37 HEC-recognised universities · 10 public · 27 private · 534 programmes
Karachi is home to 37 HEC-recognised universities — 10 in the public sector and 27 in the private sector — together offering 534 degree programmes (405 bachelor's, 103 master's, 26 PhD). The strongest fields are Computer Science & IT and Business & Management. The oldest institution here is Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, established in 1885.
A leading private research university renowned for medical sciences, nursing and education. Operates hospitals and teaching sites across Pakistan and East Africa.
The National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST-NUCES), Karachi campus is part of Pakistan's leading IT-focused private university (est. 2000 in Karachi). HEC W-category ranked, it offers competitive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, cyber security, electrical and computer engineering and business.
Pakistans oldest business school and among the finest in Asia. IBA Karachi produces top-tier business leaders and CEOs of major corporations.
Bahria University, Karachi Campus is part of Bahria University, a public-sector university established by the Pakistan Navy in 2000. The Karachi campus offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computing, engineering, business, psychology, media studies, environmental and earth sciences, maritime studies and pharmacy.
A leading public medical university in Karachi with affiliated teaching hospitals. DUHS trains doctors, dentists and allied health professionals.
One of the oldest and most reputable engineering universities in Pakistan. NED has produced thousands of engineers who have contributed to national development.
Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science & Technology (SZABIST), Karachi is the flagship campus of SZABIST, a leading private, HEC-recognised university established in 1995. Located in Clifton, SZABIST offers highly regarded programmes in computing, business, media sciences, social sciences and psychology at undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels.
One of Pakistans oldest and largest universities with over 24,000 students. Offers programmes in sciences, arts, commerce and professional disciplines.
Dawood University of Engineering & Technology (DUET), Karachi is a public engineering university that evolved from Dawood College of Engineering & Technology (established 1962) and was granted university status in 2013. Located on M.A. Jinnah Road, DUET offers engineering (BE) and computing/science (BS) programmes across chemical, electronic, computer systems, materials, energy and environment, industrial and petroleum engineering as well as computer science, artificial intelligence and data science, and is recognised by the HEC and PEC.
Hamdard University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 1991 by the Hamdard Foundation, spanning medicine and dentistry, pharmacy, Eastern (Unani) medicine, engineering, computing, management, law and the social sciences from its Madinat al-Hikmah campus.
The Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Karachi is a leading private, HEC-recognised university established in 1995, well known for its business education alongside computing, economics, media, social sciences and engineering. IoBM offers undergraduate, MBA, MS and PhD programmes from its Korangi Creek campus.
Iqra University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 1998 and one of Karachi's largest private universities. It offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes across computing, business, media and design, engineering, education, economics and psychology.
The Karachi Institute of Economics & Technology (PAF-KIET) is a private, HEC-recognised university associated with the Pakistan Air Force Foundation, established in 1997. It offers programmes in computing, engineering, business and economics, media and the humanities at undergraduate, MPhil and PhD levels.
A public sector university in Karachi named after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, offering programmes in sciences and social sciences.
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised engineering university established in 1994 and one of Pakistan's leading private engineering institutions. Located on University Road, SSUET offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computer science and software engineering, electrical, electronic, telecommunication, computer, civil and biomedical engineering, architecture, biosciences, business and applied sciences.
Ziauddin University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised health-sciences university established in 1995, offering medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, allied health, molecular medicine and media sciences alongside postgraduate MD/MS, MPhil and PhD training, supported by the Ziauddin Hospital network.
Baqai Medical University, Karachi is a private, HEC- and PM&DC-recognised medical university established in 1996, offering MBBS, BDS, Pharm.D, physiotherapy, nursing and medical laboratory sciences alongside postgraduate MD/MS, MPhil and PhD programmes across the basic and clinical medical sciences.
Dadabhoy Institute of Higher Education (DIHE), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised degree-awarding institution established in 1995, offering programmes across business, computing, petroleum engineering and media studies.
DHA Suffa University (DSU), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 2008 in DHA, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computer science, software engineering, electrical and computer engineering, business administration, economics, mathematics and psychology.
Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST), Karachi is a public university established in 2002, offering a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computing, business and commerce, the natural sciences, mathematics, languages, Islamic studies, media and the social sciences.
Greenwich University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 1998, offering undergraduate, master's and doctoral programmes across business, computing, media studies, design, international relations and psychology from its DHA campus.
Habib University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised liberal arts and sciences university established in 2014, distinguished by its interdisciplinary model combining a rigorous liberal core with STEM and the humanities. Located in Gulistan-e-Johar, Habib offers selective undergraduate programmes in computing, engineering, sciences, social development and the humanities.
Ilma University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university chartered in 2018 (formerly the Institute of Business & Technology), offering programmes across computing, business, media studies, education, psychology, design and health sciences.
Indus University, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 2004, offering programmes across computing, engineering, architecture, business, design and media studies.
The Indus Valley School of Art & Architecture (IVS), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised degree-awarding institution established in 1990 and one of Pakistan's most respected schools of art, design and architecture. It offers bachelor's and master's programmes in architecture, communication, textile, interior and industrial design and fine art.
The Institute of Business & Technology (BIZTEK), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 2003, offering programmes in business, computing, media studies and textiles.
Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Karachi is a public medical university that grew out of Sindh Medical College (established 1973) and was granted university status in 2012. With numerous constituent and affiliated institutes, JSMU offers MBBS, BDS, Pharm.D, physiotherapy, nursing, biomedical engineering and allied health undergraduate programmes alongside MD/MS, MPhil and PhD postgraduate training, and is recognised by the PM&DC and HEC.
Jinnah University for Women (JUW), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised women's university established in 1998, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computing, business, the natural and health sciences, pharmacy, humanities, media studies, education and psychology.
The Karachi School of Business & Leadership (KSBL) is a private, HEC-recognised business school established in 2010, offering focused undergraduate and postgraduate management and leadership programmes.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 1998, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across computing, business, engineering, economics, media studies and psychology.
Nazeer Hussain University (NHU), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 2015, offering programmes across computing, engineering, business, design and media studies with a focus on affordable, career-oriented education.
Newports Institute of Communications & Economics, Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised degree-awarding institution established in 2006, offering programmes in business, computing, media and design.
Salim Habib University (SBU), Karachi (formerly Barrett Hodgson University) is a private, HEC-recognised university established in 2016, offering programmes across computing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, biosciences, engineering, business and media, with modern laboratories and an industry-linked campus in Korangi Creek.
Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University of Law (SZABUL), Karachi is a public university dedicated to legal education, established in 2013. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes including the five-year LL.B, LL.M and doctoral research, alongside criminology and legal studies.
Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi is a public university with a historic legacy dating to 1885 as the Sindh Madressa-tul-Islam, the alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and was granted university status in 2012. SMIU offers undergraduate, master's and PhD programmes across computer science and IT, business and commerce, media and communication studies, education, environmental sciences, economics and the social sciences.
The Textile Institute of Pakistan (TIP), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised degree-awarding institution established in 1994, specialising in textile engineering, design and apparel alongside business and computing.
UIT University (Usman Institute of Technology), Karachi is a private, HEC-recognised university with roots dating to 1994, offering programmes in computing, engineering and business.
There are 37 HEC-recognised universities in Karachi listed on PakMerit - 10 public sector and 27 private sector institutions.
Universities in Karachi offer 534 degree programmes, including 405 bachelor's, 103 master's, 26 PhD programmes.
Universities in Karachi holding the highest HEC categories (W1/W2) include Aga Khan University (AKU), FAST-NUCES Karachi (National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences), Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, Bahria University, Karachi Campus, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).
The most widely offered fields in Karachi are Computer Science & IT (112), Business & Management (104), Engineering & Technology (58), Natural Sciences & Mathematics (56).
Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi is the oldest institution listed in Karachi, established in 1885.