Rankings of universities in Pakistan

This article presents an overview of university rankings in Pakistan. Within Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) provides official rankings of higher education institutions (HEIs) nationally, based on a multitude of criteria. There are also various magazines, newspapers and international agencies/standards which provide rankings and analysis.

According to the 2015 HEI rankings released by the HEC, the top six universities in Pakistan are, in descending order: [MUST Mirpur University of Sciences and Technology], University of the Punjab (PU), University of Central Punjab (UCP), Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Agriculture in Faisalabad (UAF) and Aga Khan University (AKU).

As of 2022, total 6 universities were ranked in top 1000 by QS World University Rankings: NUST (#334), Quaid-i-Azam University (#378), PIEAS (#398), LUMS (#651), University of The Punjab (#701) and UET, Lahore (#801), . In rankings for 2023, the number increased to 7, with the addition of University of Peshawar (#801).

National

Up to date, the HEC has published rankings for the years 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014 and most recently 2015. In addition to the top ten and general rankings, independent rankings are also provided for universities and institutes in the categories of agriculture and veterinary science; arts and design; business; engineering and technology; and medicine. The HEC ranking uses five criteria, all of which have specific weightings and are summed to give an aggregate score out of 100. Institutional rankings are determined based on this aggregate score. Each criterion and its weighting is dependent upon a set of sub-components. The five criteria, along with their weighted score and sub-components are summarized below:

  • Quality assurance (15) – Standard of M.Phil., M.S. and PhD courses; eligibility criteria for faculty member appointments; plagiarism policy compliance; assessment of Quality Enhancement Cells (QECs) for internal quality assurance; international awards/honors attained by students; affiliation of coursework with national accreditation bodies e.g. NAEAC, NBEAC, NCEAC, PEC and PMDC; latest international rankings of the university/institute.
  • Teaching quality (30) – Staff to student ratio; ratio of PhD faculty and full-time faculty; faculty training and recruitment; student enrollment ratio and selectivity; national and international awards/recognition attained by faculty members.
  • Research (41) – Nationally and internationally registered patents, varieties, technologies, breeds and creative work; university industrial linkages through Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs); ratio of PhD students and total PhD output per year; amount of external research grants obtained; amount of travel grants obtained by faculties for presentation of papers abroad; number of papers published in ISI Web of Science impact factor journals and HEC-recognized journals; citations per paper; university h-index; number of W and X category journals published; internet bandwidth and HEC Digital Library utilization; number of national and international conferences/seminars/workshops/symposia organized.
  • Finance and facilities (10) – Ratio of non-salary expenditures in total budget; amount generated through own resources; amount of budget expended on research and libraries; computers available per student and faculty; number of books and resources in libraries; number of external scholarships received by students.
  • Social integration/community development (4) – Community outreach programs and services; international collaborations and student exchange programs; number of international students enrolled and foreign faculty.

Top ten rankings

According to the 2023 HEC rankings, the following comprise the overall top ranking higher education institutions in the country.

Ranking University Score
1 Quaid e Azam University Islamabad L
2 University of The Punjab 95.01
3 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology 79.40
4 National University of Science and Technology 66.78
5 Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences 74.88
6 Lahore University of Management Sciences 60.69
7 Government College University, Faisalabad 68.00
8 Institute of Business Administration (IBA) 70.09
9 Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 66.78

Agriculture and veterinary science

Ranking University Score
1 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 95.68
2 University of Agriculture (Peshawar) 62.85
3 Sindh Agriculture University 46.90
4 Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences 42.65

Arts and design

Ranking University Score
10 National College of Arts 100.00
2 Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture 82.53

Business

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking business schools in the country.

1 Institute of Business Management, Karachi 100.00
2 Lahore University of Management Sciences 98.70
3 University of The Punjab 96.00
4 Institute of Management Sciences (Peshawar) 80.32
5 Sukkur Institute of Business Administration 75.83
6 Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology 75.70
7 The Superior College . 0.30
8 Lahore School of Economics 72.91
9 University of Central Punjab 67.34
10 Greenwich University 58.75
11 GIFT University 54.66
12 COMMECS Institute of Business and Emerging Sciences 41.79
13 Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology 22.16
14 Institute of Management Sciences (Lahore) 25.39
15 Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education 7.54

Computer Sciences (CS), Software Engineering (SE) and Information Technology (IT)

Rankings for Computer science and information technology Institutes are updated as of 2022.

Ranking University
1 FAST NUCES
2 COMSATS University Islamabad
3 National University of Sciences and Technology
4 University of the Punjab
5 Bahria University
6 Information Technology University
7 University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
8 Air University, Islamabad
9 Quaid-e-Azam University
10 University of Lahore

Engineering and technology

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking engineering universities in the country.

Ranking University Score
1 National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) 100.00
2 Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology 96.67
3 NED University of Engineering and Technology 75.34
4 Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences 72.46
5 Air University 63.97
6 Institute of Space Technology 58.88
7 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore) 57.74
8 University of Engineering and Technology (Peshawar) 57.22
9 University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila 55.32
10 Textile Institute of Pakistan 52.30
11 Dawood university of engineering and technology, karachi 51.06
12 Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences 48.60
13 Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science and Technology 45.78
14 Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology 45.08
15 HITEC University 45.01
16 CECOS University of Information Technology and Emerging Sciences 43.96
17 Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology 43.91
18 Indus University 43.39
19 mehran university, jamshoro 42.48

Medicine

According to the 2022 HEC rankings, the following comprise the top ranking medical schools in the country.

Ranking University Score
1 Aga Khan University 100.00
2 National University of Medical Sciences 83.54
3 Dow University of Health Sciences 64.53
4 University of Health Sciences (Lahore) 61.62
5 Khyber Medical University 57.28
6 Jinnah Sindh Medical University 53.62
7 Bahria Medical and Dental University 51.99
8 Ziauddin University 50.56
9 Sindh Institute of Medical Sciences 43.64
10 Baqai Medical University 41.58
11 Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University 37.03
12 Hamdard University 36.45
13 King Edward Medical University 32.25

General rankings

Ranking University Score
1 University of The Punjab 100.00
2 National University of Sciences & Technology 100.00
3 Institute of Business Administration, Karachi 79.480
4 Lahore Women University 71.424
5 Islamia College University 63.539
6 Lahore University of Management Sciences 60.694
7 NUST(National University of science and Technology) 60.348
8 Karachi School of Business and Leadership 50.054
9 Bahauddin Zakariya University 59.350
10 Pakistan Institute of Development Economics 58.878
11 Islamia University of Bahawalpur 57.836
12 Riphah International University 55.519
13 International Islamic University 55.390
14 Government College University (Lahore) 54.293
15 University of Science and Technology (Bannu) 53.802
16 University of Faisalabad 52.694
17 Abdul Wali Khan University 52.362
18 University of Sargodha 52.361
19 University of Malakand 52.284
20 Forman Christian College 50.853
21 Government College University Faisalabad 50.534
22 University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir 50.117
23
24 University of Gujrat 49.620
25 Kohat University of Science and Technology 49.607
26 Gomal University 49.570
27 Lahore College for Women University 49.506
28 Hazara University 48.195
29 University of Lahore 47.970
30 DHA Suffa University 47.887
31 National University of Modern Languages 47.517
32 University of Sindh 47.448
33 National Defence University 47.344
34 Islamia College University 46.645
35 University of Management and Technology (Lahore) 46.083
36 University of Balochistan 45.804
37 Federal Urdu University 45.688
38 Fatima Jinnah Women University 45.494
39 City University of Science and Information Technology 44.955
40 Qurtuba University 43.595
41 Shah Abdul Latif University 43.582
42 Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology 43.006
43 Mohammad Ali Jinnah University 42.177
44 Minhaj University 41.443
45 Foundation University 41.173
46 Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University 41.126
47 Abasyn University 39.563
48 Beaconhouse National University 39.388
49 Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University (Sheringal) 39.190
50 University of Education 39.136
51 Hajvery University 38.596
52 Institute of Business and Technology 38.487
53 Kinnaird College for Women University 37.756
54 Karakoram International University 37.745
55 Jinnah University for Women 36.774
56 Preston University 36.488
57 National College of Business Administration and Economics 35.747
58 Ali Institute of Education 35.052
59 University of Peshawar 59.662
60 Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University 33.558
61 Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University 33.503
62 Newports Institute of Communications and Economics 32.749
63 Imperial College of Business Studies 31.723
64 Mirpur University of Science and Technology 30.427
3 Quaid e Azam University 85.98
66 Northern University 29.051
67 Al-Khair University 28.817
68 Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University 25.305
69 University of South Asia 24.667
70 Preston University 22.201
71 Al-Hamd Islamic University 21.469
72 Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology 19.447
73 Nazeer Hussain University 12.436

Notes:

  • Institutions not included in the HEC rankings include distance learning universities, military academies, universities chartered after the 30th of June 2010 and those institutions for which sufficient data is not available.
  • Source: Higher Education Commission, as of 23 February 2016.

International rankings

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS)

The QS World University Rankings is one of the most widely referenced international ranking systems. Pakistan is ranked 50th globally in terms of its higher education system's strength. Following is the list of 13 Universities which appeared in 2022 - 2023 edition of QS World University Rankings:

National ranking World ranking Asia ranking (2022) Subject ranking/s (world) (2016) University Province
1 334 74 Computer science and information systems: 251–300; Electrical and electronic engineering: 301–350; Engineering and technology: 340 NUST Islamabad
2 363 91 Computer science and information systems: 201–250; Mathematics: 225–250; Physics and astronomy: 2251–250 Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad
3 390 189 PIEAS Islamabad
4 601 116 Business and management studies: 251–300; Computer science and information systems: 401–450 LUMS Punjab
5 801 – 1000 145 University of the Punjab Punjab
6 801 – 1000 183 Electrical and electronic engineering: 251–300 UET, Lahore Punjab
7 801 – 1000 197 University of Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
8 1001 – 1200 137 Computer science and information systems: 401–500 Virtual University of Pakistan
9 1001 – 1200 214 Agriculture and forestry: 51–100 University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Punjab
10 1001 – 1200 301 – 350 The University of Lahore Punjab
11 1201 – 1400 245 University of Karachi Sindh
12 1201 – 1400 301 – 350 Bahauddin Zakariya University Punjab
13 1201 – 1400 301 – 350 IIUI Islamabad
183 Medicine: 301–400 Aga Khan University Sindh

Research Papers in Economics/IDEAS

Research Papers in Economics (RePEc) ranks the top 25% institutions and schools/faculties in the field of economics research, using its IDEAS database. The database takes a number of factors into account, such as item citations, journals and working papers, authorship and field-based ranks. The database rankings are updated on a monthly basis. Provided below are the most recent country rankings for Pakistan:

Ranking University School or department
1 Pakistan Institute of Development Economics Department of Econometrics and Statistics
2 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Department of Management Sciences
4 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences Department of Computer Sciences
5 Quaid-i-Azam University School of Economics
6 Institute of Business Administration
7 Federal Urdu University School of Economic Sciences
8 International Islamic University International Institute of Islamic Economics
9 University of Karachi Applied Economics Research Centre
10 Lahore University of Management Sciences Department of Economics
11 University of the Punjab Department of Economics
12 Iqra University Research Centre
13 National University of Sciences and Technology NUST Business School
14 University of Sargodha Department of Economics
16 University of Karachi Department of Economics

Notes:

  • For the purpose of this article, non-academic institutions ranked in the database have been excluded from this list.
  • Source: Pakistan rankings, RePEc/IDEAS as of March 2016.

Round University Ranking

The Round University Ranking, compiled by the RUR Ranking Agency in Russia in partnership with Thomson Reuters, ranks the top 750 universities based on standards of teaching, research, international diversity and financial sustainability. The following Pakistani universities are listed in the 2016 rankings:

Ranking World ranking University Score League Dimensional rankings (world)
1 610 National University of Sciences and Technology 31.205 World League Teaching: 482 (Copper League); Research: 639 (World League); International diversity: 427 (Copper League); Financial sustainability: 652 (World League)
2 627 NED University of Engineering and Technology 29.520 World League Teaching: 515 (World League); Research: 635 (World League); International diversity: 466 (Copper League); Financial sustainability: 673 (World League)

SCImago Institutions Rankings

The SCImago Institutions Rankings (SIR) are published by the SCImago Research Group, a Spanish academic research organisation. The rankings measure universities using indicators such as research, innovation and web visibility. Included below are the 19 Pakistani universities listed in these rankings and their positions in terms of the latter two indicators (as of 2014).

Innovative Knowledge University Technological Impact University Website University Inbound Links University
1 University of Karachi 1 Bahauddin Zakariya University 1 University of the Punjab 1 Islamia University
2 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad) 2 University of Karachi 2 International Islamic University 2 Aga Khan University
3 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology 3 University of Sargodha 3 National University of Sciences and Technology 3 University of the Punjab
4 Bahauddin Zakariya University 4 National University of Sciences and Technology 4 Quaid-i-Azam University 4 Federal Urdu University
5 National University of Sciences and Technology 5 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad) 5 Aga Khan University 5 Bahauddin Zakariya University
6 Quaid-i-Azam University 6 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore) 6 University of Peshawar 6 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
7 University of the Punjab 7 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology 7 Dow University of Health Sciences 7 University of Peshawar
8 University of Sargodha 8 Government College University (Lahore) 8 Islamia University 8 Quaid-i-Azam University
9 Government College University (Lahore) 9 Islamia University 9 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore) 9 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore)
10 Islamia University 10 University of the Punjab 10 University of Sindh 10 University of Karachi
11 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore) 11 Government College University (Faisalabad) 11 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad) 11 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
12 Aga Khan University 12 Quaid-i-Azam University 12 Government College University (Lahore) 12 International Islamic University
13 Government College University (Faisalabad) 13 University of Sindh 13 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 13 Government College University (Faisalabad)
14 University of Sindh 14 Aga Khan University 14 Abdul Wali Khan University 14 Government College University (Lahore)
15 Abdul Wali Khan University 15 Abdul Wali Khan University 15 Government College University (Faisalabad) 15 National University of Sciences and Technology
16 Dow University of Health Sciences 16 Dow University of Health Sciences 16 Bahauddin Zakariya University 16 University of Sindh
17 International Islamic University 17 International Islamic University 17 University of Karachi 17 University of Sargodha
18 University of Peshawar 18 University of Peshawar 18 Federal Urdu University 18 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
19 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 19 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 19 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology 19 Dow University of Health Sciences

Notes:

Times Higher Education

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is a prominent publication of university rankings, released by the UK-based Times Higher Education magazine. It includes overall, subject and reputation-wise rankings, 150 Under 50 rankings, as well as two regional rankings: Asia, and BRICS and Emerging Economies. In the 2015–2016 edition, the following ranks were applicable to Pakistani universities:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking BRICS & Emerging Economies ranking 150 Under 50 ranking University
1 601–800 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
2 601–800 121–130 132 101–150 National University of Sciences and Technology
3 601–800 101–110 107 Quaid-i-Azam University
4 801 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
5 801 Bahauddin Zakariya University
6 801 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
7 801 University of Lahore

Notes:

UI GreenMetric Ranking

The GreenMetric Ranking of World Universities is published by Universitas Indonesia (UI). It ranks over 400 world universities according to their eco-friendly environment and commitment to sustainability. Three instruments are used as the basis of the ranking criteria: Environment, Economics and Equity. The 2015 edition includes the following overall and indicator-specific world rankings for Pakistani universities:

Ranking University Overall ranking Setting & infrastructure Energy & climate change Waste Water Transportation Education Campus setting
1 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad) 128 92 165 322 148 56 34 Urban: 57
2 Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University 220 253 327 291 101 201 95 Urban: 110
3 University of Lahore 270 154 270 356 394 92 204 Urban: 138
4 University of Karachi 355 60 339 397 291 262 336 Urban: 189
5 International Islamic University 392 293 382 406 282 287 226 City Center/High Rise: 53

U-Multirank

U-Multirank is an independent ranking system funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus Programme. The ranking is supported by a consortium of academics in Europe. It provides multi-dimensional listings for universities, in terms of academic fields as well as various education-specific indicators. Universities are rated against these indicators using a grading system, ranging from 'A' (very good) to 'E' (weak). The 2016 rankings include the following Pakistani universities along with their grades:

Rank University Teaching & learning Research Knowledge transfer International orientation Regional engagement
1 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bachelors graduation rate: A; Masters graduation rate: A; Graduating on time (bachelor): A; Graduating on time (masters): A Citation rate: D; Research publications: A; External research income: A Co-publications with industrial partners: D; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E International joint publications: D Bachelor graduates working in region: D; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: E
2 Institute of Management Sciences (Peshawar) Graduating on time (bachelor): A; Graduating on time (masters): A
3 Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences Bachelors graduation rate: B; Masters graduation rate: C; Graduating on time (bachelor): B; Graduating on time (masters): C Citation rate: D; Research publications: D; External research income: D Co-publications with industrial partners: B; Private income: D; Patents: E; Publications cited in patents: E Student mobility: D; International joint publications: A Bachelor graduates working in region: B; Regional joint publications: B; Regional income sources: B

Notes:

University Ranking by Academic Performance

The University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP), developed at the Middle East Technical University in Turkey, ranks the top 2,000 global institutions with an emphasis on research impact and quality, and scientific productivity. It uses indicators such as articles published, citations, total documents, article and citation impact, and international collaboration. The 2015–2016 edition provides the following national, international and regional rankings along with field-based ranks (as of 2014–2015) for Pakistani universities:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking University Field-based ranking/s (world)
1 595 128 Quaid-i-Azam University Biological sciences: 772; Chemical sciences: 661; Engineering: 588; Mathematical sciences: 189; Medical and health sciences: 949; Physical sciences: 305; Information and computing sciences: 201
2 967 259 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Chemical sciences: 872; Engineering: 669; Information and computing sciences: 577; Mathematical sciences: 499; Physical sciences: 699
3 973 263 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad) Agricultural and veterinary sciences: 167; Biological sciences: 625; Engineering: 1,015; Environmental sciences: 400
4 1,040 292 University of the Punjab Biological sciences: 651; Engineering: 1,139; Mathematical sciences: 656; Medical and health sciences: 986; Physical sciences: 692
5 1,059 295 Aga Khan University Medical and health sciences: 513
6 1,101 309 National University of Sciences and Technology Engineering: 933; Mathematical sciences: 487; Physical sciences: 761
7 1,261 375 University of Karachi Biological sciences: 777; Chemical sciences: 688; Medical and health sciences: 878
8 1,343 407 Bahauddin Zakariya University Engineering: 1,224
9 1,403 435 Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences Biological sciences: 995; Engineering: 1,061; Physical sciences: 932
10 1,475 464 Government College University (Faisalabad)
11 1,558 503 University of Peshawar
12 1,581 512 Government College University (Lahore) Mathematical sciences: 871
13 1,646 533 University of Sargodha
14 1,701 561 Lahore University of Management Sciences
15 1,752 577 Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University
16 1,890 641 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore)
18 1,937 661 University of Sindh
19 1,968 670 Dow University of Health Sciences
20 1,975 673 Kohat University of Science and Technology

Notes:

U.S. News & World Report

In the 2015 edition of top 500 international rankings, the U.S. News & World Report Best Global University Rankings listed the following Pakistani university:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking University
1 496 89 Quaid-i-Azam University

Webometrics

The Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, published by the Spanish Cybermetrics Lab, provides a listing of national, regional and international rankings of universities in Pakistan based on their web presence. Shown below, as per the 2016 edition, are the top 20 rankings only:

Ranking World ranking Asia ranking South Asia ranking University
1 1,801 509 24 University of the Punjab
2 1,818 518 27 National University of Sciences and Technology
3 1,866 533 30 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
4 1,908 548 33 Aga Khan University
5 2,034 597 37 Quaid-i-Azam University
6 2,046 599 38 Islamia University
7 2,229 681 49 Lahore University of Management Sciences
8 2,437 767 59 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
9 2,630 843 73 International Islamic University
10 2,638 846 75 Allama Iqbal Open University
11 2,834 924 89 University of Engineering and Technology (Lahore)
12 2,989 979 102 Bahauddin Zakariya University
13 3,074 1,014 110 University of Karachi
14 3,233 1,074 117 Government College University (Lahore)
15 3,337 1,110 123 University of Peshawar
16 3,417 1,134 128 University of Sindh
17 3,459 1,147 131 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
18 3,883 1,309 166 NED University of Engineering and Technology
19 3,964 1,330 173 Government College University (Faisalabad)
20 4,113 1,385 183 Gomal University

uniRank

uniRank, formerly 4 International Colleges and Universities (4icu.org), ranks universities and colleges country-wise based on their web popularity and online footprint. It is not an academic ranking. According to its website, uniRank uses an algorithm including web metrics from Moz Domain Authority, Alexa Global Rank, SimilarWeb Global Rank, Majestic Referring Domains and Majestic Trust Flow. The top 10 results in Pakistan include the following universities:

Ranking University
1 Quaid-i-Azam University
2 University of the Punjab
3 Aga Khan University
4 Lahore University of Management Sciences
5 COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
6 National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences
7 University of Agriculture (Faisalabad)
8 Bahauddin Zakariya University
9 University of Management and Technology
10 University of Gujrat

Analysis and criticism

The HEC acknowledges that rankings are "a debatable subject all over the world". It defines its ranking system as a measure to strengthen the quality of higher education, provide a tool for self-assessment, as well as ensure that universities achieve domestic and international competitiveness in education, innovation and research. However, the HEC's rankings have been subject to criticism among educationists and policy-making experts in Pakistan. Some critics claim the rankings give "more weight to quantity than quality" of research, faculty and other key factors.

See also


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