If you want your degree to be valid for job, further studies, overseas, or attestation, it’s essential you study at an HEC-recognized university. Here’s everything you need to know — including confirmed universities, campus recognition, how HEC’s recognition works, and how to check yourself.
What “HEC-Approved” Means
- HEC = Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. It grants recognition to universities / degree awarding institutions (DAIs) and ensures quality standards.
- Recognition covers two levels: Institution recognition (the university itself) and Program recognition (whether specific degrees like MS / PhD / BS in certain subjects are approved).
- HEC maintains lists of recognized main campuses, sub-campuses, and also recognizes foreign collaborative / TNE (Transnational Education) institutions.
- Students should always check the Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) or HEC’s website to confirm that both the university and the specific program/campus are recognized. Suno News+2Higher Education Commission+2
Complete Updated List of HEC-Recognized Universities & Campuses
Below is a list of many (but not necessarily all) institutions recognized by HEC as of late 2025 / early 2026. Always verify on HEC’s official site for the most current info.
Public Sector Universities / Degree Awarding Institutions
| Province / Region | University / Institution Name |
|---|---|
| Federal Islamabad / Capital Territory | COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (Islamabad) Higher Education Commission+1 |
| Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences & Technology Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Bahria University Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Air University Higher Education Commission | |
| Virtual University of Pakistan Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Punjab | University of the Punjab, Lahore Higher Education Commission+1 |
| University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Lahore Higher Education Commission | |
| University of Gujrat, University of Sargodha Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Sindh | University of Sindh, Jamshoro Higher Education Commission |
| Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro Higher Education Commission | |
| NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Dow University of Health Sciences Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | University of Engineering & Technology (UET), Peshawar Higher Education Commission |
| University of Swat, University of Malakand Higher Education Commission | |
| Balochistan | University of Balochistan, Quetta Higher Education Commission |
| BUITEMS, Quetta Higher Education Commission |
Private Sector Universities / Sub-Campuses
| University | Campus / Notes |
|---|---|
| Iqra University, Karachi & Islamabad campuses Higher Education Commission | |
| Hamdard University, Karachi Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| Superior University, Lahore Higher Education Commission+1 | |
| The Riphah International University, Islamabad etc. Higher Education Commission |
Foreign/TNE / International Collaborative Campuses
- University of Bolton, Islamabad Campus under TNE policy recognized by HEC. Higher Education Commission
- Beaconhouse International Colleges (BIC), Islamabad and Lahore through UK university partnerships. Higher Education Commission
- Denning Law School (DLS), Karachi & Hyderabad offering UK law programs. Higher Education Commission
New / Recent Updates for 2026
- HEC released a new list of active MS/MPhil (Level-7) and PhD (Level-8) programmes in Pakistan. Make sure your program is in that list before applying. Suno News
- Some campuses private or sub-campuses have had admission bans or restrictions in certain programs; always check if your specific program at your campus is allowed. Higher Education Commission
How to Verify If a University / Program is HEC Approved
- Visit HEC official website → check “Recognised Universities / DAIs” pages. Higher Education Commission+1
- Use PQR (Pakistan Qualification Register) for checking recognized programmes. Suno News+1
- Check whether your campus is officially recognized (main campus vs sub-campus). A campus may be listed, but some programs might be restricted. Higher Education Commission+1
- For international or collaborative programmes (TNE), verify the validity period and whether those programs are still allowed. Higher Education Commission
Why This Matters for Students
- Degrees from non-recognized institutions or non-approved programs may not be attested; this affects jobs, higher studies, and overseas recognition.
- Scholarship eligibility often depends on enrollment in HEC-recognized universities / approved programs.
- Employers and foreign universities will check HEC’s list; if your university / program is unrecognized, there may be serious problems.
Conclusion
For 2026, the list of HEC-approved universities in Pakistan includes many public and private sector institutions, plus foreign collaborative campuses. But not every campus or program is automatically valid. Always check:
- The specific campus (main or sub-campus),
- The specific degree programme (BS, MS, PhD etc.),
- The PQR / HEC’s official list before applying or paying tuition.
Call-to-Action: If you’re considering a university or program, visit the HEC website and use the PQR tool now to confirm recognition. Share this list with friends who are applying too — better to be safe than sorry!