Established in June, 1951 the University of Karachi is known as one of the premier centers of teaching and research in the sub-continent and the developing world. A large number of students from Karachi and other parts of the country are desirous of admission in this university due to its high standard of education and well qualified staff. A number of scientists and scholars affiliated with the University are working at important positions both within and outside Pakistan and have won recognition and acclaim. One of the institutes of the University has got the distinction of being recognized as the Centre of the Third World Academy of Sciences. Students from several foreign countries are also pursuing for the Masters, B.S., M.S. and Doctorate degrees. As the population of the city is increasing day by day, it is too hard to accommodate all the applicants in various courses of studies in the morning program, hence to meet the increasing demand of education in various disciplines, the university has been running the Evening Programs in several departments at the Masters, B.S., Diplomas and Certificate level.  A Directorate of Evening Program has been established since 1995 to execute studies in the Evening Program. The curricula for Morning and Evening programs are identical for the awards of university’s degrees. In most cases the same teacher as well as the same laboratories and library facilities are made available to the students of both morning program as well as the Evening Program wherefor attendance, teaching and examination standards are alike.

At present education is being imparted at the University campus under six faculties i.e. Faculty of Arts; Faculty of Science; Faculty of Islamic Studies; Faculty of Management & Administrative Sciences; Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Pharmacy. There are 52 departments and over 17 research institute/centers, which are educating more than 20,000 students including students from foreign countries. The faculty comprises more then 600 highly qualified and experienced teachers, many of them having obtained higher degrees from abroad and enjoying a high repute internationally. The non-teaching staff comprises nearly 2,000 employees to help with administrative and other matters.

The University of Karachi is also an affiliating and examining body. At present, more than 145 colleges and institutions are affiliated to the University. The courses of studies for these institutions are approved by the University and examinations are also conducted under its auspices. The University conducts examination of about 150,000 students studying in these colleges/institutes, prepares their results and awards degrees.

Students' Affairs

To care for students affairs and to supervise their extra curricular activities, teachers and the staff are available for the guidance to the students at the office of Advisor, Students’ Affairs, situated at the first floor of the Administration block.. 

In order to help passing out students in securing jobs and solve their practical problems, a Students’ Guidance, Counseling and Placement Bureau is functioning at the first floor of a building facing Masjid-e-Ibrahim. The Bureau also conducts preparatory classes, every year, for those willing to appear in the CSS examinations or keen to develop proficiency in the English language.

Discipline Committee

A discipline committee to maintains discipline among students and ensured a proper check on matters of indiscipline at the campus. The Committee takes notice of the cases of infringement of law and order, and undesirable activities at the campus, and takes disciplinary action against the offenders. The Vice-Chancellor is Chairman of this Committee while the Advisor, Students' Affairs is its member secretary. The Committee meets several times a year to review the prevailing law and order situation and other related matters and take appropriate decisions.

Evening Program

The Evening Program of the University of Karachi offers Masters / B.S. Program. The timings of the program have been scheduled from 3:30 p.m. In departments involving laboratory experiments, it usual commences at 3:30 p.m while in others teaching schedule is decided by the department’s management according to the needs of the courses in between the working hours of the Evening Program. The timings of the program provide an excellent opportunity to individuals, who are in-service and intend to improve their academic qualifications, in pursuit of advancing their learning and career prospects.

The admission process begins in November through announcements in the newspapers.    Classes for the first semester shall commence from January, 2009. During the holy month of Ramzan, the classes remain suspended. There are two semesters in a year and tuition fee is charged per semester. The fee varies from Rs.11,500/- to 22,000/- per semester for various degree programs.

Duration of Courses

The duration of B.S. courses in the University is four years and for Phar-D (Pharmacy), five years. The details may be seen in Table – I. In some departments, certificate courses are also offered. Details are available in Table-II.

Who Should Enroll ?

• All prospective students wishing to join the University immediately to have an early start of their education.
• In-service candidates who are keen to improve their qualifications and skills.
• Female students are encouraged to enroll. There are already more then 35% girls studying in the Evening Program.
• There is no restriction on the year of passing, but the pre-requisite examination must have been passed from recognized institution / University.

System of Studies

The University follows the semester system. One academic year consists of two semesters (the details are given in the Academic Calendar at the beginning of this brochure). A student has to complete a total of 18 credit hours during one semester. However, in the Faculty of Pharmacy, the number of credit hours is 20.

After successful completion of four semesters, if a student decides to leave the University or the Department, a B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. (Pass) degree can be awarded on request. Similarly, a B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. (Honours) degree can be awarded to the student who would like to quit B.S. program after successful completion of six semesters.
 
A Student of B.S. will have to take two subsidiary subjects besides a major subject and ten compulsory subjects in the Faculties of Arts, Islamic Studies and Science, and six in the Faculty of Management & Administrative Sciences.

Students admitted to the University are required to be conversant with the University rules and abide by them.

Rules governing attendance and promotion are of special importance. Under these rules:

1. The minimum attendance requirement to appear in the terminal examination of any subject/course is 75%. For details please see ‘Semester Examination Rules’, a booklet is available at the University Bookshop.
2. A student will not be promoted to the next higher class unless he/she has cleared 80% of the courses. Admissions to masters program would not be granted unless the student has cleared all the courses of Bachelors Program. This rule is being strictly followed as per the decision of the University's Academic Council.

Instructions for Foreign Students:

Foreign students are admitted to this University on nomination from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan subject to eligibility.

The students are required to complete the following additional courses.