When you’re a student looking to get a degree in engineering, deciding which university to apply to amongst the top engineering universities in Pakistan can be difficult. With so many to choose from, it is no wonder why the university application process can feel so intimidating!
Fortunately, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) recently released their annual list of rankings for top engineering universities in Pakistan. Each ranking of engineering universities is based on their research, quality of studies, facilities provided, overall reputation and strength of faculty. So, without further ado, let’s dive straight in!
Top 10 Engineering Universities in Pakistan 2024
The following list illustrates the top 10 engineering universities in Pakistan:
- COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)
- Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro (MUET)
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
- Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology (GIKI)
- University of Engineering and Technology (UET)
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Islamabad (PIEAS)
- Institute of Space Technology (IST)
- Air University, Islamabad
- NED University of Engineering & Technology
- University of Punjab (PU)
#10 - University of Punjab (PU)
Departments:
- Engineering Research Centre
- Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology
- Institute of Metallurgy & Materials Engineering
- Institute of Polymer & Textile Engineering
- Energy Engineering Research & Development Centre
- Institute of Electrical, Electronics & Computer Engineering
- Institute of Energy & Environmental Engineering
- Department of Industrial Engineering & Management
Website: https://www.pu.edu.pk
Established in 1882, Punjab University is Pakistan’s largest and oldest institution for higher learning (it was also the first university to be established in the sub-continent in a Muslim-majority area). Comprising five campuses, 19 faculties, eight constituent colleges and 138 departments, centres and institutes, Punjab University has garnered the reputation of offering high-quality learning at affordable tuition rates.
#9 - NED University of Engineering & Technology
Departments:
- Department of Civil & Petroleum Engineering
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
- Department of Chemical & Process Engineering
Website: https://www.neduet.edu.pk
Ranked amongst the top 400 of the QS Asian University Rankings as well as the top 5 of the HEC rankings for overall ranking in research, innovation, and commercialisation; research excellence; HR and operations and sustainability and capacity building, the NED University of Engineering & Technology is considered to be one of the top engineering universities in Pakistan as well as one of the most credible institutions for engineering. Established in 1977 following an upgrade of the former NED Government Engineering College, which was founded in 1921, the NED University of Engineering & Technology offers industry-relevant courses for today’s engineering students. A recent development undertaken by NED University for the benefit of its students is that it has decided to base all its undergraduate engineering programmes on outcome-based education (OBE), thereby further strengthening the quality of its learning structures.
#8 - Air University, Islamabad
Departments:
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Department of Mechatronics Engineering
- Department of Biomedical Engineering
Website: https://www.au.edu.pk
While still relatively new, Air University has managed to establish itself as one of the best institutions for aspiring engineering students. Founded in 2002 with a focus on developing human resources in engineering and applied sciences, the university has so far managed to produce 20 batches of engineering graduates. Air University offers qualified and experienced teachers, state-of-the-art laboratories, and OBE-accredited programs on behalf of the Pakistan Engineering Council.
#7 - Institute of Space Technology (IST)
Departments:
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Avionics Engineering
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering
Website: https://www.ist.edu.pk
The Institute of Space Technology is another relatively new university yet still occupies an important position among the top engineering universities of Pakistan. It offers students high-quality learning through a variety of different facilities, including HEC’s foreign faculty program through which they have been able to employ several specialised teaching staff who have years of experience. In addition to the above, the Institute of Space Technology offers state-of-the-art training facilities to help students acquire hands-on experience in the field of engineering and its many disciplines.
#6 - Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Islamabad (PIEAS)
Departments:
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Metallurgy & Materials Engineering
- Department of Nuclear Engineering
Website: https://www.pieas.edu.pk
One of Pakistan’s most well-known federal public universities devoted to quality higher education, the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers students a closer look at subjects such as reactor supervision and operation, laser technology and vacuum technology. The institute is considered one of the best mechanical engineering universities in Pakistan and provides students the chance to benefit from the experience and teaching of highly qualified faculty along with excellent infrastructure designed to facilitate hands-on learning.
#5 - University of Engineering & Technology (UET)
Departments:
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical & Polymer Engineering
- Department of Earth Sciences & Engineering
Website: https://www.uet.edu.pk
The University of Engineering and Technology is considered to be one of the most prestigious universities for engineering and holds a place amongst the top engineering universities in Pakistan. It is known to have strong linkages with leading companies including Siemens, Huawei, Suparco, Fast Cables, National Transmission & Dispatch Company Limited and Microtech Industries (Pvt.) Limited, to name a few.
#4 - Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology (GIKI)
Departments:
- Department of Electrical Engineering
- Department of Computer Sciences & Engineering
- Department of Engineering Sciences
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Material Sciences & Chemical Engineering
- Department of Civil Engineering
Website: https://www.giki.edu.pk
The brainchild of Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the former President of Pakistan, who sought to decrease Pakistan’s dependence on foreign expertise and imported technology, the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology (GIKI) was formed in December 1985. With the help of real-life application and high-quality teaching through qualified and experienced faculty, GIKI ranks amongst the best electrical engineering universities in Pakistan and has managed to produce engineering graduates who are not only competent but have a practical approach towards problem-solving and operational effectiveness.
#3 - National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST)
Departments:
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
- Department of Aeronautical Engineering
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Department of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Sciences
Website: https://www.nust.edu.pk
Established in 1991 for the promotion of higher education in the fields of engineering, science, and technology, NUST has managed to carve a niche for itself on both the national and international stage. According to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings for 2023, NUST currently holds 160th place in Engineering and Technology, 334th place in the world, 67th place in Asia and 41st place in the top 50 under-50 world universities.
#2 - Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro (MUET)
Departments:
- Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
- Department of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Department of Mechanical, Process and Earth Engineering
Website: https://www.muet.edu.pk
As a way to give the people of interior Sindh the chance to pursue a career in engineering and technology, the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology was established in Jamshoro in 1976. Through the facilities and courses provided, MUET aims to provide effective practical and theoretical training to its students so that they become industry-ready.
#1 - COMSATS University, Islamabad (CUI)
Departments:
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Department of Civil Engineering
- Department of Computer Engineering
- Department of Electrical Engineering (Power & Electronics)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Software Engineering
Website: https://www.comsats.edu.pk
COMSATS University has the privilege of being the first ever Higher Education Institution in Pakistan to have received the 1st Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Achievement Award for its outstanding services performed in education and training. Formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam in 1998, it offers a unique approach towards problem-solving, learning, experimentation, and insight.
Conclusion
Through this list of top 10 engineering universities in Pakistan, the decision to choose a university for your engineering needs will surely become a lot easier. At the end of the day, regardless of which university you go to, what matters is the effort and hard work that you put in. As long as you keep your head down and keep going, you will surely meet with great success. Good luck!
