COMSATS University Islamabad(COMSATS)
A federally chartered public university founded in 1998 as COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, with campuses in Islamabad, Lahore, Wah, Abbottabad, Attock, Sahiwal and Vehari. BS Computer Science and BS Software Engineering are offered at all seven campuses, with AI, Data Science and Cyber Security at selected ones.
Islamabad, Lahore, Wah Cantt, Abbottabad, Attock, Sahiwal, Vehari
Bachelors, Masters, PhD
15
NTS NAT (NAT-IE, NAT-ICS, NAT-IM), NTS GAT (General or Subject), GRE or HEC HAT
When admissions open
| Intake | Applications | Test | Classes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall, bachelorsread from Fall 2026 | May to July | July | September | Official · CUI Fall 2026 admissions advertisement +1 |
| Fall, mastersread from Fall 2026 | May to July | July | September | Official · CUI Fall 2026 admissions advertisement |
| Spring, bachelors | Not published | Not published | Not published | Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26 |
- Fall bachelors: Portal opened 31 May 2026. Last dates differ by campus: Islamabad 8 July, Lahore 24 July, Abbottabad 6 August, Wah 11 August, Attock, Vehari and Sahiwal 14 August. Tests ran from 14 June (Lahore) to 16 August; undergraduate merit lists from 28 July (Islamabad) to 20 August. Classes at all campuses began 7 September 2026.
- Fall masters: Same campus-wise deadlines as bachelors (8 July to 14 August 2026). Graduate entry tests were NAT, GAT General or GAT Subject on campus-specific dates. Classes began 7 September 2026.
- Spring bachelors: The undergraduate guide lists Fall and Spring intakes for BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI and Cyber Security (Computer Engineering is Fall only). Spring dates were not checked.
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 online
Official · CUI online admission system +2Online applicationRegister on admissions.comsats.edu.pk, choose a campus and list up to seven programme preferences on one form. Upload scanned documents within the deadline. Students awaiting results can apply with a Hope Certificate or affidavit.
- 2Entry test
You need a valid NTS score. CUI campuses host NTS tests after the application deadline, or you can take NTS on its national dates (14 June, 12 July and 9 August in 2026).
- 3Merit list
Shortlisted candidates are shown on the admission website and campus notice boards.
- 4
Interview (if called)
Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26InterviewBachelors (BS)Shortlisted candidates, with parents or guardians, may be asked to attend a departmental interview.
- 5
Document verification
Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26Document verificationBring original Matric and Intermediate certificates, IBCC equivalence if applicable, CNIC or B-Form, photographs and an undertaking on stamp paper.
- 6
Accept the offer and pay
Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26Fee and confirmationSelected candidates get a provisional offer letter and bank challan. Pay the non-refundable admission and tuition fee by the deadline or the seat goes to the next candidate on the waiting list.
- 7
Orientation and classes
Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26 +1Classes beginOrientation is mandatory and includes course registration. Fall 2026 classes began 7 September 2026.
Entry tests they consider
NTS NAT (NAT-IE, NAT-ICS, NAT-IM)
National testOfficial · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26 +2For bachelors
Undergraduate applicants need a valid NTS NAT score. For Computer Engineering the NTS score must be at least 33% as per PEC policy. Test centres and dates for 2026 were listed per campus on the admissions portal.
About this testNTS GAT (General or Subject), GRE or HEC HAT
National testOfficial · CUI notification: MS admission eligibility criteria (from Spring 2025) +2For masters, phd
MS: pass score of 50% in an HEC-accredited general or subject test; CUI may also set a subject test with a 60% pass mark. PhD: 60% pass score.
How merit is worked out
Bachelors (BS)
Same weights for engineering and non-engineering programmes.
- Intermediate / HSSCOfficial · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-2640%
- Matriculation / SSCOfficial · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-2610%
Who can apply
BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI, Data Science and Cyber Security: at least 50% in Intermediate (HSSC) with Mathematics, or 50% in HSSC Pre-Medical (Pre-Medical students must clear specified Mathematics courses within two semesters), plus a valid NTS score.
BS Computer Engineering: at least 60% in Intermediate Pre-Engineering (Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry), ICS (Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science) or a relevant DAE. ICS students study Chemistry as a remedial course in the first semester. NTS score of at least 33%.
Masters (MS or MPhil)
Official · CUI notification: MS admission eligibility criteria (from Spring 2025) +1CGPA 2.5/4.0 or 55% marks in a 16-year degree in the same or a relevant field from an HEC-recognised university, plus a 50% score in NTS, GRE or HAT. Applicants from other disciplines may be considered with a 50% GRE Subject (or equivalent) score and 6 to 9 credit hours of deficiency courses.
CGPA 3.0/4.0 or 60% (first division) in an 18-year degree in the same or relevant field, plus a 60% score in an NTS, GRE or HAT test.
One portal covers all seven campuses, but deadlines, test dates and merit list dates differ by campus. Islamabad closes first.
Computing programmes and course outlines
CUI's undergraduate guide says programmes from Fall 2023 follow the HEC undergraduate education policy of 2023: 30 credit hours of general education, a major of at least 72 credit hours, a mandatory 6 to 8 week internship of at least 3 credit hours, and optional minors of 12 credit hours. Heads of department are required to follow HEC's revised curricula.
Bachelors (BS)
BS (Computer Science)Official · CUI course catalogue portal (schemes of studies) +54 years133 credit hoursIslamabad, Abbottabad, Lahore, Vehari, Sahiwal, Attock, Wah CanttNCEAC accredited19 core courses listed
Core courses from the Fall 2025 scheme of studies (12 computing core and 6 domain core courses), read on the CUI course catalogue portal, where schemes are chosen by year and department. Minimum 133 credit hours including a mandatory internship; offered in Fall and Spring. Pre-Medical students must clear Pre-Calculus deficiency courses. NCEAC lists accredited batches at all seven campuses. At Abbottabad, NCEAC stopped admissions from Fall 2022 and approved the programme again after a confirmatory visit in February 2025.
Core courses
- Programming Fundamentals
- Object Oriented Programming
- Data Structures
- Fundamentals of Digital Logic Design
- Computer Organization and Assembly Language
- Database Systems
- Operating Systems
- Computer Networks
- Software Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Information Security
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Theory of Automata
- Advance Database Systems
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- HCI and Computer Graphics
- Compiler Construction
- Introduction to Computer Architecture
- Final Year Project I and II
BS (Software Engineering)Official · CUI course catalogue portal (schemes of studies) +54 years133 credit hoursIslamabad, Abbottabad, Lahore, Vehari, Sahiwal, Attock, Wah CanttNCEAC accredited19 core courses listed
A non-engineering computing degree, as CUI labels it. Core courses from the Spring 2025 scheme of studies on the CUI course catalogue portal. Minimum 133 credit hours including internship; offered in Fall and Spring. NCEAC lists accredited batches at all seven campuses; the Abbottabad programme was re-approved after a confirmatory visit in February 2025.
Core courses
- Programming Fundamentals
- Object Oriented Programming
- Data Structures
- Fundamentals of Digital Logic Design
- Computer Organization and Assembly Language
- Database Systems
- Operating Systems
- Computer Networks
- Software Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence
- Information Security
- Design and Analysis of Algorithms
- Software Requirement Engineering
- Software Design and Architecture
- Software Construction and Development
- Software Quality Engineering
- Software Project Management
- Parallel and Distributed Computing
- Final Year Project I and II
BS (Artificial Intelligence)Official · CUI undergraduate programmes by campus and eligibility +44 years133 credit hoursIslamabad, Attock, Wah CanttNCEAC accredited
Minimum 133 credit hours. NCEAC lists accredited batches at Islamabad and Attock; Wah holds a zero-visit approval (September 2023). The course list could not be read from the catalogue portal.
Full scheme of studiesBS (Data Science)Official · CUI undergraduate programmes by campus and eligibility +24 years133 credit hoursIslamabadNCEAC accredited
Islamabad only. NCEAC lists accredited batches up to Fall 2023 (decision June 2025). The course list could not be read from the catalogue portal. Lahore separately offers BS Statistics (Data Science).
Full scheme of studiesBS (Cyber Security)Official · CUI undergraduate programmes by campus and eligibility +24 years133 credit hoursIslamabadNCEAC accredited
Islamabad only. NCEAC lists accredited batches up to Fall 2023 (decision June 2025). The course list could not be read from the catalogue portal.
Full scheme of studiesBS (Computer Engineering)Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26 +24 years133 credit hoursIslamabad, Abbottabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Attock, Wah Cantt
Engineering programme in the Faculty of Engineering, Fall intake only, minimum 133 credit hours with a mandatory internship. Needs at least 33% in the NTS test as per PEC policy. PEC accreditation status was not checked.
BS (Bioinformatics)Official · CUI undergraduate programmes by campus and eligibility4 yearsIslamabad, Sahiwal
Open to Pre-Medical, Pre-Engineering and ICS students with 50% marks.
Masters (MS or MPhil)
MS (Data Analytics)Official · CUI MS programmes by campus and eligibility2 yearsLahore
Requires NTS GAT (General) with at least 50%.
PhD
Campuses
Islamabad campus (principal seat)
Main campusIslamabad, Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad
Offers every computing bachelors programme: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering and Bioinformatics, plus MS and PhD in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.
Lahore campus
Lahore, 1.5 KM Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore
Offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering and Computer Engineering, plus MS Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, AI Engineering and Data Analytics, and PhD Computer Science.
Wah campus
Wah Cantt
Offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Engineering, plus MS Computer Science, Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence. Holds open house and job fairs each semester.
Abbottabad campus
Abbottabad, University Road, Tobe Camp, Abbottabad
Offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering and Computer Engineering, plus MS and PhD in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.
Attock campus
Attock, Near Officer's Colony, Kamra Road, Attock
Offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Computer Engineering, plus MS and PhD in Computer Science and Computer Engineering.
Sahiwal campus
Sahiwal, COMSATS Road, Off GT Road, Sahiwal
Offers BS Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering and Bioinformatics, plus MS and PhD Computer Science.
Vehari campus
Vehari, Mailsi Road, Off Multan Road, Vehari
Offers BS Computer Science and BS Software Engineering, plus MS Computer Science. NCEAC lists accredited CS and SE batches (up to Fall 2020).
What it costs
| Programme | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Computer science programmes (BS CS, SE, AI, DS, Cyber Security)Bachelors | PKR 161k/semesteras of 2026-05For the Fall 2026 batch: PKR 153,500 tuition plus PKR 7,000 registration fee per semester. A one-time admission fee of PKR 27,000 is charged to new students. | Official · CUI fee structure notification, Fall 2026 (18 May 2026) |
| Engineering programmes (including Computer Engineering)Bachelors | PKR 167k/semesteras of 2026-05For the Fall 2026 batch: PKR 159,500 tuition plus PKR 7,000 registration fee per semester, plus the PKR 27,000 one-time admission fee. | Official · CUI fee structure notification, Fall 2026 (18 May 2026) |
| MS programmesMasters | PKR 93k/semesteras of 2026-05PKR 85,500 tuition plus PKR 7,000 registration fee per semester, all batches. | Official · CUI fee structure notification, Fall 2026 (18 May 2026) |
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
Need-based scholarships and Qarz-e-Hasna
CUI's Financial Support Programs offer need-based scholarships, stipends and Qarz-e-Hasna to students with established genuine need, through campus scholarship offices.
CUI Top Merit Scholarship (admission merit toppers)
Listed on the CUI scholarships portal for undergraduate admission merit toppers.
PEEF Special Quota Scholarship
Listed on the CUI scholarships portal for undergraduates.
Alkhidmat Academic Scholarship Program
Listed on the CUI scholarships portal for bachelors, masters and PhD students.
Companies that recruit from here
Runs campus hiring· Holds a recruitment drive, test or interview day on this campus.
- Huawei2026
Huawei Recruitment Drive 2026 (Huawei Young Talent Development Program) at the Islamabad campus on 6 May 2026, for final semester bachelors and masters students.
Industry partner· Has a formal tie with the university: a lab, an MoU, an advisory board seat.
- Huawei2025
Huawei Technologies Pakistan and CUI signed an MoU in January 2025 to set up technical vocational training labs, starting at the Lahore campus.
- Engro Corporation2023
Signed an MoU with the Lahore campus on 11 September 2023 covering jobs, internships, training and plant visits.
Each link says how the company is tied to the university and where that is published. It is not a claim that the company hires only from here, or that a degree from here guarantees an interview.
Rankings
- THE World University Rankings2024601-800Official · CUI ranking and reputation page
- QS Asia University Rankings2025#129Official · CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26
How to actually get in
- Apply to Islamabad early. In Fall 2026 the Islamabad deadline was 8 July, more than a month before Attock, Vehari and Sahiwal (14 August).
- The NTS test is half of your merit (Intermediate 40%, Matric 10%). Take NTS NAT on a national date if your campus test date does not suit you.
- Use all seven preferences. One form takes up to seven programme choices.
- Pre-Medical students can apply to computing with 50% marks, but must clear Mathematics courses in the first two semesters.
- Computer Engineering has a higher bar: 60% in Pre-Engineering or ICS and at least 33% in NTS.
- Budget by programme group. For the Fall 2026 batch a computer science semester is PKR 160,500 and an engineering semester PKR 166,500, plus a one-time PKR 27,000 admission fee.
- Pay on time. If the offer is not confirmed by the deadline, the seat goes to the next person on the waiting list.
About COMSATS University Islamabad
COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) was established in 1998 as the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), a project of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), an inter-governmental organisation. It became a public degree-awarding institution under a federal charter in August 2000, and was upgraded to a federally chartered university in April 2018 under the COMSATS University Islamabad Act, 2018. The President of Pakistan is its Chancellor.
The university teaches across six faculties. Computing sits mainly in the Faculty of Information Sciences and Technology, whose Department of Computer Science runs BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering, BS Data Science, BS Artificial Intelligence and BS Cyber Security. Computer Engineering is taught in the Faculty of Engineering. The principal seat and Islamabad campus are on Park Road, Tarlai Kalan.
Admissions run through one online portal for all campuses, with NTS tests and a common merit formula. Computer science programmes take students in both Fall and Spring, and CUI says its undergraduate programmes follow the HEC undergraduate education policy introduced in 2023.
Sources
- CUI online admission systemread 2026-09-17
- CUI undergraduate programmes by campus and eligibilityread 2026-09-17
- CUI MS programmes by campus and eligibilityread 2026-09-17
- CUI PhD programmes by campus and eligibilityread 2026-09-17
- CUI Fall 2026 admissions advertisementread 2026-09-17
- CUI Undergraduate Admission Guide 2025-26read 2026-09-17
- CUI fee structure notification, Fall 2026 (18 May 2026)read 2026-09-17
- CUI course catalogue portal (schemes of studies)read 2026-09-17
Schemes are selected by year, session, department and programme; BS CS read for Fall 2025 and BS SE for Spring 2025.
- CUI scholarships portalread 2026-09-17
- CUI ranking and reputation pageread 2026-09-17
- CUI Career Development Center: Huawei Recruitment Drive 2026read 2026-09-17
- APP: Huawei, COMSATS University sign MoU (2 January 2025)read 2026-09-17
- CUI Lahore external linkages pageread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Islamabadread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Lahoreread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Wahread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Attockread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Abbottabadread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Sahiwalread 2026-09-17
- NCEAC accreditation record: CUI Vehariread 2026-09-17
Whole profile last checked 2026-09-17.
Every claim here is labelled
Admission dates, tests, merit formulas and fees change every cycle, and not all of it is published in one place. Every claim here is labelled with its source and how well established it is. Treat the university's own admissions page as the last word, and tell me when something is out of date.
Nobody pays to be listed here, and nothing on this page is sponsored. Universities cannot buy a higher position or have a profile removed on request, though I will correct anything that is wrong.
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