Pakistan is one of those countries where parents usually expect their children to study either engineering or medicine. That is not as common as it used to be, as many young people in Pakistan are now exploring a wider range of fields.
However, a large number of students still want to study medicine because it can be a rewarding career both personally and financially. As in many other countries, it is not easy to get accepted to medical school in Pakistan, especially if you have your eyes on a public institute.
Public medical colleges and universities have limited seats and are very competitive. Private institutes are usually more accessible from an admissions point of view, but they are much more expensive than public institutes. For this reason, we have created a list of relatively affordable private medical colleges and universities in Pakistan that you can consider if you are on a tight budget.
Note, however, that private medical colleges are still generally much more expensive than public medical colleges. Also, fee schedules can change frequently. The figures below use the latest available official college fee pages where they are clear, and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council tuition-fee notification where a college page does not publish a clear current total. Always confirm the final fee, taxes, registration charges, hostel charges, transport, insurance, and other optional costs directly with the admissions office before applying.
Affordable Medical Schools in Pakistan
1. Sharif Medical College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: tuition-fee cap of PKR 1,890,000/year for the MBBS program
Sharif Medical and Dental College is located in Lahore and is part of the Sharif Trust, with its academic campus in Sharif Medical City near Jati Umra. The college offers medical education in a quieter campus setting outside the city center.
2. Hamdard College of Medicine, Karachi
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: tuition-fee cap of PKR 1,890,000/year for the MBBS program
If you want to study medicine in Karachi, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry is worth considering. It is part of Hamdard University and offers medical education through its Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Because medical fee structures may include additional university, registration, tax, or optional charges, applicants should use the official fee page and admissions office for the latest payable amount.
3. Islam Medical College, Sialkot
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: tuition-fee cap of PKR 1,890,000/year for the MBBS program
Islam Medical College is located on Pasrur Road, about 7 km from Sialkot. The college is associated with Islam Teaching Hospital and developed from Islam Central Hospital, with its first batch beginning in 2010. This private medical school in Pakistan may be a suitable option for students who want to study outside the country’s largest metropolitan areas while still pursuing an MBBS program.
4. M. Islam Medical College, Gujranwala
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: tuition-fee cap of PKR 1,890,000/year for the MBBS program
M. Islam Medical and Dental College is located in Gujranwala and is associated with M. Islam Medical and Dental College Hospital. The college states that it has PMDC approval for an annual intake of 150 students. Its goal is to provide a learning environment for students preparing for careers in medicine and health care.
5. Akhtar Saeed Medical College
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: PKR 13,920,495 for local MBBS students; foreign/overseas MBBS fee of USD 52,800. The PMDC tuition-fee cap after enhancement is PKR 2,139,197/year.
Located in Lahore, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College offers MBBS, BDS, DPT, Pharm.D, and allied health sciences programs. The college was established by Dr. Farooq Saeed Khan with the aim of providing state-of-the-art medical education and developing graduates with strong academic, cognitive, and practical skills. Students should check whether the local or foreign/overseas fee category applies to them before applying.
6. Al-Nafees Medical College, Islamabad
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: total fixed fees of PKR 12,296,431 and a separate regular Pakistani MBBS package totaling PKR 15,110,123; foreign/overseas MBBS total fixed fee is listed as USD 60,500
If you wish to study in the capital of Pakistan, Al-Nafees Medical College deserves your attention. It is part of Isra University’s Islamabad campus and is connected with Al-Nafees Medical College Hospital, which serves as an allied teaching hospital. Isra University lists the MBBS program at Al-Nafees Medical College as a five-year degree, along with other health sciences programs.
7. Continental Medical College, Lahore
- Tuition Fees
- Tuition Fees: total fixed fee of PKR 10,996,944 for local MBBS seats, including a tuition component of PKR 9,691,959.
Established in October 2006, Continental Medical College in Lahore is a private medical college associated with Hayat Memorial Teaching Hospital. The college was created to bring together medical faculty and infrastructure for training future medical practitioners. Continental Medical College has also posted financial assistance and scholarship notices in previous sessions, but students should check the current admissions notices for updated scholarship availability and eligibility.
There are several private-sector options for students looking for relatively affordable medical colleges in Pakistan. If you can get into a public medical college, you will usually pay much less. However, if you plan to apply to private institutes, compare the latest approved fee schedule, additional charges, location, hospital facilities, and recognition status before making your decision.
We hope that this article on cheap medical schools in Pakistan was helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Study in Pakistan and Available Programs for International Students pages.
