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Islamabad, Pakistan · IST

Institute of Space and Technology

A single profile of IST's undergraduate admissions: the published cycle, BS programmes, entry-test pattern and semester fees.

Deadline
20 Aug 2026
City
Islamabad
Type
Public
Entry test
Own entry test
When can I apply

Admissions

Fall 2026

This round closed on 20 Aug 2026. No later round is published yet.

Closed

Official admission schedule (Playwright browser walk 1 Nov 2026): admissions open 15 Apr 2026, closing date 20 Aug 2026, first merit list (tentative) 2nd week of July 2026, classes commence September 2026 (month-level, tentative → note only). Entry test required for BS engineering / computing / science. Cycle closed.

Cycle timeline

  1. Registration opens15 Apr 2026
  2. Registration deadline20 Aug 2026
Cycle sourceRecord updated 1 Nov 2026Official source
What you can study

Programmes

5 programmes across 2 departments. This is the list the university publishes; it may not be exhaustive.

Engineering

  • BS Space Science
  • BE Electrical Engineering
  • BS Applied Physics

Computing

  • BS Computer Science
  • BS Mathematics
What it costs

Fees

Published per-semester fee by department. Fees are set by the university and can change by intake; this table is not a quote.

DepartmentPer semesterPer year4-year estimate
Aerospace / Electrical / Avionics / Mechanical Engineering₨162,424₨324,848₨1,299,392
Metallurgy and Materials Engineering₨155,836₨311,672₨1,246,688
Computer Science / AI / Data Science / Software Engineering / Computer Engineering₨138,852₨277,704₨1,110,816
Space Science / Remote Sensing and GIS₨133,289₨266,578₨1,066,312
Biotechnology₨133,289₨266,578₨1,066,312
Mathematics group (incl. with AI / Data Science)₨91,416₨182,832₨731,328
Physics / Chemistry (Nano Technology)₨91,416₨182,832₨731,328

Official IST fee-structure page (Fall 2026, server-rendered). One-time charges Rs 49,000 for every program (Admission 35,000 + Endowment Fund 7,000 + Library Development Fund 7,000). Per-semester totals below include Tuition + Service Charges 8,470 + Safe/Smart Campus 2,420. International (US$) rates also published. Hostel Rs 60,500/sem extra.

Per year assumes two semesters; the four-year estimate assumes eight. Some programmes run different credit loads, and campuses can charge different amounts. Confirm the fee on the official page before you budget.

What you prepare for

Entry test

The university publishes its own entry-test pattern. The sections below are what it publishes; confirm the current pattern before you sit the test.

External tests on their own schedules (NAT every month); IST Fall 2026 accepts NAT results 01-07-2025 to 31-07-2026, USAT same window, NET Dec-2025 to 31-07-2026IST does NOT conduct its own entry test. BS engineering applicants must submit a score from an accepted external test: NTS NAT (monthly; NAT-1E / NAT-1CS), HEC USAT (USAT-E / USAT-CS), NUST NET, UET Lahore ECAT, UET Peshawar ETEA, MUET Jamshoro, NED Karachi engineering test, or ACT (USA). Highest score may be used.

Note

Official admission FAQ: computing & science programs (CS, AI, Data Science, Space Science, Physics etc.) do NOT require an entry test - admission on HSSC basis. Only engineering programs require one accepted external test score.

Engineering

Any one accepted external test (NAT-1E/1CS, USAT-E/CS, NET, ECAT, ETEA, MUET, NED, ACT)
Common questions

FAQ

What aggregate do I need for IST?
IST is highly competitive — it has its own rigorous entry test and the bar is genuinely high. Strong FSc marks are expected, generally 80%+, and the entry test performance is the primary filter. If you are targeting IST, treat the preparation as seriously as you would PIEAS or NUST.
Does IST accept O-level and A-level students?
Yes. IBCC equivalence is used. Given the space and aerospace engineering focus, you need strong Physics and Math coverage in your qualifications.
How many seats does IST offer?
IST has a controlled, selective intake. The small class sizes are deliberate — the programs are intensive and the government funding comes with high academic expectations.
Does IST offer scholarships?
Yes. IST has government-backed financial support and merit-based assistance. Being a public-sector institution with a specialized focus, the fee structure is already more regulated than private universities.
What happens after the IST merit list?
Seat confirmation involves documentation and fee payment within the given deadline. Given the competitive nature of the admissions, the process tends to be organized and well-communicated.
What is the IST fee structure?
More affordable than private universities given its public-sector backing — roughly Rs. 50,000 to 100,000 per semester. The specialized programs justify the investment for students interested in space and aerospace engineering.
Can I apply to multiple programs at IST?
IST has a focused program offering centered on engineering and technology disciplines. You specify your program preference in the application — options are more limited than at a general university.
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Where this came from

Sources

This page is built from the university's official admissions pages and published fee schedules. We record the official URL and the date the record was last updated. If a date or amount is not on the official page, it is not invented here. Closing-merit figures are the last published values UNiGUIDE holds.

Official pageCycle sourceRecord updated 1 Nov 2026

Official site: ist.edu.pk