Private medical education in Punjab, Pakistan is primarily overseen by the University of Health Sciences (UHS) – a government (public) university that affiliates both public and private medical colleges. Every year, thousands of aspirants take the MDCAT under UHS for admission into MBBS programs. Given the limited public-sector seats, many students turn to private colleges. In this article, we present the UHS private medical colleges list along with their locations, MBBS seat counts, and latest tuition fees. We’ll also compare seat availability and fee structures, and provide guidance on choosing the right college.
UHS, based in Lahore, is the official affiliating body for medical colleges in Punjab. All private medical colleges in Punjab must be recognized by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) and affiliate with UHS for their MBBS program to be valid. This affiliation ensures that private MBBS colleges in Lahore and other cities meet a minimum quality benchmark.
In the 2024–25 session, 32 private medical colleges are affiliated with UHS across Punjab, offering roughly 4,000 MBBS seats in total. Notable institutions include FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Central Park Medical College, Rashid Latif Medical College, Sharif Medical and Dental College, and Avicenna Medical College.
UHS itself is a public sector university (established 2002) and not a private institution – it’s funded by the government to regulate medical education. All degrees issued through UHS-affiliated colleges are recognized nationwide and abroad. For MBBS admissions, UHS conducts a centralized merit-based process. In 2023, over 80,000 students sat for the UHS MDCAT entrance exam in Punjab, underscoring how competitive admissions are. Therefore, securing a seat in one of these private colleges still requires a strong merit rank.
Related: UHS MDCAT Result 2024
Below is a complete list of these colleges along with their location, number of MBBS seats, and the latest verified tuition fee for first-year MBBS (annual tuition in PKR):
The tuition fees vary significantly: first-year MBBS tuition ranges from around PKR 1.6 million up to PKR 2.7 million in different colleges. The average private MBBS fee in Punjab falls roughly between PKR 1.9–2.5 million per year, or PKR 9.5–15 million total for the entire program. Keep in mind these figures are tuition only – nearly all colleges also levy additional charges (admission fees, registration, exam fees, etc.) and yearly increases.
Always check the latest prospectus of each college for the exact current fee structure, as policies can change and colleges may offer scholarships or discounts for lump-sum payments.
Most private colleges have either 100 or 150 seats for MBBS. In aggregate, these private institutes provide about twice the number of seats available in Punjab’s public medical colleges. This significantly expands the opportunity for medical education – Punjab’s 19 government medical colleges have ~3400 seats, whereas private colleges offer ~4000 more. However, competition remains tough since demand far exceeds supply.
There is a wide fee spectrum in private medical colleges. A quick comparison reveals three tiers of colleges by cost:
In terms of value for money, all UHS-affiliated colleges meet the minimum education quality criteria, but higher-priced institutions may offer extra facilities like state-of-the-art labs, research opportunities, or top-tier faculty.
Another point of comparison is how many seats go unfilled or are vacant after merit lists. UHS typically conducts multiple rounds of selection to fill all private college seats. Occasionally, a few seats in high-cost colleges remain vacant (as not all students on merit lists opt to pay steep fees), which UHS then offers to waiting candidates
Choosing a medical college is a critical decision that can shape your career and student experience. Here are key factors to consider when evaluating private MBBS colleges in Punjab:
Lastly, ensure you prepare thoroughly for the MDCAT and admissions process to maximize your options. A higher score will not only improve your chances of getting into a private college, but might also win you a seat in a public college or a scholarship. Utilizing preparation platforms like Maqsad for MDCAT prep can give you a competitive edge and help you achieve the merit required for your top-choice college.
Related: Free MDCAT Practice Test
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