© Copyright, IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED)

Pakistan - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:
University
College
Institute
Centre
Open University
Virtual University

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Secondary School Certificate (Matriculation)
Higher Secondary School Certificate (Intermediate Certificate)
Diploma
Bachelor's Degree (Honours)
Bachelor's Degree (Pass)
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Master of Philosophy
Doctor's Degree

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 6
Age of exit: 17
Structure of school system:
Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School
Length of program in years: 5
Age level from: 6 to: 10
 Middle
Type of school providing this education: Middle School
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 11 to: 13
Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Secondary School
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 14 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Certificate
Technical Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Technical Secondary School
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Certificate (in Technical Subjects)
Higher Secondary
Type of school providing this education: Intermediate Colleges
Length of program in years: 2
Age level from: 16 to: 17
Certificate/diploma awarded: Intermediate Certificate or Higher Secondary School Certificate
School education:
Primary education lasts for five years. Secondary education is divided into three cycles: three
years' middle school, two years' secondary and two years' higher secondary. On completion of
the second cycle, pupils take the Secondary School Certificate. Pupils may then study for a
further two years or three years in the case of technical education, specializing in Science, Arts
or in technical and vocational studies. At the end of this period, pupils take the examinations for
the Intermediate Certificate/Higher Secondary School Certificate/Diploma of Associate
Engineering. Vocational secondary courses lead to the Higher Secondary School Certificate or a
Diploma in technical/vocational subjects.
Higher education:
Since 2002, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is enpowered to carry out evaluation,
improvement and promotion of higher education, research and development, to formulate
policies, guiding principles and priorities for higher education institutions and to prescribe
conditions under which institutions, including those that are not part of the State educational
system, may be opened and operated.The mandate of HEC encompasses all degree granting
universities and institutions, both in public and private sectors and supports the attainment of
quality education by facilitating and co-ordinating self-assessment of academic programmes and
their external review by national and international experts. HEC also supervises the planning,
development and accreditation of public and private sector higher education institutions.Its goal is
to facilitate the reform process.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Higher Education Commission Ordinance Year: 2002
Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Aug
Long vacation from: Jul to: Aug
Languages of instruction: English, Urdu
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Polytechnics, technical and commercial institutes and colleges offer courses at Post-Secondary
School Certificate level. They provide courses that generally last for two to three years and
 lead to Certificates and Diplomas in commercial and technical fields.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Bachelor's Degree:
Bachelor's Pass Degrees are normally obtained after a two-year course and Honours Degrees
after a four-year course in Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, and Computer Science and
a five-year course in DVM, Pharmacy, Medicine and Architecture.
University level second stage: Master's Degree, B.Ed., LLB:
A Master's Degree (16 years of education) requires two years of study after the Bachelor's
Degree (pass). For Master's (honours) Degree it takes 1 and a half to 2 years for 4-year
Bachelor's Degrees in Agriculture, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medical studies, etc. These
degrees are equated to M.Phil Degrees. B.ed. requires one-year study beyond a Bachelor's
Degree (pass). The LLB is a three-year post Bachelor's Degree (pass) qualification.
Postgraduate diplomas are offered in various fields of studies by many universities and
generally require one-year study.
University level third stage: M.Phil., Ph.D.:
The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) takes two years after the Master's Degree. It is a research-
based programme that also requires a thesis. The Ph.D. (Doctorate of Philosophy) is a
research degree which requires, on average, three years' study/research after the M.Phil.
degree and 4 to 5 years study/research after the Master's Degree.
University level fourth stage: Doctor's Degree:
The degrees of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.), Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) and Doctor of Law (LLD)
are awarded after five to seven years of study.

Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary Teaching Certificate (P.T.C) for primary school teachers (one year programme).
Certificate of Teaching (C.T) for middle teachers (one year programme).
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers are trained in a one-year Postgraduate course leading to a B.Ed
Degree. The Master of Education (M.Ed) Degree requires a further one year of study after the
B.Ed.
Training of higher education teachers
HEC Learning Innovation Section organizes the following in-service training programmes for
University and College teachers :1. 12 days curriculum-based in-service training
programmes;2. 3 months faculty development programmes;3. 6 days English language
teaching courses.

Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
Distance higher education is offered by the Allama Iqbal Open University and the Virtual
University of Pakistan. The first provides a wide range of courses at different levels in
Humanities, Teacher Education, Technical Education, Business Management, Commerce,
Social Sciences, Arabic, Pakistan Studies, Islamic Studies, and Home Economics and
Women's Studies. It uses multi-media techniques, such as correspondence packages, radio
and television broadcasts, tutorial instruction... The second is specifically established to cater
for the needs of students at tertiary level of education in the field of computer science and
provides on-line knowledge-based instruction.
NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministry of Education
Head: Lt Gen Javed Ashraf Qazi, Minister
Block "D" Pak. Secretariat
Islamabad 44000
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 2212020
Fax: +92(51) 9201392
EMail: pak@yahoo.com

Higher Education Commission

Head: Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman
Administrative officer: Dr Syed Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director
International relations: Mr Abdul Haleem Asghar, Director General
Sector H-9
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 9290130; 9040000
Fax: +92(51) 9290128
EMail: chairman@hec.gov.pk
WWW: http://www.hec.gov.pk

Role of governing body: Governing body for the promotion and improvement of higher
education in Pakistan.

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Secondary School Certificate (Matriculation)
Minimum score/requirement: 45%
For entry to: For all institutions
Alternatives to credentials:
Shahadatul Sanvia Aama
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Higher Secondary School Certificate
(Intermediate Certificate)
Minimum score/requirement: 45%
For entry to: Bachelors' degree (Pass/Hons)
Alternatives to credentials: Shahadatul Sanvia Khasa
Entrance exams required: A National Test is required for entry to Engineering, Medicine and
Architecture. Some universities also conduct their own admission tests.
Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: A student who does not hold Pakistani nationality falls in the
category of foreign student.
Quotas: 5% of total seats are reserved for foreign students.
Admission requirements: Foreign students should submit details concerning previous studies and
qualifications within 45 days from the last date fixed for receiving applications. Applications must
be sponsored by candidates' governments and forwarded through embassies in Islamabad or
through Pakistan embassies abroad.
Entry regulations: After being admitted, foreign students are required to send an admission letter
to the Embassy of Pakistan in their respective countries. A visa will be issued and the university
concerned will provide hostel facilities. For other expenditures, studentsl must present their
financial guarantee certificate.
Health requirements: Admitted foreign students have to produce a medical certificate issued by a
government medical officer of their respective countries.
Language requirements: Good knowledge of English is essential for all regular students.
Application procedures:
Apply to:
Embassy of Pakistan/National Embassy in Pakistan

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The Higher Education
Commission (http://www.hec.gov.pk)validates/recognizes and accredits educational qualifications
and higher education institutions in the country.
Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Higher Education Commission
Head: Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman
Sector H-9
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 9290130/ 9040000
Fax: +92(51) 9290128
EMail: chairman@hec.gov.pk
WWW: http://www.hec.gov.pk

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University

Services provided & students dealt with: Services of equivalence and accreditation of
credentials.

Special provisions for recognition:

For access to non-university post-secondary studies: The Intermediate Board of Chairman
Committee (IBCC) deals with equivalence and accreditation of non university certificates.
For access to university level studies: IBCC
For access to advanced studies and research: Higher Education Commission (HEC)
For the exercise of a profession: Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC); Pakistan Medical and
Dental Council (PMDC)
STUDENT LIFE
Health/social provisions
Social security for home students: No
Special student travel fares:
By road: Yes
By rail: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid
Student costs:
Average living costs: 96000 (Pakistan Rupee)
Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 6000 (Pakistan Rupee)
Maximum: 400000 (Pakistan Rupee)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 40000 (Pakistan Rupee)
Maximum: 400000 (Pakistan Rupee)
Bodies providing information on student financial aid:
Economic Affairs Division
Block C Pak Secretariat
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 9201868
Fax: +92(51) 9205971

Higher Education Commission

Sector H-9
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 9290130/ 9040000
Fax: +92(51) 9290128
EMail: ed@hec.gov.pk
WWW: http://www.hec.gov.pk

Ministry of Education
Block D Pak. Secretariat
Islamabad 44000
Pakistan
Tel: +92(51) 2212020
Fax: +92(51) 9201392

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in
higher education:
Higher Education Commission
Head: Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Chairman
Sector H-9
Islamabad
Pakistan
 Tel: +92(51) 9290130
Fax: +92(51) 9290128
EMail: chairman@hec.gov.pk
WWW: http://www.hec.gov.pk

GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: A-F (Division I = 60% +; Division II = 45-59.9; Division III = 33-44.9; Fail = below
33)
Highest on scale: A (1st Div.)
Pass/fail level: E (3d Div.)
Lowest on scale: F (fail)
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: Division I 60% +; Division II 45-59.9; Division III 33-44.9; Fail below 33
Highest on scale: 1st Div.
Pass/fail level: 3d Div.
Lowest on scale: Fail
Other main grading systems
A-D

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Higher Education Commission, Islamabad, 2006