Air University
Federally chartered public university in Islamabad (E-9, PAF Complex), established in 2002, with campuses in Kamra, Multan, Kharian and Karachi. It runs a large computing offer: CS, AI, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cyber Security and related BS, MS and PhD programmes, admitted through its own computer-based test.
Islamabad, Kamra, Multan, Gujrat, Karachi
Associate, Bachelors, Masters, PhD
25
AU-CBT (Air University computer-based test), NTS NAT / HEC USAT (exemption), ECAT, ETEA, NUST and other engineering tests (exemption), NTS GAT / HEC HAT / GRE
When admissions open
| Intake | Applications | Test | Classes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall, bachelorsread from Fall 2026 | July | July | August | Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026 |
| Fall, mastersread from Fall 2026 | July | August | August | Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026 |
| Fall, phdread from Fall 2026 | July | August | August | Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026 |
- Fall bachelors: Islamabad schedule. Admissions ran in phases: the application deadline for phases II to IV was 2 July 2026, with AU-CBT sessions from 29 June to 23 July (outstation CBTs at Kamra, Multan, Kharian, Lahore and Karachi in mid July). The first undergraduate merit list was 27 July, the third and later lists from 6 August, and classes started 31 August 2026. The phase I opening date was not published on the schedule page.
- Fall masters: Postgraduate application deadline 28 July 2026, paper-based MS and PhD test 6 August, first MS merit list 13 August and classes from 31 August 2026. A phase I merit list for MS/M.Phil. programmes with fewer applicants came out on 30 April 2026.
- Fall phd: PhD interviews 12 to 13 August and selected candidates announced 17 August 2026.
These are the months each cycle has usually run, read from the cycle named beside them. Exact dates are announced by the university every year, so check the admissions page before you plan around them.
How admission works
- 1
Apply on the AU admission portal
Official · Air University admissions FAQs +1Online applicationSign up (a Google account is recommended), fill the form and pay the Rs. 2,500 processing fee at Bank Al-Habib or through the 1-Link ID on the challan. Engineering, computing and management applicants can list several programmes as preferences in one application.
- 2
Sit the AU computer-based test (AU-CBT)
Official · Air University admissions FAQs +1Entry testBachelors (BS)Print the admit card from the portal once the fee is verified. CBT slots can be rescheduled through the admission office while testing is still running.
- 3
Merit lists and preference change window
Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026 +1Merit listBachelors (BS)A portal window lets candidates change programme preferences before the first merit list. Admission is granted by merit in the order of preferences.
- 4
Pay the fee by the merit list deadline
Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026Fee and confirmationBachelors (BS)Each merit list has its own fee deadline (for Fall 2026, 30 July for the first list).
- 5
Test and interview for MS and PhD
Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026 +1InterviewPhDPostgraduate applicants need a valid GAT or HAT result (or sit the AU test), and PhD candidates are interviewed.
- 6
Orientation and classes
Official · Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026Classes beginOrientation on 30 August and first day of classes on 31 August 2026.
Entry tests they consider
AU-CBT (Air University computer-based test)
University's own testOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula +1For associate, bachelors
100 MCQs in 120 minutes, no negative marking. For pre-engineering and ICS candidates: English 20%, analytical 25%, quantitative 25%, and 10% each for three subject papers. Questions come from intermediate books.
Composition changes with the HSSC group (pre-medical candidates get Biology in place of Mathematics).
EnglishAnalytical reasoningQuantitativePhysicsMathematicsComputer or Chemistry (by HSSC group)About this testNTS NAT / HEC USAT (exemption)
National testOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formulaFor bachelors
For computing programmes, NAT-ICS, NAT-IE, NAT-IM, USAT-E, USAT-M or USAT-CS with a score of at least 50, taken within a year of the AU closing date and matching your HSSC group, can exempt you from AU-CBT.
ECAT, ETEA, NUST and other engineering tests (exemption)
Provincial testOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formulaFor bachelors
For engineering programmes (including the PEC Bachelor of Software Engineering and Computer Engineering), exemption on PEC criteria is given for NAT-IE, NAT-ICS, USAT-E, USAT-CS, and entrance tests of UET Lahore, NED, MUET, NUST and ETEA.
NTS GAT / HEC HAT / GRE
National testOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula +1For masters, phd
MS: NTS GAT-General or HEC HAT in the relevant category with at least 50, or GRE General (151 Quant, 145 Verbal, 3.5 AWA). PhD: GAT Subject with at least 60, or the AU test with at least 70%.
How merit is worked out
Bachelors (BS)
- Entry test (AU-CBT)Official · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula50%
Non-engineering programmes, which include BS Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Cyber Security and the non-PEC BS Software Engineering. For engineering programmes the test is 40%.
- HSSC / equivalentOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula35%
Non-engineering programmes. For engineering programmes HSSC is 50%.
- SSC / equivalentOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula15%
Non-engineering programmes. For engineering programmes SSC is 10%.
Masters (MS or MPhil)
- Terminal degreeOfficial · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula +150%
- Entrance test (GAT / HAT)Official · Air University admission test preparation, exemptions and merit formula +150%
Who can apply
BS computing programmes (CS, AI, Data Science, Cyber Security, non-PEC Software Engineering and others): at least 50% in HSSC, A-Levels or IBCC equivalent, having studied Mathematics. Students without intermediate Mathematics, including pre-medical, must pass 6 credit hours of deficiency mathematics in the first year.
Bachelor of Software Engineering (PEC) and Computer Engineering: at least 60% in intermediate with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science with Chemistry as a remedial course, or equivalent A-Levels with an IBCC certificate.
Masters (MS or MPhil)
Official · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes)MS Computer Science: 16 years of education with at least 130 credit hours in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or IT, at least 50% or 2.00 CGPA, and NTS GAT or HEC HAT (at least 50) or GRE.
PhD Computer Science: 18 years (MS or M.Phil.) in computer science or a relevant field with CGPA of at least 3.0, plus at least 60% in GRE or NTS GAT Subject, or at least 70% in the Air University test.
Air University charges tuition per credit hour, so the first-semester fee depends on the credit load. Kamra and Multan run their own admission portals and fee schedules; the Islamabad schedule lists outstation CBT sessions at Kamra, Multan, Kharian, Lahore and Karachi.
Computing programmes and course outlines
The Islamabad BS Computer Science scheme of studies (revised 2025) is built on the NCEAC 2023 criteria, follows outcome-based education, and adds Fehm-e-Quran and Pakistan Studies per HEC letters. The Multan BS Software Engineering page says its curriculum is aligned with HEC guidelines and the NCEAC curriculum.
Associate degree (2 years)
Associate Degree in Science (Computer Science), eveningOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +12 yearsIslamabad
Evening classes, 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM, offered subject to minimum enrolment.
Associate Degree in Science (Cyber Security), eveningOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +12 yearsIslamabad
Evening classes, offered subject to minimum enrolment.
Bachelors (BS)
BS Computer ScienceOfficial · Scheme of Studies, BS Computer Science, Air University Islamabad (PDF) +34 years137 credit hoursIslamabad, Kamra, Multan, Gujrat, Karachi19 core courses listed
Islamabad scheme of studies (revised curriculum 2025, from Fall 2025 batches), structured on the NCEAC 2023 criteria with a mandatory summer internship. The Multan campus BSCS page describes its programme as NCEAC accredited. Pre-medical students take 6 credit hours of deficiency mathematics.
Core courses
- Programming Fundamentals
- Object Oriented Programming
- Digital Logic Design
- Database Systems
- Data Structures
- Information Security
- Computer Networks
- Computer Organization and Assembly Language
- Operating Systems
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software Engineering
- Theory of Automata
- Advanced Database Management Systems
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- Compiler Construction
- Computer Architecture
- HCI and Computer Graphics
- Final Year Project I, II and III
BS Software Engineering (HEC approved, non-PEC)Official · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +34 yearsIslamabad, Kamra, Multan
A computing degree, not a PEC engineering degree; 50% intermediate minimum. The Multan campus page gives 130 credit hours plus a 3 credit hour internship and says the curriculum follows HEC and NCEAC guidelines.
Bachelor of Software Engineering (PEC)Official · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +14 yearsIslamabad
Engineering programme in the Faculty of Engineering, requiring at least 60% in FSc pre-engineering (or ICS with chemistry as a remedial course). Listed separately from the non-PEC BS Software Engineering in the fee schedule.
Bachelor of Computer EngineeringOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +24 yearsIslamabad, Kamra
Engineering programme with a 60% intermediate minimum.
BS Cyber SecurityOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +54 yearsIslamabad, Kamra, Multan, Gujrat, Karachi
At Islamabad it is run by the National Cyber Security Academy.
Masters (MS or MPhil)
MS Computer ScienceOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +3Islamabad, Kamra, Multan
Evening and weekend at Islamabad.
MS Cyber SecurityOfficial · Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes) +2Islamabad
Evening and weekend. The National Cyber Security Academy also offers MS Digital Forensics and MS Cryptology, and the Institute of Avionics and Aeronautics offers MS Information Security.
PhD
Campuses
Islamabad main campus (E-9, PAF Complex)
Main campusIslamabad, Sector E-9, PAF Complex, Islamabad
Home of the Faculty of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, the National Cyber Security Academy and the Faculty of Engineering. Offers the widest set of computing programmes, from associate degrees to PhD.
Aerospace and Aviation Campus, Kamra
Kamra
Department of Computer Science offers BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, MS and PhD Computer Science. The Department of Electrical and Avionics Engineering offers a BE in Computer Engineering. Has its own admission portal.
Multan Campus
Multan
Department of Computer Science offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security and Cyber Forensics and Security, MS Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, and PhD Computer Science. Has its own admission portal.
Kharian Campus
Gujrat
Kharian is not in the city list; it is in Gujrat district, so Gujrat is used. The Faculty of Computing and Cyber Security lists BS Computer Science and BS Cyber Security.
Karachi Campus
Karachi
Faculty of Computing and Artificial Intelligence lists BS Computer Science and BS Cyber Security.
What it costs
| Programme | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| BS computing programmes (CS, AI, Data Science, IT, Games, non-PEC Software Engineering, Cyber Security), IslamabadBachelors | PKR 9k/credit houras of 2026Fall 2026 intake. First-semester tuition is 137,250 for BS Computer Science (15 credit hours), 155,550 for BS AI (17) and 164,700 for BS Cyber Security (18). Plus allied charges and the Rs. 2,500 processing fee. | Official · Air University fee structure, Fall 2026 intake |
| Bachelor of Software Engineering (PEC) and Computer Engineering, IslamabadBachelors | PKR 8k to 9k/credit houras of 20268,600 per credit hour for Software Engineering (PEC), first semester 154,800; 8,050 for Computer Engineering, first semester 136,850. | Official · Air University fee structure, Fall 2026 intake |
| MS computing programmes, IslamabadMasters | PKR 8k to 10k/credit houras of 20269,700 per credit hour for MS Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Software Engineering and Cyber Security; 8,050 for MS Computer Engineering. | Official · Air University fee structure, Fall 2026 intake |
| PhD computing programmes, IslamabadPhD | PKR 7k/credit houras of 2026 | Official · Air University fee structure, Fall 2026 intake |
Fees are read from published fee structures and change every year. They exclude hostel, transport and one-off admission charges unless the row says otherwise.
Scholarships and financial aid
AU merit scholarship
For students who keep a semester GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0.
Air University Need Based Financial Grant
Applied for on the admission form; open merit students only, continued while CGPA stays at 2.0 or above.
HEC need-based grant and Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship
Offered subject to HEC funding and criteria.
Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF)
PAF ward rebate
25% tuition rebate for PAF wards with in-service or retirement documents.
AU sponsored MS and PhD (Graduate Research Initiative)
Full tuition waiver with a monthly stipend (Rs. 20,000 in the Faculty of Computing and AI) or 50 to 100% waivers for teaching or research assistant roles, for bachelor CGPA of 3.0 to 3.5 and above, with a service bond.
Incentive Financial Grant, Multan campus
Companies that recruit from here
Rankings
- THE World University Rankings2026601-800Official · Times Higher Education profile: Air University
- THE World University Rankings by Subject: Computer Science2026501-600Official · Times Higher Education profile: Air University
How to actually get in
- The entry test carries half the merit for computing programmes. Non-engineering programmes use 15% SSC, 35% HSSC and 50% AU-CBT, so test preparation matters more than small differences in marks.
- A NAT or USAT score of 50 or more can exempt you from AU-CBT for computing programmes, if it matches your HSSC group and is less than a year old.
- Know which Software Engineering you are applying for. The Faculty of Engineering's Bachelor of Software Engineering is PEC-track with a 60% minimum; BS Software Engineering in the computing faculty is HEC approved, non-PEC, with a 50% minimum.
- Use the preference window. Candidates could change programme preferences on the portal before the first merit list.
- Pre-medical students can apply to BS computing programmes but must pass 6 credit hours of mathematics in the first year.
- Fees are per credit hour. Check the credit load of your first semester to estimate the real cost.
About Air University
Air University is a federally chartered public sector university established in 2002 and founded by the Pakistan Air Force. Its main campus sits near the Margalla foothills in sector E-9 (PAF Complex), Islamabad, and it also runs campuses at Kamra (Aerospace and Aviation Campus), Multan, Kharian, Karachi and Bahu (Shorkot Cantt).
Computing at the Islamabad campus is split between the Faculty of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Technology, Computer Games Development, Software Engineering and Bioinformatics), the National Cyber Security Academy (Cyber Security, Cyber Forensics and Security, Embedded System Security) and the Faculty of Engineering, which offers a PEC-track Bachelor of Software Engineering and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering. The university also hosts the National Center for Cyber Security.
The Kamra campus Department of Computer Science offers BS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence with MS and PhD in Computer Science, and its Department of Electrical and Avionics Engineering offers a BE in Computer Engineering. The Multan campus offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security and Cyber Forensics, plus MS and PhD programmes in computing.
Sources
- Why Air University (admissions)read 2026-09-17
- Air University admission schedule, Fall 2026read 2026-09-17
- Air University eligibility criteria (all programmes)read 2026-09-17
- Air University fee structure, Fall 2026 intakeread 2026-09-17
- Air University admissions FAQsread 2026-09-17
- Air University scholarshipsread 2026-09-17
- Air University online admission portal (Fall 2026)read 2026-09-17
- Air University Aerospace and Aviation Campus Kamraread 2026-09-17
- Air University Kamra campus programmes offered (PDF)read 2026-09-17
- Air University Multan Campusread 2026-09-17
- Air University Multan Campus BS Computer Science pageread 2026-09-17
- Air University Multan Campus BS Software Engineering pageread 2026-09-17
- Times Higher Education profile: Air Universityread 2026-09-17
Whole profile last checked 2026-09-17.
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