Getting into Aga Khan University (AKU) – one of the best medical universities of Pakistan – requires navigating a competitive and transparent admission process. AKU’s Medical College in Karachi offers a five-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program, open to applicants from anywhere in Pakistan or abroad on open merit.

Table of Contents

1. AKU MBBS Admission Process Overview
2. AKU Entry Test and MDCAT Requirements
3. Is the AKU Test difficult?
4. AKU’s Ranking and Prestige
5. AKU Fee Structure and Expenses
6. Postgraduate Training and AKU Hospital Careers
7. FAQs: Getting Into AKU

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how to get into AKU’s MBBS program:

Meet the Eligibility Criteria

Pakistani students must have at least 70% marks in F.Sc (Pre-Medical), while A-Level students need a minimum of three B grades in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These are minimum requirements – in practice, successful candidates often have higher scores (many with 85%+ in F.Sc or A’s at A-level) since admission is highly competitive. There are no quotas or reserved seats; admission is purely merit-based.

Apply Online

The application process is online via AKU’s official admissions portal. Admissions for the 2025-2026 cycle opened in March 2025, with the last date for submission on May 8, 2025. You will fill out personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay an application fee (around PKR 8,800 for locals in 2026).

Receive Admit Card and Test Schedule

Eligible applicants get an admit card detailing the AKU Entry Test date, time, and exam center. AKU usually conducts its entrance exam by mid-year (for example, early June or September in past cycles). You’ll choose your preferred test center (e.g., Karachi, Lahore, etc.) when applying.

Sit for the AKU Entry Test

The next step is taking AKU’s admission test, a critical exam we’ll detail in the next section. Your performance on this test, combined with your academic records, will determine if you advance to the next stage.

Interviews

High-performing candidates are shortlisted for interviews based on a weighted aggregate of their academic marks (F.Sc/A-Level) and AKU test score. Interviews typically take place a couple of months after the test (e.g., in November or December for a fall test). This panel interview assesses your communication skills, passion for medicine, and problem-solving abilities.

Final Selection and Admission Offer

If you excel in both the test and interview, you’ll be offered admission to AKU’s MBBS. The incoming class is small (around 100 seats), making AKU’s admissions very competitive. Each year, thousands of candidates work for these limited spots – one source notes over 6,000 applicants for ~100-120 seats in some recent years. Successful admits will receive an official offer letter.

Enrollment and Orientation

Finally, you’ll confirm acceptance by submitting the admission fee and necessary documents. Classes for first-year MBBS usually begin by March of the following year. AKU also provides an orientation to help new students transition into the rigorous program.

Securing admission to AKU means conquering its entry test, which is often considered the toughest hurdle. Let’s break down this exam and other test requirements like the MDCAT:

Format of the AKU Entry Test

The AKU MBBS entrance exam is a 120 MCQ (multiple-choice question) test designed to assess both your knowledge and reasoning skills. Uniquely, the test is divided into subject-specific and reasoning sections:

• Biology, Chemistry, Physics: 20 MCQs from each major science subject (total 60 questions). These are based on the F.Sc/A-Level curriculum. They test your core knowledge and concepts in science.
• Science Reasoning: 30 MCQs that evaluate scientific reasoning and problem-solving. These questions present scientific data or scenarios where you must apply logic and interpret information.
• Mathematics Reasoning: 30 MCQs focusing on quantitative and math reasoning skills. These require analytical thinking since typical F.Sc/A-Level syllabi don’t cover much math reasoning.

Related: Use resources available on Maqsad's platform to get an idea of the questions asked in biology, chemistry, and physics.

The total time is 2.5 hours for 120 questions. Each question carries one mark, so the test is out of 120 marks. There is negative marking (−0.25) for each wrong answer in the science subject sections (physics, chemistry, biology). However, the reasoning sections (science and math) have no negative marking.

In a word, yes. It’s notorious for its challenging questions that go beyond rote learning. The exam doesn’t just test memory; it emphasizes higher-order thinking:

• Memory-based questions directly from the syllabus are the easiest. If you’ve mastered your textbooks (F.Sc or A-level), these should be straightforward.
• Analysis-based questions present information with a twist, requiring conceptual understanding to deduce the answer.
• Application-based questions are often the toughest – you might get real-world scenarios or complex problems (e.g. a physics problem based on a real situation) where you must apply multiple concepts. This portion tends to stump many and carries high weightage in scoring.

In fact, AKU’s test is designed to gauge critical thinking. The science reasoning and math reasoning sections, which students aren’t exposed to in standard curriculum, make up half the test. AKU’s entry test is considered one of the most difficult medical entry tests in Pakistan, as it aims to filter out only the most well-prepared and mentally agile students. The competition is intense, therefore, diligent preparation is crucial.

MDCAT Requirement

Apart from AKU’s own test, you also must take the national MDCAT. As of recent regulations by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), now MDCAT is compulsory for eligibility. You need to at least pass the MDCAT (as defined by PMDC, often around 65% passing score) to be considered, though AKU primarily looks at its own test and your grades for selection.

Key Dates and Preparation

AKU usually conducts its entry test in mid-year (June or July). Use available practice resources – AKU provides a sample test paper. Given the unusual sections (science reasoning, math reasoning), practicing those types of questions is vital.

Aga Khan University in Karachi holds an esteemed place in medical education, not just in Pakistan but globally. If you’re aiming for AKU, it helps to know its prestige and how it compares to other institutions:

Top in Pakistan

AKU is often regarded as the best medical university for MBBS in Pakistan. It frequently tops national rankings due to its quality of education, research output, and healthcare infrastructure. In a 2025 ranking of Pakistani medical colleges, AKU was ranked #1, above other renowned institutions like Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) and King Edward Medical University (KEMU).

Global Recognition

It is among the few Pakistani universities to be ranked internationally. According to some metrics, AKU ranks #187 in Asia and #688 globally. AKU is known to collaborate with top global institutions (for example, it has partnerships with Johns Hopkins and others), enhancing its research and academic profile. Its medical degree is recognized by the PMDC (Pakistan Medical & Dental Council), HEC, and even listed in directories recognized by WHO.

Research and Facilities

One reason AKU stands out is its emphasis on research and state-of-the-art facilities. Students engage in research projects and have access to the Aga Khan University Hospital, one of the most advanced teaching hospitals in the region. This integration of hospital and university provides superior clinical training.

Prestige and Career Impact

Earning an MBBS from AKU carries prestige in the medical community. Graduates of AKU are often highly sought after for residencies and jobs. Many AKU alumni secure positions or further training opportunities abroad, leveraging the university’s strong reputation. Within Pakistan, AKU graduates are viewed as having received top-notch training.

Medical education at AKU is world-class – and it comes with a hefty price tag. It’s crucial to understand the fee structure so you can plan financially (and explore scholarships or financial aid if needed). Below is a breakdown of Aga Khan University’s MBBS fees and expenses:

Tuition and University Fees

For Pakistani students, the annual tuition fee is around PKR 1.55 million, and the annual university fee is about PKR 1.70 million. This comes to roughly PKR 3.25 million per year just for tuition + university charges. Due to inflation and other factors, AKU increases its fees yearly. If we split by semester, that’s roughly PKR 1.6–1.8 million per semester in academic fees.

One-Time Fees

Upon admission, you’ll pay some one-time charges:

• Admission Fee: ~PKR 232,100 (for 2026 intake, slightly increasing each year) – this is paid once when you join.
• Security Deposit: ~PKR 16,500 (refundable).
• Graduation Fee: ~PKR 30,800 (paid in final year).
• Physical Examination Fee: ~PKR 20,900 (for health checkups on entry).
• Application fee (when applying): PKR 8,800 (for locals, or $160 for foreign applicants).

Recurring Annual Fees

Besides tuition, each year students pay:

• Student Health Fee: ~PKR 28,600 per year (covers basic health services).
• Student Activity Fee: ~PKR 4,400 per year.
• These are relatively minor compared to tuition.
• Hostel and Living: If you opt to live on campus at AKU’s hostels, the hostel fee is about PKR 41,000 per month (as of 2026).

Total Program Cost

Considering all the above, the cost of the full 5-year MBBS program at AKU is approximately PKR 18–20 million for Pakistani students (around 2 crore PKR).

Financial Assistance

The university offers a needs-sensitive financial assistance program – essentially scholarships or student loans based on demonstrated financial need and merit. There are also external scholarships occasionally available for AKU (e.g., through Aga Khan Development Network). Additionally, performing exceptionally well on the entry test and interview might position you for AKU’s limited merit scholarships.

One of the advantages of studying at AKU is that once you are in and eventually graduate, you have a pathway to excellent postgraduate opportunities and careers, especially at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and beyond.

Residency Programs

AKU offers a wide array of residency training programs (postgraduate specialization for MBBS graduates) at its hospital in Karachi. These include disciplines like Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Cardiology, and many more. Entry into these residencies is competitive and usually requires an entrance exam and interview.

Salary of Residents

As of the current structure, a first-year resident (Resident I) earns about Rs. 121,000 per month. This increases with each additional year of residency – Resident II ~ Rs. 129,000, Resident III ~ Rs. 138,000, Resident IV ~ Rs. 146,000, and Resident V ~ Rs. 155,000 per month.

Aga Khan University Hospital Careers

AKUH in Karachi is a world-class tertiary care center and the primary teaching hospital for AKU. Many graduates aspire to build careers here, whether as clinicians, surgeons, or researchers. AKU Hospital careers can include roles from medical officers, specialist physicians, to faculty positions in the Medical College.

Postgraduate Degrees

Apart from clinical residencies, AKU also offers postgraduate degrees like Masters and PhDs in health sciences, epidemiology, healthcare management, etc. If after MBBS you lean towards research or academia, AKU’s graduate programs (and global research institutes on campus) provide a platform to further specialize.

Global Alumni Network

An often overlooked asset is AKU’s strong alumni network. Graduates have gone on to prestigious positions worldwide – from practicing in North America and Europe to leading health projects in developing countries. This network means as a student and graduate, you can connect for mentorship, electives abroad, and career guidance from those who have walked the path.

In essence, getting into AKU is not just about an MBBS seat – it’s about joining a lifelong community. The education and training you receive open doors to fruitful careers, whether you stay in Pakistan at places like AKU Hospital or venture abroad.

How can I get admission in AKU?

To get into AKU’s MBBS program, you need at least 70% in F.Sc (Pre-Medical) or 3 Bs in A-Levels (Bio, Chem, Physics). Apply online during the spring admissions cycle, take the AKU entry test, and if you score high, you'll be shortlisted for an interview. Final offers are made based on combined test and interview performance. Strong academics, test prep, and interview skills are key.

Is Aga Khan hard to get into?

Yes, Aga Khan University is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for just around 100 MBBS seats each year. Only the top 2–5% typically get in, making it one of the toughest medical schools in Pakistan. Admission requires strong academics, a high score on the challenging AKU entry test, and a solid interview. While difficult, it’s achievable with focused preparation—and that’s exactly what makes AKU’s acceptance so prestigious.

What grades are required for AKU?

To be eligible for AKU, you need at least 70% in F.Sc Pre-Medical or three B grades in A-Levels (Bio, Chem, Phys). However, most successful applicants have much higher scores—often 85–90%+ or straight A’s. While these are minimum requirements, aiming for top grades greatly improves your chances. You must also pass the MDCAT (usually 65%+), though AKU primarily considers its own entry test.

Does AKU require MDCAT?

Yes, AKU now requires MDCAT as per PMDC rules. While AKU previously relied only on its own test, MDCAT is now a mandatory prerequisite. You must pass it (typically 65%+), though AKU mainly evaluates its own entry test and your academics for selection.

Is the AKU test difficult?

Yes, the AKU entry test is tough—arguably harder than MDCAT. It includes advanced science and math reasoning questions that go beyond typical F.Sc/A-Level content, with negative marking in science sections and strict time limits (120 questions in 2.5 hours).

What is the fee of Aga Khan University?

Pakistani students pay around PKR 3.3–3.6 million per year, including tuition and university fees, with Year 1 costing slightly more due to one-time charges. Over five years, the total comes to PKR 18–20 million (~2 crores).

What is the passing marks for AKU?

Scoring 70–75% (around 85–90 out of 120) is generally considered competitive, especially for interview shortlisting and scholarship consideration.

Which university is best for MBBS in Pakistan?

Aga Khan University (AKU) is widely considered the top choice for MBBS in Pakistan due to its strong academics, modern facilities, and global recognition. It consistently ranks as the #1 medical university in the country and is among the few Pakistani institutions featured in international rankings.

What is the salary of resident in Aga Khan?

• Resident I (First-year resident) – earns approximately Rs. 121,000 per month.
• Resident II – about Rs. 129,000 per month.
• Resident III – roughly Rs. 138,000 per month.
• Resident IV – around Rs. 146,000 per month.
• Resident V – about Rs. 155,000 per month.