The admission process begins after the bachelor’s degree. Every university has several criteria for its admission process. With the help of the prospectus, students can submit their documents to the particular university they are interested in. The universities publish their merit list according to the seats available in the department. Some universities conduct their entry-level test and enroll accordingly. There are various merit lists according to the seats in that particular university.
| Date Posted | Last Date | Institute Name | Program Name | Admission Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-Feb-2026 | 12-Feb-2026 |
Hazara University Mansehra
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| 27-Jan-2026 | 17-Feb-2026 |
University of Kotli Azad Jammu & Kashmir
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| 25-Jan-2026 | 20-Feb-2026 |
Virtual University
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| 13-Jan-2026 | 16-Jan-2026 |
COMSATS University Attock
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| 07-Jan-2026 | 18-Jan-2026 |
University Of Peshawar
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| 06-Jan-2026 | 09-Jan-2026 |
Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan)
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| 30-Dec-2025 | 02-Jan-2026 |
Bahauddin Zakariya University Bzu Multan
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| 17-Oct-2025 | N/A |
Habib University Karachi
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| 12-Sep-2025 | 10-Oct-2025 |
Sindh University Mirpurkhas Campus
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| 19-Aug-2025 | 21-Sep-2025 |
University Of Karachi
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Master of Public Administration (MPA) is an advanced professional degree in Pakistan for students interested in governance, public policy, administrative leadership, and organizational management in the public sector . A university-wise admission comparison helps students evaluate differences in curriculum focus, research opportunities, and practical exposure across institutions. The table highlights faculty expertise, access to policy research centers, case-study teaching methods, and opportunities for internships and fieldwork in government and non-governmental organizations. By comparing admission criteria, merit requirements, program duration, and fee structures, students can make informed academic decisions. It also shows which universities offer stronger opportunities for professional networking, policy analysis projects, and leadership development. This comparison ensures students select programs aligned with contemporary public administration standards and career advancement in government and development sectors. Overall, it serves as a practical guide for choosing the best university to pursue a Master of Public Administration in Pakistan .
| University | Duration | Credit Hours | Fee (Per Year) | Admission Months | Eligibility Criteria | Specializations | Scholarship Options | Entry Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Islamabad | 1.5 - 2 years | 30 | 200,000 - 300,000 | • July-August (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy Analysis • Governance & Development • Human Resource Management • E-Governance & Digital Governance |
Merit & Need-based, Army scholarships | NUST GAT (General) |
| Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 100,000 - 180,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Development Administration • Public Policy • Financial Administration • Comparative Public Administration |
Merit & HEC scholarships | QAU GAT (General) |
| University of the Punjab, Lahore | 1.5 - 2 years | 30 | 80,000 - 140,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy Analysis • Administrative Theory • Local Government • Public Financial Management |
Merit, Need, & HEC schemes | PU GAT (General) |
| Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore | 2 years | 36 | 600,000 - 850,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. LUMS Graduate Test. | • Public Policy • Governance & Leadership • Economic Management • Social Sector Reform |
Extensive Need-based & Merit scholarships | LUMS Graduate Test & Interview |
| COMSATS University Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 140,000 - 230,000 | • July-August (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Development Studies • Public Sector Innovation |
Merit & Need-based | COMSATS GAT (General) |
| University of Karachi, Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 110,000 | • November-December (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Local Government • Administrative Law • Public Financial Management |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Bahria University, Islamabad & Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 150,000 - 240,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Maritime Affairs (Karachi) • Governance & Leadership • Defense & Security Administration |
Merit & Naval scholarships | BU GAT (General) |
| University of Peshawar, Peshawar | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi | 2 years | 30 | 90,000 - 160,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. For female candidates only. | • Gender & Development • Public Policy • Governance • Human Resource Management |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Preston University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 130,000 - 210,000 | • March (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Sargodha, Sargodha | 2 years | 30 | 65,000 - 120,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Gujrat, Gujrat | 2 years | 30 | 75,000 - 135,000 | • September-October (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Development Administration • Human Resource Management |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Government College University (GCU), Lahore | 2 years | 30 | 85,000 - 150,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Administrative Law • Local Government • Public Finance |
Merit scholarships & GCU Endowments | GCU Test / GAT General |
| Air University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 120,000 - 200,000 | • August-September (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy Analysis • Governance & Leadership • Aviation & Defense Administration • E-Governance |
Merit & PAF scholarships | AU GAT (General) |
| SZABIST, Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 250,000 - 350,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Development Management • Strategic Leadership |
Merit scholarships | University Test |
| National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 110,000 - 190,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Governance & Development • Public Policy • Human Resource Management • International Public Administration |
Merit & Need-based | NUML Test |
| University of Balochistan, Quetta | 2 years | 30 | 50,000 - 100,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit & Provincial scholarships | University Test |
| Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore | 1.5 - 2 years | 30 | 35,000 - 70,000 | • Rolling Admissions (Spring & Fall) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Development Studies • Public Financial Management |
Fee concession schemes | No Entry Test |
| Iqra University, Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 160,000 - 260,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Municipal Management • Development Planning |
Merit scholarships | University Test |
| Riphah International University, Islamabad | 2 years | 30 | 170,000 - 270,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Islamic Public Administration • Governance & Development • Public Policy Analysis • Human Resource Development |
Merit, Need & Zakat-based | University Test |
| University of Malakand, Chakdara | 2 years | 30 | 60,000 - 115,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad | 2 years | 30 | 70,000 - 130,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Governance & Development • Public Policy • Local Government • Disaster Management |
Merit & AJK Govt. scholarships | University Test |
| Indus University, Karachi | 2 years | 30 | 140,000 - 230,000 | • March (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit scholarships | University Test |
| University of Lahore (UoL) | 2 years | 30 | 180,000 - 280,000 | • February (Spring) • September (Fall) |
Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • Public Policy • Governance • Human Resource Management • Development Administration |
Merit & Need-based | University Test |
| Hazara University, Mansehra | 2 years | 30 | 65,000 - 120,000 | • October-November (Fall only) | Bachelor's (16 years) in any field with min 2.5/4.0 CGPA. | • General Public Administration | Merit scholarships | University Test |
The eligibility criteria for MPA is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2.5 CGPA in their respective field of study or 50% marks in the annual system.
The admission intake is either yearly or semester-based depending on the university you are looking forward to. The semester system works as the admission twice a year either in the fall or spring intake.
Some of the universities consider the GAT (Graduate Assessment Test) for admission, a single test eligible for all the GAT-associated universities. Some of the universities included are; (the University of Swat, University of Management and Technology Lahore, University of Gujrat, and more) while other universities have their general and field-related tests. The minimum passing criteria of these tests is also 50% to sit for the particular graduate program.
Some of the HEC recognized universities offering MPA are:
The department of Management Sciences, at Virtual University, offers a Master of Public Administration (MPA). This course has been compiled to enable individuals to serve in government, local, private organizations. Its major emphasis is on the principles for the growth and development of public administration. To understand and get familiar with the various aspects of Public Administration. To initiate and develop numerous analytical skills.
The minimum eligibility criteria are to have at least 45% marks or a 2 CGPA in the bachelor’s degree.
The University of Punjab is the first university in Pakistan to launch and offer Masters of Public Administration at the well-known department Institute of Administrative Sciences. The core purpose of the degree was to establish more intellectuals with the interest and knowledge to pursue public interests. The degree is a two-year theoretical and research work based available in various shifts. The students who are interested in avail of the admission opportunity should have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 50% marks. Admission is granted on the basic merit criteria only.
COMSATS University, offers Masters of Public Administration, to provide the most eligible administrators in the country. The individuals who can contribute to the growth and development of the nation with their expertise in public administration. The university offer admissions twice a year; September (fall) session and February (spring) session.
The university grants admission solely on a merit basis. The eligibility criteria is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from an HEC recognized institute. The candidates are required to appear for the NTS test and an interview later. The degree is of 2 years, but candidates who fail to complete have a maximum of 3 years to achieve the degree.
The department of Public Administration at the University of Karachi offers under-graduate and post-graduate degrees in Public Administration. Masters of Public Administration is a 3-year post-graduate program. The graduates of MPA are well aware of the issues faced at the public level and knowledge to implement various policies for the betterment of the public sector. The 2 years degree is composed of a wide variety of subjects which enables the students to have deep and thorough knowledge and analysis of the public sector. The admissions are based on a minimum of 50% marks in bachelor’s degrees of the respective field.
The admission criteria for Master of Public Administration at Bahauddin Zakariya University is a minimum of 45% in bachelor’s degree. The program is offered in two shifts, morning and evening. The main focus of the program is to enable the students to develop interest and deep insight into public administration.
A: Candidates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc, B.Com, or BS) with at least 45–50% marks from a recognized university are eligible to apply for MPA admission.
A: The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program typically spans 2 years and is divided into 4 semesters.
A: Top universities offering MPA include Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, Punjab University Lahore, Karachi University, and University of Peshawar.
A: Graduates can work in government institutions, NGOs, international organizations, and private firms as administrators, HR managers, or policy officers.
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