islamic University | International Institute of Islamic Economics |
9 | University of Karachi | Applied Economics Research Centre |
10 | Lahore University of Management Sciences | Department of Economics |
11 | University of the Punjab | Department of Economics |
12 | Iqra University | Research Centre |
13 | National University of Sciences and Technology | NUST Business School |
14 | University of Sargodha | Department of Economics |
16 | University of Karachi | Department of Economics |
Notes:
- For the purpose of this article, non-academic institutions ranked in the database have been excluded from this list.
- Source: , RePEc/IDEAS as of March 2016.
Round University Ranking
Ranking | World ranking | University | Score | League | Dimensional rankings |
1 | 610 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 31.205 | World League | Teaching: 482 ; Research: 639 ; International diversity: 427 ; Financial sustainability: 652 |
2 | 627 | NED University of Engineering and Technology | 29.520 | World League | Teaching: 515 ; Research: 635 ; International diversity: 466 ; Financial sustainability: 673 |
- Source: , as of 2016.
SCImago Institutions Rankings
Innovative Knowledge | University | Technological Impact | University | Website | University | Inbound Links | University |
1 | University of Karachi | 1 | Bahauddin Zakariya University | 1 | University of the Punjab | 1 | Islamia University |
2 | University of Agriculture | 2 | University of Karachi | 2 | International Islamic University | 2 | Aga Khan University |
3 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 3 | University of Sargodha | 3 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 3 | University of the Punjab |
4 | Bahauddin Zakariya University | 4 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 4 | Quaid-i-Azam University | 4 | Federal Urdu University |
5 | National University of Sciences and Technology | 5 | University of Agriculture | 5 | Aga Khan University | 5 | Bahauddin Zakariya University |
6 | Quaid-i-Azam University | 6 | University of Engineering and Technology | 6 | University of Peshawar | 6 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology |
7 | University of the Punjab | 7 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 7 | Dow University of Health Sciences | 7 | University of Peshawar |
8 | University of Sargodha | 8 | Government College University | 8 | Islamia University | 8 | Quaid-i-Azam University |
9 | Government College University | 9 | Islamia University | 9 | University of Engineering and Technology | 9 | University of Engineering and Technology |
10 | Islamia University | 10 | University of the Punjab | 10 | University of Sindh | 10 | University of Karachi |
11 | University of Engineering and Technology | 11 | Government College University | 11 | University of Agriculture | 11 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences |
12 | Aga Khan University | 12 | Quaid-i-Azam University | 12 | Government College University | 12 | International Islamic University |
13 | Government College University | 13 | University of Sindh | 13 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | 13 | Government College University |
14 | University of Sindh | 14 | Aga Khan University | 14 | Abdul Wali Khan University | 14 | Government College University |
15 | Abdul Wali Khan University | 15 | Abdul Wali Khan University | 15 | Government College University | 15 | National University of Sciences and Technology |
16 | Dow University of Health Sciences | 16 | Dow University of Health Sciences | 16 | Bahauddin Zakariya University | 16 | University of Sindh |
17 | International Islamic University | 17 | International Islamic University | 17 | University of Karachi | 17 | University of Sargodha |
18 | University of Peshawar | 18 | University of Peshawar | 18 | Federal Urdu University | 18 | University of Agriculture |
19 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | 19 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | 19 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 19 | Dow University of Health Sciences |
Notes:
- Data for research rankings is not publicly available.
- Source: , , and for Pakistan, SCImago Institutions Rankings as of 2014.
Times Higher Education
Ranking | World ranking | Asia ranking | BRICS & Emerging Economies ranking | 150 Under 50 ranking | University |
1 | 601–800 | — | — | — | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology |
2 | 601–800 | 121–130 | 132 | 101–150 | National University of Sciences and Technology |
3 | 601–800 | 101–110 | 107 | — | Quaid-i-Azam University |
4 | 801 | — | — | — | University of Agriculture |
5 | 801 | — | — | — | Bahauddin Zakariya University |
6 | 801 | — | — | — | University of Karachi |
7 | 801 | — | — | — | University of Lahore |
Notes:
- The 150 Under 50 ranking lists the top 150 world universities which are less than 50 years old.
- Source: , , and for Pakistan, Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
UI GreenMetric Ranking
Ranking | University | Overall ranking | Setting & infrastructure | Energy & climate change | Waste | Water | Transportation | Education | Campus setting |
1 | University of Agriculture | 128 | 92 | 165 | 322 | 148 | 56 | 34 | Urban: 57 |
2 | Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University | 220 | 253 | 327 | 291 | 101 | 201 | 95 | Urban: 110 |
3 | University of Lahore | 270 | 154 | 270 | 356 | 394 | 92 | 204 | Urban: 138 |
4 | University of Karachi | 355 | 60 | 339 | 397 | 291 | 262 | 336 | Urban: 189 |
5 | International Islamic University | 392 | 293 | 382 | 406 | 282 | 287 | 226 | City Center/High Rise: 53 |
- Source: , , , , , , and , UI GreenMetric as of December 2015.
U-Multirank
Rank | University | Teaching & learning | Research | Knowledge transfer | International orientation | Regional engagement |
1 | University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences | Bachelors graduation rate: A; Masters graduation rate: A; Graduating on time : A; Graduating on time : A | Citation rate: D; Research publications: A; External research income: A | Co-publications with industrial partners: D; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E | International joint publications: D | Bachelor graduates working in region: D; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: E |
2 | Institute of Management Sciences | Graduating on time : A; Graduating on time : A | — | — | — | — |
3 | Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences | Bachelors graduation rate: B; Masters graduation rate: C; Graduating on time : B; Graduating on time : C | Citation rate: D; Research publications: D; External research income: D | Co-publications with industrial partners: B; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E | Student mobility: D; International joint publications: A | Bachelor graduates working in region: B; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: B |
Notes:
- Source obtained from , U-Multirank as of April 2016.
University Ranking by Academic Performance
Ranking | World ranking | Asia ranking | University | Field-based ranking/s |
1 | 595 | 128 | Quaid-i-Azam University | Biological sciences: 772; Chemical sciences: 661; Engineering: 588; Mathematical sciences: 189; Medical and health sciences: 949; Physical sciences: 305 |
2 | 967 | 259 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | Chemical sciences: 872; Engineering: 669; Information and computing sciences: 577; Mathematical sciences: 499; Physical sciences: 699 |
3 | 973 | 263 | University of Agriculture | Agricultural and veterinary sciences: 167; Biological sciences: 625; Engineering: 1,015; Environmental sciences: 400 |
4 | 1,040 | 292 | University of the Punjab | Biological sciences: 651; Engineering: 1,139; Mathematical sciences: 656; Medical and health sciences: 986; Physical sciences: 692 |
5 | 1,059 | 295 | Aga Khan University | Medical and health sciences: 513 |
6 | 1,101 | 309 | National University of Sciences and Technology | Engineering: 933; Mathematical sciences: 487; Physical sciences: 761 |
7 | 1,261 | 375 | University of Karachi | Biological sciences: 777; Chemical sciences: 688; Medical and health sciences: 878 |
8 | 1,343 | 407 | Bahauddin Zakariya University | Engineering: 1,224 |
9 | 1,403 | 435 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences | Biological sciences: 995; Engineering: 1,061; Physical sciences: 932 |
10 | 1,475 | 464 | Government College University | — |
11 | 1,558 | 503 | University of Peshawar | — |
12 | 1,581 | 512 | Government College University | Mathematical sciences: 871 |
13 | 1,646 | 533 | University of Sargodha | — |
14 | 1,701 | 561 | Lahore University of Management Sciences | — |
15 | 1,752 | 577 | Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University | — |
16 | 1,890 | 641 | University of Engineering and Technology | — |
18 | 1,937 | 661 | University of Sindh | — |
19 | 1,968 | 670 | Dow University of Health Sciences | — |
20 | 1,975 | 673 | Kohat University of Science and Technology | — |
Notes:
- The 17th rank is intentionally omitted due to database error.
- Source: and ; , University Ranking by Academic Performance.
U.S. News & World Report
Ranking | World ranking | Asia ranking | University |
1 | 496 | 89 | Quaid-i-Azam University |
Webometrics
The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, published by the Spanish Cybermetrics Lab, provides a listing of national, regional and international rankings of universities in Pakistan based on their web presence. Shown below, as per the 2016 edition, are the top 20 rankings only:Ranking | World ranking | Asia ranking | South Asia ranking | University |
1 | 1,801 | 509 | 24 | University of the Punjab |
2 | 1,818 | 518 | 27 | National University of Sciences and Technology |
3 | 1,866 | 533 | 30 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology |
4 | 1,908 | 548 | 33 | Aga Khan University |
5 | 2,034 | 597 | 37 | Quaid-i-Azam University |
6 | 2,046 | 599 | 38 | Islamia University |
7 | 2,229 | 681 | 49 | Lahore University of Management Sciences |
8 | 2,437 | 767 | 59 | University of Agriculture |
9 | 2,630 | 843 | 73 | International Islamic University |
10 | 2,638 | 846 | 75 | Allama Iqbal Open University |
11 | 2,834 | 924 | 89 | University of Engineering and Technology |
12 | 2,989 | 979 | 102 | Bahauddin Zakariya University |
13 | 3,074 | 1,014 | 110 | University of Karachi |
14 | 3,233 | 1,074 | 117 | Government College University |
15 | 3,337 | 1,110 | 123 | University of Peshawar |
16 | 3,417 | 1,134 | 128 | University of Sindh |
17 | 3,459 | 1,147 | 131 | National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences |
18 | 3,883 | 1,309 | 166 | NED University of Engineering and Technology |
19 | 3,964 | 1,330 | 173 | Government College University |
20 | 4,113 | 1,385 | 183 | Gomal University |
- Source: , and , Webometrics as of January 2016.
uniRank
Ranking | University |
1 | National University of Sciences and Technology |
2 | University of the Punjab |
3 | Aga Khan University |
4 | Lahore University of Management Sciences |
5 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology |
6 | National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences |
7 | University of Agriculture |
8 | Bahauddin Zakariya University |
9 | University of Management and Technology |
10 | Quaid-i-Azam University |
- Source: , uniRank as of 2016.
Analysis and criticism