FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Question: When Admissions in PhD at NUST are advertised?
Admissions in PhD are advertised semi-annually for spring semester and Fall semester.
(nust.edu.pk>Admissions>PhD Programmes>PhD Admissions)
Question: Which Documents are required for PhD admission?
(1) NOC from the Service HQ if serving in the Armed Forces of Pakistan /
NOC from the organization (If employed).
(2) Research Proposal.
(3) SSC Certificate / DMC or equivalence.
(4) HSSC Certificate/DMC or equivalence.
(5) Bachelor’s transcripts and Degree.
(6) MA/MSc (16-year education) transcripts and degree.
(7) MS/MPhil (18-year education) transcript and degree (with CH details including CH of coursework + CH of thesis works) duly verified from HEC.
(8) Domicile Certificate.
(9) CNIC (NADRA).
(10) HEC Equivalence for MS/MPhil (for Foreign degree)
(11) Copy of passport (for foreigner candidate).
(12) For International/National Students: valid Score of GRE (General) conducted by ETS, USA OR GAT-Subject test conducted by NTS or NUST PhD admission Test (as applicable).
Question: If my application is selected at initial scrutiny what will be the next step?
You will be called for interview and test (if applicable) by the respective institution/department.
Question: If I cleared my interview/test what will be the next step?
Your case will be presented in PPCM (PhD Processing Committee Meeting) at Main Office, NUST. The committee will make the final decision in light of institution recommendation, eligibility Criteria, relevancy etc.
Question: What are the stages for selection of PhD candidate Admission are at NUST?
There are three major steps.
- Initial scrutiny of eligibility.
- Interview/test (if Applicable) at department/ institutions.
- Deliberation of recommended PhD student by PPCM at Main Office, NUST.
It is also mentioned that the student can be rejected at any of the above-mentioned steps.
Question: How I will be informed if my admission is confirmed?
You will receive an email by PGP Directorate main office, NUST. Furthermore, you can call at 051-90851068 during office hours for the update on PhD admission.
Question: If I have a very urgent issue and not getting a reply to email what should I do?
The PhD section will reply you in due course of time after processing of your request/query. Although you can call at 051-90851068 and 051-90851047 during office hours or visit room 318, PGP Dte, Main office NUST further details.
Question: Is it necessary to clear GAT (Subject) prior to admission in NUST?
Yes, Passing of relevant GAT subject test with the valid score is prerequisite for admission in PhD at NUST. However, online application for PhD Admission can be submitted without GAT score.
Question: Can I apply for admission if I have not cleared GAT Subject Test but I have registered for GAT Subject Test?
Yes, you can process your online application but you have to provide valid result card at PGP directorate NUST Main office for further processing.
Question: What are passing marks in GRE / GAT (Subject) tests for admission in PhD?
For National/International Students
GAT (Subject) Test for Direct PhD programme by NTS (Score => 60%) IF NTS (Subject) Test is not offered in particular subject then NUST PhD admission test (Score => 70%) OR GRE (General) conducted by ETS, USA, with following minimum score separately in each section:-
| Description | Scale |
| Quantitative | 151/170 |
| Verbal | 146/170 |
| Analytical Writing | 3.5/6.0 |
Question: I have got first division in my MPhil degree. Am I eligible to apply for PhD admission?
Yes, Candidate having MS/MPhil degree with CGPA > 3.0 out of 4.0 are eligible to apply for admission in PhD Programmes.
Question: How can I apply for admission to NUST?
On the announcement of admission schedule in National press and website, you can apply online for the desired PhD Programme through NUST website www.nust.edu.pk link ‘http://phdadmission.nust.edu.pk” before the given deadline.
Question: Do I have to attach a copy of the paid fee challan with the online application?
You only have to mention the name of the HBL (Habib Bank Limited) branch and date of deposit in the online form.
Question: What are the disciplines in which NUST offers PhD Programmes?
For details of NUST PhD Programmes you may visit our website www.nust.edu.pk link ‘Admission’->’PhD Programmes‘->’Programmes of Study’.
Question: What are the fees for the PhD Programmes?
For fee and funding details, please visit our website ‘www.nust.edu.pk” link ‘Admissions’ ‘PhD Programmes’ ‘Fee and Funding‘.
Question: What is the registration process for the NTS organized GAT (Subject)?
One can register for the test online on the NTS website www.nts.org.pk
Question: Can I transfer my credits earned from other University / Institute?
No migration or transfer of credit from other university is allowed in the PhD Programme at NUST.
Question: I have done DAE (in lieu of FSc), Bachelors of Engineering and MS (Engg). Am I eligible for admission in PhD Programme in relevant engineering discipline?
Yes, you are eligible for admission in the PhD programme of relevant engineering discipline.
Question: Is there any scholarship or financial support to PhD students at NUST?
For more details, kindly check https://nust.edu.pk/admissions/scholarships/
Question: Do I fall under the expatriate student category?
If you are temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than Pakistan, and hold either a Pakistani passport or dual nationality (one of them being Pakistani), you fall under the expatriate student category.
Question: How can I apply at NUST if I am an expatriate student?
An expatriate holding either Pakistani passport or dual nationality can apply for online admission whenever admissions are advertised
Question: I am a born Pakistani with a foreign passport, can I apply as an expatriate student?
An expatriate having single foreign nationality cannot apply for admission as an expatriate. However, you can apply as an international candidate.
Question: Is it mandatory to upload the Research Proposal?
Yes, it is mandatory to upload research proposal in PDF form. However, the candidate can change/refine their proposal after admission in NUST PhD Programme.
Question: Can I choose any one of two tests, GAT Subject NTS and GAT subject by NUST?
NO, you have to qualify GAT Subject NTS. If NTS does not offer the test of that particular subject, then NUST will conduct its own test.
Question: Is it a candidate’s choice to select/attend either NTS subject test or NUST local GRE Test?
No, the candidate has to attend NTS subject type test. If in case, NTS subject test is not offered in particular discipline then NUST will conduct PhD admission test.
Question: What will be the process after submitting online forms?
Following steps will be informed via email
- Verification of your challan form.
- Scrutiny of your application form.
- If accepted, you will be called for interview and test (if applicable) by the Institute.
Question: Is it mandatory to upload research proposal for an online application?
Yes, it is necessary to upload research proposal for online application. Although, you can refine/change the research proposal after the admission in PhD Programme.
Question: Which GAT Subject Test of NTS is valid for which PhD programme at NUST?
| S.No. | Institutions | Disciplines | Required for GAT (Subject) NTS | Required NUST PhD Admission Test |
| 1 | MCS | Software Engg | Computer Science | – |
| Electrical Engg | Telecom Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering | – | ||
| Information Security | Computer Science | – | ||
| 2 | C of E&ME | Electrical Engineering | Electrical Engineering | – |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | – | ||
| Computer Engineering | Computer Engineering | – | ||
| Mechatronics Engineering | – | Mechatronics Engineering | ||
| Engineering Management | – | Engineering Management | ||
| Software Engg | Computer Science | – | ||
| Applied Mathematics | Mathematics | – | ||
| 3 | PNEC | Electrical Engineering | Telecom Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering | – |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | – | ||
| Manufacturing Engg & Mgmt | – | Manufacturing Engg & Mgmt | ||
| 4 | SNS | Mathematics | Mathematics | – |
| Statistics | Statistics | – | ||
| Physics | Physics | – | ||
| Chemistry | Chemistry | – | ||
| 5 | ASAB | Applied Biosciences | Agriculture-Food Sciences, Agriculture-Plant Genetics, Bio-Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Botany, Chemistry, Veterinary (Animal Sciences), Microbiology, Zoology | – |
| 6 | SCEE | Environmental Engineering | Environmental Sciences | – |
| Environmental Science | Environmental Sciences | – | ||
| Urban & Regional Planning | – | Urban & Regional Planning | ||
| Remote Sensing and GIS | – | Remote Sensing and GIS | ||
| Water Resources Engg & Management | – | Water Resources Engg & Management | ||
| Construction Engg & Mgmt | Civil Engineering | Construction Engg & Mgmt | ||
| Geotechnical Engineering | – | Geotechnical Engineering | ||
| Structural Engineering | – | Structural Engineering | ||
| 7 | SEECS | Electrical Engineering | Telecom Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering |
– |
| Information Technology | Computer Science | – | ||
| Computer Science | Computer Science | – | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science | – | ||
| Information Security | Computer Science | – | ||
| 8 | SINES | Computational Science & Engineering | Bioinformatics, Computational Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Applied Mechanics, , Computer Science, Communication Systems & Network, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Botany, Civil Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computational physics, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Information security, Telecom Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Physics, Statistics & Zoology | – |
| 9 | SCME | Materials and Surface Engg | Metallurgical and Material Engineering | – |
| Chemical Engg | Chemical Engg | – | ||
| Nanosciences & Engg | – | Nanosciences & Engg | ||
| 10 | NBS | Business Administration | Management Sciences | – |
| 11 | SMME | Design & Manufacturing Engineering | – | Design & Mfr Engg |
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | – | ||
| Robotics and Intelligent Machine Engg | – | Robotics and Intelligent Machine Engg | ||
| Biomedical Sciences | – | Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Biomedical Engineering | – | Biomedical Engineering | ||
| 12 | S3H | Economics | Economics | – |
| Psychology | Psychology | – | ||
| 13 | CIPS | Peace & Conflict Studies | – | Peace & Conflict Studies |
| 14 | USPCAS-E | Energy System Engineering | Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Engineering Metallurgical & Material Engineering and Physics | Energy System Engineering |
| Thermal Energy Engineering | – | Thermal Energy Engineering | ||
| Electrical Engineering (Power) | – | Electrical Engineering (Power) | ||
| 15 | CAE | Avionics Engineering | Electronics/Electrical/ Computer Science | – |
| Aerospace Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | – | ||
| Electrical Engineering | Telecom Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering |
– | ||
| Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | – | ||
| 16 | MCE | Mining Engineering | – | Mining Engineering |
| 17 | NIT | Geotechnical Engineering | – | Geotechnical Engineering |
| Transportation Engineering | Civil Engineering | – | ||
| Structural Engineering | – | Structural Engineering | ||
| 18 | NBC | Computer Science | Computer Science | – |