Medical Colleges in Pakistan: Public and Private List
A complete list of medical colleges in Pakistan: top public and private PMC-recognized institutions for MBBS and BDS, with what students need to know before applying.
Medical colleges in Pakistan include top public institutions like KEMU, DUHS, AIMC, Nishtar, FJMU, SIMS, and QAMC, plus highly selective private options like Aga Khan University (AKU). All colleges must be PMC-recognized. Verify the current list at pmc.gov.pk before applying.
Medical colleges in Pakistan are divided into two categories: government-funded public colleges with heavily subsidized fees and very competitive MDCAT aggregate cutoffs, and private colleges with higher fees and generally lower cutoffs. All medical colleges in Pakistan, whether public or private, must be recognized by PMC (Pakistan Medical Commission). A degree from an unrecognized college cannot be used for medical licensure in Pakistan. This guide covers the top institutions and what you need to verify before applying.
Top public medical colleges in Pakistan
Public medical colleges are funded by provincial or federal governments. They offer subsidized MBBS programs, and seats are allocated through provincial merit lists based on your MDCAT aggregate. Competition is high and closing merits vary each year.
| College | Location | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| King Edward Medical University (KEMU) | Lahore, Punjab | Pakistan's oldest and most prestigious public medical university |
| Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) | Karachi, Sindh | One of Pakistan's largest medical universities |
| Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) | Lahore, Punjab | Highly competitive Punjab seat; affiliated with Jinnah Hospital |
| Nishtar Medical University | Multan, Punjab | Largest medical university in South Punjab |
| Quaid-e-Azam Medical College (QAMC) | Bahawalpur, Punjab | Affiliated with Bahawal Victoria Hospital |
| Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) | Lahore, Punjab | Women-only; one of Pakistan's oldest women's medical colleges |
| Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) | Lahore, Punjab | Strong clinical training; part of Services Hospital |
| Jinnah Sindh Medical University | Karachi, Sindh | Public university for Sindh applicants |
Top private medical colleges in Pakistan
Private medical colleges in Pakistan charge higher fees than public institutions. Quality varies widely across the private sector. Before applying, confirm that any private college is on the current PMC recognition list. Some colleges have had recognition suspended in the past, and degrees from unrecognized institutions have no legal standing.
| College | Location | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Aga Khan University (AKU) | Karachi, Sindh | Pakistan's highest-ranked institution; own admission test (AKAT); very high fees |
| Shifa College of Medicine | Islamabad | Well-regarded private institution; PMC recognized |
| CMH Lahore Medical College | Lahore, Punjab | Army-affiliated; PMC recognized; competitive |
| Bahria University Medical and Dental College | Karachi, Sindh | Navy-affiliated; PMC recognized |
| Riphah International University | Islamabad | PMC recognized; check current recognition status |
How MBBS admissions work in Pakistan
MBBS and BDS admissions in Pakistan are managed at the provincial level. Each province runs its own merit list process. The standard aggregate formula is: Matric 10% + FSc 40% + MDCAT 50%. Your domicile province determines which provincial merit pool you apply through.
- Punjab: UHS (University of Health Sciences, Lahore) manages the provincial merit list at uhs.edu.pk.
- Sindh: SAC (Sindh Admission Committee) manages public college seats for Sindh domicile holders.
- KPK: Khyber Medical University (KMU) administers admissions for KPK colleges.
- Balochistan, AJK, and federal institutions have their own processes.
- AKU (Aga Khan University) runs its own test and is not part of any provincial merit system.
What to check before applying to any medical college
- Verify PMC recognition at pmc.gov.pk before paying any fees.
- Confirm the college has an affiliated teaching hospital for clinical training.
- Check provincial quota rules: seats are often divided by district, category, and province.
- For private colleges, confirm fee schedules and whether PMC-regulated fee caps apply.
- Check if the college's recognition status is current: some colleges have had recognition suspended.
Practice MDCAT MCQs on Parhlai to build the aggregate you need to compete for seats at the top medical colleges in Pakistan.
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Academic Content Writer, Parhlai
Sana Malik writes Parhlai's study-skills, scholarships, and student-life guides, focused on helping Pakistani students study smarter and stress less.
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