Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Admission in Pakistan 2026
To apply for an undergraduate (BS, BBA, BE) program in Pakistan, you need 12 years of education (FA, FSc, ICS, I.Com, A-Level or an IBCC-equivalent qualification). You also need the program's minimum marks, usually 50%, rising to 60% for engineering at NUST, COMSATS and Bahria. Finally, you need the university's entry test: NUST NET, NTS NAT for COMSATS, SAT/ACT/LCAT for LUMS, the Bahria and UOL entry tests, or HEC's HAT where accepted.
Undergraduate eligibility in Pakistan is not one national rule. HEC sets the policy framework, but each university sets its own minimum marks, test and merit formula. This page gives you the baseline and the exact criteria for NUST, LUMS, COMSATS, Bahria and UOL. For deadlines and notices, see ilmkidunya's undergraduate admissions page.
Basic Eligibility for Undergraduate Programs in Pakistan
Educational Qualification
Almost every university asks for 12 years of schooling: FA, FSc, ICS, I.Com, A-Level or an equivalent. O/A-Level, American High School Diploma and IB holders usually need an equivalence certificate from IBCC. Students still waiting for final results can generally apply on first-year marks, but admission is provisional until the full result arrives.
Minimum Marks
The minimum depends on the program, not just the university.
| Program type | Typical minimum |
|---|---|
| Business, social sciences, general BS | 45–50% |
| Computing (CS, IT, AI) | 50%, with Mathematics at intermediate level or deficiency courses |
| Engineering (NUST, Bahria, COMSATS) | 60% in the relevant group |
Read the program-specific notice. Some departments set higher or subject-specific cut-offs.
Entry Tests
Entry tests are now part of most undergraduate admissions. Which test applies depends on the university, as the table below shows. Merit is then a weighted mix of Matric, intermediate and test scores.
Undergraduate Eligibility at a Glance
| University | Minimum marks | Test | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUST | 60% in Matric and HSSC | NUST Entry Test (NET) | Apply on FSc Part-I marks. Merit is 10% Matric, 15% FSc, 75% NET. |
| LUMS | Matric 70% plus FA 65% or FSc/ICS/I.Com 70% | SAT, ACT or LCAT | No minimum SAT/ACT score. Law needs an extra LAT. |
| COMSATS | 50% (60% for engineering) | NTS NAT | NAT version depends on your group. |
| Bahria | 50% for most programs, 60% for engineering | Bahria entry test (SAT scores accepted) | Interview is part of selection. |
| UOL | 50% in HSSC | UOL entry test | Program criteria vary. |
NUST Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate
Minimum Marks and Qualification
NUST requires at least 60% aggregate in both Matric and FA/FSc or equivalent. Engineering and computing programs need Mathematics and Physics. FSc students can apply on Part-I results, but admission is confirmed only after they provide the final certificate or detailed marks certificate with the required 60%. Failing or skipping any subject in Part-I or Part-II makes a candidate ineligible, as does falling below 60% in Matric or FSc.
Entry Test and Merit
The NUST Entry Test (NET) is held in several series each year, and the best score counts. Published merit weightage is 10% Matric, 15% FSc Part-I and 75% NET (out of 200). For full details, see ilmkidunya's NUST NET eligibility criteria page.
LUMS Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate
Academic Requirements
For the Fall 2026 cycle, applicants with a completed higher-secondary degree qualified through one of these routes:
- Matric with 70% or above and FA with 65% or above, or FSc/ICS/I.Com with 70% or above.
- O-Level with an average of at least a B across at least 8 subjects, plus A-Level with an average of two Bs and one C across the best three subjects.
- American High School Diploma with 70% or above, or IBDP with at least 28 out of 45 points.
Applicants still completing their intermediate could apply on first-year results (Matric 70% plus FA Part-1 65% or FSc Part-1 70%). They received conditional offers and had to meet the conditions by August 2026.
Tests and Application Requirements
LUMS accepts SAT, ACT or its own LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT), and sets no minimum SAT/ACT score. LCAT is a paper-based test with two verbal and two math sections and no calculator. Law (BA-LL.B) applicants must also take a Law Admission Test, as the Supreme Court of Pakistan requires. Science and engineering applicants take SAT or LCAT. For Fall 2026 the application fee was PKR 11,500, plus PKR 6,500 for LCAT where applicable.
COMSATS Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate
Minimum Marks
COMSATS asks for 50% in intermediate or equivalent for most programs and 60% for engineering. Computing programs need Mathematics, though students from other streams may take deficiency courses. Business programs such as BBA and BS Accounting & Finance accept any intermediate stream.
NTS NAT and Merit
COMSATS does not run its own undergraduate entry test. You must take the NTS National Aptitude Test (NAT) version that matches your group, such as NAT-IE for engineering, NAT-ICS for computing and NAT-ICOM for commerce. The official COMSATS Abbottabad campus FAQ gives a merit formula of 10% Matric, 40% HSSC and 50% NTS for HSSC candidates. Campus and program formulas can differ, so confirm yours on the admission portal.
Bahria University Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate
Program-wise Minimum Marks
Bahria's official academic eligibility page lists these minimums:
- BBA (4 years), BS Accounting & Finance, BS Economics, Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics: 50% in any intermediate discipline.
- BS Computer Science, IT and AI: 50% in HSSC (Pre-Medical or Pre-Engineering) with Mathematics certified by IBCC. Pre-Medical students must pass two Mathematics deficiency courses (6 credit hours) within one year.
- Engineering (BSE, BCE, BEE): 60% in Pre-Engineering, or Mathematics, Physics and Computer Studies.
- BS Psychology: 50% (45% under the Lahore campus waiver).
- LLB: 50% in intermediate plus 50% in the Law Admission Test (LAT).
- Doctor of Physical Therapy: 60% in Pre-Medical or Health Sciences.
Selection Process
Admission rests on the academic eligibility score, the entry test and the interview. Management and earth-science test papers follow the SAT-I pattern, and engineering follows SAT-II (Math, Physics) plus SAT-I English. Applicants with valid ETS scores can submit those instead of taking the Bahria test. Bahria also posts campus-wise notices, such as Bahria University Karachi admission.
UOL Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate
At the University of Lahore, bachelor's applicants need 12 years of education or an HSSC pass with at least 50% marks. FSc, ICS, I.Com, A-Level and equivalents are accepted. All bachelor's applicants must pass the UOL entry test, and selection is on merit, combining test performance, interview and academic record. Requirements vary by program. For current notices, see UOL admission, UOL fee structure and UOL merit lists.
HEC Admission Criteria for Undergraduate
What HEC Controls
HEC does not run a central admission list, and universities keep the right to select. Its Undergraduate Education Policy (V 1.1) sets minimum standards that all higher education institutions had to adopt from Fall 2023. HEC also runs credential attestation. In practice, "HEC criteria" means the policy framework plus HEC-recognised degrees and tests.
HAT and Law Admission Test
HEC's Education Testing Council runs the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT), with undergraduate categories for Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical, Arts, Computer Science, General Science and I.Com. Some universities accept HAT in place of their own test. Law programs require the HEC Law Admission Test (LAT), and universities such as Bahria set a 50% minimum. Prepare with ilmkidunya's HEC LAT page. Test validity and registration windows change, so confirm them on the HEC ETC portal.
Official Links to Check Before You Apply
- NUST: nust.edu.pk (undergraduate admissions)
- LUMS: admission.lums.edu.pk/undergraduate-programmes
- COMSATS: admissions.comsats.edu.pk
- Bahria: archive.bahria.edu.pk/index.php/academic-eligibility-ug
- UOL: uol.edu.pk/admissions
- HEC: hec.gov.pk (Undergraduate Education Policy, ETC portal)
- IBCC equivalence: ibcc.edu.pk/rules-for-equivalence
Browse more options in ilmkidunya's undergraduate programs section.
More on undergraduate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic eligibility criteria for undergraduate admission in Pakistan?
You need a 12-year qualification (FA, FSc, ICS, I.Com, A-Level or IBCC-equivalent) with the program's minimum marks, usually 50% and 60% for engineering. Most universities also require an entry test.
What is the NUST eligibility criteria for undergraduate programs?
NUST requires at least 60% in Matric and in FA/FSc or equivalent, plus the NUST Entry Test (NET). Applicants can apply on FSc Part-I marks, with admission confirmed after the final result.
What are the LUMS eligibility criteria for undergraduate admission?
For the Fall 2026 cycle, LUMS asked for Matric 70% plus FA 65% or FSc/ICS/I.Com 70%, or an equivalent O/A-Level, IB or American diploma result. Applicants also needed SAT, ACT or LCAT, with no minimum SAT/ACT score.
Does COMSATS require an entry test for undergraduate admission?
Yes. COMSATS uses the NTS NAT instead of its own test. The version depends on your group, such as NAT-IE for engineering or NAT-ICS for computing.
What are the Bahria University eligibility criteria for undergraduate programs?
Most BS and BBA programs need 50% in intermediate, and engineering needs 60% in a relevant group. Admission is based on the academic score, entry test and interview.
What is the UOL admission criteria for undergraduate programs?
UOL requires 12 years of education or HSSC with at least 50% marks. All bachelor's applicants must pass the UOL entry test, and program-specific requirements vary.
What is the HEC admission criteria for undergraduate studies?
HEC sets the policy framework and runs tests such as HAT and LAT, but universities decide their own selection. Check each university's notice for minimum marks and accepted tests.
Can I apply for undergraduate admission before my final result?
Yes, at most universities, using first-year or O-Level results. Admission stays provisional until you submit the final result with the required marks.