Every HEC-recognised university in Pakistan must accept HAT for MS admission. Here are some of the most well-known ones by field, and how to find their current admission notices.
How to choose a university
Before picking a university, ask yourself 3 things:
- Is the department strong in my field? Look at their faculty — do they have active researchers publishing in your area?
- Is there a supervisor I can work with? For research-based MS, find a professor whose work interests you before you apply.
- What is the admission deadline? Universities open and close applications at different times. Check their website now.
Well-known universities by field
Engineering and Computer Science (HAT-I)
- NUST (National University of Sciences and Technology), Islamabad — strong in engineering, CS, and sciences. Highly competitive.
- UET (University of Engineering and Technology), Lahore and Peshawar — largest engineering universities in their cities.
- COMSATS University Islamabad — good for CS, IT and engineering. Multiple campuses across Pakistan.
- FAST-NUCES — well known for computer science. Campuses in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Faisalabad.
Business and Management (HAT-II)
- IBA Karachi (Institute of Business Administration) — one of the top business schools in Pakistan.
- LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences) — competitive, strong research faculty.
- NUML (National University of Modern Languages), Islamabad — good for management and languages. Federal university.
Arts, Social Sciences and Law (HAT-III)
- QAU (Quaid-i-Azam University), Islamabad — strong in social sciences, psychology, international relations.
- University of the Punjab, Lahore — one of the oldest and largest universities. Strong humanities faculty.
- University of Karachi — wide range of arts and social science departments.
- NUML — strong in languages, linguistics and translation.
Medical and Health Sciences (HAT-IV)
- Aga Khan University, Karachi — private, very competitive, strong research.
- University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore — focused on health and medical sciences.
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi — public university for health sciences.
How to find a university's current admission notice
- Go to the university's official website.
- Look for "Admissions", "Graduate Admissions" or "Announcements" in the menu.
- Look for the current semester's admission schedule.
- Check: deadline, fee, documents needed and whether they require an interview.
University websites are not always up to date. If you cannot find an admission notice, email or call the department directly. Ask: "Are you accepting applications for MS [subject] for Spring 2027? What is the deadline?"
Public vs private universities
| Factor | Public university | Private university |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Lower (government subsidised) | Higher |
| Competition | High merit cutoffs at top ones | Varies widely |
| Research funding | HEC provides grants to both | Varies by university |
| Scholarship options | More HEC scholarships available | University-specific aid |
Apply to a mix of both. Apply to your top choices and a few backup options at the same time.
What your HAT score needs to be
The HEC minimum is 50 for MS/MPhil. Competitive universities like NUST, LUMS and QAU often have internal cutoffs higher than 50. A score of 60 or above gives you more options. Read our full MS admission guide for the complete process.
Common questions
Which universities accept HAT score for MS in Pakistan?
All HEC-recognised universities are required to use HAT (or GRE Subject) for MS admission. This covers QAU, NUML, COMSATS, NUST, UET, University of Karachi, University of Punjab and hundreds more.
What is the difference between MS and MPhil in Pakistan?
They are essentially the same level. Some universities call it MS, others MPhil. Both require HAT 50 minimum and lead to the same level of qualification under HEC policy.
How do I find out if a university has open admissions?
Check the university's official website under "Admissions" or "Announcements". Pakistani universities typically open spring admissions in October–December and fall admissions in June–August.
Can I apply to more than one university at the same time?
Yes. You can apply to as many universities as you want with the same HAT result. Each application is independent.