Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
The LUMS PhD Biology programme, offered by the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), is designed to prepare students to think scientifically and produce independent researchers who can take up the challenges of 21st century Biology.
With cutting edge research in state-of-the-art research labs, the department boasts a modern curriculum with a strong focus on research in areas like Cancer Therapeutics, Systems Biology, Structural Biology related to Viruses, Bacterial Pathogenesis and Diabetes, Epigenetics, Genome Evolution, Bioinformatics, and Virology.
Research is an essential component of the programme, with projects addressing fundamental questions in Biology like how complex organisms develop from a single cell and how cell fates are determined, how gene expression is regulated in extremophiles, how cell cycle is controlled in stem cells and how organisms evolve over thousands of years.
To graduate, students must earn a total of 42 credit hours from which 18 must be from coursework and 24 from research work/thesis. Major milestones that must be achieved for the successful completion of the PhD degree include the Comprehensive (Qualifying) Examination, Thesis Proposal Defence and PhD Thesis Defence.
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the Programme.
The PhD Biology degree at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) is a four-year Programme.
Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:
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.
* We are aware that the current COVID-19 crisis poses difficulties for applicants to submit test scores. Under the circumstances, you can apply to LUMS Graduate Programmes without test scores being submitted (if you haven’t taken the test yet). Applications can be submitted without the GRE scores provided all other application components are complete upon submission.
If no Admission Test is scheduled due to the Test Center closure by April 15, 2021, LUMS will process applications using the available information. If shortlisted, applicants may then be asked to appear for an interview followed by a conditional acceptance if you are successful. Once, test centres are functional, they will need to sit for the test and attain the minimum test score required by the University.
A minimum of 18 years of education leading to a degree Programme is required for applying to the PhD Biology Programme.
Applicants are expected to have obtained their Master's degree (MS or MPhil) from national or foreign institutions that are accredited or recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan.
Applicants who have obtained their degrees from institutions that are not listed with the HEC, Pakistan, will be required to obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC.
As a minimum academic performance, all applicants must have obtained a CGPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or First Division (in the annual system) in their Master's degree and at least a CGPA of 2.4 (on a scale of 4) or 60% marks in their Bachelor’s degree. Applicants obtaining 2 years BSc degree and 2 years MSc degree must have secured at least 60% marks in both degrees. Applicants with professional degrees (including, MBBS, BDS, Pharm-D) must have Second Division or above in their professional degrees and must also meet the above-mentioned requirement for their Master's degree in order to be considered eligible.
Applicants who have their Master’s degree with a CGPA computed over any scale other than 4.0 will be required to submit a letter/revised transcript from their respective university or submit a letter from HEC affirming that the applicant meets the CGPA requirement for PhD admission. For further information, please visit: www.hec.gov.pk.
Applicants applying for the PhD Biology programme must have a Master's degree in any one of the following areas:
NOTE:
MS - PhD Programme
Application Categories:
NOTE:
A. Local Applicants
Applicants to the PhD Biology programme are required to take following two (2) admissions tests in order to be considered for Fall 2021 admission:
Exemption for applicants who have taken Graduate Record Examination (GRE) tests
B. International Applicants
Applicants residing outside Pakistan are required to take the following two (2) admissions tests in order to be considered for Fall 2021 admission:
For GRE registration, please visit www.ets.org.
GRE scores must be reported to LUMS officially from the testing agency. The college code for reporting GRE (General) and GRE Subject Test scores to LUMS is 0679.
NOTE:
Subject Test Guidelines:
Please visit the following link; Subject Test Guidelines
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:
Note:
Completion of all steps is mandatory. Application, documents, or fee received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Shortlisted applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee to finalise the admission decision. Applicants are encouraged to provide complete information regarding their academic achievement, research reports, attended workshops, extracurricular activities, and must tell LUMS about their success stories in order to substantiate their applications.
Performance in Interview
Applicants will be shortlisted based on their Academic record, Admission Test Scores, and Interview. The interview session will comprise your research presentation followed by a Q & A session.
Research Statement
The Research Statement is a summary of your research accomplishments, current work, and future direction and potential of your work. A research statement is mandatory for all PhD applicants.
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. Regional 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 2020-21
Particulars |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
|
PKR |
PKR |
Admission Fee (One Time Charge) |
81,500 |
- |
Tuition Fee |
175,800 |
175,800 |
Semester Registration Fee |
26,900 |
26,900 |
General Security (Refundable - One Time Charge) |
34,400 |
- |
Total Fee |
318,600 |
202,700 |
Hostel Fee
Particulars |
Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
|
PKR |
PKR |
Hostel Fee (double occupancy) |
45,000 |
45,000 |
Hostel Fee (triple occupancy) |
30,000 |
30,000 |
Important Points
Activity |
Date |
Online Application Deadline |
30 March 2021 05:00 pm PKT |
Deadline to submit Online supporting documents |
02 April 2021 |
Online Application Deadline - LUMS MS Continuing Students |
30 March 2021 05:00 pm PKT |
Deadline to submit Online supporting documents - LUMS MS Continuing Students |
02 April 2021 |
LGAT & SBASSE Subject Test |
11 April 2021 |
Admission decisions |
15 June 2021 to 31 July 2021 |
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.
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
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 helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk.
You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your online application.
Applications submitted after the deadlines are not accepted.
It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. No changes can be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".
You should submit all your transcripts latest by the Online document submission deadline. Copy of your degree can be submitted later.
Applicants to the PhD programme must have a CGPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4) at the time of application submission.
Admission to the LUMS PhD programme is purely merit based and there are no quotas.
The recommendation letters can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.
In truly exceptional circumstances the Graduate Programme Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.
The final admission decision will be communicated through an official letter; however, you can check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding your application status by telephone or e-mail.
No, there are no age restrictions.
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.
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 uplift of existing institutions in Pakistan.
International students can get equivalence through the following process: http://hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/Equivalence%20Degree%20Issuance.
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for international students.
Please visit the link for visa requirements: https://international.lums.edu.pk/.
LUMS provides funding to PhD students in terms of scholarship and research assistantship. The University’s policy is to admit students purely on merit, regardless of their financial status or background. The PhD Programmes at LUMS offer a full tuition fee waiver to all students on merit for four(4) years. Other types of financial assistance will include a monthly assistance package so that the students devote themselves to fulltime studies without fiscal restraints.
Teaching assistantships and stipends to support faculty in research projects are some of the other opportunities that may be available to doctoral students for additional financial assistance; subject to faculty approval. If a student receives funding from another source, the said amount of fee waiver and/ or scholarship allowance given by LUMS would be adjusted accordingly. Please note that the fee waiver and/ or scholarship funding is approved initially for one year and is renewable based on academic performance.
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.