University of Karachi increases passing marks for PhD admission test

Requirements for paper publication also made more stringent

The University of Karachi (UoK) has revised its admission policy by increasing the passing marks for the PhD admission test from 50 to 60, in line with the new PhD policy introduced by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Admissions for MPhil and PhD programs at the University of Karachi will commence on June 23, with the admission test scheduled for July 28. The new academic session will begin on September 1. According to the updated policy, candidates must now score a minimum of 60 marks to pass the PhD admission test, while the passing marks for the MPhil admission test remain at 50.

Professor Dr Anila Amber Malik, Convener of the Postgraduate Studies Admission Committee at the UoK, told Express News on Friday that the revision in the admission policy includes certain aspects of HEC's new PhD policy.

Under the new policy, the passing marks for the PhD admission test have been increased, and the CGPA requirement for MPhil has been reduced from 3 to 2.6, equivalent to approximately 70% marks.

Additionally, the requirements for paper publication in PhD programs have been made more stringent. Students are now required to publish their research in an X-category journal or, alternatively, publish two research papers in Y-category journals.

Failure to meet these publication requirements could hinder students from registering in the "Pakistan Country Directory" (PCD), officials stated.

Dr Anila also addressed aspects of the HEC's new policy that the university did not adopt, specifically the requirement to send PhD theses for evaluation to the top 500 ranked universities or two prominent professors.

She pointed out that many prominent professors in various disciplines are not available within the country and not all top 500 universities offer every discipline in which PhD candidates are enrolled. Therefore, instead of this requirement, the university has decided to send theses to developed countries for evaluation.

Moreover, for the first time, the UoK has allowed interdisciplinary admissions at the MPhil and PhD levels.

This allows candidates with a bachelor's degree in one faculty to apply for admission to another faculty, provided they meet the criteria set by the relevant Departmental Research Committee. However, admitted students are required to complete 9 to 12 credit hours of requisite courses.