DND Eligibility Criteria 2026: Marks, Streams & Age Limit

DND Eligibility Criteria 2026: Minimum Marks, Streams and Age Limit in Pakistan

DND eligibility criteria: you need FSc Pre-Medical (or A-levels with Biology and Chemistry) with at least 50% marks at most universities. Some ask for more: the University of Home Economics Lahore requires 60%. Age limits apply at some universities (UVAS allows up to 25, UHE up to 24). Pre-Engineering is accepted at UVAS (with a Biology audit course) and NUMS. Tests vary: NUMS uses a test, Riphah uses an interview, UVAS decides on merit.

There is no single national rule for Doctor of Nutrition & Dietetics (DND) or the 4-year BS Human Nutrition & Dietetics. Each university sets its own, and the differences matter: a 55% Pre-Medical student qualifies at one campus and not at another. Check your target university before you apply.

Eligibility at a glance

• Minimum marks: 50% is the most common threshold; 60% at some.

• Background: FSc Pre-Medical, or A-levels with Biology and Chemistry.

• Age: up to 24 or 25 at universities that set a limit.

• Selection: merit, test or interview, depending on the university.

Eligibility by university

UOL, UMT, TUF, Superior and the Allied Institute of Medical Sciences have been listed at 45–50% with entry tests or interviews at some. Confirm each in the current prospectus before relying on it.

Which situation are you in?

FSc Pre-Medical

This is the standard route. At 50% or above you meet the minimum at most universities. Marks decide merit, so apply to several.

FSc Pre-Engineering

Not automatically excluded. UVAS admits Pre-Engineering students but requires them to take Basic Biology as a non-credit audit course in the first semester. NUMS lists Pre-Engineering as eligible. Many other universities require Pre-Medical, so check first.

A-levels or O-levels

You need an IBCC equivalence certificate. At UVAS, equivalence results must meet the programme's minimum, or admission is cancelled and the fee is not refunded.

Result awaiting (Part-II)

UVAS allows applications if you passed all Part-I subjects, with provisional admission. You must pass Part-II and meet the minimum, or the admission is cancelled and the fee is not refunded.

FA Home Economics or DAE

UHE accepts FA Home Economics. UVAS counts DAE in its merit formula, and NUMS accepts DAE Food Technology.

Over the age limit

Check before you pay any fee. UVAS stops at 25 on the last application date, and UHE at 24.

Hafiz-e-Quran

UVAS awards 20 extra marks after a test.

Do you need MDCAT?

Usually not. NUMS accepts NUMS MDCAT 2025, NAT or USAT scores as one route, or its own online test. Other universities use an interview or merit alone.

Documents commonly asked for

Matric and Intermediate result cards, CNIC or B-Form, photographs, and an IBCC equivalence certificate for O/A-level candidates. Some universities also ask for domicile or a character certificate. Follow the prospectus.

Before you apply

1. Confirm the degree name and duration (5-year DND or 4-year BS HND).

2. Check the age limit against the last application date.

3. Check the minimum marks for your stream.

4. Get your IBCC certificate early if you have foreign qualifications.

5. Check current admissions and fees.