National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences
Also known as FAST · FAST-NUCES · NUCES
Pakistan's first university focused on computing, established under a federal charter in 2000 by the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology. Five campuses in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Chiniot-Faisalabad.
Quick Facts
| Founded | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Location | Islamabad |
| Province | Islamabad |
| Private or Government | Private |
| Institution Type | University |
| HEC Recognition | HEC Recognized |
| Website | https://www.nu.edu.pk/ |
| Campuses | 5 |
About
The National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences — universally known as FAST-NUCES, or simply FAST — is a private research university and Pakistan’s first university established specifically to focus on computing. It operates five campuses in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Chiniot-Faisalabad.
Degree Programs
FAST offers programmes across three tiers — bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral — concentrated in computing, engineering and management sciences. Its undergraduate catalogue covers computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, cyber security, computer engineering, electrical engineering and civil engineering, alongside business programmes including a BBA and degrees in accounting and finance, business analytics and financial technology.
At graduate level the university runs master’s programmes spanning computing specialisations, engineering, and management, together with more unusual offerings such as applied artificial intelligence in healthcare systems, intelligent embedded systems and applied linguistics. Doctoral programmes are available in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, mathematics, management sciences and English linguistics.
Undergraduate degrees typically require 134-140 credit hours over four years, master’s programmes around 30-32 credit hours, and doctoral programmes 18 credit hours of coursework alongside dissertation research. The full catalogue, with the universities offering each programme, is listed below.
This university offers 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBA | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Accounting and Finance | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Artificial Intelligence | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Business Analytics | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Civil Engineering | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Computer Engineering | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Cyber Security | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Data Science | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Electrical Engineering | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Financial Technology | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| BS Software Engineering | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| MBA | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Applied Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Systems | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Applied Linguistics | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Artificial Intelligence | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Business Analytics | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Civil Engineering | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Computational Intelligence | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Computer Engineering | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Computer Science | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Cyber Security | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Data Science | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Electrical Engineering | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Global Virtual Management | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Industrial and Technology Management | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Intelligent Embedded Systems | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Mathematics | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Software Engineering | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| MS Software Project Management | 2 years | A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable). | — |
| BS Computer Science | 4 years | Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal. | — |
| PhD Civil Engineering | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD Computer Science | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD Electrical Engineering | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD English (Linguistics) | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD Management | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD Mathematics | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
| PhD Software Engineering | 3-5 years | A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview. | — |
Admissions
Admission Requirements
- BS programs: Intermediate/FSc or A-Levels with the relevant subjects, plus the FAST-NUCES admission test. Applications run through the university admissions portal.
- MS programs: A minimum of 16 years of education in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES graduate admission test (GAT/NTS accepted where applicable).
- PhD programs: A minimum of 18 years of education (MS/MPhil) in a relevant field, plus the FAST-NUCES doctoral admission test and interview.
These apply to every program at that level. Requirements specific to a program are in the Eligibility column of the Degree Programs table.
Admission Dates
| Program | Last Date | Entry Test | Status | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAST-NUCES Graduate & Postgraduate Admissions 2026 Applications open 20 May 2026 and close 30 June 2026. Entry tests accepted: • HAT-General for MS/MPhil, HAT-Subject for PhD, or • NU Admission Test on 4 July or 11 July 2026 • Merit list of test-qualified candidates: 5 August 2026 • Interviews: 7 August 2026 • Admission formalities: 7 – 13 August 2026 • Classes commence: 17 August 2026 FAST-NUCES describes this schedule as tentative. Confirm against the university's own page before planning around these dates. | 30/06/2026 | 04/07/2026 | Closed | |
| FAST-NUCES Undergraduate Admissions 2026 Applications open 20 May 2026 and close 30 June 2026. • Admission tests: 29 June – 10 July 2026 • Merit list of selected candidates: 22 July 2026 • Admission formalities: 27 July – 13 August 2026 • Classes commence: 17 August 2026 FAST-NUCES describes this schedule as tentative. Note that the university's page also carries a superseded version of the table giving a 26 June closing date; the live schedule closes applications on 30 June. Confirm against the university's own page before planning around either date. | 30/06/2026 | 29/06/2026 | Closed |
History
The university’s parent body, the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), was established in 1980 and set up a series of computer science institutes across the country. In 2000 those institutes were brought together under a federal charter granted by Ordinance No. XXIII of 2000, creating the National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences — the first multi-campus private sector university established under a federal charter in Pakistan. The new university inherited four established computer science institutes in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar; the Chiniot-Faisalabad campus followed later.
That lineage explains the university’s character. FAST was a computing institution for two decades before it became a university, and computer science remains the core of its identity even as it has broadened into engineering, business and social sciences.
Financial Aid
The university operates a substantial financial assistance programme. According to figures published on its own website, more than 2,000 students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships and interest-free loans, funded by roughly Rs 60 million contributed by FAST and a further Rs 40 million from other donors.
Disciplines
Campuses
Five campuses operate under the same charter: Islamabad (which hosts the university headquarters), Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Chiniot-Faisalabad. Programme availability differs between campuses — not every degree listed in the university catalogue runs at every location — so confirm with the specific campus before applying.
-
Islamabad Campus
— Islamabad
A.K. Brohi Road, Sector H-11/4, Islamabad -
Karachi Campus
— Karachi
Karachi, Sindh -
Lahore Campus
— Lahore
Lahore, Punjab -
Peshawar Campus
— Peshawar
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -
Chiniot-Faisalabad Campus
— Chiniot
Chiniot-Faisalabad, Punjab
Contact Details
- Address: A.K. Brohi Road, Sector H-11/4, Islamabad
- Phone: +92-51-111 128 128, +92-51-8314100 - 03
- Official website: nu.edu.pk
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences recognized by HEC?
Yes. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan lists National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences 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 University of Computer & Emerging Sciences private or government?
National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences is a private-sector institution. Private institutions set their own fee schedules rather than following a government scale, so ask for the complete per-semester cost across the full degree rather than only the first instalment.
What entry test is required for admission to National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences?
Computing admission generally requires HSSC in pre-engineering, pre-medical with mathematics, or ICS, plus an entry test set by the institution or an accepted equivalent such as NTS. 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 University of Computer & Emerging Sciences 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 University of Computer & Emerging Sciences located?
National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences is located in Islamabad, Islamabad. Full address and contact details are listed above; the official website is www.nu.edu.pk.