National Defense University
Also known as NDU
National Defense University is a public-sector university in Islamabad, Islamabad, recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Quick Facts
| Location | Islamabad |
|---|---|
| Province | Islamabad |
| Private or Government | Public (Government) |
| Institution Type | University |
| HEC Recognition | HEC Recognized |
| Website | http://www.ndu.edu.pk/ |
About
National Defense University is a public-sector university in Islamabad, recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
As a defence institution, National Defense University operates on a service-linked intake rather than open civilian admission.
Location and Address
The institution is located at Sector E-9, Islamabad.
Degree Programs and Fee Structure
| Program | Duration | Eligibility | Fees whole programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Economics Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS Government and Public Policy Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS International Relations Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS Leadership and Management Studies Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS Mass Communication Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS Peace and Conflict Studies Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| BS Strategic Studies Morning programme | 4 Years | 765,685 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Economics Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Ethnicity and Nationalism Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Government and Public Policy Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil International Relations Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Leadership and Management Studies Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Peace and Conflict Studies Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| MS/MPhil Strategic Studies Evening & weekend programme | 2 Years | 341,381 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| PhD Government and Public Policy Evening programme | 3 Years | 465,689 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| PhD International Relations Evening programme | 3 Years | 465,689 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| PhD Leadership and Management Studies Evening programme | 3 Years | 465,689 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| PhD Peace and Conflict Studies Evening programme | 3 Years | 465,689 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| PhD Strategic Studies Evening programme | 3 Years | 465,689 (Fall 2026 prospectus) | |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Economics Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Government and Public Policy Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management Studies Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Studies Evening programme | 1 Year | 16 years of education from an HEC-recognized institution | 150,000 (Fall 2026 prospectus) |
Admissions
Entry is linked to armed-forces selection rather than open civilian admission. Prospective applicants should approach the relevant service’s selection and recruitment centres, not the institution’s civilian admission office, and should verify eligibility before making other plans. As a public-sector institution, fees are generally lower than at private institutions, and merit competition is correspondingly higher.
Applying in Islamabad
Islamabad institutions draw applicants nationally rather than from a single provincial catchment, and federally chartered institutions commonly reserve seats across all provinces and territories. Admission tests are usually institution-specific, with the national MDCAT applying to medical and dental programmes. Public-sector seat allocation includes a domicile component, so where your domicile certificate was issued affects which quota you compete under at National Defense University.
HEC Recognition and Accreditation
National Defense University holds Higher Education Commission recognition. That status confirms the institution is chartered and empowered to award degrees whose attestation the HEC will process. Recognition is institutional, however, and does not by itself confirm that any particular programme is accredited by its professional body. Applicants should confirm programme-level accreditation with the relevant council directly.
Disciplines
Contact Details
- Address: Sector E-9, Islamabad
- Official website: ndu.edu.pk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Defense University recognized by HEC?
Yes. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan lists National Defense University 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 National Defense University private or government?
National Defense University 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 National Defense University?
Entry is through armed-forces selection rather than open civilian admission, so the relevant service selection centre sets the process. 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 National Defense University 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 National Defense University located?
National Defense University is located in Islamabad, Islamabad. Full address and contact details are listed above; the official website is www.ndu.edu.pk.