MS Business and Public Policy

Admission Criteria

Fall Admission 2024

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria to be considered for admission to the Graduate Programme.

Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:

Academic Record;
Performance in the Admission Test;
Statement of Purpose;
Two Letters of Recommendation;
Work Experience (if available)
Submission of complete online application, application processing fee and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline;
Application Review; and
Interview Performance (if called)

Note:

This is the minimum criteria that applicants need to fulfil to be eligible to apply. Fulfilment of this criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS.

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MS Business and Public Policy

Accordion Data

Academic Record

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:

Successful completion of 16 years of education leading to a Master's or Bachelor's* degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline including Business, Management, and Commerce.

A student with a non-business background may be required to take pre-requisite courses to be determined by the LUMS Admissions Committee depending on the academic background of the applicant. Options to do this will be given to accepted applicants requiring pre-requisite courses. Prior university studies must be from a university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.

*Candidates holding only a Bachelor's degree of less than four years’ duration will be required to produce an equivalence certificate issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.

Note:

Applicants completing their last degree or attempting final year exams by May 30, 2024, are also eligible to apply for Fall 2024 Admissions.

Test Requirement

Applicants are required to take One (1) of the following tests to be considered for Fall 2024 admissions:

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
GMAT score is valid for Five (5) years. Scores of GMAT taken before April 28, 2019 will not be considered valid for the Fall 2024 admissions. For further details, please visit www.mba.com
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE (General) score is valid for Five (5) years. Scores of GRE (General) taken before April 28, 2019 will not be considered valid for the Fall 2024 admissions. For further details, please visit www.ets.org
NTS GAT (General)
NTS GAT (General) is valid for Two (2) years. Scores of NTS (General) taken before April 28, 2022 will not be considered valid for Fall 2024 admissions. Moreover, a cumulative score of 50 in GAT (General) is the minimum requirement for admission. For further information www.nts.org.pk
LGAT (LUMS Graduate Admission Test)
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) will be conducted only once for Fall 2024 admissions at the designated cities of Pakistan. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is comprised of Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical sections. The LGAT Scores will be valid only for Fall 2024 admissions. The LGAT scores will be used for application evaluation and will not be disclosed to the applicants.

Note:

If the applicant has taken more than one test or attempt, the best score of a single test or attempt will be considered for application evaluation.
The GMAT/GRE (General) is offered as a Computer adaptive test worldwide. The LUMS code for receiving GRE (General)/GMAT scores from Pearson and ETS is 0679.

Submission

The admission application will be considered for evaluation after the successful completion of the following Four (4) STEPS by the applicants on or before the stipulated deadlines:

LUMS Online Admission Application submission;
Online submission of scanned copies of required supporting documents;
Submission of an appropriate Application Processing Fee; and
Online submission of the Letters of Recommendation by the Referees.

Application Processing Fee

The application processing fee of PKR 9,150
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) registration fee PKR 2,200
The application processing fee of USD 150 for International applicants.

Note:

Applicants must complete and submit their Online Admission application on or before April 16, 2024; 5:00 pm (PKT).
Applicants are required to submit the scanned copies of all supporting documents online on or before April 17, 2024.
After the successful submission of the Online application, applicants must make the Processing Fee payment by the deadline.
Referees must submit completely filled Letters of Recommendation by the given deadline.
There will be no campus accommodation for SDSB MS Programmes.

Completion of all steps is mandatory. Applications, documents, or fee received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.

Application Review/Interview Performance

Applicants are encouraged to provide complete and correct information regarding their academic achievements, research reports, attended workshops, extracurricular activities, and must tell LUMS about their success stories to substantiate their applications.
Applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee. Shortlisting for interviews will be done based on the applicant's academic achievement, quality of work experience, and admission test scores. Only short-listed candidates will be called for the interviews.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommendation letters should provide a comprehensive assessment of the applicant's qualifications, emphasizing their academic achievements, unwavering commitment to excellence, and their notable aptitude for business education. These letters of recommendation can be sourced from referees within both academic and professional spheres.

Work Experience

While not mandatory for admission to any of our MS Programmes, candidates with a minimum of one year of relevant work experience may find particular advantages in their pursuit of this degree. The Programme's curriculum is designed to accommodate and enhance the knowledge and skills gained through practical experience in the relevant field. This background can provide applicants with a potential competitive edge during the admission process. Nonetheless, it's important to note that work experience is not a compulsory requirement for admission to any of our MS Programmes.

Statement of Purpose

Programme Relevance: Clearly explain why you believe the MS is the right fit for you. Explain how the Programme's curriculum and focus resonate with your academic and professional interests.
Career Goals: Outline how enrolling in this Programme will contribute to your career objectives.
Personal Context: Share your personal background and context that motivates your interest in this Programme. For instance, if you are currently employed in a government department and aspire to deepen your understanding of business and policy, explain how this Programme will enable you to bridge the gap between your current role and your envisioned career path.
Passion and Commitment: Express your enthusiasm and commitment to pursuing the MS. Highlight any unique perspectives, experiences, or qualities that set you apart as a motivated and dedicated candidate.

Your Statement of Purpose should serve as a clear and persuasive document, demonstrating your genuine interest in the Programme and your compelling reasons for pursuing it.