PhD Computer Science

Overview

The PhD degree is conferred upon those candidates who have demonstrated substantial scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research. They have shown, to the satisfaction of the department, their command over their subject of interest, and their capacity to contribute to the frontiers of knowledge.

The PhD programme in Computer Science puts emphasis on rigorous coursework and high quality research that should be published in peer-reviewed international conferences and journals. All PhD students are encouraged to tackle both coursework and research in parallel; success in both these components is a requirement for the award of the PhD degree.

The medium of instruction at LUMS is English for all degree programmes offered. Assessments are accepted in English only.

Note:

Full Tuition Fee Waiver and a Monthly Stipend* awarded to all admitted students (for up to four years).
*Subject to adequate academic performance

Important Dates

PhD (Computer Science / Electrical Engineering / Mathematics / Physics / Biology / Chemistry)

ActivityDate
Online Application Deadline (PST)
15 Apr 2020
05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents
16 Apr 2020
Online Application Deadline (PST) -- LUMS MS Continuing Students
15 Apr 2020
05:00 pm
Deadline to submit supporting documents - LUMS MS Continuing Students
16 Apr 2020
Admission decisions
01 Jul 2020 to 31 Jul 2020
Notes: 

The University reserves the right to change dates and deadlines for admissions. Please keep informed of any changes by visiting www.lums.edu.pk periodically as well as the LUMS online application site.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for Fall 2020 Admissions

Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Programme. 

The Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE) offers PhD Programme in Computer Science of four years’ duration.

Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:
 
  1. Academic record;
  2. Performance in the Admission Tests;
  3. Research Statement & Completed and submitted application form and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline;
  4. Interview Performance

Note:

This is the minimum criteria that applicants need to fulfil in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfilment of this criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS.

Academic Requirements for Fall 2020 Admissions

A minimum of 18 years of education is required for applying to the PhD Programme in Computer Science.

Applicants are expected to have obtained their Master's degree (MS or MPhil) from the national or foreign institutions that are accredited or recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan. Applicants who have obtained their degrees from institutions that are not listed with the HEC, Pakistan, will be required to obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC.

As minimum academic performance, all applicants must have obtained a CGPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4) or First Division (in the annual system) in their Master's degree and at least a CGPA of 2.4 (on a scale of 4) or 60% marks in Bachelor’s degree. Applicants obtaining 2 years BSc. degree and 2 years MSc. degree must have secured at least 60% marks in both degrees. In addition, applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in their FSc. exam. A-level students must have at least 65% marks on IBCC equivalence scale with at most 1 D grade.

Applicants who have their Master’s degree with a CGPA computed over any scale other than 4.0 will be required to submit a letter/revised transcript from their respective University or submit a letter from HEC affirming that the applicant meets the CGPA requirement for PhD admission. For further information, please visit: www.hec.gov.pk.

Applicants applying for the PhD Programme in Computer Science must have a Master's degree in any one of the following areas:

  • Computer Science
  • Software Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Other closely related disciplines

Note:

  • Applicants completing their last degree by June 30, 2020 are also eligible to apply for PhD Programme if they are meeting all minimum admission requirements at the time of submission of application.
  • Please note applicants need to provide the final official transcript by June 30, 2020 or they will not be considered for admission in PhD programme.

ADMISSION ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LUMS SBASSE CONTINUING STUDENTS

MS - PHD PROGRAMME

  1. LUMS MS students graduating in 2020 or have graduated within the last 2 years from SBASSE with a minimum CGPA of ≥ 3.0 are eligible to apply for PhD Programme. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) and SBASSE Subject Tests are waived for LUMS students who plan to continue their studies within the same Department.

    The application deadline for this category of students is April 15, 2020; 5:00 PM (PST). Please note that the exemption from the LGAT and LUMS Subject test will only be granted if the CGPA ≥ 3.0 requirement is met at the time of application submission.

  2. LUMS MS students graduating in 2020 or have graduated within the last 2 years from SBASSE with a minimum CGPA of ≥ 3.0 applying across departments will be required to take the SBASSE Subject Test or GRE Subject Test (if available) in the subject they want to pursue their PhD in. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is waived off for this category of students but they must register for LUMS SBASSE Subject Test if they have not taken GRE Subject Test.

    The deadline to register for the LUMS SBASSE Subject Test and submit the complete application online is April 15, 2020; 5:00 PM (PST). Please note that the exemption from the LUMS Graduate Admission Test LGAT will only be granted if the CGPA ≥ 3.0 requirement is met at the time of application submission.

Notes:

  • LUMS SBASSE MS students with a CGPA of < 3.0 (at the time of application submission deadline) are not eligible to apply for PhD programme.
  • As per HEC requirements, PhD students, once admitted, may be required to take the GRE Subject Test or NTS GAT Subject Test (if GRE Subject Test not available) if they have not done so already.
  • Please note that shortlisted SBASSE MS students (with an incomplete degree at the time of application submission) will be required to complete their MS degree requirements with a CGPA 3.0 or above. In case this CGPA requirement is not met by June 30, 2020, the student will not be considered for PhD admission.
  • Please visit the following link to apply for this program: https://admissions.lums.edu.pk

Admission Test Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

a. Local Applicants

Applicants to the PhD Programme in Computer Science are required to take following two (2) admission tests in order to be considered for Fall 2020 admission:
 
  1. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT); and
  2. LUMS SBASSE Subject Test in Computer Science

Please visit the following link to apply  https://admissions.lums.edu.pk.

Exemption for applicants who have taken Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Tests

  • Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examination GRE (General) (through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA) during the last two (2) years (i.e. after April 01, 2018) and obtained an aggregate score of 300 in the quantitative and verbal sections may choose not to take the LGAT.
  • Due to the unavailability of GRE Subject Test in Computer Science, all local applicants must take the LUMS SBASSE Subject Test in Computer Science.

b. International Applicants

Applicants residing outside Pakistan are required to take the GRE General Test through the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA. For further information, please visit www.ets.org.

Due to the unavailability of GRE Subject Test in Computer Science, such applicants will be assessed based on their GRE General Test score only.

Note:

  • LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is comprised of Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical sections.
  • The LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) and the SBASSE Subject Test in Computer Science for Fall 2020 will be announced later.
  • LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test Scores will be valid only for One (1) academic year.
  • The LGAT and SBASSE Subject Test scores will be used for application evaluation, hence will not be disclosed to applicants.

Subject Test Guidelines:

Please visit the following link; Subject Test Guidelines

Research Statement & Supporting Documents Requirement for Fall 2020 Admissions

Research Statement

The Research Statement is a summary of your research accomplishments, current work, and future direction and potential of your work. Research statement is mandatory for all PhD applicants.

Supporting Documents

Applicants must complete and submit their online application form on or before April 15, 2020; 5:00 pm (PST). The application form can be accessed online at http://admissions.lums.edu.pk. In addition, all applicants are required to submit all supporting documents to the LUMS Admissions Office on or before April 16, 2020.

WAIVING RECOMMENDATION LETTERS.

The applicants need to provide the names and contact details of referees and LUMS Admissions Office will contact them while processing admission applications.

Application Processing & LUMS Test Registration fee (if applicable)

  • The application processing fee of  Rs. 1200 (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
  • LGAT & LUMS SBASSE Subject Test Registration Fee of Rs. 1000 (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
  • The application processing fee of $81 for International applicants (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).
  • The application processing and LGAT & LUMS SBASSE Subject Test Registration Fee of $89 for International applicants (SBASSE MS/PhD Programmes).

Payment Procedure

After the successful submission of the online application form through the LUMS Online account on or before the application submission deadline, applicants will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher.  For further details regarding Fee payment options Click here

Proof of Payment

A stamped copy of the payment voucher or a confirmation email of an online banking transaction constitutes proof of payment. Applicants are required to send a copy of payment proof along with all other required supporting documents as ONE package on or before the stipulated deadline.

Applicants must print and paste the “Mailing label” on the envelope before sending it to the LUMS Office of Admissions. Applications or documents received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.

Interview Performance

Interview session will comprise of your research presentation followed by Q & A session.

FAQs

Please visit the following link for the minimum eligibility criteria; https://admission.lums.edu.pk/graduate-programmes

After the successful submission of the online application form you will be able to print a system generated Application Processing and LUMS Test Registration (if applicable) Fee payment voucher. Please print the fee voucher for making payments at Allied Bank Branches throughout Pakistan. The voucher can be paid:

Test Registration Cards and instructions will be posted to the applicants' secure online application account and an email message will alert applicants that the Test Registration Card has been posted. It will be posted on applicants' online account one week before the test date.

If an applicant is unable to view his/her Test Registration Card despite completing all the requirements then he/she can write to us at helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk.

You should recheck the completion and proper submission of your online application.

Applications submitted after the deadlines are not accepted.

It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. No changes can be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to helpdeskao@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".

You should submit all your transcripts latest by the document submission deadline. Copy of your degree can be submitted later.

Applicants to the PhD Programme must have a CGPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4) at the time of application submission.

Admission in LUMS PhD Programme is purely merit based and there are no quotas.

The recommendation letters can be from a faculty member who has had a reasonable opportunity to evaluate you academically.

In truly exceptional circumstances the Graduate Programme Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.

Final admission decision will be communicated through an official letter; however, you can also check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding your application status by telephone or e-mail.

The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final.

If your application is unsuccessful you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the University receive, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.

A Foreign national who is not of Pakistani origin and does not have a Pakistani passport/NICOP/CNIC is eligible to apply to LUMS under its International Student Programme. Applicants holding dual nationality out of which one is Pakistani are not eligible to apply through LUMS International Student Programme.

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education efforts in Pakistan.
HEC is responsible for formulating higher education policy and quality assurance to meet the international standards as well as providing accrediting academic degrees, development of new institutions, and uplift of existing institutions in Pakistan.

LUMS provides a well-maintained residential environment for International students.

Fees

Fee Structure for FY 2020-21

Particulars

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

 

PKR

PKR

Admission Fee (One Time Charge)

81,500

-

Tuition Fee

175,800

175,800

Semester Registration Fee

26,900

26,900

General Security (Refundable - One Time Charge)

34,400

-

Total Fee

318,600

202,700


Hostel Fee

Particulars

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

 

PKR

PKR

Hostel Fee (double occupancy)

45,000

45,000

Hostel Fee (triple occupancy)

30,000

30,000

 

Important Points

  • The above breakdown of fee structure is for Year 1 of the 4 Years PhD Computer Science programme.
  • The PhD programmes at LUMS offer a full tuition fee waiver (except general security) to all students on merit for four (4) years.
  • Fees are payable by semester according to the schedule given in the Annual Fee bill.
  • Through an amendment in the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 by Finance Act 2013, advance tax (under section 236 I) shall be collected @ 5% on the entire amount of fee (if Student Payable exceeds PKR 200,000 per annum excluding the amount refundable).
  • Advance tax paid on fee is adjustable at the time of filing of Income tax return. LUMS will issue Advance Tax Certificate in this regard at year-end.
  • University fees are usually announced once each year, for the following academic year. However, tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

SUBMISSION OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

We are here to help and guide you through the admissions process during this time. You can continue to monitor this page for admissions related updates. Our campus is also providing general updates and resources as needed. 

Our Campus is closed, but we're still here to help

Due to the country’s stay at home directive, LUMS campus is closed and no longer offering in-person visits. However, we're still working and available to answer your admission related questions! Feel free to email us at admissions@lums.edu.pk or contact us through Live web chat (Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PST).

Unfortunately, a few of our processes are unable to be done remotely. These are detailed below.

Submitting your supporting documents

All available documents can be submitted online through the LUMS Online Admission system. In case, few documents are not available/missing then applicants can seek help/extension by writing to the Admissions Office at admissions@lums.edu.pk.

Acknowledgement for documents receiving

We may not be able to accept postal mail or courier packages at this moment. If you had documents sent through such means recently, you will receive a system generated acknowledgement email of your submitted documents within two weeks’ time. If need be, Admissions staff will also contact you for the completion of supporting documents.

Recommendation Letter Waiver

If referees can send recommendation letters by email, they can email them directly to admissions@lums.edu.pk. If this cannot be done, please provide only names and contact details of referees and we will approach them directly, if the need arises.

Please feel free to contact admissions@lums.edu.pk, if further information is needed.

Wishing you health and safety!