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IS
Engineering and technologyPublic university, chartered by Federal

Institute of Space Technology(IST)

A federally chartered public institute in Islamabad, founded in 2002 around aerospace and space engineering. Its Department of Computing offers BS Computer Science, AI, Data Science and Software Engineering, an MS and a new PhD in Computer Science, and admits BS computing students on school marks without an entry test.

PublicHEC recognisedBachelors, Masters, PhDFounded 2002
Where to apply
Admissions pageApply onlineWebsite

Add to the Institute of Space Technology page

This page is only as good as what students who have been through it are willing to share. Universities publish the rules, but not how the test felt, where merit closed or how long the wait for a list was. One account from someone who applied is worth more than anything I can find online.

What are you adding?

This decides how the claim is labelled on the page. Only someone representing the university can produce an “official” label, and I check that separately.

Year and month.

Comma separated topics, not the questions themselves.

Dates, the test format, where merit closed and how long each step took are the parts nobody else publishes.

Credit

Anonymous is the default. If you keep it anonymous, nothing identifying you reaches the page: it is published as a student account and your name stays with me. Never send test papers, leaked questions or anyone else’s personal details.

Campus cities

Islamabad, Rawalpindi

Degree levels

Bachelors, Masters, PhD

Computing programmes

10

Entry tests

No entry test for BS computing programmes, NTS GAT (General), HEC HAT (General) or GRE General

When admissions open

IntakeApplicationsTestClassesSource
Fall, bachelorsread from Fall 2026April to AugustNot publishedSeptemberOfficial · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps
Fall, mastersread from Fall 2026April to AugustNot publishedSeptemberOfficial · IST graduate Admission Schedule, Fall 2026
Spring, mastersread from Standing pattern (graduate page)NovemberNot publishedNot publishedOfficial · IST graduate Admission Schedule, Fall 2026
  • Fall bachelors: Opened 15 Apr 2026, closed 20 Aug 2026; first merit list planned for the second week of July; classes tentatively September 2026. BS admissions run once a year. No entry test for computing programmes.
  • Fall masters: Opened 15 Apr 2026, closed 20 Aug 2026; first merit list July 2026; classes tentatively September 2026.
  • Spring masters: MS and PhD admissions are announced twice a year, in April/May and November/December. Exact spring dates were not published when read.

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. 1

    Complete the online admission form

    Official · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps +3
    Online application

    Create an account on the IST e-portal, read the eligibility, merit and fee rules, fill in the form and upload scanned documents. The BS Prospectus 2025 and Student Handbook are linked from the undergraduate prospectus page.

  2. 2

    Pay the application processing fee

    Official · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps
    Fee and confirmation

    Download the challan from the form and pay at an online branch of Meezan Bank or HBL before the due date; a confirmation email follows.

  3. 3

    Check merit lists and admission status

    Official · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps
    Merit list

    Log in on the IST website to see your status; provisionally selected applicants also get an email or SMS.

  4. 4

    Accept the offer

    Official · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps
    Document verification

    Download the admission package (offer letter, fee challans, affidavit, refund policy) and reserve hostel or transport if needed.

  5. 5

    Deposit the fee on time

    Official · IST Admission Info (undergraduate), Fall 2026 schedule and enrolment steps +1
    Fee and confirmation

    Pay at an online Meezan Bank branch by the challan due date. The automated system has no late fee option, so a missed deadline means losing the seat.

  6. 6

    PhD interview or presentation

    Official · IST graduate Admission Schedule, Fall 2026 +1
    InterviewPhD

    PhD applicants recommended by the department are contacted by the Admissions Office; admission needs an interview or presentation and approval by the Departmental Board of Graduate Studies.

Entry tests they consider

  • No entry test for BS computing programmes

    University's own testOfficial · IST undergraduate General Eligibility and seats +2

    For bachelors

    IST does not run its own entry test. BS Computer Science, AI, Data Science, Software Engineering and the NCEAC Computer Engineering programme need no test; merit uses Matric and FSc Part-1 marks. Engineering programmes accept NAT, USAT, NET, ECAT, ETEA, MUET, NED or ACT results.

  • NTS GAT (General), HEC HAT (General) or GRE General

    National testOfficial · IST MS Computer Science programme page +1

    For masters, phd

    MS CS needs GAT-A or GAT-C (NTS) or HAT General (HEC) in the relevant field with at least 50%, or GRE General with Quantitative 145, Verbal 145 and Analytical Writing 3.5. Provisional first-semester admission without the test may be granted if seats remain.

How merit is worked out

Bachelors (BS)

Masters (MS or MPhil)

PhD

Who can apply

  • Bachelors (BS)

    Official · IST undergraduate General Eligibility and seats +1

    BS Computer Science, AI, Data Science and Software Engineering: Matric or equivalent, and HSSC/DAE/equivalent with Mathematics with at least 50% overall marks, or HSSC Pre-Medical with at least 50% (Pre-Medical students study two extra Mathematics courses, 6 credit hours, in the first year). No entry test is required.

  • Bachelors (BS)

    Official · IST undergraduate General Eligibility and seats

    BS Computer Engineering (NCEAC programme): Matric and HSSC or DAE with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry or Computer Science, at least 60% overall. No entry test.

  • Masters (MS or MPhil)

    Official · IST MS Computer Science programme page

    MS Computer Science: 16 years of education (BS, BE or MSc) in a computing, engineering or physics field with CGPA 2.00/4.00 or 60% marks, plus GAT, HAT or GRE at the required score.

For computing programmes IST merit is purely academic: 40% Matric and 60% FSc Part-1 (A-Level students: 100% on the Matric equivalent). Engineering programmes use an entry test instead. The first merit list is issued in July, before FSc Part-2 results.

Computing programmes and course outlines

Bachelors (BS)

BS Computer ScienceOfficial · IST BS Computer Science programme page +2
4 yearsIslamabadNCEAC accredited20 core courses listed

Started Fall 2020; 100 seats a year. NCEAC accredited batches Fall 2020 to Fall 2023, rated Y (two academic years) in Aug 2026, with two sections of 50 a year.

Core courses

  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Discrete Structures
  • Digital Logic Design
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Database Systems
  • Information Security
  • Data Structures
  • Computer Networks
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Organization & Assembly Language
  • Theory of Automata
  • Advanced Database Management Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Operating Systems
  • HCI & Computer Graphics
  • Computer Architecture
  • Compiler Construction
  • Parallel & Distributed Computing
  • Analysis of Algorithms
  • Final Year Project

Electives

Web TechnologiesMobile Application DevelopmentSoftware Testing and Quality AssuranceNumerical AnalysisMachine LearningCloud ComputingCyber Security
Full scheme of studies
BS Software EngineeringOfficial · IST BS Software Engineering programme page +2
4 yearsIslamabad20 core courses listed

50 seats. NCEAC approved it after a zero visit in June 2025; no accredited batch yet.

Core courses

  • Programming Fundamentals
  • Discrete Structures
  • Digital Logic Design
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Database Systems
  • Information Security
  • Data Structures
  • Computer Networks
  • Software Engineering
  • Computer Organization & Assembly Language
  • Software Design & Architecture
  • Software Construction & Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Operating Systems
  • Software Quality Engineering
  • Software Requirement Engineering
  • Software Project Management
  • Parallel & Distributed Computing
  • Analysis of Algorithms
  • Final Year Project
Full scheme of studies
BS Artificial IntelligenceOfficial · IST BS Artificial Intelligence programme page +2
4 yearsIslamabad

50 seats. NCEAC zero-visit approval in June 2024; no accredited batch yet.

Full scheme of studies
BS Data ScienceOfficial · IST BS Data Science programme page +2
4 yearsIslamabad

50 seats. NCEAC zero-visit approval in June 2024; no accredited batch yet.

Full scheme of studies
BS Computer EngineeringOfficial · IST BS Computer Engineering programme page +2
4 yearsIslamabad

Run by the Department of Electrical Engineering as a non-engineering computing programme approved by NCEAC (zero visit June 2025), not a PEC engineering degree. 50 seats; needs 60% in HSSC or DAE with Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry or CS.

Full scheme of studies
BS Computer Science (KICSIT)Official · IST About KICSIT +1
4 yearsRawalpindiNCEAC accredited

At KICSIT, Kahuta. Admissions twice a year, up to 100 seats a year.

BS Computer Engineering (KICSIT)Official · IST About KICSIT +1
4 yearsRawalpindiPEC accredited

At KICSIT, Kahuta. Fall intake only, 40 seats a year.

Masters (MS or MPhil)

MS Computer ScienceOfficial · IST MS Computer Science programme page
2 years30 credit hoursIslamabad5 core courses listed

Four semesters with a 6 credit hour thesis. Credit hours summed from the published course outline.

Core courses

  • Theory of Programming Languages
  • Advanced Analysis of Algorithms
  • Advanced Operating Systems
  • Advanced Computer Architecture
  • Research Methodology

Electives

Deep LearningPattern RecognitionApplied CryptographyAdvanced Network SecurityComputer ForensicsBig Data AnalyticsGenerative AISoftware Quality Assurance
Full scheme of studies
MS Computer Science (KICSIT)Official · IST KICSIT Admissions
Rawalpindi

At KICSIT, Kahuta. Admissions in spring and fall.

PhD

PhD Computer ScienceOfficial · IST PhD Computer Science programme page
Islamabad

New from Fall 2026. Research areas: AI and machine learning, computer vision, cyber and information security, data analytics, software engineering.

Campuses

  • Main campus, Islamabad

    Main campus

    Islamabad

    Department of Computing (BS CS, AI, DS, SE; MS CS; PhD CS) and Department of Electrical Engineering (BS Computer Engineering). Separate male and female hostels on campus; transport only from set points in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

    Official · IST Department of Computing home +4

  • KICSIT, Kahuta

    Rawalpindi

    Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Computer Sciences and Information Technology, described by IST as its campus in Kahuta. Kahuta is not in the city list, so the nearest listed city, Rawalpindi, is used. Offers BSCS (NCEAC accredited, admissions in spring and fall, up to 100 seats a year), BS Computer Engineering (PEC accredited, fall only, 40 seats) and MSCS. Applications go through the IST e-portal.

    Official · IST About KICSIT +1

What it costs

ProgrammeFeeSource
BS Computer Science / AI / Data Science / Software Engineering / Computer EngineeringBachelorsPKR 139k/semesteras of 2026Tuition Rs. 127,962 plus service and smart campus charges. One-time charges of Rs. 49,000 (admission, endowment, library) in the first semester. Hostel and transport extra.Official · IST Fee Structure, BS programmes
MS and PhD programmesMastersPKR 88k/semesteras of 2026Tuition Rs. 80,526 plus service and smart campus charges; one-time charges Rs. 39,000; application processing fee Rs. 3,000.Official · IST Fee Structure, MS and PhD programmes

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

Companies that recruit from here

At the career fair· Listed as an employer at the university's own career or job fair.

Industry partner· Has a formal tie with the university: a lab, an MoU, an advisory board seat.

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.

Add to the Institute of Space Technology page

This page is only as good as what students who have been through it are willing to share. Universities publish the rules, but not how the test felt, where merit closed or how long the wait for a list was. One account from someone who applied is worth more than anything I can find online.

What are you adding?

This decides how the claim is labelled on the page. Only someone representing the university can produce an “official” label, and I check that separately.

Year and month.

Comma separated topics, not the questions themselves.

Dates, the test format, where merit closed and how long each step took are the parts nobody else publishes.

Credit

Anonymous is the default. If you keep it anonymous, nothing identifying you reaches the page: it is published as a student account and your name stays with me. Never send test papers, leaked questions or anyone else’s personal details.

How to actually get in

  • No entry test for BS CS, AI, DS or SE: merit is 40% Matric and 60% FSc Part-1, so your Part-1 marks carry the most weight.
  • Admissions for BS run once a year (April to August for Fall 2026), and the first merit list comes out in July.
  • Pre-Medical students can apply to computing programmes with 50% but must take two extra Mathematics courses in the first year.
  • Pay every challan on time: IST's automated system has no late fee option.
  • If you want a Computer Engineering degree, note the Islamabad BS Computer Engineering is an NCEAC computing programme, while KICSIT's BS Computer Engineering is PEC accredited.
  • MS applicants need GAT, HAT or GRE in hand; the test is 40% of MS merit.

About Institute of Space Technology

The Institute of Space Technology came into existence in September 2002, offering undergraduate degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Communication Systems Engineering. It later added materials science, electrical, mechanical and avionics engineering, and now describes itself as a federally chartered, degree-awarding institution. The main campus is in Islamabad, with on-campus hostels for male and female students.

The Department of Computing started BS Computer Science in Fall 2020 and has since added BS Artificial Intelligence, BS Data Science and BS Software Engineering, an MS in Computer Science, and a PhD in Computer Science from Fall 2026. The department runs research labs including a Cyber and Information Security Lab and an AI and computer vision lab (iVision). The Department of Electrical Engineering offers a BS Computer Engineering run as an NCEAC computing programme.

IST also runs KICSIT (Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Computer Sciences and Information Technology) in Kahuta as one of its campuses, offering BS Computer Science, BS Computer Engineering and MS Computer Science.

Sources

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.

Applied to or studied at Institute of Space Technology? Help the next student.

Dates move, tests change and fee structures are rewritten every year. If what you went through is different from this page, or something is missing, tell me and I will check it and update the page.

Add to the Institute of Space Technology page

This page is only as good as what students who have been through it are willing to share. Universities publish the rules, but not how the test felt, where merit closed or how long the wait for a list was. One account from someone who applied is worth more than anything I can find online.

What are you adding?

This decides how the claim is labelled on the page. Only someone representing the university can produce an “official” label, and I check that separately.

Year and month.

Comma separated topics, not the questions themselves.

Dates, the test format, where merit closed and how long each step took are the parts nobody else publishes.

Credit

Anonymous is the default. If you keep it anonymous, nothing identifying you reaches the page: it is published as a student account and your name stays with me. Never send test papers, leaked questions or anyone else’s personal details.

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