U.S. News releases an yearly ranking of global universities which focus on academic research and reputation across multiple scoring criteria. Students use these rankings to see the performance of universities in different disciplines as well as compare the universities globally and regionally.
In October 2022, the US News and World Report unveiled its Best Global Universities Rankings for 2022, featuring 1,750 top educational institutions from 90 countries.
Best universities in Pakistan improve their ranking each year in the international rankings. Within the country, HEC ranks the best universities in Pakistan based on a predefined criteria and score.
Read ahead to find out the overall best universities in Pakistan and also discover the top medical and engineering universities in the country.
International ranking of best universities in Pakistan
Rank | University | Global Ranking | Global Score |
1 | Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad | 461 | 53.7 |
2 | Aga Khan University, Karachi | 473 | 53.2 |
3 | COMSATS University Islamabad, Islamabad | 495 | 52.2 |
4 | National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad | 922 | 41.2 |
5 | University of Peshawar, Peshawar | 933 | 40.7 |
6 | University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad | 954 | 40.1 |
7 | Government College (GC) University Faisalabad, Faisalab | 1,149 | 35.9 |
8 | University of Punjab, Lahore | 1,242 | 33.8 |
9 | Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan | 1,368 | 31.1 |
10 | University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, Lahore | 1,458 | 28.9 |
11 | University of Karachi, Karachi | 1,543 | 27.0 |
HEC ranking criteria and weightage (for category-wise ranking lists)
HEC ranks local universities to encourage quality and research improvement. Also, a local HEC ranking is encouraging to the universities to improve their international ranking as well.
Following is the breakdown of ranking components and scores used by HEC in category-wise ranking:
Components | Score |
Quality Assurance and Enhancement | 60 |
Implementation status of QA criteria | 18 |
Plagiarism Policy Implementation | 6 |
Eligibility Criteria for appointments of faculty members | 4 |
Criteria for M.Phil./Ms & PhD programs | 6 |
Quality Enhancement Cell | 4 |
Teaching Quality Score | 42 |
Student Teacher ratio | 12 |
Ratio of PhD faculty to total faculty | 9 |
Total PhD output for 2010 | 5 |
Selectivity | 5 |
Computers | 4 |
Library books | 4 |
Full time PhD faculty | 3 |
Research Score | 40 |
HEC approved supervisors | 5 |
Indigenous scholars studying in the university | 4 |
HEC research grants approved | 2 |
HEC travel grant approved | 2 |
Publication in impact factor journal [2010] | 5 |
Number of papers published by the university [2010] | 3 |
Citations [2010] | 4 |
University Index | 4 |
Number of W,X,Y,Z journals published by the university | 5 |
Internet Bandwidth (PERN) utilization | 4 |
Number of conferences organized | 2 |
Total | 100 |
HEC ranking criteria and score (general category)
HEC uses a different criteria to rank universities in the general category:
Components | Scores (2015) |
Quality assurance | 15 |
Teaching quality | 30 |
Research | 41 |
Finance and facilities | 10 |
Social integration/community development | 4 |
Total | 100 |
Top 10 universities in Pakistan – General Category of Higher Education Institutions
Based on the general category components and scores, here are the top 10 universities in Pakistan:
Rank | University Name | Relative Score |
1 | Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad | 100.000 |
2 | University of the Punjab, Lahore | 85.014 |
3 | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad | 79.480 |
4 | University of Karachi | 71.424 |
5 | PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi | 63.539 |
6 | Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Lahore | 60.694 |
7 | Government College University, Faisalabad | 60.348 |
8 | University of Peshawar, Peshawar | 59.662 |
9 | Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan | 59.350 |
10 | Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad | 58.878 |
Medical universities in Pakistan (HEC ranking)
Rank | University name | Relative score |
1 | Aga Khan University | 100.00 |
2 | University of Health Sciences, Lahore | 83.54 |
3 | Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi | 64.53 |
4 | Khyber Medical University, Peshawar | 61.62 |
5 | Isra University, Hyderabad | 57.28 |
6 | King Edward Medical University, Lahore | 53.62 |
7 | Ziauddin Medical University | 51.99 |
8 | Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro | 50.56 |
9 | Gandhara University, Peshawar | 43.64 |
10 | Baqai Medical University | 41.58 |
11 | Shaheed Mohtarma Benzair Bhutto Medical University, Larkana | 37.03 |
Engineering universities in Pakistan (HEC ranking)
Rank | University name | Relative score |
1 | National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Islamabad | 100.00 |
2 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad | 96.67 |
3 | Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Topi | 75.34 |
4 | Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad | 72.46 |
5 | University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore | 63.97 |
6 | Mehran University of Eng. & Technology, Jamshoro | 58.88 |
7 | University of Engineering. & Technology, Peshawar | 57.74 |
8 | Air University, Islamabad | 57.22 |
9 | University of Engineering and Technology Taxila | 55.32 |
10 | National Textile University, Faisalabad | 51.09 |
11 | NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 51.06 |
How can university rankings help you?
Getting to know the top engineering and medical universities in Pakistan is important for your career and future education interests. It is highly recommended to choose your university with careful consideration of HEC’s recognition, faculty profiles, research papers published by each university, and rigor of the program.
Students starting a professional course of education are naturally worried about choosing the best university and nationwide rankings assist students in staying updated on the university standards. Another benefit of knowing the top engineering and medical universities in Pakistan is to be able to navigate to the program of choice with ease.
Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) announces the ranking of top medical and engineering universities in Pakistan. HEC also announces top agriculture and arts colleges of the country.
Which programs are taught at top engineering colleges in Pakistan?
- Robotics and intelligent machines engineering
- Design and manufacturing engineering
- Computer engineering
- Biomedical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering sciences
- Material engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Artificial intelligence
- Earth sciences and engineering
- Architecture and planning
- Natural sciences
- Telecommunications engineering
- Civil engineering
- Petroleum and natural gas
- Biomedical engineering
- Food Engineering
- Power
- Mechatronics
MDCAT test preparation
MDCAT test is the standardized admission test conducted by Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). It determines students’ performance in a uniform test across the country that authorizes admission in all medical and dental institutions in Pakistan.
MDCAT test is definitely one of the most challenging exams in Pakistan. It requires months of rigorous learning to be able to perform well. It is generally known that students who have worked hard in FSc and dedicatedly prepare for MDCAT are able to get a good aggregate.
How to calculate MDCAT aggregate?
Here is MDCAT aggregate formula:
MDCAT aggregate = 50% of F.Sc percentage + 50% of MDCAT exam percentage
F.Sc. percentage = Marks obtained in F.Sc. (pre-medical) divided by total marks (1100) x 100
MDCAT percentage = Marks obtained in MDCAT exam divided by total marks (210) x 100
For example:
Marks obtained in F.Sc = 1020
F.Sc. percentage = 92.7%
50% of F.Sc marks = 46.35
Marks obtained in MDCAT = 180
MDCAT percentage = 85.7
50% of MDCAT mark = 42.85
MDCAT aggregate = 46.35+42.85 = 89.22 %
You can use this MDCAT aggregate formula to calculate or estimate your MDCAT aggregate.
How to realize your dream to join a top engineering or medical university in Pakistan?
Pakistan is home to renowned expertise in medicine, engineering and technology. With an international presence of Pakistani engineers and doctors, local universities have always presented a great career and learning opportunity to the students.
You can be part of one such university and join the league of exceptional medical staff, explorers and engineers. If you are ready to start your learning journey, the first step is to collect information about a university, admission deadlines, and join a credible academy to help you prepare for the entry test.
Join a digital community of learners
Whichever city you are in, you can have access to quality teachers and learning resources to prepare yourself for university entrance exams and pick the best from the university ranking in Pakistan.
Noon Academy is a digital community of learners, encouraging students to interact with their teachers and friends. Noon is offering help in the admission tests of medical and engineering colleges.
Prepare for top ranking universities in Pakistan with Noon Academy
Virtual learning is specifically beneficial to students in Pakistan who do not have access to quality teachers and lack motivation. Technology in education has enabled tutors to instruct and interact with students online, leading to an academic success for students. Study app for students brings an entire classroom, with minimal costs, and more features.
Entry test preparation can easily cause stress and students burn-out, especially because there is a lot to prepare in little time. We recommend starting early and studying smart to not burn-out.
Key features of the Noon’s study app
Noon offers as study app for students with these features:
- Free app download and registration
Noon app is available on Play Store and App Store. You just need a phone number to get registered and then you can join any class and group.
- Premium and free classes for university entrance exams
Experienced teachers instruct classes for MDCAT and engineering university entrance exams.
- Affordable classes for 9th-12th class students and O/A Level
Study groups are offered by well known teachers. The students enroll by paying a one-time fee or for free (scholarships available for the underserved students).
Start your journey towards top ranking universities in Pakistan! Download the Noon App today.