Undergraduate degree options in Pakistan for International Students from USA and Canada 2024

Pakistan offers a multitude of opportunities for International Students. Thousands of international students are pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Pakistan. A large number of overseas Pakistanis are residing in the United States of America (USA) and Canada. Most of them prefer to send their children, especially their daughters to Pakistan for Higher education. Almost 90% of the students coming from US and Canada wish to pursue medical education in Pakistan. They look for admission in the MBBS program in medical colleges in Pakistan.

Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Students in Pakistan

Following are the basic eligibility criteria for undergraduate degree programs in Pakistan for foreign students/Overseas Pakistanis from USA and Canada:

• 12 years of schooling
• Equivalence certificate
• MDCAT/ECAT/Entry test

Specific degree requirements are mentioned separately for each degree program i.e. MBBS, Engineering, etc… are mentioned separately. Please visit the relevant article

Reserved Seats for Foreign Students and overseas Pakistanis from US and Canada

International Students and Overseas Pakistanis from US and Canada can apply in different categories for admission to undergraduate degree programs in Pakistan. They can apply purely on foreign Seats, Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), and Overseas Seats and also on Local merit if they hold Pakistani Nationality.

Open Merit seats

International students having Pakistani nationality can apply for local merit seats, especially in Punjab and KP. The criteria for admission to universities in Sindh are different hence they cannot apply for the local seat in Sindh in Government universities/Medical Colleges. However, they can apply for local seats in all private universities/medical colleges in Pakistan.

Merit in Government Universities on open merit is very high, however, the fee structure is very low. Hence, if they score high marks on the equivalence certificate, they can apply for local seats.

Overseas Seats

Pakistani citizens residing in US and Canada who have completed their schooling in US and Canada can apply for undergraduate degree programs in Pakistani Government sector universities on seats reserved for overseas Pakistanis. The fee structure for these seats is lower than that of Foreign Seats but higher than local merit seats. However, in the Government Medical colleges of Punjab, the free structure of overseas seats and those of local merit seats are the same.

Pakistan Technical Assistance Program (PTAP)

Overseas Pakistanis having dual nationality can apply for PTAP seats. Seats are reserved in MBBS, BDS, and Pharmacy and Engineering degree programs in different Government universities. The fee structure of the students admitted under the PTAP program is very low, as low as local merit seats.

International / Foreign Students seats

Finally, both international seats and Overseas Pakistanis who have dual nationality can apply for foreign student seats available in universities. The fee structure of these seats is the highest of all other options mentioned above but the merit is very low. So, if you can afford the high fee rates, you can apply on Foreign / International students’ seats.

Read Also:

• Best Medical Schools in Pakistan for International students from USA and Canada
• Best Engineering Universities for International students from US and Canada
• Best Business Schools in Pakistan for foreign students from US and Canada