University of Karachi
Also known as KU
One of Pakistan's largest public universities, established by Act of Parliament in 1951. More than fifty departments across sciences, arts, social sciences, business, law and pharmacy, with morning and evening programmes and a large affiliated college network.
Quick Facts
| Founded | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Location | Karachi |
| Province | Sindh |
| Private or Government | Public (Government) |
| Institution Type | University |
| HEC Recognition | HEC Recognized |
| Website | https://uok.edu.pk/ |
| Campuses | 1 |
About
The University of Karachi is one of Pakistan’s largest public universities and the principal general university of Sindh, teaching across more than fifty departments spanning the sciences, arts, social sciences, business, law, pharmacy, engineering and Islamic studies.
Degree Programs
Teaching is organised into faculties covering science, arts and social sciences, business administration and commerce, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, law, education, engineering, medicine and Islamic studies. Between them these carry more than fifty teaching departments and research institutes.
The scale is what distinguishes it. Departments range from mainstream disciplines such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, economics, computer science and psychology through to areas few other Pakistani universities cover at departmental level — petroleum technology, food science and technology, criminology, genetics, biotechnology, visual studies, library and information science, and several language departments including Sindhi, Persian, Arabic, Bengali and Urdu.
Programmes
The university offers four-year BS degrees across most departments, alongside professional programmes including Pharm-D and law, and a substantial postgraduate catalogue of MS, MPhil and PhD programmes. Many departments run both morning and evening sessions, which materially widens access for students who work.
Because provision varies considerably between departments — some offer the full BS through PhD progression while others are more limited — confirm what is available in your specific discipline with the department itself.
This university offers 1 engineering programmes. PEC accreditation is granted to a specific programme at a specific university — a degree accredited elsewhere is not automatically accredited here — so confirm the status of your chosen programme directly with the Pakistan Engineering Council before enrolling.
| Program | Duration | Eligibility | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BBA | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Applied Chemistry | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Applied Physics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Biochemistry | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Biotechnology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Botany | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Chemical Engineering | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Chemistry | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Computer Science | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Criminology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Economics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS English | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Environmental Sciences | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Food Science and Technology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Genetics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Geography | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Geology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS History | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS International Relations | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Library and Information Science | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Mass Communication | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Mathematics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Microbiology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Petroleum Technology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Philosophy | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Physics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Physiology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Political Science | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Psychology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Public Administration | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Social Work | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Sociology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Special Education | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Statistics | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Visual Studies | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| BS Zoology | 4 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| LLB | 5 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
| Pharm-D | 5 years | Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page. | — |
Admissions
Admission Requirements
- BS programs: Intermediate (FSc/ICS or equivalent) with the relevant subjects, plus the university's admission test and merit process. Check the current cycle's criteria on the university admissions page.
These apply to every program at that level. Requirements specific to a program are in the Eligibility column of the Degree Programs table.
History
The university was established by an Act of Parliament in June 1951, four years after independence, to serve a city that had become the country’s first capital and was absorbing large numbers of migrants. It began as an examining and affiliating body before developing into the teaching institution it is today, and it remains the degree-awarding authority for a substantial network of affiliated colleges across Karachi.
Disciplines
Campuses
-
Main Campus
— Karachi
University Road, Karachi 75270, Sindh
Contact Details
- Address: University Road, Karachi 75270, Sindh, Pakistan
- Phone: +92-21-99261336-7
- Official website: uok.edu.pk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Karachi recognized by HEC?
Yes. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan lists University of Karachi as a recognised institution, which means its degrees can be attested by the HEC and are accepted for further study and public-sector employment. Recognition applies to the institution; individual programmes may additionally require accreditation from a professional council.
Is University of Karachi private or government?
University of Karachi is a public-sector institution. Public institutions generally charge lower fees than private ones because they receive government funding, and admission is correspondingly more competitive on merit.
What entry test is required for admission to University of Karachi?
Requirements vary by programme. Most undergraduate intakes are based on HSSC or an equivalent qualification, and many institutions add their own entry test or interview. Confirm the current requirement on the institution's own admissions page, since criteria and closing dates change each cycle.
Does HEC recognition mean every programme at University of Karachi is accredited?
No. HEC recognition confirms the institution is chartered to award degrees. Individual programmes in regulated fields need separate accreditation — the Pakistan Engineering Council for engineering, PMDC for medicine and dentistry, the Pakistan Bar Council for law, NCEAC for computing. A programme can sit inside a recognised institution without holding that professional accreditation, so check the specific programme before enrolling.
Where is University of Karachi located?
University of Karachi is located in Karachi, Sindh. Full address and contact details are listed above; the official website is uok.edu.pk.