Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
BSc (Honours) Political Science
BSc (Honours) Political Science
The Political Science major at LUMS introduces students to various aspects of the discipline including theoretical debates, methodological innovations and empirical developments with a focus on area studies. The discipline of Political Science is traditionally divided into four major sub-fields: Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations (IR) and Political Sociology. The LUMS BSc (Honours) Political Science degree, situated within the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS) offers a wide range of courses covering all the sub-fields of the discipline. Furthermore, the structure of the program creates an opportunity for the students to engage with other domains of Humanities and Social Sciences so that they can meaningfully benefit from a broad-based, interdisciplinary liberal arts education at LUMS. Students are thus provided a platform to engage in inter-disciplinary learning by taking courses in Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, History and Economics along with the core Political Science requirements.
Starting with introduction to Political Science, Comparative Politics, IR and Political Theory, the program incrementally builds on these foundational courses. The more advanced courses thus situate students within the contemporary debates across the sub-fields. Important themes within Comparative politics such as democratization, nationalism, civil-military relations, civil society, social movements, and governance are covered across several courses offered by the Political Science faculty. The Political Science program also offers a set of courses that explore politics within individual countries such as Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, China and the US. Within the domain of IR, the program attempts to expose students to on-going debates covering theoretical dimensions of international politics, security studies, international conflict and conflict management, diplomacy and regional security. Another innovation within the Political Science major are a set of courses within the domain of diplomacy and foreign policy offered by the practitioners. The practitioners thus bring in a unique perspective through their reflections on conduct of foreign policy beyond theoretical debates. The Political Science major also focuses on providing methodological training to our students by offering courses on qualitative and quantitative research methods. This training is a prerequisite for undertaking Senior Projects.
The Political Science graduates thus leave LUMS with an exposure to various sub-fields of the discipline, a foray into both the theories and methods of the subject and an ability to situate empirical observations within broader theoretical literature. Most of the courses are reading-intensive with a view to train students to critically evaluate the academic literature. Our students have gone on to successful careers in governments, international organizations, academia and civil society. Some of our students have successfully completed graduate studies in various educational institutions of higher learning across the globe. We in the Political Science major aspire to train our students to comprehend and evaluate the political developments shaping our lives through an academic, critical and fair lens.
Core Curriculum
MGSHSS has a Core Curriculum for its undergraduate studies. The interdisciplinary nature of the Core Curriculum aims to ensure that students graduating from this School with a Bachelor’s degree possess a broad foundation of knowledge and a diverse set of transferable skills. This enables them to emerge as reflective, empathetic, and historically informed individuals, with an understanding of both global and local current issues. The School has created six thematic clusters from which students will be required to take at least one course, each over the duration of the degree. These are:
|
Year 1 |
Arts and Humanities Social and Behavioural Sciences STEM |
|
Year 2 |
Contemporary Debates |
|
Year 3 & 4 |
Great Authors Academic Writing |
The Core Curriculum will be completed over the course of the Bachelor’s degree.
Students are also required to complete 52 credits (13 courses) as part of the programme through a combination of core and elective courses.
Core Courses
3 Core Courses – 12 credits:
- POL 100 Introduction to Political Science
- POL 203 Introduction to Western Political Philosophy
- POL 221 Introduction to Comparative Politics
Elective Courses
10 Elective Courses – 40 credits:
In addition to the compulsory courses, students of this programme are required to complete 10 elective courses in any of the following sub-fields of the discipline. Out of these, no more than one should be at the 100 level and at least three should be at the 300 and 400 levels.
- Political Theory
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Sociology and Political Anthropology
- Political Economy and Public Policy
Programme Structure
|
Graduation Requirement |
130 Credit Hours |
|
|
University Core |
8 Credit Hours (3 Courses) |
|
|
University Distribution |
Total |
21-28 Credit Hours (7 Courses) |
|
Major Requirement |
Major Cores Major Electives Total |
12 Credit Hours (3 Courses) 40 Credit Hours (10 Courses) 52 Credit Hours (13 Courses) |
|
Free Electives |
Courses can be taken from any area to complete 130 Credit Hours. |
|
Admission Criteria
Fall Admission 2024
Local and International Applicants
LUMS is dedicated to enrolling highly accomplished students who possess the potential to make valuable contributions to the learning environment at the LUMS and effect positive change to their communities.
Each successful applicant is made an offer for entry into a particular School at LUMS. Applicants for each School are selected on the basis of Programme requirements of that particular School. Applicants should carefully choose the School(s) they apply to, and consider their interests, motivations, academic strengths, and future career paths. Decisions on the admission of applicants made by the University are final.Applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria outlined here for the Undergraduate Programme will be evaluated based on the following criteria :
Academic Background
Performance in the Admission Test (s)
Completed and submitted application form and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline
Application Review
Interview (if called)
Note : Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible to apply. However, fulfilling these criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS.
Academic Background
The University is keen to attract students who are not only academically competent but also have the potential to contribute to the learning environment of LUMS. Following are the minimum academic requirements for applicants applying to the Undergraduate Programme:
Applicants with Complete Higher-Secondary Degree
Applicants who have successfully completed their Higher Secondary degree i.e. FA/ICS/ICOM/FSc/A Level/High School Diploma or International Baccalaureate (IB) are eligible to apply for admission if they fulfil one of the following academic qualifications:
- Successful completion of Matric with 70% marks or above and FA with 65% marks or above/FSc/ ICS/ICOM with 70% marks or above;
- O Levels results (in at least 1 8 subjects) with an average grade of at least ‘B’ in all subjects attempted and A Level (in at least three full credit A Level subjects) with an 2 average of 2 Bs & 1 C grade across best three subjects. The three best subjects cannot include any Advanced Subsidiary subjects, the A Level General Paper, or an A Level grade less than an E;
- American High School Diploma (HSD) with 70% or above/Grade Point Average of B or above;
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) 3 with at least 28 out of 45 points;
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme
- Combination of the above;
- Any other equivalent qualification (minimum acceptable scores will be determined by the Admissions Committee).
If shortlisted for admission, applicants will be given a conditional offer. To join LUMS in Fall 2024, applicants must subsequently meet all the stipulated conditions specified by the Admissions Committee by August 2024.
Note:
Candidates who have registered or taken the exam of a minimum of three full credit A Level subjects and do not meet the minimum grades requirement (specified above) must improve their grades in order to be eligible for admission. A-level exams are held in November and June. To be eligible for admission in 2024, applicants must improve their A-level grades in the November 2023 exams. These applicants will have to go through the entire admission selection process, and their application for Fall 2024 will be reranked and reassessed to make the final admission decision.
Candidates who have registered or taken the exam of a minimum of three full cresdit A- level subjects and do not meet the minimum grades requirement (specified above) and are planning to improve their grades by taking the June 2024 exams are not eligible for the Fall 2024 session.
Candidates who have already completed their Higher secondary degree (FA/FSc/ICS/I.COM/High School Diploma/IB etc.) and do not meet the minimum marks/grades requirement must improve their marks grades by November 2023 in order to be eligible for the Fall 2024 session. These applicants will have to go through the entire admission selection process, and their application for Fall 2024 will be reranked and reassessed to make the final admission decision.
In addition to meeting LUMS' specified conditions, applicants are required to fulfil the academic credential verification requirements of IBCC, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, or any other relevant authority , including Accreditation Councils.
Applicants admitted to LUMS and later require attestation of their undergraduate degree by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) , of Pakistan must adhere to the conditions specified by the HEC for the attestation process. Detailed information on these requirements can be found on the HEC website.
1Minimum subjects requirement for O Levels may vary regionally and can be checked here.
2Best three (3) A levels full credit subjects will be considered for evaluation.
3Applicants should have science subjects in IB to apply to Syed Babar Ali School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE) at LUMS. Applicants will be required to submit the IBCC equivalence certificate in science subjects for SBASSE. For Chemical and Electrical Engineering, the IBCC equivalence certificate should be equivalent to Pre-Engineering Stream.
Applicants with Incomplete Higher-Secondary Degree
Applicants who have not registered or taken the final exams of their FA/ICS/ICOM/FSc/A Level (in at least three full credit A Level subjects) High School Diploma or International Baccalaureate (IB) before the submission of their applications for Fall 2024 and are expecting their final results by August 2024 are eligible to apply for admission if they fulfil one of the following academic qualifications:
- Successful completion of Matric with at least 70% marks or above and FA (Part-1) with 65% marks or above/FSc (Part-1)/ICS (Part-1)/ICOM (Part-1) with 70% marks or above;
- O Levels results (in at least 1 8 subjects) with an average grade of at least ‘B’ in all subjects attempted;
- American High School Diploma (HSD) (first year) with 70% or above/Grade Point Average of B or above;
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) (first year) 2 with at least 28 out of 45 points;
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (first year) results
- Combination of the above;
- Any other equivalent qualification ( The Admissions Committee will determine minimum acceptable scores)
If shortlisted for admission, applicants will be given a conditional offer and required to complete their degree before the commencement of Fall 2024 classes.
Note: In addition to meeting LUMS' specified conditions, applicants are required to fulfil the academic credential verification requirements of IBCC, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, or any other relevant authority , including Accreditation Councils.Applicants admitted to LUMS and later require attestation of their undergraduate degree by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) , of Pakistan must adhere to the conditions specified by the HEC for the attestation process. Detailed information on these requirements can be found on the HEC website.
1Minimum subject requirement for O Levels may vary regionally and can be checked by visiting the following link: http://www.ibcc.edu.pk/equivalence.php
2Applicants should have sciences subjects in IB to apply to Syed Babar Ali School of Science & Engineering (SBASSE) at LUMS. Applicants will be required to submit the IBCC equivalence certificate in science subjects for SBASSE. For Chemical and Electrical Engineering, the IBCC equivalence certificate should be equivalent to Pre-Engineering Stream.
Major Preference
Students may apply for admission to any two schools through a single application. Applicants are required to mention their major preference(s) for BS Programmes at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) and department and major BA/BSc (Honours) Programmes at the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS) and the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) through the LUMS Online Admission Application form.
Students are admitted to a specific school based on merit and availability of seats. At the time of admission, the students are not assigned a major, except those admitted to the BA-LL.B Programme in the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL). For the BA/BSc (Honours) Programmes at the Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS), students are admitted into one of the two admission streams (HSS, ECON) according to the preferences chosen by the applicants in the online application.
Allocation of a preferred major cannot be guaranteed at the time of admission. Allocation of a major will be done according to the School’s policy and mainly determined by the students’ preference(s), their academic performance at LUMS and, in the case of MGSHSS, the availability of seats in the major.
Students may request for a change in their Programme/School at the end of first year at LUMS, subject to academic performance and availability of space. However, such requests will be considered on a case to case basis by the concerned department.
Test Requirements
Applicants applying to the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) and/or Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS) are required to take One (1) of the following tests in order to be considered for Fall 2024 Admissions:
- SAT; OR
- ACT; OR
- LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT)
- The deadline to take the SAT for the Fall 2024 Admissions is March 09, 2024. Applicants can register for SAT through www.collegeboard.org
- The deadline to take the ACT for the Fall 2024 Admissions is April 13, 2024. Applicants can register for the ACT through https://www.act.org
- LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT) will be conducted ONLY ONCE for Fall 2024 Admissions at the designated cities of Pakistan. The date of the LCAT administration will be communicated later.
Important Note
LUMS will only accept scores of the Admission Test(s) mentioned above for the Fall 2024 applications.
- SAT/ACT taken after the stipulated deadlines will not be considered for the Fall 2024 admissions.
- SAT taken before March 2022 will not be considered for Fall 2024 admissions.
- ACT taken before February 2022 will not be considered for Fall 2024 admissions.
- While registering for the SAT /ACT/LCAT and /or SBASSE Scientific Aptitude Test , use your name as it appears on your LUMS Online application and other academic credentials. Using a different name may prevent your scores from matching the rest of your application in our database.
- Official SAT scores of all applicants must be submitted by the testing agency, i.e., ETS, directly to the LUMS Admissions Office. Applicants must request ETS to send a direct report to LUMS. The College code for reporting SAT scores to LUMS is 0513.
- Official ACT scores must be submitted directly to the LUMS Admissions Office by the testing agency, i.e., American College Testing Service (ACT), USA. The College code for reporting ACT scores to LUMS is 7896.
- Applicants are required to report test scores of all attempts through an online application and must submit a copy of the score report(s) to the University. Scores and attempts not reported through the LUMS Online application will not be considered valid for evaluation.
- The best score of a single attempt (SAT 7/or ACT ) will be considered for application evaluation.
- Applicants are required to submit score(s) of the SAT &/or ACT to the LUMS Admissions Office soon after the announcement of the result. A copy of a “Student Report” should also be uploaded online.
- LCAT and SBASSE Scientific Aptitude Test Scores will be valid only for One (1) academic year.
- The LCAT and SBASSE Scientific Aptitude Test scores will be used for application evaluation and, hence will not be disclosed to applicants.
- Applicants taking the LUMS Admission Test(s) and also have taken (or are planning to take) the SAT /ACT are encouraged to submit a copy of their Standardized Test score report(s) as part of their admission application. A copy of the scores should be uploaded online along with all other supporting documents OR reported directly from the Testing Agency.
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:
- Online Admission Application submission;
- Online submission of scanned copies of required supporting documents;
- Submission of an appropriate Application Processing Fee; and
- Online submission of Teacher's Evaluations by the Referees.
Application Processing & Test Registration Fee
- The application processing fee of Rs. 9,150
- The application processing fee of USD 150 for International applicants.
- LUMS Common Admission Test Registration Fee of Rs. 5,000 (if applicable)
Note:
- Applicants must complete and submit their Online Admission application on or before January 31, 2024; 5:00 PM (PKT).
- Applicants are required to submit Online, the scanned copies of all supporting documents on or before February 01, 2024.
- After the successful submission of the Online application, applicants must make the Processing Fee payment by the deadline.
- Referees must submit completely filled Teachers Evaluation(s)/Letter(s) of Recommendation by the given deadline.
Completion of all steps is mandatory. Application, documents or fee received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Application Review
Shortlisted applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee to finalize the admission decision. Applicants are encouraged to provide complete information regarding their academic achievement, extracurricular activities and must tell LUMS about their success stories to substantiate their applications.
Interview Performance
Only shortlisted candidates are called for interview.
The modes of payment are as follows:
1. Voucher can be paid through cash, Pay Order and Bank Drafts made in favour of "Lahore University of Management Sciences" at any branch within Pakistan of following banks:
- Allied Bank Limited
- Meezan Bank Limited (Customer Code: LUMS)
- Bank Al-Habib Limited
2. For online Credit/Debit card payment, please click here.
3. Vouchers can also be paid through ATM machines and internet banking portals of the following banks:
- Allied Bank Limited
- Askari Bank Limited
- Bank Alfalah Limited
- Bank Al-Habib Limited
- Faysal Bank Limited
- Meezan Bank Limited
- Standard Chartered (Only for Online Payments)
Note:
- For making payments through internet banking portals/ATM, students need to have bank account in the respective bank.
- Fee payment through "Pay Orders" is accepted at banks up to two working days prior to the payment deadline. Fee may be paid through Cash Receipts, Online Services and Credit/Debit Cards till payment deadline.
Advance Tax:
Through an amendment in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 by Finance Act 2013, advance tax (under section 236 I) shall be collected @ 5% on the entire amount of fee except refundable portion.
Bank Helpline Numbers
Allied Bank Limited
1. UAN: 111-225-225, Branch contact No: 042-35748308
2. Regional Office: 042-35747603
Meezan Bank Limited
1. Region Office: 92-42-35786207
2. Head Office: 92-21-36406139
Bank Al-Habib Limited
1. Karachi: 92-21-32277231-239, Lahore: 0333-1218430
2. DHA Ph. 5 Branch: 042-37189231 042-37189234
Fee Structure for Freshman - FY 2023-24
| Particulars | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 | Total |
| Credit Hours | 16 | 12 | 4 | 32 |
| PKR | PKR | PKR | PKR | |
| Admission Fee | 134,370 | - | - | 134,370 |
| Tuition Fee | 525,280 | 393,960 | 131,320 | 1,050,560 |
| Semester Registration Fee | 42,700 | 42,700 | - | 85,400 |
| General Security | 51,000 | - | - | 51,000 |
| Total | 753,350 | 436,660 | 131,320 | 1,321,330 |
Hostel Fee
Particulars | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Summer 2024 |
| PKR | PKR | PKR | |
| Hostel Fee Double Occupancy | 75,140 | 75,140 | 22,100 |
| Hostel Fee Triple Occupancy (Bigger room) | 54,700 | 54,700 | TBA |
| Hostel Fee Triple Occupancy (Smaller room) | 46,070 | 46,070 | TBA |
Important Points
- The above breakdown of fee structure is for Year 1 of the 4 year BSc (Honours) Political Science programme.
- The per credit hour rate for FY 2023–24 is PKR 32,830/-
- Fees are payable by semester according to the schedule given in the Annual Fee bill.
- University fees are usually announced once each year. However, the University reserves the right to change its policies and fee structure at any time.
Refund Policy
To learn more about the University's Refund Policy, please click here.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Deadline | January 31, 2024, 5:00 pm (PKT) |
| Deadline to submit online supporting documents and Processing Fee | February 01, 2024 |
| Deadline to take ACT | April 13, 2024 |
| Deadline to take SAT | March 09, 2024 |
| LUMS Admission Test (LCAT and Scientific Aptitude Test) | February 18, 2024 (Tentative) |
| Admission Decisions | April 2024 - July 2024 |
| Commencement of Classes | September 2024 |
Note:
- The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please keep informed of any changes by visiting this site periodically, as well as the LUMS online application site.
What are the requirements of applying to LUMS Undergraduate programme?
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
How competitive is admission to LUMS Undergraduate programme?
Admission to the LUMS Undergraduate programme is highly competitive and the University is able to offer admission to only a small fraction of applicants.
How do we apply to the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB)/Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS)/Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE)/Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL)?
For the programmes offered by SDSB/MGSHSS/SBASSE/SAHSOL, submit an online admission application through the following link: https://admissions.lums.edu.pk
What are the minimum requirements for diploma holders (DAE)?
Applicants with diploma may apply if they have secured minimum 70% marks or above, however, they are required to submit equivalence certificate issued by the IBCC, Pakistan.
What are the main subjects in A Levels in order to get admission in LUMS?
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab for details.
Does it affect a student's chance to get into LUMS if he/she has appeared privately over a regular student?
No, applicants are evaluated on their academic grades regardless of the fact whether someone has taken the final exam through a school/college or privately.
Is it possible to transfer credits from another university to LUMS?
Yes, LUMS accepts transfer students from accredited institutions at the undergraduate level. Applicants interested in transfer to the LUMS undergraduate programmes should be enrolled in an undergraduate programme in an HEC recognised institution and should have completed one year or expected to complete one year before joining as a full time student. Transfer is offered twice a year before the Fall and Spring semesters respectively.
Please visit the mentioned link https://admission.lums.edu.pk/programmes/transfer for detailed information.
May students who are admitted defer enrolment to another year?
No, attending the first semester at LUMS is compulsory and deferment is not an option for undergraduates.
When do application decisions become available?
All admission decisions taken by the University are final. During admission evaluation process, some applicants are admitted, some are placed on a waiting list and the remaining applicants are denied admission. Acceptances are offered between April to July. For this reason, your admission decision may arrive at a different time from a friend or classmate.
Is there a separate application form for Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB)/Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS)/Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE)/Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL)?
No, by default the LUMS online application system allows you to simultaneously apply for maximum two schools from all four schools i.e. Suleman Dawood School of Business/Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences/Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering/Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law.
Can I apply to more than one school i.e. SDSB/MGSHSS/SBASSE/SAHSOL?
Yes, by default the LUMS online application system allows you to simultaneously apply to Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB)/Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS)/Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE)/Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL). Applicants may choose to apply for admission into any TWO schools (SDSB/MGSHSS/SBASSE/SAHSOL) at LUMS.
How can I give my preferences for SDSB/MGSHSS/SBASSE/SAHSOL through a common application form?
Applicants can mention their major preference(s) for BS programmes at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), BA/BSc (Honours) programmes at the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences (MGSHSS) and BA-LL.B programme at the Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL) through the online admission application form.
Applications are evaluated according to the preferences mentioned by applicants in this section. Based on the evaluation of each school, applicants are offered the highest preference they qualify for. This means that if an applicant qualifies for more than one school, one is sent an offer from the school of his highest qualified preference. Therefore, it is highly suggested to select school preferences very carefully.
Can I still apply for admission if I have taken A Level retakes?
Yes, an applicant can apply for admission if he/she has appeared in retakes of November 2023, for the application of the year 2024.
Can I submit the retakes results after the submission of the application?
Applicants appearing for the November 2023 retakes must check the result awaiting option in the online application. Applicants must inform Admissions Office about the estimated time period in which the result of any retake exam will be announced.
I have not yet received confirmation email of my online application submission. What should I do?
You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your application form.
Do I need to get an equivalence certificate from IBCC?
Candidates who have either completed or are in the last year of completion of their education which does not lead to Matric/FA/ICS/ICOM/FSc. will be required to get an equivalence certificate from the IBCC, Islamabad, Pakistan. For further information please contact:
The Chairman
IBCC
FBISE Building, H-8/4
Islamabad.
https://ibcc.edu.pk/rules-for-equivalence/
Can Admissions Office return my application documents to me?
Documents sent to the Admissions Office cannot be returned as they are for administrative purposes. Please make sure to keep a copy for your own use before sending the documents to our office.
Do I have to send my transcript translated if it is not in English?
Yes, academic records from international universities if not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation along with other supporting documents
How many ‘Teacher Evaluations’ may I submit?
Minimum two Teacher Evaluations are required.
Who should my recommendations be from?
The recommendation form(s) should be from teacher(s) of your current or last institute. Recommendations from school/college counsellor(s) are not acceptable.
Can Freshmen students begin studies at LUMS during the spring semester?
No, admissions to LUMS takes place once a year and freshmen are admitted to the Fall semester only.
May I request for the application fee refund?
No, after the application submission, the application fee becomes non-refundable.
Is there a waitlist?
Since the number of students who accept our first round of admission offers vary each year, a small number of applicants stay on our waitlist and in case space becomes available after the first round, students on the waitlist are offered a place in the second round.
How many applicants are placed on the waitlist?
The number of candidates placed on the waitlist fluctuates from year to year, depending on the size and quality of the applicant pool.
Are there any specific quotas in admission?
There are no quotas.
Do I need to take an entrance test for admission to the School of Business/School of Humanities and Social Sciences/School of Law programme?
Please refer to the following link for details: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/testing-admissions
Do I need to take an entrance test for admission to the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering programme?
Please refer to the following link for details: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/testing-admissions
How can I send the SAT/ACT score if the official report is not available by the documents submission deadline?
If you have not received the SAT/ACT score report by the application submission deadline then upload the Online score report in the test scores section.
Is it compulsory to submit a copy of all SAT/ACT score reports?
Applicants are required to report test scores of all attempts to the University by submitting a copy of the score report(s) and through the online application. The best score of a single attempt reported through the online application will be considered for application evaluation.
I am planning to take SAT in March 2024, when should I apply?
The application submission deadline for the UG admission of Fall 2024 is January 01, 2024; 5:00 pm (Pakistan Standard time).
Is there a minimum SAT/ACT score requirement for the applicants?
No, there is no minimum score required for SAT/ACT.
What is the last date to take SAT/ACT for admission for the session commencing August 2024?
Kindly visit the mentioned link for dates and deadlines https://admission.lums.edu.pk/critical-dates-all-programmes
I have taken the old version of the SAT I. Will you accept old SAT I?
No, the old version of SAT I is not acceptable.
I have taken SAT/ACT more than once, what score will be considered for the evaluation?
Best score of a single attempt reported through the online application will be considered for application evaluation.
How can I get information about LUMS SBASSE Scientific Aptitude Test?
The scientific literacy test is a general knowledge-based assessment that is designed to gauge scientific awareness and critical thinking skills. The test will comprise 15 to 20 multiple choice questions. Since it is general knowledge-based, there is no set requirement to study for it and you are not expected to really ‘prepare’ for it in the conventional sense of the word. The assessment is structured as an aptitude-testing tool, allowing candidates to demonstrate their potential for scientific thinking and giving them an opportunity to show how intellectually curious they are. Questions are designed to evaluate various competencies that a scientifically literate and proficient individual is expected to display. These include the ability to explain various phenomena scientifically, the ability to critically engage with science-related issues, and the capability to interpret scientific evidence and data.
The SBASSE Scientific Aptitude Test & LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT) Registration can be done through the LUMS online application system at http://admissions.lums.edu.pk on or before January 31, 2024, 5:00 PM (PKT).
What is the LUMS Application Processing & Test Registration fee?
- The LUMS application processing fee is Rs. 9,150
- The LUMS application processing fee is USD 150 for International applicants
- LUMS Common Admission Test Registration Fee is Rs. 5,000 (if applicable)
- LUMS Scientific Aptitude Test Registration Fee is Rs. 3,050 (if applicable)
How can I submit the application processing and LUMS Test fee (if applicable)?
After the successful submission of the online application form through the LUMS Online account on or before the application submission deadline, applicants will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher. The mode of payment is given on the fee voucher.
By which date should applicants expect their Test Registration cards to be delivered?
Test Registration Cards will not be mailed. Test cards will be available within the application in printable form Two (2) weeks before the scheduled date of the test.
I have submitted my online application & all the required documents on time, what if I am unable to view my Test Registration Card?
Test cards will be available within the application in printable form TWO weeks before test. If any applicant is unable to view his/her Test Registration Card despite completing all the requirements then he/she can write to us at admissions@lums.edu.pk
Does LUMS accept ACT scores?
Yes, LUMS accepts results of the ACT.
Can I change my Test Centre?
Test Centre can only be changed in special circumstances (provided with a reason) and the applicant must inform the Admission Office latest by February 4, 2024. No request later than the specified date will be entertained.
Is it possible to apply after the deadline? What is the late application policy?
Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline. There is no late application policy.
How do I inform about a change in the online application?
It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. Changes cannot be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to admissions@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".
May I appeal my admission decision or ask to have the decision explained?
The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, not all of them qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final.
If your application is unsuccessful you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the University receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
LUMS Financial Aid
Admission to all programmes is purely on merit and independent of students’ ability to pay the related tuition fees. Once a student has been admitted to a programme, there are several mechanisms in place to provide financial support based on need and merit. All awards are reassessed each academic year based on performance, need, available resources and prevailing University policies. LUMS is committed to providing as much financial assistance as possible within the limits of its available resources. Nevertheless, the University may not be able to meet all requests for financial assistance, and it is strongly recommended that applicants secure as much of their own funding as possible.
Your financial need and your aid application does not affect your chances of admission.
Several Merit and Need-Based Scholarships are available for students who meet specific criteria.
- Need-Based Tuition Fee Waiver and Loan
- Merit Scholarship
- National Outreach Programme
- External Scholarships
- International Students Scholarship
Merit Scholarship
LUMS not only recognises students' good academic performance but also distinguishes high achievers by providing them generous merit scholarships. If you are a high achiever, LUMS wants you to accomplish everything you possibly can. Exemplary students are selected to receive LUMS Merit Scholarships based on their outstanding academic performance.
Merit Scholarship is a form of gift and does not need to be repaid. LUMS provides Merit Scholarship Award to students who have proven their ability to succeed academically.
First Year
100 scholarships are available to support the academic aspirations of prospective top ranked undergraduate students based on the LUMS admission evaluation ranking.
For the first year, merit scholarship award covers partial to full tuition fee for one year and is awarded to the top applicants shortlisted for admission in each school. There is no separate application for the scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the award when they apply for admission to LUMS.
The break-up of 100 merit scholarships for the first year is as follows;
- 30 Scholarships for each batch of Suleman Dawood School of Business, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering
- 10 Scholarships for the batch of Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law
Subsequent Years
Merit scholarship award covers partial to full tuition fee for one year only and is awarded to the returning batches who are placed on the Dean's Honour List based on their academic performance. The number of scholarships in each programme and class may vary according to the approved policy of that particular academic year.
The break-up of merit scholarships for subsequent year(s) is as follows;
- 15 Scholarships for each batch of Suleman Dawood School of Business, Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering
- 5 Scholarships for the batch of Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law
Note: In case a student qualifies for financial aid award and merit scholarship, their scholarship will be adjusted accordingly. These awards are for one year only and cannot be carried forward to subsequent years.
National Outreach Programme
If you are a talented, brilliant and aspiring young student who excels academically yet is constricted by financial circumstances, then the National Outreach Programme (NOP) at LUMS is for you! The NOP was launched in 2001, with the motive to provide the talented yet financially challenged youth of Pakistan a chance to study at LUMS on full financial aid. We aim to bring the brightest minds together from every corner of Pakistan to study at the University. Since its establishment, the NOP has successfully instated approximately 1,450 brilliant students and continues to facilitate many more annually. Almost 1,000 graduated students have gone out to achieve, thrive and make an impact in their communities.
In order to be eligible for the NOP, a student must have at least 80% marks in Matric or the grade equivalent in O Levels and must have the basis of financial need. In order to spread the word of higher education and inform students of the opportunities available through the NOP, the NOP team visits schools and colleges in various cities, towns and villages all over Pakistan to give presentations about the programme and how students can apply and benefit from the same.
External Scholarships
The University has tried its level best to raise funds to ensure that no deserving candidate is turned away from the programme due to insufficient funds. Since inception, external donors have played an immense role in achieving this milestone.
There are a number of named scholarships available for undergraduate students. LUMS supporters include individuals and organisations from all over the world. These scholarships can potentially help students cover the costs of education and related expenses (i.e. books, accommodation and living). The eligibility depends upon a number of factors, all of which are specified by the donor who offers the scholarships.
In order to be considered for any kind of external scholarships, students are required to apply for financial aid at the time of applying for admission at LUMS.
Punjab Educational Endowment Fund
The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF), an initiative of the Government of the Punjab, established with the objective of providing scholarships/monetary assistance to talented and needy students offers the students of LUMS to benefit from this opportunity.
To find out about PEEF, scholarship opportunities and the procedures, students, their families and the educational institutions are encouraged to visit www.peef.org.pk
The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, since its establishment, has awarded more than 235,000 scholarships worth PKR 11.90 billion to students of Punjab and other provinces. With the inclusion of current year’s 115,000 scholarships, the total number of beneficiaries will exceed 351,000 (approximately) with scholarship disbursements worth more than PKR 18.20 billion.
International Students Scholarship
Shahid Hussain Foundation Scholarship for International Students
Merit is the sole criteria of admission to LUMS and a continuous effort is made by the University to make all its educational programmes accessible across the nation, regardless of an applicant’s ability to pay. Various financial support opportunities are available to students at the Undergraduate level. These include Need-Based Tuition Fee Waivers, LUMS Interest-Free Loans, National Outreach Programme Scholarships, Merit Scholarships and External Scholarships.
To add diversity to its student body, LUMS aims to increase induction of international students. The Shahid Hussain Foundation scholarships will help LUMS to achieve its goals of reaching out to bright, international talent. These scholarships are available for international undergraduate students for Fall 2024 admissions.
Who Can Apply?
In order to be eligible for the scholarship, the applicant
- Must meet the minimum academic criteria for admission;
- Must be a citizen of SAARC member countries.
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- India
- Must not be of Pakistani origin and should not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC. Applicants holding dual nationality out of which one is Pakistani are not eligible to apply through the LUMS International Student Programme.
How To Apply?
To avail this scholarship, applicants are required to apply to LUMS through the LUMS Online Admission application. All fields of the online application must be completely filled in. Additionally, relevant supporting documents need to be submitted by the given deadline.
Note: LUMS academic policies and code of conduct is applicable to all scholarship holders.
Maintaining Eligibility
- Financial Aid Award is valid for one (1) year only. Continuation of aid in the subsequent year(s) is subject to the submission of financial aid application, supporting documents and reassessment of financial need.
- Students receiving Financial Aid should maintain a full-time status in a regular semester. Failure to do so will lead to the cancellation of the Financial Aid Award.
- Each year reassessment is carried out and upon re-evaluation of updated facts financial aid is allocated for the subsequent year. In case a student qualifies for financial assistance for his/her entire degree programme, it will cover 140 credit hours for BA/BSc/BS, 145 credit hours for BSc (Electrical and Chemical Engineering), and 175 credit hours for B.A-LLB in order to meet the minimum graduation requirement.
- Financial Aid Award can be increased, reduced or kept the same at any stage of review during your stay at LUMS.
- LUMS reserves the right to physically verify the beneficiary's home/business premises.
- LUMS reserves the right to amend, cancel, or terminate the awarded Financial Aid in case of any misrepresentation or incorrect information provided by the student. Such misrepresentation or concealment of facts may lead to the termination of your admission from the Programme. University also reserves the right to recover the awarded amount during the preceding year(s) from the recipient on an immediate basis.
Need-Based Tuition Fee Waiver and Loan
Financing a student's education is a commitment involving the student, their family and our institution. We at LUMS gear all our efforts towards assisting as many students as possible within our limited resources. Financial assistance is offered to students with demonstrated need. These awards at the Undergraduate level are available in the form of Tuition Fee Waivers and LUMS Interest-Free Loans.
Undergraduate need-based assistance covers partial to full tuition fee expenses of the programme. The range of the amount of financial assistance over the last year has been between 20% and 100%. These awards are reassessed in each academic year based upon performance and demonstrated financial need. Financial Aid fee waiver is not required to be repaid whilst LUMS Interest-Free Loan will have to be paid back after six (6) months of graduation within a maximum period of five (5) years.
Remember a loan is an obligation and is required to be paid back in instalments after graduation. Repayment of loan not only contributes towards the recirculation of Financial Aid to deserving students but also inculcates social responsibility and ethical values within the students.
Mode of Payment
Voucher can be paid through cash, Pay Order and Bank Drafts made in favour of "Lahore University of Management Sciences" at any branch within Pakistan of following banks.