Higher education

Unlike Dutch higher education, Pakistani higher education is not divided into HBO i and WO i . Pakistani higher education institutions can offer both types of education. This often means that, for each diploma, we have to determine whether it is HBO or WO. Below, we describe the diplomas that we often see.

During a pass bachelor's programme, student do not specialise in a certain subject, but they choose a track. For example, they choose the science track with the electives biology, mathematics and chemistry. They do not specialise in 1 of these subjects.

• Duration i : 2 years.
• Study load i : 60-72 credit hours.
• Content: usually, the compulsory subjects are English, Urdu and Pakistan studies. In addition, students take 3 electives in 1 of the following tracks:
  • arts;
  • business administration;
  • commerce;
  • science; or
  • technology.
    They do not write a thesis. In technology, students study technical subjects and undergo 1 year of practical training (industrial training).
• Admission requirements: a Higher Secondary School Certificate or Intermediate School Certificate, sometimes with extra requirements, such as certain subjects and/or grades. Educational institutions may also accept other diplomas, such as the Diploma of Associate Engineer.
• Function of the diploma: access to some master's programmes, see Master's degree with a pass or honours bachelor as an admission requirement.
• Diploma: a pass bachelor's degree:
  • Bachelor of Arts (Pass);
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Pass);
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Pass);
  • Bachelor of Science (Pass);
  • Bachelor of Technology (Pass).
    Please note: '(Pass)' is nog always mentioned on the diploma. For example, a pass Bachelor of Arts may be referred to as just 'Bachelor of Arts'.

During an honours bachelor's programme, students specialise in a certain field. They only take chemistry courses, for example. This is different from the pass bachelor's degree. In that case, students do not specialise.

• Duration: usually 3 years, sometimes 4 years.
• Study load: 90-140 credit hours.
• Content: usually, students specialise in 1 of these tracks:
  • arts;
  • business administration;
  • commerce;
  • science; or
  • technology.
    Sometimes students write a thesis or do a graduation project.
• Admission requirements: a Higher Secondary School Certificate or Intermediate School Certificate, often with extra requirements, such as certain subjects and/or grades. Educational institutions may also accept other diplomas, such as the Diploma of Associate Engineer.
• Function of the diploma: access to some master's programmes, see Master's degree with a pass or honours bachelor as an admission requirement.
• Diploma: an honours bachelor's degree, such as:
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours);
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours);
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours);
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours); or
  • Bachelor of Technology (Honours).
    Please note: '(Honours)' is nog always mentioned on the diploma. For example, an honours Bachelor of Arts may be referred to as just 'Bachelor of Arts'.

There are various professional bachelor's degrees in Pakistan. Professional bachelor's programmes often prepare students for a certain profession.

• Duration: usually 5 years (medical study programmes), sometimes 4 years (other study programmes).
• Study load: 124-170 credit hours.
• Content: students attend lectures. They often do practicals and/or an internship. Sometimes they write a thesis or do a graduation project.
• Admission requirements: a Higher Secondary School Certificate or Intermediate School Certificate, often with extra requirements, such as certain subjects and/or grades. Educational institutions may also accept other diplomas, such as the Diploma of Associate Engineer.
• Function of the diploma: work. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
• Diploma: a professional bachelor's degree, such as:
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA);
  • Bachelor of Engineering (BE);
  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.);
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS);
  • Doctor of Pharmacy (DPharm);
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).

After completing a pass bachelor’s programme, students can continue studying for a postgraduate bachelor's degree. We often see the following 2 postgraduate bachelor's degrees:

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.);
• Bachelor of Education.

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

If students complete a study programme in law after a pass bachelor's degree, they receive a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).

• Duration: 3 years.
• Content: law. The study programme is mostly about theory, but students usually do not write a thesis.
• Admission requirements: a pass bachelo's degree, sometimes with extra requirements, such as certain grades.
• Function of the diploma: working in the field of law. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).

Please note: there is also a professional bachelor's degree in law. It has a duration of 5 years and students do not need a pass bachelor for admission. Both the postgraduate bachelor's degree and professional bachelor's degree in law lead to the same diploma (in terms of level), the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).

Bachelor of Education

If students complete a teacher training programme after a pass bachelor's degree, they receive a Bachelor of Education.

• Duration: 1 year or 1½ years.
• Content: a teacher training programme, usually aimed at teaching 2 school subjects. Students study educational subjects, such as pedagogy and education methods. They also do an internship, but do not write a thesis.
• Admission requirements: a pass bachelor's degree, sometimes with extra requirements, such as certain grades.
• Function of the diploma: working as a teacher. Access to master's programmes is also possible.
• Diploma: Bachelor of Education (BEd).

Please note: there are also teacher training programmes for honours bachelor's and professional bachelor's degrees. These study programmes take longer to complete than the postgraduate bachelor's degree. They usually have a duration of 4 years. You can recognise this by the number of credits hours that students must obtain for the diploma. Students also receive a different diploma at the end of an honours bachelor's degree, for example a Bachelor of Education (Honours) or a Bachelor of Science Education.

It is not only possible to obtain degrees in Pakistani higher education, such as bachelors or masters. Students can also obtain a different kind of diploma on completion of some study programme. An example is the Postgraduate Diploma.

• Duration: usually 1 year.
• Content: subjects in the area of the chosen specialisation (often business administration and management). In some cases, students also take 1 or 2 subjects on academic research methods. They usually do not write a thesis.
• Admission requirements: these depend on the study programme and educational institution. Often a pass bachelor's degree with a certain average grade is required, sometimes an entrance exam as well. Previous education may often be in a non-relevant field of study.
• Function of the diploma: work, In some cases, access to master's programmes is also possible.
• Diploma: Postgraduate Diploma in + field of study, for example Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration.

It is important to check the admission requirements of a master's degree. This gives you information about the level of the study programme. For admission to some master’s programmes, students need a pass or honours bachelor's degree. You can find information about the admission requirements on the website of the Pakistani higher education institution. You cannot tell from the name of the diploma.

• Duration: 1 to 2 years.
• Study load: 30-60 credit hours.
• Content: usually subjects in arts, science, commerce, business administration or technology. Sometimes students do an internship, often they do not write a thesis. Students usually do not learn how to carry out academic research.
• Admission requirements: a pass bachelor's degree or an honours bachelor's degree with Division II results. Sometimes the pass or honours bachelor's degree needs to have been obtained in a specific field of study.
• Function of the diploma: access to further studies, such as MPhil or PhD programmes, or work.
• Diploma: a master's degree, such as:
  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Business Administration;
  • Master of Commerce;
  • Master of Science.

It is important to check the admission requirements of a master's degree. This gives you information about the level of the study programme. For admission to some master’s programmes, students need a 4-year bachelor’s degree. You can find information about the admission requirements on the website of the Pakistani higher education institution. You cannot tell from the name of the diploma.

• Duration: 1½ to 2 years.
• Study load: 30-60 credit hours.
• Content: course work and sometimes research and/or a thesis as well.
• Admission requirements: a 4-year bachelor’s degree, usually in a relevant field of study and with at least Division II results.
• Function of the diploma: access to further studies, such as MPhil or PhD programmes, or work.
• Diploma: a master's degree, such as:
  • Master of Arts;
  • Master of Business Administration;
  • Master of Engineering;
  • Master of Science.

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) is a research master. Please note: in this context, the term ‘philosophy’ does not refer to any association of the programme with the study of philosophy, but rather to its foundation in research. MPhil programmes may be found in any branch of studies.

• Duration: 2 years.
• Study load: at least 36 credit hours.
• Content: usually 1 year of coursework, 1 year of research and writing a thesis.
• Admission requirements: 4 years of higher education, often in a relevant field of study. This can be a 4-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree after a pass or honours bachelor's degree. Often students need a certain average grade for admission as well.
• Function of the diploma: research. For some PhD programmes, students must first obtain a Master of Philosophy.
• Diploma: Master of Philosophy.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a doctorate from a higher education institution. Usually, candidates continue to study in the field of study of their master’s degree.

• Duration: 3 to 5 years.
• Study load: at least 18 credit hours.
• Content: research and a dissertation, in some cases several subjects with regard to the research specialisation as well.
• Admission requirements: usually a master's degree, often with a certain average grade and an entrance exam. For some study programmes, students must first obtain a Master of Philosophy.
• Diploma: Doctor of Philosophy.