NUST Admissions 2025 | The Complete Application Process
National University of Science and Technology (NUST) is one of the top engineering universities in Pakistan. With a multi-program portfolio comprising of engineering, computing, business, law, and natural and applied sciences degrees at undergraduate level, NUST receives more than 60,000 applications for around 3000 seats it has to offer. It is clear that NUST admissions are therefore highly competitive. This blog will guide you about how to apply to NUST and which programs NUST has to offer.
How to Apply to NUST
Applications to NUST are online. Students can apply to NUST via their Undergraduate Admissions website. Students applying to NUST need to either give the NUST Entry (NET), or apply through ACT or SAT. Details of all three are given below.
Applications for NET Series I for this year are not yet open, but are expected to open in October according to the NUST admission schedule. Here is the NUST admission policy that details their admission rules and regulations.
NUST Entry Test (NET)
There are different variation of the NUST Entry Test exam based on the student’s academic background.
NET-Engineering
- This test is for students with a pre-engineering background applying for Engineering and Computing Programmes.
- Students can also apply to natural sciences or applied sciences degree via this test without having to give an additional test.
- For NUST admissions 2025, pre-medical students (with or without additional math) wishing to apply for Engineering programmes also need to give this test, in addition to passing a condensed mathematics course conducted by NUST in the summer.
NET-Computing
- This test is for students with an ICS background applying to to Engineering and Computing programmes. These students can also apply to BS Math and BS Physics on the basis of this test.
- Candidates with Pre-Engineering background applying to Computing programmes only will also give this test, with Chemistry instead of Computer Science.
- Candidates with HSSC with Mathematics as a major subject can apply for the Computing programmes, or BS Mathematics
NET-Applied Sciences
- The test is for student with a pre-medical background applying for BS Biotechnology / BS Environmental Science / BS Food Science & Technology and BS Agriculture programmes as well as Computing Programmes or BS Chemistry.
NET-Business Studies and Social Sciences
- The test is for candidates seeking admission in BBA / BS Public Administration / BS Mass Communication / BS Economics / BS Psychology / BS Accounting & Finance / LLB / BS Tourism and Hospitality Management
NET-Architecture
- This test is for candidates seeking admission in B Architecture / B Industrial Design only.
NET-Mathematics
- Students must have math in HSSC/ A levels
NET-Physics
- Students must have maths and physics in HSSC/ A levels
NET-Chemistry
- Students must have chemistry with either maths or physics in HSSC/ A levels
For more details on how to prepare for NUST Entry Test, read this.
SAT / ACT
Students can also apply via SAT or ACT. The eligibility criteria via these tests for various degree programmes is as follows.
NUST has separate seats for students applying via SAT/ACT and these are divided into two categories:
ACT / SAT Seats for National Students
- Pakistani candidates (having either O/A level or intermediate or equivalent qualifications) can apply
ACT / SAT Seats for International Students
- Pakistani national students having passed an examination equivalent to intermediate level from a foreign education system
- Foreigners and Pakistanis having dual nationality, irrespective of the place of their HSSC study, Pakistan or abroad.
- Pakistani students studied abroad for HSSC but appearing in a Pakistani board from abroad.
NUST Application Fees and NUST Entry Test Fees
Application processing fees for NUST is as follows:
- For NUST Entry Test (Per test series): Rs. 5000 or USD 40
- For ACT/SAT based National Seat: Rs. 5000 or USD 40
- For ACT/SAT based National Seat: Rs. 10000 or USD 80
- For Foreign Nationals NET (Per test series): Rs. 10000 or USD 80
Keep in mind that the application processing fee is neither refundable nor transferable. It will remain valid only for the series for which it has been paid.
Required Documents
Applicants for NUST Admissions need the following documents for registration:
- Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), Form B or National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP)
- Foreign nationals (Non Pakistani) have to provide valid passport number.
- Matric Marksheet and XI marksheet (gap year students will need to provide combined marksheet for XI and XII)
- For A level candidates, O level equivalence certificate, duly issued by IBCC.
Important Dates and Timeline
NUST has released a schedule for NET 2025. This can be found on their undergraduate admissions website. This will be updated throughout the year, as test dates grow near. We will also be updating important dates and deadlines as we receive them. Currently, the tentative schedule for NET 2025 registration and NET 2025 test dates is:
NUST Merit List - How it works
After all four NET series are conducted, NUST released test scores for both computer based and paper based tests. Students can use these to calculate their aggregate. This article gives details of how to calculate your NUST aggregate score.
After all test results are released, NUST releases candidates’ merit numbers through the admission portal. Each applicant is assigned a merit number based on their aggregate score. The higher you merit number, the greater chance you have of securing a seat in your desired program. NUST also releases last year’s closing merit numbers for all programs on offer and gives students a chance to adjust their preferences accordingly.
Once students have changed their preferences according to their merit numbers, NUST releases the first merit list and assigns a payment submission deadline for students who made it on the list. As the deadlines pass, more merit lists are released and wait-listed students are offered seats in different programs. NUST closing merits 2024 are given below for reference, and more details can be found here.
NUST Merit List 2024
Engineering Programs
Computing Programs
Business Studies, Social Sciences, and Law
Architecture and Industrial Design
Natural Sciences
Applied Sciences
When will NUST Merit List be announced?
NUST merit list is announced after all four test results are out. Usually students are assigned merit numbers, and the merit list is announced in early August. Classes start in September.
How many NUST Merit Lists will be announced?
There is no set number of merit lists that are announced. NUST offers admissions to wait-listed student after the deadline of payment for students in the merit list passes. In 2023, there 9 merit lists and in 2024, there were at least 13 merit lists.
How do I make sure I score well enough to get a spot on NUST Merit List 2025?
You need to make sure you get a good aggregate to get a high merit number. Since NET score is the major component of your aggregate, it is important to score really well in NET. Usually, a 150+ is considered safe to secure a spot, but if you’re aiming for more popular programs like SE at SEECS campus, you need to score really high.
To perform well in NET 2025, make sure your concepts are clear and your practice multiple NET Past Papers. You should into the following resources:
- Live Classes - for deeper conceptual understanding, and to learn NET shortcuts and tricks
- Recorded Video Lectures - for detailed revision
- A diagnostic test - to gauge your strengths and weaknesses
- Tests and FLPs - for topical and full paper practice, and to learn time management
- Guidance and Counselling - to make sure you make the right choices
NUST Campuses, Schools, and Programs
Given below is a list of all NUST schools by location and campus, and the undergraduate programs that are offered in each. You do not need to apply for each school or campus separately but you do need to specify your preference at the time of application.
- Islamabad H-12 Campus
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, SCEE
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, IESE
- Programs Offered:
- BE Environmental Engineering
- BS Environmental Science
- Programs Offered:
- Institute of Civil Engineering, NICE
- Program Offered: BE Civil Engineering
- Institute of Geographical Information Systems, IGIS
- Program Offered: BE Geoinformatics Engineering
- Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, IESE
- School of Chemical and Materials Engineering, SCME
- Programs Offered:
- BE Chemical Engineering
- BE Metallurgy and Materials
- Programs Offered:
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, SEECS
- Programs Offered:
- BE Software Engineering
- BS Computer Science
- BE Electrical Engineering
- BS Data Science
- BS Artificial Intelligence
- Programs Offered:
- School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, SMME
- Programs Offered:
- BE Mechanical Engineering
- BE Aerospace Engineering
- Programs Offered:
- NUST Business School, NBS
- Programs Offered:
- BBA
- BS Accounting and Finance
- BS Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Programs Offered:
- School of Art Design and Architecture, SADA
- Programs Offered:
- Bachelor of Industrial Design
- Bachelor of Architecture
- Programs Offered:
- Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, NIPCON
- Program Offered: Bachelor of Military Art and Science
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities, S3H
- Programs Offered:
- BS Economics
- BS Mass Communication
- Bachelor for Public Administration
- BS Psychology
- Bachelor of Laws
- Programs Offered:
- Atta ur Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, ASAB
- Programs Offered:
- BS Applied Biosciences
- BS Biotechnology
- BS Food Science and Technology
- BS Agriculture
- Programs Offered:
- School of Natural Sciences, SNS
- Programs Offered:
- BS Mathematics
- BS Physics
- BS Chemistry
- Programs Offered:
- NUST School of Health Sciences, NSHS
- Programs Offered:
- MBBS
- BS Human Nutrition and Dietetics
- Programs Offered:
- School of Interdisciplinary Engineering and Sciences, SINES
- Programs Offered: BS Bioinformatics
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, SCEE
- Rawalpindi Campus
- Military College of Signals, MCS
- Programs Offered:
- BE Software Engineering
- BE Electrical Engineering
- BE Information Security
- Programs Offered:
- College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, CEME
- Programs Offered:
- BE Computer Engineering
- BE Mechatronics Engineering
- BE Mechanical Engineering
- BE Electrical Engineering
- Programs Offered:
- Military College of Signals, MCS
- Risalpur Campus
- College of Aeronautical Engineering, CAE
- Programs Offered:
- BE Aerospace Engineering
- BE Avionics Engineering
- Programs Offered:
- Military College of Engineering, MCE
- Program Offered: BE Civil Engineering
- College of Aeronautical Engineering, CAE
- Karachi Campus
- Pakistan Navy Engineering College, PNEC
- Programs Offered:
- BE Mechanical Engineering
- BE Electrical Engineering
- BE Naval Architecture
- BS Maritime Sciences
- Programs Offered:
- Pakistan Navy Engineering College, PNEC
- Quetta Campus
- NUST Balochistan Campus
- Programs Offered
- BS Computer Science
- BE Civil Engineering
- BS Artificial Intelligence
- Programs Offered
- NUST Balochistan Campus
FAQs
Will preparing for NUST Entry Test (NET) help me in other entry tests?
Engineering university admission tests are often derived from similar syllabi, and preparing for one can automatically help you prepare for the others. For more details on similarities and differences between these tests, read: The Ultimate FUNGAT Preparation Guide
How do I choose which university to go to?
It is often confusing to decide between various universities. Some factors you can consider are fee structure, faculty, programs on offer, location etc. This article makes a comparison between two popular universities of Pakistan.
How do I prepare for NET Series I, II, or III along side my 12th grade studies?
The ECAT Batch at Maqsad is built keeping in mind student’s various other commitments. More details here.
Want to enrol in Maqsad’s ECAT 2025 Batch? CLICK HERE!
Have more questions? Talk to our Maqsad counsellor anytime!
