Fast University Islamabad, officially known as the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (NUCES), is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Pakistan. It was established in 2000 as a merger of the four existing campuses of the Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST), which was founded in 1980.
Graana.com provides a detailed overview of Fast University Islamabad below, including its programs, application procedure, and campus life.
About Fast University Islamabad
The main campus of FAST National University is located on A.K Brohi Road in Islamabad. It boasts several facilities, including well-equipped lecture halls, classrooms, research centres, libraries, and sports fields. In addition to academic support services, like career counselling and health and wellness resources, the campus also offers student housing, dining, and recreational facilities. There are numerous clubs and societies that students can join to enrich their university experience.
The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in various fields of computer science, engineering, management sciences, humanities and social sciences. It has a strong focus on research and innovation and has produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
The university aims to become a globally recognised research university that fosters excellence in teaching and learning and contributes to the advancement of knowledge and society.
It has a mission to impart quality education that meets international standards, conducts ground-breaking research that addresses local and global challenges, and provide a conducive environment that nurtures creativity, innovation and leadership skills among its students and faculty.
Ranking and Accreditation
The university has a reputation for excellence and quality in the education landscape of Pakistan. It is ranked among the top 10 universities in Pakistan by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and among the top 500 universities in Asia by QS World University Rankings.
It is also accredited by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC), and the National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC).
Undergraduate Programs
| Faculty | Degrees Offered | Duration |
| Faculty of Computing | BS (Artificial Intelligence) | 4 years |
| BS (Computer Science) | 4 years | |
| BS (Cyber Security) | 4 years | |
| BS (Data Science) | 4 years | |
| BS (Software Engineering) | 4 years | |
| Faculty of Engineering | BS (Civil Engineering) | 4 years |
| BS (Electrical Engineering) | 4 years | |
| BS (Internet of Things) | 4 years | |
| BS (Robotics) | 4 years | |
| Faculty of Management Sciences | BBA | 4 years |
| BS (Accounting and Finance) | 4 years | |
| BS (Business Analytics) | 4 years |
Graduate Programs
| Faculty | Degrees Offered | Duration |
| Faculty of Computing | MS (Artificial intelligence) | 2 years |
| MS (Computer Networks & Security) | 2 years | |
| MS (Computer Science) | 2 years | |
| MS (Data Science) | 2 years | |
| MS (Software Engineering) | 2 years | |
| MS (Software Project Management) | 2 years | |
| Faculty of Engineering | MS (Civil Engineering) | 2 years |
| MS (Electrical Engineering) | 2 years | |
| Faculty of Management Sciences | MBA | 2 years |
| MS (Accounting and Finance) | 2 years | |
| MS (Management Sciences) | 2 years | |
| Faculty of Science & Humanities | MS (Applied in Linguistics) | 2 years |
| MS (Mathematics) | 2 years |
Doctoral Programs
| Faculty | Degrees Offered | Duration |
| Faculty of Computing | PhD (Artificial intelligence) | 3-5 years |
| PhD (Computer Networks & Security) | 3-5 years | |
| PhD (Computer Science) | 3-5 years | |
| PhD (Data Science) | 3-5 years | |
| PhD (Software Engineering) | 3-5 years | |
| Faculty of Engineering | PhD (Civil Engineering) | 3-5 years |
| PhD (Electrical Engineering) | 3-5 years | |
| Faculty of Management Sciences | PhD (Management Sciences) | 3-5 years |
| PhD (Accounting and Finance) | 3-5 years | |
| Faculty of Science & Humanities | PhD (Mathematics) | 3-5 years |
Application Procedure
To apply to Fast University Islamabad, follow the steps below.
- Check the eligibility criteria for your desired program. You can find the details on the official website of FAST NUCES Islamabad (http://isb.nu.edu.pk/). In general, you need to have at least 60% marks in your previous degree or equivalent qualification.
- Fill out the online application form available on the website. You must provide your personal information, academic records, and program preferences, and upload the required documents, such as CNIC, transcripts, certificates etc. You must also pay an application fee through online banking or a challan form.
- Download your admit card from the website after submitting your application form. This will include details of your test date, time and venue. You must bring your admit card along with your original CNIC on the day of the test.
Fee Structure
Given below is the fee structure of different undergraduate and graduate programs.
Admission Fee and Security Deposit
| Category | Amount | Payable |
| Admission Fee | Rs. 20,000 | Once, at the time of admission |
| Security Deposit | Rs. 20,000 | Refundable at the time of graduation or withdrawal |
Tuition Fee Per Credit Hour
| Program | Fee |
| BBA/BS | Rs. 8,500 |
| MBA/MS | Rs. 8,500 |
| PhD | Rs. 8,500 |
Student Activities Fund
| Category | Amount | Payable |
| Student Activities Fund | Rs. 2,000 | Per semester to support co-curricular activities |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Category | Amount | Payable |
| Additional Transcript Fee | Rs. 200 | For each additional transcript required |
| Campus Transfer Fee | Rs. 5,000 | For students transferring to another campus |
| Degree Correction Fee | Rs. 2,000 | For each correction required in the degree certificate |
| Semester Freeze Fee | Rs. 10,000 | For students wishing to freeze their semester |
Fee Payment Methods
You can pay the fees through the following methods:
- Print the challan form and deposit cash at the nearest Faysal bank branch
- Pay through the Kuickpay payment gateway
Academic Grading
Throughout the semester, student progress is evaluated through mid-term exams, assignments, quizzes, case studies, or any other methods deemed appropriate by the course instructor and the university. Students will be informed about the evaluation methods at the beginning of each course.
Typically, the work done during the semester will account for 50% of the final grade, while the final examination will contribute the remaining 50%. Based on their overall academic performance in a course, students will receive a letter grade.
Letter Grades for BBA & BS Programs
| Grade | Points | Interpretation |
| A+ | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A- | 3.67 | Very Good |
| B+ | 3.33 | Very Good |
| B | 3.00 | Good |
| B- | 2.67 | Average |
| C+ | 2.33 | Below Average |
| C | 2.00 | Adequate |
| C- | 1.67 | Pass |
| D+ | 1.33 | Pass |
| D | 1.00 | Pass |
Letter Grades for MBA & MS Programs
| Grade | Points | Interpretation |
| A+ | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A- | 3.67 | Very Good |
| B+ | 3.33 | Good |
| B | 3.00 | Average |
| B- | 2.67 | Below Average |
| C+ | 2.33 | Adequate |
| C | 2.00 | Pass |
Letter Grades for PhD Programs
| Grade | Points | Interpretation |
| A+ | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A | 4.00 | Excellent |
| A- | 3.67 | Very Good |
| B+ | 3.33 | Good |
| B | 3.00 | Average |
| B- | 2.67 | Below Average |
Warning and Probation
Students who obtain a CGPA below the minimum required for their degree program at the end of a semester (including the first semester and summer semesters) will receive a warning. In such a case, the student cannot register for the subsequent semester without the approval of the respective head of department or any other senior faculty member appointed by the head.
After each semester, the student’s warning count increases by one if their CGPA is below the required minimum. The admission of a student at the university will be closed if the warning count reaches three. On the other hand, if the student’s CGPA meets or exceeds the required minimum, the warning count will be reset to zero.
| Programs | Minimum CGPA Required to Avoid Warning |
| BBA/BS | 2.0 |
| MBA/MS | 2.5 |
| PhD | 3.0 |
Campus Life
If you are looking for a university that offers not only quality education but also a vibrant and diverse campus life, then FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences is a top choice. It is one of the leading universities in Pakistan, with five campuses in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Chiniot-Faisalabad.
Each campus has well-equipped laboratories, libraries, classrooms, and studios. Students will have access to online databases, journals, books, and software that can enhance their learning experience.
Moreover, they will be taught by highly qualified and experienced instructors who are experts in their fields. Another important feature of FAST-NUCES is the variety of sports facilities and activities students can enjoy. They can join different sports teams and clubs that compete at inter-campus, inter-university, and national levels.
Besides sports, they can also join various student clubs and societies, which organise events and activities throughout the year. These include the dramatics society, music society, literary society, photography club, debating club, robotics club and many more.
Key Details
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | FAST National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad Campus |
| Type | Private university |
| Address | FAST University, 3 A.K. Brohi Road, H-11/4 H-11/4 H-11, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory |
| Founded | July 1, 2000 |
| Subsidiaries | FAST NUCES Lahore, MORE |
| Campus | Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad |
| Phone | (051) 111 128 128 |
| School type | Private school |
| Students | 11,000 |
| Hours | Open ⋅ Closes 5 pm |
| Last Confirmed | 1 week ago |
| Parent institution | Foundation for Advancement of Science and Technology (Established in 1980) |
| Accreditation | Higher Education Commission; Pakistan Engineering Council; Washington Accord |
| Academic staff | 532 |
| Chancellor | Wasim Sajjad |
| Rector | Dr. Aftab Ahmed |
For information on other top universities in Islamabad, visit Graana blog.
