Best Medical Universities in Karachi: Lots of people dream of becoming doctors because they want to help sick and poor people in the future. But, becoming a doctor is tough and takes a lot of hard work and determination. If you choose the right school, it can make a big difference in your future career.
Pakistan has the best medical colleges and Karachi is home to some of the best ones that provide high-quality education. If you’re looking for the top medical colleges in Karachi, then you’ve come to the right place.
This article includes a list of the best medical colleges and universities in Karachi, which comprises both public and private institutions.
Table of Contents
1. Dow Medical College
Dow Medical College, founded in 1945 and named after the former governor of Sindh, Sir Hugh Dow, is among the top medical institutions in the country. It has a reputation for producing several generations of successful doctors, making it one of the most sought-after medical colleges in Karachi. The college is currently affiliated with the Dow University of Health Sciences, established in 2003, and the Civil Hospital Karachi, which serves as its teaching hospital. The college provides theoretical as well as practical education and training to the aspiring doctors of tomorrow.
This institute offers a variety of courses, including MBBS, BS in Nutritional Sciences, BS in Medical Technology, BS in Dental Care Professional (DCP), Pharm-D, BDS, Ph.D. in Public Health Program, Masters in Nursing, Ph.D. in Basic Medical Sciences, and many others. However, admission to this university is extremely competitive, as many students apply for limited seats.
The annual fee for Dow Medical College is 31,900 PKR, making the total cost of the five-year program 159,500 PKR.
2. Aga Khan University
Aga Khan University (AKU), founded in 1983 by Prince Kareem Aga Khan through the Aga Khan Development Network, is among the most prestigious educational institutions in Pakistan. It’s an independent research university that has been ranked number one on the list of medical colleges in Pakistan by the HEC.
AKU has six campuses and teaching sites worldwide, including in Kenya, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, and Afghanistan, and its primary campus in Karachi, Pakistan. The Aga Khan University Medical College is a popular choice among medical students and offers various undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It also works closely with the School of Nursing and Midwifery on its premises.
At AKU, students not only receive high-quality education but also have access to advanced equipment, state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, and other learning facilities at the University Hospital, which is considered one of the best hospitals in Karachi.
3. Ziauddin Medical University
Established in 1996, Ziauddin Medical College is a well-known and respected medical college in Karachi. It has an advanced curriculum, and the mode of teaching is Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Case-Based Discussions to help students understand complex concepts better. The college places a great emphasis on community health to train more compassionate doctors for the future.
The medical college is affiliated with three campuses of Dr. Ziauddin Hospital located at North Nazimabad, Clifton, and Kemari. To be admitted to the program, students must clear the MDCAT and participate in a college interview.
The fee structure for local students is 4,840,000 PKR for the first three years of the program.
For foreign students, the fee structure is 90,000 USD for the entire five-year program.
Ziauddin Medical College offers various medical school courses that are recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). These include:
Undergraduate:
- MBBS
Postgraduate:
- M.Phil
- PhD Programs
- Doctor of Medicine in Clinical Sciences
- Master of Surgery in Clinical Sciences
- Master in Health Care Management
- FCPS/MCPS
4. Jinnah Sindh Medical University
Jinnah Sindh Medical University, formerly known as Sindh Medical College, was established in 1973 and gained university status in 2012. It is located in the Cantonment Area and consists of seven constituent colleges and institutions, including Sindh Medical College, Sindh Institute of Oral Health Sciences, APPNA Institute of Public Health, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Health & Business Management and Social Sciences, Institute of Nursing and Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
JSMU is considered one of the best medical schools in Pakistan, accredited by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and a top government medical university in Karachi for MBBS and other courses. It works closely with Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, the National Institute of Child Health, and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases to help students become skilled practitioners.
JSMU provides various facilities for students, including biometric attendance, WiFi, digital and regular libraries, hostel, and transportation services, among others.
5. Sindh Medical College
Sindh Medical College, founded by the Sindh government in 1973, has undergone significant improvements since becoming a university in 2012. The college uses modular teaching with problem-based and case-based learning and online exams. It provides cutting-edge lab facilities and Wi-Fi, as well as access to a video conferencing facility and the HEC Digital Library. Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) are among the affiliated hospitals.
For the 5-year program, the fee is 159,500 PKR for Open Merit students, 2,200,000 PKR for Local Self Finance students, and 59,087 USD per year for Foreign Self Finance students.
6. Karachi Medical and Dental College
Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) is a leading dental college in Karachi, established in 1991. It is recognized by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and affiliated with the University of Karachi for awarding degrees. KMDC was the first medical college to introduce an entrance test for admission to its MBBS program, and it does not have any quota system or self-finance seats. The college admits up to 250 medical and 100 dental students each year.
Abbasi Shaheed Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with KMDC. The college also offers postgraduate programs for FCPS and MCPS, in association with the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The fee structure for Open Merit students is 150,000 PKR for the course. The fee structure for Overseas students is 5,553,125 PKR for the 5-year course, and foreign students, it is 11,817 USD for the 5-year course.
7. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, Lyari
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, established in 2011, is among the top medical colleges in Karachi. The college is affiliated with the Lyari General Postgraduate Medical Center as its teaching hospital and offers excellent education with many opportunities for students. It has several departments, including Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology, and Biochemistry.
The cost of tuition for Open Merit students in the 5-year program is 159,500 PKR, while Self-Finance students are charged 2,200,000 PKR. Overseas students, on the other hand, are required to pay 51,701 USD for the 5-year program.
8. Baqai Medical University
Baqai Medical University is a well-known private medical university in Karachi that was established in 1988. It has been ranked 13th on the list of top medical universities in Pakistan by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The university provides excellent education and facilities to its students, including modern classrooms, large libraries, a sports complex, well-equipped labs with the latest medical equipment, and more. Baqai Medical University offers a wide range of programs, such as MBBS, BS Medical Technology, BDS, Pharm-D, BSc Nursing, MSc Medical Technology, MS Surgery, Master of Public Health, MD Internal Medicine, and many others.
9. Bahria University Medical and Dental College
Bahria University Medical College was founded in 2008, located in DHA Phase II, Karachi. The college is linked with the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) for its MBBS and BDS courses. To qualify for entrance into Bahria Medical College, candidates must pass both the Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) Medical College Admission Test (MDCAT) and the NUMS entry exam.
The college emphasizes problem-based learning with interactive and modular teaching approaches. It has modern labs, museums, designated rooms for small-group teaching, and a skills laboratory. PNS Shifa is its teaching hospital.
The college is committed to research and has held three National symposia in the past years. The current student capacity is 100 per year, and the college is in the process of developing an on-campus hostel for its students.
The fee structure for local students is 6,065,720 PKR for the five-year program.
The fee structure for foreign students is 81,000 USD for the five-year program.
10. Al-Tibri Medical College
To address the need for medical education in Gadap Town, Malir, Al-Tibri Medical College was founded in 2015. It is affiliated with Isra University and Al-Tibri Teaching Hospital. The college offers a curriculum that emphasizes fundamental clinical sciences and practical training at the teaching hospital. Biostatistics and community medicine are also integrated into the program to promote a research-based approach. Students benefit from conferences and seminars that provide the latest medical knowledge. The college is recognized by the HEC and the PMDC.
The fee structure for local students is 6,554,243 PKR for the 5-year program, while foreign students are charged 73,854 USD for the same program.