According to KU’s Admissions Prospectus 2027, admission is granted on the pre-requisite (Intermediate) examination. For BSCS, BSSE, BS (AI), BBA, B.E., DPT, Pharm-D and the other test-based programmes, you must first pass the KU entrance test with at least 50%, but the test score is not added to your merit. Open-merit departments have no test. The exception is Visual Studies: 20% Intermediate + 60% aptitude test + 20% interview. Hafiz-e-Quran candidates get 20 additional marks (BS programmes).
Calculate your Karachi University merit
Free · instant · no loginThe comparison uses KU’s published 2026 closing percentages (“K” category for open merit; the 50% test-score band for test-based programmes). KU says they are for guidance only. Hafiz-e-Quran marks are added to your Intermediate marks here.
Karachi University Merit Formula 2027
| Route | How KU ranks you | Test |
|---|---|---|
| Open merit BS (about 60 departments) | Intermediate %, in category K, then S, then P | None |
| Test-based: BSCS, BSSE, BS (AI), BBA (KUBS), B.E. Chemical, DPT, Biotechnology, Food Science, Human Nutrition, Commerce, IR, Mass Communication, BSPA, Education, B.Ed. | Intermediate % after passing the test | KU entrance test, minimum 50% |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Morning & Evening) | Intermediate % after passing the test | KU entrance test, minimum 50% |
| BA-LL.B. (School of Law) | Intermediate % (open merit) | HEC LAT, minimum 50 |
| Visual Studies | 20% Intermediate + 60% aptitude test + 20% interview | Aptitude test 50/100; interview 10/20 |
KU’s prospectus states that test-based admissions “will be granted on pre-requisite (Intermediate or equivalent as per eligibility criteria) examination after qualifying the Entrance Test with minimum 50% marks.” The test is a pass/fail gate, so a higher test score does not raise your merit. Because there is no weighted formula outside Visual Studies, your “aggregate” at KU is simply your Intermediate percentage.
KU Closing Percentages 2026
| Programme | 2026 closing % |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Morning) | 82.45 |
| Doctor of Pharmacy (Evening) | 77.36 |
| Computer Science (BSCS) | 77.91 |
| BS Artificial Intelligence | 77.36 |
| Software Engineering (BSSE) | 77.18 |
| Food Science & Technology (Pre-Medical) | 84.91 |
| Human Nutrition & Dietetics | 79.64 |
| Biotechnology | 73.64 |
| BBA (Karachi University Business School) | 73.09 |
| Digital Media Marketing (open merit) | 75.29 |
| Microbiology (open merit) | 70.91 |
| BA-LL.B. School of Law (open merit) | 70.18 |
| Biochemistry (open merit) | 67.73 |
| English, Compulsory English 60%+ (open merit) | 68.09 |
| Economics & Finance (open merit) | 65.36 |
| Genetics (open merit) | 64.00 |
| Public Administration (BSPA) | 62.09 |
| Chemistry (open merit) | 61.36 |
| Mass Communication | 60.73 |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) | 60.27 |
| Chemical Engineering (B.E.) | 60.00 |
These figures come from Appendices G and I of KU’s Prospectus 2027. Open-merit figures are for the “K” (Karachi) category. Test-based figures are for candidates who scored 50 or more in the test. In 2026 some departments also admitted candidates with test scores below 50, but they needed a higher Intermediate % (for example, DPT with a test score of 45 closed at 71.18%). KU says the figures are “only for guidance and not applicable for admissions-2027”. Many arts and language departments closed at the 45% minimum.
How to Calculate Your KU Merit
| Example | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| BSCS: Intermediate 880/1100, test 62/100 | Test 62% ≥ 50% (passed); merit = 880 ÷ 1100 × 100 | 80.00% (above the 2026 closing of 77.91) |
| Same student, Hafiz-e-Quran | (880 + 20) ÷ 1100 × 100 | 81.82% |
| Visual Studies: Intermediate 70%, test 65/100, interview 14/20 | 70 × 0.20 + 65 × 0.60 + 14 | 67.00 points |
The Hafiz-e-Quran example adds the 20 marks to Intermediate marks out of 1100. KU’s prospectus says “additional 20 marks” for BS programmes without giving the method, so confirm with the Directorate of Admissions if it matters for your case.
KU Eligibility and Seats
| Programme | Seats | Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| BSCS / BSSE | 100 / 100 | Pre-Engineering or maths-combination Intermediate with 55%; DAE 65% |
| BS Artificial Intelligence | 50 | Same as BSCS |
| Doctor of Pharmacy | 200 morning / 150 evening | Intermediate Pre-Medical with 60% |
| Doctor of Physical Therapy | 45 | Intermediate Pre-Medical with 60% |
| Chemical Engineering (B.E.) | 38 + 2 DAE | Intermediate with Maths, Physics, Chemistry, 60% |
| BBA (KUBS) | 50 | Intermediate / A-Level with 50% |
| Visual Studies | 155 | Intermediate 50% or DAE 60% |
| Every programme | — | At least 45% (no 3rd division); passed within the last 5 years |
Open-merit seats are filled by category. K: you studied in Karachi. S: at least one exam from Sindh outside Karachi. P: at least one from outside Sindh. K candidates get preference. Test-based programmes do not use categories. Reserved seats (Sindh other than Karachi 90, Balochistan 60, sports 2%, KU employees, special persons, minorities, advocates’ children 5% in Law, self-finance) are also given on merit.
KU Admissions 2027 Schedule
| Route | Forms | Test | Admission list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Studies | 21–30 Sep 2026 | 3 Oct 2026 | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Pharm-D and test-based BS | 21–30 Sep 2026 | 11 Oct 2026 | 20 Oct 2026 |
| Open merit (BS 1st & 3rd year) | 12–21 Oct 2026 | None | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Evening programme | 2–11 Nov 2026 | 22 Nov 2026 (BSCS / BSSE) | 26 Nov 2026 |
Apply online at uokadmission.edu.pk. The processing fee is Rs. 5,000 for the first form and Rs. 3,000 for another programme, paid by Kuickpay. You can choose up to 5 departments in order of preference. Fees for the morning lists are collected from 9 to 19 November 2026.
KU Entrance Test Pattern
- 100 MCQs, all compulsory, with no negative marking.
- Pre-Engineering and Pre-Medical: English, general knowledge, Chemistry, Physics, plus Mathematics or Biology (20 questions each).
- General Science and Humanities: English and general knowledge, plus three subjects you studied in Intermediate.
- Commerce, DAE and Home Economics: English 20 + general knowledge 20 + 60 marks from your own stream.
- One test covers both Pharm-D and the test-based BS programmes. Sample papers are on KU’s admissions page.
Common KU Merit Mistakes
- Adding the test score to your aggregate. Outside Visual Studies, the KU test only qualifies you; merit is your Intermediate %.
- Using another university’s weightage. KU does not use Matric marks, and there is no 10-50-40 or 10-20-60 split.
- Submitting two forms in the same category. KU cancels all of them. One open-merit form and one test-based form is allowed.
- Expecting grace marks to count. KU ignores grace and condonation marks.
Frequently asked questions
How is merit calculated at Karachi University?
For open-merit and test-based programmes, merit is your Intermediate percentage. Test-based programmes first require at least 50% in the KU entrance test. Visual Studies uses 20% Intermediate + 60% aptitude test + 20% interview.
Does the KU entry test score count in merit?
No. The prospectus grants admission on the Intermediate result after you qualify the entrance test with at least 50%. Visual Studies is the only programme where the test is weighted (60%).
What was the KU closing percentage for BSCS in 2026?
77.91% for BSCS, 77.18% for BSSE and 77.36% for BS (AI), with a test score of 50 or more.
What is the Pharm-D merit at Karachi University?
In 2026 it closed at 82.45% (morning) and 77.36% (evening). You need 60% in Intermediate Pre-Medical and 50% in the KU test.
Do Hafiz-e-Quran get extra marks at KU?
Yes. KU gives 20 additional marks to Hafiz-e-Quran candidates for BS programmes, if they have no 3rd division in Intermediate.
What are K, S and P categories at KU?
K is for students who studied in Karachi, S for those with at least one exam from Sindh outside Karachi, and P for those with at least one exam from outside Sindh. K gets preference in open-merit departments.
What is the minimum percentage for admission in Karachi University?
45%. A 3rd division or less than 45% is not eligible. Many programmes need more, such as 55% for BSCS and 60% for Pharm-D, DPT and Chemical Engineering.
Is this the official KU merit?
No. This is an independent calculator built from KU’s Admissions Prospectus 2027 and its admission notices. Only KU’s admission lists are official.
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Official KU Admission Links
These are the University of Karachi’s own admission pages. They open in a new tab.
KU admissions
- Directorate of AdmissionsAdvertisements, schedule and sample papers.www.uok.edu.pk/admissions
- Admissions Prospectus 2027Policy, eligibility, seats and 2026 closing %.uokadmission.edu.pk/2027/prospectus/MP2027_1.pdf
- Online Admission PortalApply and pay the processing fee.uokadmission.edu.pk
- Admission Schedule 2027Form, test and list dates.uokadmission.edu.pk/uploads/links/admission-schedule-2027-20260917192218.jpeg