Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
PhD Chemical and Environmental Engineering
PhD Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Overview
The LUMS PhD Chemical and Environmental programme, offered by the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), enables students to stay on top of the growing trends in information and technology. The programme is designed to produce researchers and scholars who will advance the field by contributing to knowledge creation in their specialised disciplines and disseminate this knowledge through scholarly publications and service to the community and the nation. This program integrates Chemical and Environmental Engineering with an emphasis on sustainable production as well as environmental remediation. Currently, there is no graduate program in Pakistan that combines these disciplines with an emphasis on advances in separations, energy, and nanomaterials. Hence, it is rather unique!
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at SBASSE, in which the programme is housed, comprises a diverse group of research-active faculty members. The teaching and research labs are well-equipped with state-of-the-art experimental facilities and equipment. By working closely with faculty members, students become able to tackle current and future environmental challenges.
Faculty members at the department have developed impactful international collaborations with prominent national and international research groups in the USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia. These collaborations are instrumental in keeping the faculty abreast of the latest developments in the field, and to use advanced technology platforms and high-tech equipment currently not available anywhere in Pakistan.
To graduate, students must complete 42 Credit Hours including at least 18 Credit Hours of coursework (as per the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan requirement) and 18 Credit Hours of research work. The remaining 6 Credit Hours can be used either towards coursework or research work or a mix of both. Major milestones that must be achieved for the successful completion of the PhD degree include the Comprehensive (Qualifying) Examination, Thesis Proposal Defence, journal publication and PhD Thesis Defence.
Admission Criteria
Fall Admission 2025
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the programme.
The PhD Chemical and Environmental Engineering 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:
Academic Record;
Performance in Admission Tests;
Research Statement;
Online Application Submission;
Online Submission of Supporting Documents and Fee Payment;
Letters of Recommendation;
Application Review; and
Interview Performance (If shortlisted).
To be considered for admission evaluation, ensure all steps are completed on or before the stipulated deadline.
NOTE:
These are the minimum requirements that applicants need to fulfil in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfilment of these criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS. Admission decisions made by the University are final.
Academic Record
A minimum of 18 years of education leading to a degree Programme is required for applying to the PhD Chemical and Environmental Engineering Programme.
Applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree of less than four years duration or have earned their Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree from foreign institutions must provide an equivalence certificate verifying 16 years of education, issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. Similarly, applicants who have obtained their degrees from institutions not listed with the HEC, Pakistan, will be required to obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC. For further information, please visit: www.hec.gov.pk.
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 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 Chemical and Environmental Engineering Programme must have a Master's degree in any one of the following areas:
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Energy Engineering
Other closely related disciplines
NOTE:
- Applicants completing their last degree by July 31, 2025, are also eligible to apply for the PhD programme if they meet all minimum admission requirements at the time of submission of application.
- Applicants must mention all their academic, test attempts and must not hide any information. The application will be evaluated on the basis of information provided at the time of application submission.
- LUMS graduating class of 2025 are eligible to apply on the basis of their 7th semester's result.
Test Requirement
A. Local Applicants
Applicants to the PhD Chemical and Environmental Engineering Programme are required to take the following two (2) admission tests in order to be considered for Fall 2025 admission:
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT); and
LUMS SBASSE Subject Test in Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Exemption for applicants who have taken Graduate Record Examination (GRE) tests
Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examination GRE (General) (through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA) during the last two (2) years (i.e. after April 26, 2023) and obtained an aggregate score of 300 in the quantitative and verbal sections may choose not to take the LGAT. In addition to this, local applicants are required to take the LUMS SBASSE Subject Test in Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
B. International Applicants
Applicants residing outside Pakistan are required to take the GRE General Test through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA. For further information, please visit www.ets.org.
Due to the unavailability of GRE Subject Test in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, such applicants will be assessed based on their GRE General Test score only. 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:
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is comprised of Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical sections.
The LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test scores will be used for application evaluation and, hence will not be disclosed to applicants.
- The LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test Scores will be valid only for admission of Fall 2025.
Subject Test Guidelines:
Ph.D. Chemical and Environmental Engineering subject test consists of questions from the following foundational courses in Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
Engineering Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering
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 the Letter of Recommendation by the Referees.
Application Processing Fee
- The application processing fee is PKR 4,000
- LGAT fee is PKR 2,480
- SBASSE Subject Test fee is PKR 3,000
- The application processing fee is USD 170 for International applicants
Note:
- Applicants must complete and submit their online Admission application on or before April 15, 2025; 5:00 pm (PKT).
- Applicants are required to online submit the scanned copies of all supporting documents on or before April 16, 2025.
- 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. Application, documents, or fees received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Application Review/Interview Performance
Shortlisted applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee to finalize the admission decision. Applicants are encouraged to provide complete information regarding their academic achievements, research reports, attended workshops, and extracurricular activities in order to substantiate their applications. Applicants must provide complete and correct information regarding their academics, work experience and test attempts. The application will be evaluated on the basis of information provided at the time of application submission.
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 PhD programmes at LUMS are fully funded for 4 years of education. Additionally, PhD candidates are given a monthly stipend as per University policy.
Students are required to pay general security (refundable) at the time of admission.
Fee Structure for FY 2024-25
| Particulars | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours | 6 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
| PKR | PKR | PKR | PKR | |
| Admission Fee | 138,130 | - | - | 138,130 |
| Tuition Fee | 274,980 | 274,980 | 137,490 | 687,450 |
| Semester Registration Fee | 44,020 | 44,020 | - | 88,040 |
| General Security | 57,580 | - | - | 57,580 |
| Total | 514,710 | 319,000 | 137,490 | 971,200 |
Hostel Fee
| Particulars | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PKR | PKR | PKR | |
| Hostel Fee Double Occupancy | 84,830 | 84,830 | 34,930 |
| Hostel Fee Triple Occupancy (Bigger room) | 61,760 | 61,760 | 25,430 |
Important Points
- The above breakdown of fee structure is for Year 1 of the 4 year PhD programme.
- The per credit hour rate for FY 2024–25 is PKR 45,830/-
- 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.
Important Dates
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Deadline to submit Online Application | April 15, 2025, 5:00 pm (PKT) |
| Deadline to upload supporting documents (Online) and pay the application fee | April 16, 2025 |
| LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) and LUMS SBASSE Subject Test | April 27, 2025 (Tentative) |
| Deadline to take GRE | April 27, 2025 |
| Completion of Admission Process | July 31, 2025 |
| Commencement of Classes | September 2025 |
Note:
- The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please stay connected to this webpage and the Online Admissions Portal to remain informed of any updates or changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements for PhD programme?
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
Do you require any test for admission to the PhD programme?
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
By which date should applicants expect their Test Registration Cards to be delivered?
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.
I have submitted my online application and all required documents on time but I am unable to view my Test Registration Card?
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.
I have not yet received any confirmation email after the submission of my online application. What should I do?
You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your online application.
Is it possible to apply after the deadline?
The application cannot be submitted after the deadline.
How do I inform about a change in my online application?
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 admissions@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".
I have received my transcripts for Master's/MS/MPhil but I do not have the degree. What should I do?
You should submit all your transcripts latest by the Online document submission deadline. Copy of your degree can be submitted later.
I have completed my 7th semester with a CGPA of less than 3. Am I eligible to apply for PhD programme?
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.
Are there any specific quotas in admission?
Admission to the LUMS PhD programme is purely merit based and there are no quotas.
Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation on my behalf?
The recommendation letters can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.
Can my admission be deferred?
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.
How will you notify me regarding a decision on my application?
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.
Do you have any age limit for the admission to the PhD programme?
No, there are no age restrictions.
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, 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.
Who is an international applicant?
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.
How do I get equivalence from Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?
Applicants can get equivalence through the following process: http://hec.gov.pk if required.
What is the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan?
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.
Does LUMS offer campus accommodation to international students?
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for international students.
What are the visa requirements for LUMS as an international applicant?
Please visit the link for visa requirements: https://international.lums.edu.pk/.
LUMS Funding
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 offers a fully-funded scholarship which covers the following:
- Admission Fee
- Tuition fees
- Semester Registration fee
- Monthly Stipend subject to the approval of the Supervisor
- The scholarship is for four (4) years, to meet the minimum graduation requirement of the Programme.
- The payment of allowances admissible under the Scholarship shall be made subject to the complete adherence to all rules and regulations governing the scholarship and satisfactory performance within the allocated degree Programme.
Teaching assistantships are another opportunity 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.
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.