Dr. Charles W Forman, a Presbyterian missionary laid the foundations of a college in 1864. The College was previously called ‘Lahore Mission College’. However in 1894 the College was renamed to honor the founder as ‘Forman Christian College’. During the initiala phase, the college awarded degrees through Calcutta University and Punjab University .Forman Christian College became a chartered University in the 2004. The University boarded on a thrilling new stage in its history in September 2005 when it commenced a four-year Baccalaureate (Honors) program designed in accordance with international standards for accreditation. The university is still under the administration of the Presbyterian Church and the University has incorporated an American Style curriculum. The university has been ranked in the ‘W’ category by the HEC. HEC recognized, Baccalaureate and Post Graduate degrees are awarded by the FCCU. The university launched a 4-year American style, Baccalaureate Program. The 4-year bachelor’s degree program is designed in compliance to standards for accreditation in the USA. Recently the university has also launched a doctor of pharmacy program.
It is an independent liberal arts university that is situated at very main and prime location, Zahoor Elahi Road of the metropolitan city Lahore. The location of the university is central, hence people from all over Lahore can access it.
Since its inception the university showed a remarkable growth and development. The first campus of the college was situated in Anarkali of Lahore. The new campus of the college at Canal Bank road was constructed in 1940.However the hostel for intermediate students is still situated in the Ewing Hall of Anarkali Campus. A transportation service is provided to the students to ply between the hostel and the new campus.
The present campus of FCCU is widespread. The 100 acre campus has red-bricked, state of the art buildings situated among lush green grounds and lawns. The campus provides a picturesque view. The botanical gardens and the widespread grounds of the FCCU add to the beauty of the campus. The enrollments to the university saw rapid growth. In the 1886 the college started with only 18 students. By the time the college was nationalized (1972) the enrollment reached 1500 students. Today the enrollment in University section alone is 3200 students. Forman Christian College caters to the higher educational needs of more than 6000 students. The student body is not only large but also diverse. As the inter-disciplinary university offers hostels and residential facilities, students from all over Pakistan join FCC. The University pays special attention to cater the minority students of Pakistan. A large number of religious minorities like Christians, Sikh and Hindu are welcomed to the non-discriminating environment of FCCU. The university has a strong roster of 21,000 students. There are many notable and distinctive alumni including the Nobel laureate Arthur Compton, former Indian Prime Minister I. K. Gujral, former Pakistani Presidents Farooq Leghari and Pervez Musharraf, and activist Eqbal Ahmad.
Many merit based scholarships and need based financial aids are offered to the deserving and needy students. So that no child with potentials is deprived of their right to premium education just because of financial restrains.
The university is highly reputed to offer premium, world class higher education at a very affordable fee structure. FCCU is distinguished for a remarkable rostrum of Faculty. Currently there are 220 full-time well-qualified and well-experience faculty members with over 100 PhDs.
The Forman Christian College has developed a strong reputation for excellence in education, remarkable and distinctive work in its curriculum, admission policies and a range of extracurricular activities.
Fully furnished and air conditioned classrooms, well-resourced libraries, well equipped computer laboratories and a sophisticated research laboratories are housed by the Forman Christian College. Other commendable facilities like a large swimming pool, spacious auditorium, well-designed cafeteria, masjids and common room are also provided to the students.