Admission Eligibility and Selection Criteria

i. Basic Academic Qualification:

⦁ For admission in PhD programs, a minimum CGPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0 in the semester system) or 60% (in the annual system) in the MS/MPhil/equivalent degree being considered for admission, is required, whether such degree was obtained from Pakistani or foreign universities.

⦁ If the CGPA/Percentage is not mentioned on the transcript, the candidate must produce equivalent weightage from the parent university.

⦁ The students having strong demonstrated interest in obtaining PhD degree, but their CGPA is below 3.00 (out of 4.0 in the semester system) or 60% marks (in the annual system) in the most recent degree obtained, may be admitted to a PhD program after fulfilling the following requirements:

  • Shall study additional courses of 9-12 CH of level 7 taking a zero semester at admission awarding university/HEI/DAI and score minimum 3.00 out of 4.00 GPA, and
  • The admission committee is satisfied that the applicant’s knowledge of primary area (level 7) has sufficiently prepared him or her to undertake the course of studies of the doctoral program.
  • These requirements shall be in addition to any other requirements set in this policy for admission to a PhD program.

ii. Admission Test and Interview: The GRE/GAT/HAT-General conducted by testing bodies accredited by HEC or University Admission Test, with a minimum cumulative score of 60%, is required for admission to the PhD CS Programme. The GAT test score is valid for a period of two years. Additionally, candidates must achieve at least 50% marks in the interview.

iii. Interdisciplinary Qualification: Consistent with best practices internationally (including leading global universities), intradisciplinary admissions is allowed, if:

  • The applicant has a strong interest in pursuing a PhD in a different discipline.
  • The applicant has passed GRE-Subject/Equivalent Test with minimum 50% marks in the discipline of admission and has taken 6-9 CH of deficiency courses of level 7.
  • The admission committee is satisfied that the applicant’s knowledge of the primary area (level 7) has sufficiently prepared him or her to undertake the course of study of the doctoral program (or, in the opinion of the admissions committee, the preparation can be deemed satisfactory by taking a few additional courses after starting the program).

iv. Statement of Purpose: As part of the application for admission to PhD programs, applicants shall be required to submit a statement of purpose, which shall form an integral part of the application. The admissions committee shall use the information provided to ascertain the preparedness and interest of the candidate in pursuing doctoral studies, and whether the department has the requisite resources to train and supervise the doctoral candidate in the subspeciality in which the applicant is interested. A statement of purpose shall, at least, include the following:

  • Title of the potential research proposal
  • Clear articulation of the current understanding of the intended field and ideas for potential research
  • Explanation of the intended impact of the proposed research
  • The prospective candidates shall demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for the area of research.