With a lot of new fields in Computer Sciences (CS) like Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, and Human Machine Interactions, CS is one of the emerging disciplines not only in the rest of the world but in Pakistan as well.

The most common question asked by computer science aspirants is about the best university that can offer the best learning experience. In this article, we have carefully chosen the best universities for computer science in Pakistan.

Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

LUMS is one of Pakistan’s leading universities, located in Lahore and founded in 1983 by Syed Babar Ali. The Department of Computer Science at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) has highly research-active faculty who encourage undergraduate students to be involved in their research work.

Whether you look at the past hiring data of top companies or startups. Computer Science graduates of LUMS University are doing wonders in both Pakistan and Abroad.

Students are selected for admission to LUMS Undergraduate programs based on the following factors:

1. Academic Background
2. Performance in the Admission Test
3. Completed and submitted the application form and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline
4. Application Review
5. Interview (if called)

National University of Computer & Emerging Sciences (FAST University), Lahore

FAST National University was at the top of the list of the best universities for computer sciences before it got replaced by the LUMS, but still, it’s been doing wonders as the premier university for computer and emerging sciences. The sponsoring body of the university, the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), was established in 1980. It is registered with the Government of Pakistan as a charitable institution.

BS Computer Science is being offered on all campuses of FAST University, including Chiniot-Faisalabad, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi. Among all the campuses, the FAST University Lahore campus is believed to be the best campus for computer science degree programs.

Punjab University College of Information Technology (PUCIT)

PUCIT, previously known as the Center for Computer Science, started in 1988 and later became a Faculty of Computing and Information Technology at Punjab University, Lahore. It is also worth mentioning that it is among the few faculties in Pakistan that have full-fledged data science departments, a specialized and emerging conglomerate of mathematics, statistics, and computer science.

PUCIT is also among the top five degree-awarding institutions for computer-related fields, as has been customary at Punjab University. Their website showcases around 50 startups that are doing wonders.

Forman Christian College (A Chartered University)

FC College, Lahore is one of the pre-partition institutions in Pakistan and follows an American-style academic system based on the Liberal Arts Educational Model. FC College’s Computer Science program makes it the most emerging institution in this niche.

FC College conducts its own exam for admissions known as Forman Entrance Admission Test (FEAT). FEAT is an Accuplacer test that evaluates students’ skills in reading, writing, and math to help college administrators place them in courses that match their skills. The validity of test scores is for up to 18 months.

National University of Science & Technology (NUST)

NUST has been scoring the top three positions in the QS ranking of Pakistani universities and among the top 100 in Asia. NUST is operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Science & Technology and is a public research university affiliated with HEC, PEC and Washington Accord. The university is also home to an International Association of Science Parks (IASP) certified National Science and Technology Park.

The computer science undergraduate program at NUST is being offered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The flourishing startup ecosystem and technology park encourage the students towards innovation, that’s the NUST is among the top CS-offering universities in Pakistan. This is one of the top universities for MS in computer science in Pakistan

Information Technology University (ITU)

ITU is the brainchild of Dr. Umar Saif, a Computer Scientist from MIT and Bureaucrate and is modelled after MIT. ITU publishes the MIT Technology Review, Pakistan Edition, and also has collaborations with various universities.

ITU  focus on cross-disciplinary applied research, the cultivation of an entrepreneurial culture in teaching and research, the maintenance of a close collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology industry and the development of strong ties with government funding agencies.

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology

GIKI was established by a civil servant and former President Ghulam Ishaq Khan in the year 1993. Since its establishment, the institute has been charmed by the country’s leading scientists such as Abdul Qadeer Khan, Asghar Qadir, and Shaukat Hameed Khan, who draw an excellent role in developing the institute as one of the world’s finest and the country’s first-class science and engineering university.

It’s not false to say that GIKI holds the top position among educational institutions in Pakistan that have the most patents and foreign collaborations. The admission to the Bachelor Programs of the Institute is decided on the basis of the candidate’s earlier educational achievements and his score in the admission test, which comprises multiple choice questions based on Pakistani intermediate level Physics and Mathematics. There are no special quotas, reserved seats or admission by donations. 

Namal University

Previously, Namal Institute was founded by the Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan with the help of donors and now stands among the top institutions of Pakistan. Namal has a Centre of excellence for executive education that strengthens organizational development and provides learning support for the impoverished rural uplift.

The Computer Science department at Namal is among the top in Pakistan. Foreign-qualified faculty, advanced labs and research collaborations with foreign institutions are its strength. Namal University’s Technology Park is being established under the banner of the Namal Knowledge City project.

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences

PIEAS University is modelled on international standards with a strong focus on the scientific advancement of nuclear science-related STEM fields and medical sciences. PIEAS started as a training institute for nuclear science sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission of Pakistan but later became a public sector research university.

PIEAS offers an undergraduate degree program in Computer & Information Sciences. C&IS is a little bit different and more advanced as compared to the BS Computer Science being offered in other universities in Pakistan.

University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore

UET, Lahore is a pre-partition technical degree-awarding institution and its foundation was laid in 1921 as Mughalpura Technical College. It is among the top five best engineering universities in Pakistan. It is placed between 351-400 in Computer Science & Information Systems in the world by QS Ranking.

BS Computer Science at UET Lahore is offered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. UET Lahore has many international collaborations, both with foreign institutions including the University of South Carolina, the University of Manchester and the Queen Mary University of London and has conducted research funded by Huawei, Cavium Networks, Microsoft and MontaVista

NED University of Engineering & Technology

Indeed NED University is among the best universities for engineering but in the Computer Science ranking, it doesn’t hold the same position as others. One of Pakistan’s oldest and top engineering schools, it is renowned for its top-notch faculty members and graduates.

CS at NED University is offered as a Bachelor of Computer Science & Information Technology (CSIT) as a single degree program by the Faculty of Information Sciences & Humanities. NED University conducts its own Pre-Admission Entry Test (PAET) for undergraduate degree programs. Admission is only possible after clearing the PAET exam.

COMSATS University Islamabad

Previously known as COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) started as a degree-awarding institution but later in 2018, it became a public university through the act of parliament. Started as a premier institute for IT, and now it offers various other degree programs as well.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at CUI by Islamabad, Abbottabad, Wah, Lahore, Attock, Sahiwal, and Vehari campus but only Islamabad and Lahore Campus made it to our list computer science ranking of universities in Pakistan.

Government College University, Lahore

Government College was established during British rule in the subcontinent, and it became a public research university in 2002. The Computer Science department at GCU Lahore is fully established with esteemed, highly-qualified faculty that offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degree programs.

Ravians Alumni Association is one of my most notable alumni organizations, and their members are everywhere in the world, supporting and helping their fraternity. Notable ravians include Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Ishfaq Ahmad.

University of Central Punjab, Lahore

UCP, Lahore is a private university and the part of Punjab Group of Colleges. Well, this university is more than just TikTok videos that you see on the internet. BSCS in UCP Lahore is offered by the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science.

The faculty of IT&CS offers Software Engineering, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence as well. Those students with ADP (Associate Degree Program) Computer Science can also take admission to Post-ADP BS Computer Science degree at the University of Central Punjab, Lahore.

Air University

Air University Islamabad is founded by the Pakistan Air Force along with two campuses of Aviation and Aerospace in Kamra and Multan. According to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) University Ranking for Engineering & Technology, it is ranked among the top 10 universities in Pakistan.

The Faculty of Computing and Artificial Intelligence offers various degree programs, including Computer Science and Cyber Security. Computer labs for faculty and students are state-of-the-art and give them an upper hand over other universities in the computer science ranking of universities.

Bahria University, Islamabad

Established in 2000 by Pakistan Navy, Bahria University is a public-sector university with two additional campuses in Karachi and Lahore as well. Along with Computer Science, BU also offers degree programs in Computer Engineering, Information Technology and Software Engineering.

Bahria University is a founder member of the Education Futures Collaboration charity, an international network of educators working on strategies to bridge the research/practise/policy-making divide. Bahria University has signed collaborations with 21 International universities and educational Institutions.

Fatima Jinnah Women’s University

FJWU Rawalpindi is the first women-only university in Pakistan categorized in the general category of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). Fatima Jinnah Women’s University offers a Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS), Master of Computer Science (MCS) and Master of Philosophy in Computer Science (M.Phil Computer Science).

 Former Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif inaugurated it as a gift for the nation’s daughters and their families on 6 August 1998. The main building is Victorian, built as a residence by Sikh brothers Mohan and Sohan Singh. It became the Presidency of Pakistan around the mid-1960s.

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

Although UAF, Faisalabad is best known for Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary studies it has been doing good work in other fields as well. Recently UAF was designated as STZA “Agritech Park” UAF is engaged in pretty good interdisciplinary research studies.

Computer Science at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is offered by the Faculty of Sciences, Department of Computer Science. UAF has been teaching computer science as diploma since the 1970s and has developed over this time period.

University of Management & Technology

UMT Lahore is a private research university recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in the W4 category, the highest attainable HEC ranking for Pakistani universities. UMT has been ranked the number 1 private sector university in Pakistan by Times Higher Education in its World University Rankings 2023 released in October 2022.

BS Computer Science at UMT is being offered by the School of Systems and Technology. Other Bachelor’s degree programs related to CS are Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Data Science and Information Technology.

Lahore Garrison University

LHU is a private-sector university established by the Pakistan Army. Although, this is a general-category university it has done amazing work in the field of Computer Science. Currently, along with CS, it is also offering Information Technology and Software Engineering.

Lahore Garrison University houses the first Digital Forensics Research Centre and Lab. Cybersecurity and other related subjects are also being researched here. Lahore Garrison University has fourteen different departments under the main faculties of social sciences, computer sciences, languages, and basic sciences.

University of Gujrat

The University of Gujrat (UoG) was established in 2004 by the act of the Punjab Parliament. UoG is among the 58 recognized Punjab higher-education institutions, it ranks at number 9 among the ‘Top Universities in Punjab’ in 2021. It ranks at number 24 all over Pakistan.

BSCS at UoG is offered by the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (FC&IT). Other degree programs that are being offered by the faculty include software engineering and Information Technology.

Superior University

Superior University, Lahore is a part of the Superior Group of Colleges. SU claims to be no. 1 private university in Pakistan. It is true that Superior University is making some very innovative changes in its Scheme of Study including the 3U1M program, an idea of Dr. Sumera Rehman.

The Faculty of Computer Sciences and Information Technology offers has a wide range of degree programs such as Cyber Security, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Gaming & Multimedia, Internet of Things in addition to Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology.

University of Lahore

University of Lahore (UoL), is one of the largest private sector universities in Pakistan. It was founded by IBADAT Educational Trust and got the status of degree awarding institution in 2002. It has 7 campuses and recently Sihala Campus of Islamabad received a separate university named IBADAT International University, Islamabad.

Faculty of Information Technology at UoL houses two departments, CS & IT and SE. The degree programs that are offered at this faculty include bachelor, master, and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Islamia University Bahawalpur

Islamia University was founded in 1925 as Jamia Abbasia as a religious institution later renamed and converted to a general university. Till this decade, it was the only university offering higher education in the Bahawalpur division.

The Faculty of Computing at IUB offers Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Information Security, and Software Engineering for Bachelor, Master, and Postgraduate.

University of Karachi

The University of Karachi is one of the oldest universities in Sindh established in 1951. Karachi University is one of the largest universities in Pakistan with a distinguished reputation for multi-disciplinary research. The most notable researchers affiliated with UoK are Dr. A.Q. Khan and Dr. Atta Ur Rehman.

Department of Computer Science under the Faculty of Sciences offers a Bachelor of Computer Science and Software Engineering along with MS and PhD in Computer Science. UoK being a public sector university is quite difficult to get admitted to.

Computer Science Ranking Universities in Pakistan: FAQs

Where is the best university for computer science?

Lahore is one of the cities with the most high-ranking computer science universities in Pakistan. This includes LUMS, FC College University, GC University, Punjab University College of Information Technology and UET Lahore.

Which is the No 1 CS University in Pakistan?

Recent data on CS universities in Pakistan shows Lahore University of Management Sciences, FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, and Punjab University College of Information Technology are top-ranking CS universities in Pakistan.

Which computer field is best in Pakistan?

Computer Science Universities in Pakistan are offering many specialities now. Top emerging computer fields in Pakistan are data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, software engineering, computer arts and information/Cyber security.

What is better CS or IT?

Information technology and computer science are distinct because computer scientists create and develop the software that IT specialists use and maintain. Now it’s up to you, if you are willing to learn logic and coding, you may proceed with CS otherwise IT is good for you. Both fields have quite a rich scope especially if you have developed some speciality during your degree.

Is CS Easier than Engineering?

Because you also need to take additional engineering classes, harder math courses, and a few practical laboratory sessions to earn your degree, engineering is more challenging than CS.

Which country is no 1 in computer science?

According to THE World University Rankings 2023 for Computer Science, the United Kingdom (Oxford University) is the no. 1 country in computer science. Followed by the United States (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Acknowledgements: We are thankful to the Higher Education Commission, QS Ranking, ArbiSoft, and all the universities in Pakistan for providing us with the data for this article.