Choosing IST Islamabad for your bachelor’s? This quick, student-first guide walks you through all IST university undergraduate programs offered at the main campus (Islamabad), how they’re organized across departments, and what day-to-day life looks like on campus—labs, hostels, library, sports, and more.

Related:

GIKI programs and campus

FAST university programs and campuses

Institute of Space Technology (IST) is a public university in Islamabad with a strong focus on aerospace, avionics, electrical/mechanical engineering, computing, and space sciences. The main campus is purpose-built for engineering and research, with modern labs, a central library, 24/7 internet access, hostels, sports courts, and active student societies.

IST university BS programs cover Engineering, Computing & IT, and Natural & Applied Sciences. All are 8-semester degrees (normally completed in 4 years).

Check out the difference between software engineering vs computer engineering in this article.

Program Overview

IST organizes programs across specialized teaching units. Here’s how the departments map to IST university programs and the kind of labs/courses you’ll encounter.

• Labs & Computing: Program-specific labs (aero, avionics, power & electronics, thermofluids, materials characterization), high-performance workstations, and campus-wide Wi-Fi.
• Library & Study Spaces: Central library with engineering/science titles, digital journals, quiet rooms, and project spaces.
• Hostels & Dining: Separate male/female hostels (limited capacity), on-campus cafeteria/mess, and tuck shops.
• Sports & Societies: Indoor/outdoor courts, gym/fitness, and student societies for technical contests, hackathons, robotics, and outreach.
• Location & Access: Main campus on Islamabad Expressway (easy access from Rawalpindi/Islamabad). Shuttle/transport options are typically available for day scholars.

A. Who should pick what? (interests → programs)

B. Core first-year flavor (what you’ll study early on)

If your interests live at the intersection of engineering, computing, and space sciences, IST Islamabad keeps the undergrad slate focused and hands-on: strong engineering programs, a complete computing lineup, and science degrees that build fundamentals for labs or research. Use the tables above to shortlist IST university programs that match your goals, then continue to our Admission Guide to confirm eligibility, plan your test (where needed), and budget your first semester.

Learn about best computer fields in Pakistan in this blog.

What programs does IST offer?
BS in Aerospace, Avionics, Electrical, Mechanical, Metallurgy & Materials; Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering; Space Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry (Nanotech), and Biotechnology.

Also read: NUST university programs and campuses

How much merit is required for IST?
There’s no fixed cutoff. Engineering seats are filled on aggregate (academics + accepted entry test). Computing/Sciences are typically marks-only. Closing merit varies by program and year.

Is IST public or private?
Public-sector university located in Islamabad.

What is the fee structure of IST Islamabad?
As a ballpark (per semester): Engineering ~ PKR 160k+, Computing ~ PKR 135–140k, Sciences ~ PKR 90–95k, plus one-time charges (~PKR 49k) at admission. Always verify the latest official fee table.

Is it easy to get admission in IST?
It’s competitive; there are limited seats and strong applicants. Aim for a solid aggregate (and a good test score for engineering) to boost your chances.

What is the rank of IST in Pakistan?
IST is frequently listed among notable engineering/science universities. Exact positions vary by QS/HEC/THE each year, so check the latest tables.

Is IST a good university?
Yes, IST is known for aerospace/avionics, strong engineering labs, and growing computing & space sciences. It’s a solid choice if you prefer a focused, tech-centric environment.

Does IST offer cyber security?
Not usually as a standalone BS, but security topics are covered via CS/SE/AI courses and electives (networks, information security, etc.). Check current curricula for available tracks.

How to pay IST admission fee?
Generate the bank challan from the admissions portal and pay at the designated bank (commonly HBL), then upload proof on your portal before the deadline.

Can I do engineering after ICS?
Often yes. IST and many universities accept ICS (Math/Physics/CS) for certain engineering programs; you may need a remedial Chemistry course after admission (policy varies by program).

Related: Which is better: ICS or pre-engineering?