Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
The MBA programme at the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB) at LUMS is as unique as it is transformative. It is focused on creating business leaders with the power to effect positive societal change. It is premised on tackling the complexities of a rapidly evolving world where global shifts, technological change, business model innovations, and novel managerial expertise require the application of extreme business intelligence and the capacity to act quickly. The LUMS MBA empowers men and women to question, re-think and mobilise organisational impact, enterprise performance, and business growth at national, regional, and global levels. Our MBA graduates are recruited by leading organisations in Pakistan and internationally, while many opt to kick-start entrepreneurial ventures of their own.
Our MBA core courses are designed with input from CEOs and senior industry experts to ensure that our graduates demonstrate high knowledge in core business areas, including finance, marketing, and strategy. Through a unique blend of classroom instruction, targeted practice, and constructive feedback, students acquire essential soft skills honing in on high-level communication, public speaking, and the ability to navigate across different organisational cultures.
The programme deploys participant-centred learning inclusive of simulations, role-plays, case studies, and industry visits. MBA students also tackle hundreds of business cases to develop their capacity to make decisions and act across a broad range of situations. Additionally, the MBA provides practical experience based on real-world dilemmas, supported by professional mentorship through the three Experiential Learning components of the programme.
Research and teaching at LUMS truly offers its community ‘Learning Without Borders’ by breaking academic, geographic and socio-economic barriers to make education accessible to all. The University continues to be an intellectual hub, rich with varying perspectives and transformative ideas. With an environment brimming with inclusion, unity, and boundless knowledge, learning continues within and beyond campus walls to develop innovators, leaders and change-makers who can contribute to the community and build strong borderless networks.
MBA 2025 Class Profile | |
Male | 60% |
Female | 40% |
Average Age | 25 years |
Average Experience | 2.5 Years |
MBA 2025 Academic Background | |
Academic Background | % |
Economics | 10 |
Business Management | 26 |
Marketing | 7 |
Engineering | 21 |
Accounting and Finance | 14 |
Computer Sciences | 7 |
International Relations | 1 |
Arts | 1 |
Sciences | 12 |
Law | 1 |
The MBA at the Suleman Dawood School of Business is a two-year programme built on the case method of teaching and a focus on tackling real-world business challenges. A collection of core and elective courses, combined with Experiential Learning through active industry engagement from day one, sets this programme apart as a model for advancement, growth, and success. The Experiential Learning process is grounded in the practical application of reflective thinking to analyse and make impactful decisions. During the MBA, students work on over 800 cases in which they become active learners and decision-makers, developing critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills. They analyse and apply theoretical frameworks to debate and develop arguments and make powerful cases to energise businesses, teams, and entrepreneurial ventures.
LUMS has pioneered the use of the case method in Pakistan. Students work on cases based on actual managerial challenges drawn from real-world examples. They take on the role of decision makers and provide solutions to real life business issues in a classroom setting
SIM develops a strong base for students to help them succeed in the rigorous two-year MBA programme that follows. It builds knowledge and understanding of fundamentals through communication, business, finance, and computer application modules.
The MBA programme at LUMS is completely case based with an Experiential Learning component through active industry engagement. The EL component includes:
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Programme.
Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:
Application Review; and
Note:
This is the minimum criteria that applicants need to fulfill in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfillment of this criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS.
Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:
* 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.
Applicants are required to take One (1) of the following tests in order 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 28th April 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 28th April 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 28th April 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 LUMS code for receiving GRE (General)/ GMAT scores from Pearson and ETS is 0679.
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 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.
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 Online the scanned copies of all supporting documents 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.
Completion of all steps is mandatory. Applications, documents or fee received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Applicants are encouraged to provide complete and correct information regarding their academic achievements, research reports, attended workshops, and 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.
Application evaluation considers the quality and duration of the Full-time work experience. Candidates are encouraged to have 1 to 2 years of work experience before applying to the LUMS MBA Programme. Preference is given to applicants with prior work experience. However, this is not a mandatory admission requirement.
The Letters of Recommendation should indicate the applicant’s Academic Performance, Commitment to excellence, and their strong aptitude for business education. The recommendations can be made by professionals as well as academic referees.
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:
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:
Note:
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 FY 2023-24
Particulars | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 | Total |
PKR | PKR | PKR | |
Admission Fee | 142,540 | - | 142,540 |
Tuition Fee | 692,020 | 692,020 | 1,384,040 |
Semester Registration Fee | 40,770 | 40,770 | 81,540 |
SOP | 32,530 | - | 32,530 |
Reading Material | 31,870 | 31,870 | 63,740 |
General Security | 51,000 | - | 51,000 |
Total | 990,730 | 764,660 | 1,755,390 |
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
Refund Policy
To learn more about the University's Refund Policy, please click here.
Activity | Date |
---|---|
Online Application Deadline | April 16, 2024, 5:00 pm (PKT) |
Deadline to submit online supporting documents and Processing Fee | April 17, 2024 |
Deadline to take GMAT/GRE (General)/NTS GAT (General) | April 28, 2024 |
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) Administration | April 28, 2024 |
Admission Decisions | July 30, 2024 |
Commencement of Classes | August 2024 |
Note:
There is no CGPA requirement; minimum 16 years of education is compulsory for applying to the MBA programme.
Yes. We do not exclude candidates who already have an MBA or any other graduate degree.
Yes, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or NTS GAT (General) or LGAT score is required for admission to the MBA Programme.
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is offered year round as a computer adaptive test. You should register for the test at least one month before you plan to take it. You need to complete the GMAT test before you submit the online application. You may submit your application with unofficial score report however, you will need to submit an official GMAT score report to our office before you can matriculate. There is no minimum required score. A high score does not guarantee anyone's acceptance, nor does a low score preclude it as there is no minimum score required. For further details, please log in to www.mba.com.
GMAT/GRE scores are valid for five years. GMAT/GRE taken five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid. However, the NTS GAT (General) is valid for two years.
The GMAT bulletins are available at the American Centers in all major cities. Details regarding registration are given in the bulletin or www.mba.com.
Details regarding registration are available on nts.org.pk.
Details regarding registration are given on www.ets.org.
Our GMAT/GRE reporting code from ETS is 0679.
There is no preference in taking GMAT or GRE or NTS GAT (General).
We will consider the best scores of a single attempt.
Test Registration Cards and instructions will be posted to the applicants' secure online application account and an email message will alert applicants that the Test Registration Card has been posted. It will be posted on applicants' online account one week before the test date.
If an 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.
In truly exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.
An applicant can defer his/her admission for 1 year.
A Merit ranking to shortlist applicants for interviews will be generated based on the Academic Performance, Work experience, and GMAT/GRE (General) scores. Only short-listed candidates will be called for the interviews. During the interview the Admissions Committee tries to assess the applicant's communication skills, managerial potential, thinking ability, subject knowledge and level of awareness of general issues.
No, there is no age restriction for admission to the MBA programme.
Given the structure of the curriculum, we only offer fall admission.
When an admission application is rejected, the LUMS Office of Admissions retains the file for one year. Applicants who applied the previous year may reapply the following year for admission. In addition they must submit online application form, official academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and an updated work experience letter. All materials including the application fee are due by the application deadline.
If an application is denied, it is not possible for the department to go back and review applications to justify the denial or offer advice on fortifying a future application.
It is highly recommended that applicants fill out the application form carefully. Changes cannot be made after the submission of online application. In extreme circumstances an applicant can send the updated information to admissions@lums.edu.pk with the specific header ‘Change in Application Form’.
Over the years LUMS graduates have established themselves as highly marketable individuals with a diverse set of relevant skills. Our MBA graduates are adequately skilled for both the professional environment as well as undertaking entrepreneurial ventures. Our students are recruited by some of the leading organizations of Pakistan. They are offered excellent positions and normally at prominent salaries. Our Career Development Office provides substantial assistance to students in seeking placements for internships as well as regular jobs. The Office helps them in resume writing as well as job search skills development and also arranges interviews for them. Career fairs company presentations and on-campus interviews are some of the efforts in this regard.
Minimum two (2) letters of recommendation are required.
We recommend that at least one should be from a supervisor in your professional career. The other letter can be from a faculty member who can evaluate you academically.
Transfer of credits from another programme to the LUMS MBA programme is not allowed. All admitted students regardless of having an advanced degree will begin the programme as a first year student.
We consider many factors in the admissions selection process therefore, it is impossible to predict one's chance of admission without reviewing a complete application. You can review a class profile on our website if you like to benchmark your statistics against current LUMS MBA students.
We welcome applications from people with a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. We will be looking for you to demonstrate your potential as a leader and consider your professional experience and past performance while assessing your application.
Yes, you can apply. Preference is given to people who have some work experience. Candidates having an exceptional academic track record complemented by a very high GMAT/GRE score with the experience of a few internships are also considered for admission.
We do not have an absolute requirement for years of work experience although at least two years is preferred. However, applicants with less experience who demonstrate exceptional maturity and outstanding leadership through their personal experiences will also be considered.
No, you can submit only one application in an academic year for MBA programme.
We only accept applications submitted electronically. This allows us to process your application more quickly. It also allows you to keep informed of the status of your application throughout the process by checking it online.
Application for admission to the LUMS MBA programme is an online process (there is no paper based application to fill out or mail). After creating an account and accessing the online admission application you may then begin to complete your application. You can work on your application at any time and submit it when it is ready. Please note that we expect applicants to adhere to the deadlines stated on the LUMS website. The earlier you submit your application the sooner you can learn about the receipt of these materials. After submission you may print a copy for your own use.
Admission decision will be communicated through courier service; however, you can also check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding the application status by telephone or e-mail.
The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not 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.
Applicants completing their last degree by May 30, 2024 are eligible for applying in Fall 24 Admissions.
A foreign national who is not of Pakistani origin and does not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC is eligible to apply to LUMS under its International Student Programme. Applicants holding dual nationality out of which one is Pakistani are not eligible to apply through LUMS International Student Programme.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education efforts in Pakistan. HEC is responsible for formulating higher education policy and quality assurance to meet the international standards as well as providing accrediting academic degrees, development of new institutions, and uplifting of existing institutions in Pakistan.
International students can get equivalence through the following process: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/Pages/default.aspx
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for international students.
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.
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 graduate students. LUMS supporters include individuals and organizations 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.
LUMS has entered into an agreement with MCB Bank Limited through which MCB Bank provides commercial loans to MBA/ EMBA students.
The commercial loan facility is pivotal for students who are currently financially unable to afford the cost of tuition and living facilities. This is one of the first ventures of its kind in Pakistan and demonstrates LUMS' commitment towards providing equal educational opportunities to its students.
All loans are subject to the Bank’s internal approvals and MCB Bank reserves the right to approve/disapprove a loan based on its internal assessment. In case a loan is not approved, students will be required to provide the total fees and expenses of the education themselves.
Click here for the MCB Loan Term Sheet
Minimum 21 years and maximum 45 years at the time of loan approval.
Subject to regulatory and internal Bank requirements:
Installment repayments will commence six months after the completion of study period (up to 30 months).
Total tenor of repayment of the loan (post education period) to not exceed 7 years, including the grace period.
No pre-payment charges apply on partial or full prepayments.
A degree from a tier-one university is one of the few investments with all-but-guaranteed return. Studying in LUMS not only opens doors in the professional world but also unleashes intellectual and financial potential.
At LUMS, we believe that financial circumstances should never stand in the way. To help, LUMS offers Interest-Free loans to the students from less privileged backgrounds who, without such assistance, would not be able to attend a university.
At MBA level, LUMS Interest-Free loan covers partial to full tuition fee expense. These awards are reassessed in each academic year based upon performance and demonstrated financial need. The repayment of these Interest-Free loans starts six (6) months after graduation with time period of 3 to 5 years.
Remember a loan is an obligation and is required to be paid back in instalments after graduation. Loan repayment not only contributes towards the recirculation of Financial Aid to deserving students but also inculcates social responsibility and ethical values within the students.
Merit Scholarship is a form of gift and does not required to be repaid. LUMS provides Merit Scholarship Awards to students who have proven their ability to succeed academically. There is no separate application for the scholarship. Students are automatically considered for the award when they apply for admission to LUMS.
1. 50% tuition waiver to admitted students with a GMAT score of 700 or higher (or GRE equivalent)
2. 50% tuition waiver to admitted top talent based on University merit evaluation. This merit scholarship award covers partial tuition fee for one year only and is awarded to the top three students in admitted batch based on the LUMS Admission evaluation ranking for the first year.
Merit scholarship award covers partial tuition fee for one year only and is awarded to the top 3 students from returning batch who are placed on Dean's Honour List based on their academic performance.
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.
LUMS consistently strives to make all its educational programmes accessible to all across the globe, regardless of their ability to pay. Ground-breaking research, internationally competitive faculty, relevant curriculum, strong international linkages and a vibrant, extracurricular life have established LUMS as a centre of excellence in the region.
The aim of Women Scholarship is to foster, celebrate and advance women’s leadership in business. By tapping highly talented young women, we hope to contribute towards building the future of not only their families but also their communities. This scholarship will support female candidates to pursue higher education on merit and will increase the number of women joining the MBA/EMBA Program of the Business School. 50% tuition fee waiver will be awarded to women admitted on high merit under the SDSB Women's Scholarship initiative.
This Scholarship will groom female managers and leaders of business; dramatically changing the managerial landscape of Pakistan. As these women assume leadership roles in organisations across the country, there will be a change in the culture of these organisations.
Note: In case a student qualifies for both women scholarship and any other award, she will receive the higher aid benefit.
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.