NUST Admission Criteria 2026: Complete Guide. National University of Science and technology is regarded as the highest educational institutes which are constantly evaluated among the first ranking universities in the country of Pakistan, but on the other hand, gaining admissions into the university is always the toughest part so before that you ought to go through NUST’s admission requirements.
Undergraduate Admission Criteria at NUST
How do I apply? All prospective NUST students apply once in a year for undergraduate admissions. Candidates can apply regardless of race, color, religion, physical status or gender. The university has always strictly enforced its open and non-discriminatory policy of admitting students based only on merit and performance test results.
Eligibility Criteria for NUST Admission
The minimum requirements to qualify for undergraduate admissions at NUST are as under :-
- 60% minimum marks both in SSC/ Matric/ O level and HSSC/ Inter/ A Level or equivalent as per equivalence of IBCC
- Candidates from FA/ F Sc are eligible for NET only on the basis of marks obtained in FA/ F Sc Part – I and confirmation of admission will be on submission of FA/ F Sc certificate containing complete subject with specified %age.
- O/A level candidate / candidate with foreign qualification shall get equivalence from IBCC Pakistan showing the mark percentage of 60% of concerned groups/subjects
Academic Qualification
Different programs at NUST require specific subject combinations at the HSSC/A-Level level :
| Program Category | Pakistani System | O/A Level System |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | SSC Science + HSSC Pre-Engineering / Computer Science / Pre-Medical | O-Level Science equivalence + A-Level Pre-Eng in Math, Physics or Chemistry / Computer Science / Pre-Medical |
| BS Computer Science, Data Science, AI, Bioinformatics | SSC + HSSC Pre-Eng / CS / Pre-Medical | O-Level equivalence + A-Level with Math as mandatory subject |
| BS Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Agriculture | SSC Science + HSSC Pre-Medical | O-Level Science equivalence + A-Level Pre-Medical (Biology, Physics, Chemistry) |
| BBA, BS Economics, Mass Communication, Psychology, Liberal Arts | SSC + HSSC (any combination) | O-Level equivalence + A-Level (any combination) |
| BS Accounting & Finance | SSC + HSSC with Math or Accounting/Finance as mandatory | O-Level + A-Level with Math or Accounting/Finance as mandatory |
| BS Mathematics | SSC + HSSC with Math as mandatory | O-Level + A-Level with Math as mandatory |
| B. Architecture / B. Industrial Design | SSC & HSSC with Math and Physics as mandatory | O-Level & A-Level with Math and Physics as mandatory |
Important Notes for Pre-Medical Students:
- NUST: Additional subjects for Pre-Medical applicants for admission to Engineering programs It will be mandatory to pass the condensed eight weeks’ course in Mathematics that would be taken at theNUST as condition of admission of Pre-Medical candidates to Computing Programs. The deficient Maths courses(6 Credit hours) should also pass within a year[edit].
The NUST Entry Test (NET)
Entry test, computer based entry test for undergraduate programs The NUST Entry Test (NET) is the entry test for undergraduate programs having most of weightage in calculating merit and its a computer based entry test formulated in light of the standard online test practicing internationally.
NET Test Structure and Syllabus
The NET is a computer-based MCQ exam with 200 questions to be completed in 180 minutes . The test is primarily based on SSC/HSSC level studies, with questions in MCQ format with four answer options each .
Subject weightage varies by program, but the typical engineering pattern includes :
- Mathematics: 40%
- Physics: 30%
- Chemistry: 15%
- English: 10%
- Intelligence: 5%
Key Features of NET
- Conducted at four locations: Islamabad (computer-based), Karachi (paper-based), Quetta (computer-based), and Gilgit (paper-based)
- Candidates can appear multiple times with the best score considered for merit
- Test results remain valid only for the current admission cycle
- Application processing fee: Rs. 5,000 (Pakistani students) or USD 40 (international students)
Alternative Admission Pathways
NUST also offers limited seats based on ACT (American College Test) or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) scores for both national and international candidates .
ACT/SAT Requirements by Program:
| Program Category | Minimum ACT Score | Minimum SAT Score |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & Computing | Composite Score 25+ | Not applicable |
| Natural Sciences | STEM Score 25+ | Not applicable |
| Business Studies & Social Sciences | 25+ per subject (Math, English, Reading) | 550+ per subject |
- NUST institutional code for ACT: 2915
- NUST institutional code for SAT: 2790
- ACT/SAT scores are valid for two years
- Last date for scores to reach NUST: 25 July 2026
Also Check: Fully Funded Scholarships 2026 for Pakistani Students
NUST Merit Calculation Formula
Understanding the merit calculation formula is essential for estimating your chances of admission. NUST uses a weighted formula for undergraduate admissions :
NET-Based Merit Calculation
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| NUST Entry Test (NET) | 75% |
| HSSC/A-Level (Part-I or complete) | 15% |
| SSC/O-Level/Equivalent | 10% |
Formula: Aggregate = (NET Score ÷ 200 × 100) × 75% + (HSSC Marks %) × 15% + (SSC Marks %) × 10%
ACT/SAT-Based Merit Calculation
| Component | Weightage (National Seats) | Weightage (International Seats) |
|---|---|---|
| ACT/SAT Score | 75% | 100% |
| HSSC/A-Level | 15% | – |
| SSC/O-Level | 10% | – |
Note: O/A Level candidates in their final year are assigned 25% weightage to their O-Level equivalence marks
Masters (MS/MPhil) Admission Criteria
NUST offers Masters programs annually, with admissions typically advertised in March/April for the Fall semester .
Eligibility for Masters Programs
- 16 years of schooling (4 years after FA/FSc/A-Level) in the relevant field
- Degree must be from an HEC/PEC recognized institution
- Minimum CGPA or percentage as specified by the respective department
Entry Test Requirements for Masters
Candidates must qualify in one of the following tests :
| Test | Administered By | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| GAT (General) | NTS, Pakistan | 50 Raw Score |
| G-NET | NUST, Pakistan | 50 Raw Score |
| HAT | HEC, Pakistan | 50 Raw Score |
| GRE (General) | ETS, USA | Quantitative: 151/170, Verbal: 146/170, Writing: 3.5/6.0 |
| GMAT | – | 50th Percentile |
Masters Merit Generation
- Test Score (GAT/G-NET/GRE/GMAT/HAT): 40%
- Academic Score (Terminal Degree CGPA): 60%
PhD Admission Criteria
PhD admissions at NUST are offered twice annually (Spring and Fall semesters), with applications advertised in national newspapers and on the NUST website .
PhD Eligibility Requirements
- 18 years of education (MS/MPhil/Equivalent) in a related discipline
- Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or 3.75/5.0 (semester system) or First Division (annual system)
- Minimum 30 credit hours of coursework OR 24 credit hours + 6 credit hours of thesis/research work
- MS/MPhil degree must be verified by HEC
PhD Entry Test Requirements
| Test | Administered By | Minimum Score |
|---|---|---|
| G-NET | NUST, Pakistan | Overall ≥ 60% |
| GRE (General) | ETS, USA | Quantitative ≥ 130/170, Verbal ≥ 130/170, Writing ≥ 3.0/6.0 |
| NTS GAT (General) | NTS, Pakistan | Overall ≥ 60% |
| HAT Test | HEC, Pakistan | Overall ≥ 60% |
Note: For PhD in Business Administration at NBS, a Subject Test is also required with scores of 60% and above.
International Students Admission Criteria
International students (non-Pakistani nationals) can apply for admission at NUST on international seats .
International Student Eligibility
- Minimum 60% marks in SSC and HSSC or equivalent qualifications
- Equivalence certificates from IBCC, Pakistan are mandatory
- Valid TOEFL (500+) or IELTS (5.5+) for students whose medium of instruction is not English at HSSC level
International Admission Pathways
- SAT/ACT-based: Evaluated based on SAT/ACT scores (as per requirements above)
- NET-based: International applicants currently in Pakistan can apply based on NET
- Country-specific tests: EmSAT (UAE), Gao Kao (China), UTME (Nigeria), Konkour (Afghanistan/Iran), TYT/AYT (Turkey), TGAT/TPAT (Thailand)
International Fee Structure
- Admission Processing Fee: USD 600 (non- refundable)
- Tuition Fee: USD 5,400 / year
- Security deposit: USD 250
- Health Facilities Fee: USD 120 / year
Rolling Admissions: NUST provides rolling admissions to international students, enabling applications to be submitted any time during the year for the Spring (January) and Fall (September) terms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I apply for NUST admission while my HSSC/A-Level result is pending?
Yes, candidates can submit the application form for admission while waiting for their results. For undergraduate programs; while FA/FSC stream candidates can apply on the marks obtained in Part I, and for O/A Level candidate should apply on basisof equivalence certificate of O/Levels. Final confirmation of the Admission will be done only after, submission of the complete result cards with stipulated marks as onthe respective dates.
How many times can I participate in NUST Entry Test (NET)?
You can attempt the NET multiple times for availing a better score. However, you can participate in the NET atmostonce per discipline in a given series . In the event of appearing in more than one test series the top the best score the will be utilized for preparing merit List.
Does NUST accept international test scores like SAT/ACT?
Yes, NUST accepts SAT and ACT scores for both national and international seats. For national seats, ACT/SAT scores are weighted at 75% in the merit calculation (similar to NET). For international seats, ACT/SAT scores carry 100% weight age. The university codes are ACT: 2915 and SAT: 2790.
Which minimum aggregate is needed to be admitted in NUST?
Minimum aggregates needed are different for different courses and can be changed by the university every year on account of competition among candidates and available seats. Usually popular, courses like CSE and EE require 80%+ aggregate for national seats and are admitted strictly on merit as well as changing by closing merits announced after each admission cycle by the university.
Is GAT/GRE required in NUST for masters and Ph.D admission?
Yes, candidates are supposed to clear the GAT (General) or GRE (General) with valid score to apply for Masters and Ph.D Programs in NUST. Minimum GAT/G-NET/HAT score for Masters would be 50 raw score, whereas it must be 60% overall for Ph.D. Although application without the score card is acceptable but can be processed after one achieves the result card.
Conclusion
You may need proper preparation to apply for admission in NUST. To successfully get admission in NUST either it’s bachelor, masters or doctorate degree, you will face almost the same issues. All in all, NUST Admission test , strong academics as well as programme relevant requirements will play major roles in determining your admission to NUST. The NUST admission NET results weigh 75% whereas graduate & doctoral admission merit calculation consists of academic performance and other admission test scores of a specific course.