Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Please consider this page as the first resource for answers to queries about applying to the LUMS Undergraduate and Graduate Programmes
Questions by Programmes
Please visit the mentioned link https://admission.lums.edu.pk/undergraduate-programmes
Applicants with diploma may apply if they have secured a minimum 70% marks or above. however, they are required to submit an equivalence certificate issued by the IBCC, Pakistan.
Please visit the following link to get details about admission criteria: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/undergraduate-programmes
Yes, an applicant can apply for admission if (s)he has appeared in retakes of November 2024, for the application of year 2025.
Applicants appearing for the November 2024 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.
Minimum two Teacher Evaluations are required.
The recommendation form(s) should be from teacher(s) of your current or last institute. Recommendations from school/college counselor(s) are not acceptable.
No, after the application submission, the application fee becomes non-refundable.
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.
The number of candidates placed on the waitlist fluctuates from year to year, depending on the size and quality of the applicant pool.
The SAT/ACT/LCAT is mandatory for all applicants applying to the Suleman Dawood School of Business (SDSB), Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani School of Humanities & Social Sciences (MGSHSS), Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL). SAT Registration can be done online through the following link: https://www.collegeboard.org. Applicants can register for ACT through https://www.act.org
In addition to the SAT/ ACT/LCAT, applicants are required to take the Law Admission Test for Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law (SAHSOL). It is a requirement set by the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan for the admission in five years LL.B Programme. Detailed information is available at the following link: http://hec.gov.pk
All applicants applying to the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) undergraduate programmes are required to take the following One (1) admission test in order to be considered for Fall 2025 admission:
- SAT; OR
- ACT; OR
- LUMS Common Admission Test (LCAT);
If you have not received SAT/ACT score report as yet then submit a printed copy of your online test scores.
Applicants are required to report test scores of all attempts to the University by submitting a copy of score report(s) and through the online application. Best score of a single attempt reported through the online application will be considered for application evaluation.
Application submission deadline for all UG applicants for the admission of Fall 2025 is February 04, 2025; 5:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).
No, there is no minimum score required for SAT/ACT.
Kindly visit the mentioned link for dates and deadlines https://admission.lums.edu.pk/critical-dates-all-programmes
Best score of a single attempt reported through the online application will be considered for application evaluation.
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.
Test Registration Cards will not be mailed. Test cards will be available within the application in printable form TWO weeks before test.
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
Yes, LUMS accepts results of the ACT.
Test Centre can only be changed in special circumstances (provided with a reason) and the applicant must inform the Admissions Office latest by February 08, 2025. No request later than the specified date will be entertained.
We only accept applications submitted electronically. This allows us to process your application more quickly. It also keeps you informed of the status of your application throughout the process by checking it online.
An online application account can be created through the LUMS website i.e. https://admissions.lums.edu.pk/. To create an online application account with the LUMS Online Application System, you are required to have a valid email address. Please use your Yahoo or Gmail account to create your online application account. Applicants are advised to have at least two active email addresses so that in case of any problem with their email account they can still correspond with the LUMS Office of Admissions through their second address. It is advised to create only One Account for the online application submission.
No, applicants who have created their accounts with the LUMS Online Admission portal within last two years, do not need to create a new account this year. They can apply for admissions using the same account. Such applicants need to use last year's credentials, i.e. User Name and Password to access their account.
No, admissions to LUMS takes place once a year and freshmen are admitted to the Fall semester only.
There are no quotas.
Admission to the LUMS Undergraduate Programme is highly competitive and the University is able to offer admission to only a small fraction of applicants.
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.
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 Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), Islamabad, Pakistan. For further information please contact:
The Chairman
IBCC
FBISE Building, H-8/4
Islamabad.
http://www.ibcc.edu.pk
Yes, academic records from international universities if not in English must be accompanied by an official English translation along with other supporting documents
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.
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.
No, attending the first semester at LUMS is compulsory and deferment is not an option for undergraduates.
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.
Applications cannot be submitted after the deadline. There is no late application policy.
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.
Please note that a passport is not mandatory for a Local applicant; you can apply on basis of your NADRA smart card / CNIC/ B. form No.
No, by default the LUMS online application system allows you to apply for SDSB, MGSHSS, SBASSE and SAHSOL simultaneously.
For the Programmes offered by the MGSHSS/SDSB/SBASSE/SAHSOL, submit an online admission application through the following link: https://admissions.lums.edu.pk
Yes, by default the LUMS online application system allows you to simultaneously apply for SDSB, MGSHSS, SBASSE and SAHSOL. Applicants may choose to apply for admission into any TWO schools (SDSB, MGSHSS, SBASSE and SAHSOL) at LUMS.
Applicants can mention their major preference(s) for the BS Programme at SBASSE, BA/BSc. (Honours) Programme at SDSB and MGSHSS, and BA-LL.B at 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.
No, you can only apply for one stream either Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) or Economics.
You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your application form.
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".
A mailing label has especially been designed for your convenience as it bears not only your name, tracking/application ID, schools applied to but also a complete address for correspondence. After the successful submission of your application form you will be able to print the mailing label. The LUMS Admissions Office will only accept a package that contains the “Mailing Label”.
If you have any question regarding a programme, please email us at admissions@lums.edu.pk
No, applicants who have created their accounts with the LUMS Online Admission portal last year, do not need to create a new account this year. They can apply for admissions using the same account. Such applicants need to use last year's credentials, i.e. User Name and Password to access their account.
It's important for us to get a complete and accurate picture of your academic history. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.
Yes, there is an online application processing fee.
After the successful submission of the online application form, you will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and Test Fee Voucher. Please print the fee voucher for making payments as per the mentioned deadline.
No, the online application system will automatically stop working after the deadline; therefore, we encourage you to submit your application well before the deadline in order to avoid any inconvenience.
The completion of your application comprises on the following activities;
- Submission of an Online Application
- Submission of Online supporting documents
- Submission of appropriate application processing fee and LUMS Test Registration fee (if applicable)
Admission to the programmes is competitive. It is in your best interest to apply and submit all of the required documents in timely manner. Please make sure to review the deadline of documents submission.
Uploading copies of your transcripts with your application will help expedite the review of your application. LUMS doesn’t require any hard copy via courier or through any means.
Please visit the following link: https://international.lums.edu.pk
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, your LUMS online admission portal will be updated. Due to the volume of applications the University receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
For MS and MPhil admissions, applicants must obtain an HEC equivalence certificate verifying 16 years of education if they hold a Bachelor’s degree of less than four years, an Associate degree, or a degree from a foreign institution. For PhD admissions, applicants with a Master’s or equivalent degree from a foreign institution, or from institutions not listed with the HEC, must provide an equivalence certificate verifying 18 years of education. For more details, visit www.hec.gov.pk.
We only accept applications submitted electronically. This allows us to process your application more quickly. It also keeps you informed of the status of your application throughout the process by checking it online.
Application for admission to the LUMS Graduate 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 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
An Online Application Account can be created through the LUMS website i.e. https://admissions.lums.edu.pk/. To create an Online Application Account, you are required to have a valid email address. Please use your Yahoo or Gmail account to create your Online Application Account. Applicants are advised to have at least two active email addresses so that in case of any problem with their email account they can still correspond with the LUMS Office of Admissions through their second address. It is advised to create only One Account for the online application submission.
No, you can't make changes to the application once it is submitted; therefore, you are advised to fill out your application carefully.
When the application is submitted, you will also receive an email notifying that your application has been submitted. Meanwhile, you can continue to check the status of your application through your Online Application Account.
Typically, applicants receive a decision between June to July for Fall and for Spring between November to December. We strive to notify applicants as soon as possible, however please note that the time frame may vary by Programme. Decisions administered by the LUMS Admissions Office are considered to be official. Admission letters are sent through postal mail or online. We are unable to release admission decisions via phone.
After the application submission, the application fee becomes non-refundable.
For MS and MPhil admissions, applicants must obtain an HEC equivalence certificate verifying 16 years of education if they hold a Bachelor’s degree of less than four years, an Associate degree, or a degree from a foreign institution. For PhD admissions, applicants with a Master’s or equivalent degree from a foreign institution, or from institutions not listed with the HEC, must provide an equivalence certificate verifying 18 years of education. For more details, visit www.hec.gov.pk.
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for the students.
In truly exceptional circumstances the concerned Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.
No, there is no age restriction for admission to the Graduate Programmes.
The SBASSE PhD application for foreign nationals caters the applicants currently residing outside Pakistan and having foreign nationality.
All others, i.e., applicants having dual nationality, Pakistani nationals, and overseas Pakistanis, are required to apply through regular admission application.
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 Foreign Student Programme. Applicants holding dual nationality, out of which one is Pakistani, are not eligible to apply through LUMS Foreign Student Programme.
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your online application.
The application cannot be submitted after the deadline.
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".
You should submit all your transcripts latest by the Online document submission deadline. Copy of your degree can be submitted later.
The recommendation letters can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.
Regretfully, your application status will not be provided over telephone call 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, your admission status will be updated in your online application form. Due to the volume of applications the University receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
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.
LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for foreign students.
Please visit the link for visa requirements: https://international.lums.edu.pk/
In case of any assistance, you may contact ayesha.ikram@lums.edu.pk
Once admission has been offered, applicants are required to apply for visa well before time in order to avoid any unexpected delays.
Foreign applicant is required to submit the equivalence once admitted to the Programme.
Applicants, if they wish, may like to report GRE scores (general or subject specific) or TOEFL/IELTS if they have taken these exams. However, it is not a requirement for the application.
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 and a monthly stipend to all PhD students. All LUMS students are entitled to avail health coverage.
PhD is a full-time programme. However, 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.
How to Apply?
Document Checklist
International Students