Academic Programs, Admissions & Scholarships
Comprehensive guide for future students: degree programs, admission quota rules, course syllabi, and departmental merit scholarships.
Academic Degree Programs
The Department of Physics offers world-class degree programs designed to provide an in-depth understanding of physics fundamentals over a broad spectrum.
Comprehensive foundation in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal physics, mathematical methods, and modern physics laboratories.
Program Highlights
- Strong theoretical and experimental background
- Final year thesis/research project option
- State-of-the-art undergraduate computational & electronics labs
Advanced coursework in Quantum Field Theory, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, and 1-year dedicated research thesis supervised by world-class faculty.
Program Highlights
- 24 Credit Hours Coursework + 6 Credit Hours Thesis
- Access to high-performance computing clusters & cleanrooms
- Publication target in HEC recognized international journals
Cutting-edge doctoral research across theoretical, computational, and experimental physics disciplines with international research collaborations.
Program Highlights
- Comprehensive examination & thesis proposal defense
- International research fellowship opportunities (HEC IRSIP)
- Original contribution to world scientific literature
Admission Policy, Eligibility & Regional Quotas
Official admission guidelines extracted from QAU Physics Department regulations.
Admission Criteria & Schedule
The University admits academically sound individuals on the basis of merit determined by the pre-university academic record. Being a federal institution, it provides admission to all regions of the country as per approved quota and also welcomes admissions to foreign students.
🗓 Admission Cycle
Admissions are made in December/January (Spring Semester) and July/August (Fall Semester) every year on regional quota basis as well as on self-finance education scheme basis.
Bachelor’s (BS) programmes are announced once a year (Fall Semester), whereas admissions to PhD and MPhil programmes are announced every semester.
🏛 Regional & Quota Allocation
As a federal apex university, seats are allocated across all provinces and administrative territories of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK, FATA, and Federal Capital Islamabad), in addition to reserved seats for international applicants.
Courses & Degree Requirements
Official course framework approved by the Board of Studies, Board of Faculty, and Syndicate.
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Prerequisite Qualifications: FSc (Pre-Engineering) / (Pre-Medical) or equivalent with at least 2nd Division (45% marks).
Duration: 8 Semesters of 16 weeks each (4 Years).
Provides a comprehensive foundation in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, thermal physics, mathematical methods, and experimental physics laboratories.
Master of Philosophy in Physics
Prerequisite Qualifications: Master's degree (M.Sc) or 4-Year BS in Physics from a recognized University.
Duration: 4 Semesters of 16 weeks each (2 semesters of course work + 2 semesters for research work leading to dissertation).
Total Credit Hours: 50 Credits (24 Credit Hours Course Work + 26 Credit Hours Dissertation).
Compulsory Core Courses (Total 6 Credits)
- PH-601: Methods of Mathematical Physics (3 Credits)
- PH-602: Electrodynamics I (3 Credits)
For the remaining 6 courses (18 credits), at least 3 courses must be taken in the chosen area of specialization (Condensed Matter Physics, High Energy/Particle Physics, Quantum Optics/Quantum Information, Plasma Physics, or Atomic and Molecular Physics).
Approved M.Phil / PhD Course Titles
Doctor of Philosophy in Physics
Prerequisite Qualifications: M.Phil degree in Physics from a recognized University. College/university teachers or research staff holding Master's in Physics with proven research promise may also be considered.
Duration: 3 to 5 Years.
Total Course Credit Requirement: 18 Credit Hours (6 Courses of 3 credit hours each).
Compulsory Courses & GRE Standards
- PH-603: Advanced Quantum Mechanics (Compulsory for all PhD students)
- PH-616: Statistical Physics (Compulsory for all PhD students)
- Students without equivalent of PH-601 and PH-602 at M.Phil level must take these prerequisite courses.
Scholarships, Fellowships & Endowments
Official departmental merit awards, monthly stipends, and memorial trust funds available to physics students.
Departmental Merit Scholarships & Fellowships
BS & M.Sc Merit Scholarships
Awarded to students securing top academic positions in examinations:
- 1st Position: Rs. 15,000/-
- 2nd Position: Rs. 12,000/-
- 3rd Position: Rs. 8,000/-
M.Phil Merit Fellowships
Awarded monthly to M.Phil scholars based on examination marks:
- 75%+ Marks: Rs. 3,000/- per month
- 85%+ Marks: Rs. 4,000/- per month
PhD Doctoral Fellowships
Monthly fellowship for registered PhD scholars:
- Stipend: Rs. 7,000/- per month
- (Subject to the condition that they are not holding any other job or receiving external scholarships)
Endowed Scholarships & Memorial Fellowships
In addition to university merit awards, students can apply for the following prestigious donor and memorial trust fellowships:
Departmental Vision & Objectives
Our founding principles and academic commitment to producing creative scientists.
Department Vision
Since its inception in 1966, the Physics Department has laid a strong emphasis on providing its students—both undergraduate and postgraduate—with an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of Physics over a broad spectrum.
We believe that specializations should only be introduced after having developed a sound base at BS, M.Sc, and M.Phil levels respectively. The department feels that narrow specialization at an early stage does not lead to graduates with the potential to develop into creative scientists or as effective technologists.
The department lays great emphasis on the quality and mode of teaching and research supervision, ensuring tests and examinations measure analytical and critical abilities.
Objectives & Goals
Our goal is to produce graduates who are able to function in an outstanding manner—whether as academics in universities, researchers in R&D organizations, technical experts for government or private sectors, or as educators in colleges and high schools.
In whatever capacity they serve, they are expected to carry with them the knowledge base as well as the critical and analytical abilities developed by our program.
Academic responsibility and accountability of the faculty is taken very seriously in the form of student evaluation reports and course reports submitted by the faculty.