LAHORE – University of Health Sciences (UHS) increased annual tuition fees for newly admitted students in public-sector medical and dental colleges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 for the 2026–27 academic session.
The revised fee is an increase of Rs 35,000 per year, which is 233.3% over the previous rate. The decision has brought the affordability of medical education into focus, particularly for middle- and low-income families that depend on government institutions as a more affordable alternative to private medical colleges.
According to reports citing the UHS notification, numbered SO(ME-II)2-1/2026, the new tuition structure applies to students entering public-sector MBBS and BDS programmes in the upcoming session. Students admitted in earlier years will continue to pay the previous annual tuition fee of Rs 15,000, creating a substantial difference between the costs faced by new entrants and those already enrolled.
The change means that newly admitted students will pay more than three times the previous annual tuition amount. Although some media reports have described the increase as exceeding 300%, a calculation based on the stated figures puts the rise at approximately 233.3%.
While the revised annual fee remains considerably lower than the overall charges associated with private medical education, the sharp increase could place additional pressure on families already budgeting for years of professional study.
Tuition is also only one component of the total cost. Students may need to cover admission charges, books, transport, hostel accommodation, meals and other living expenses, depending on their circumstances.
Earlier fee schedules sometimes placed first-year payments at around Rs 18,000 after including additional charges alongside the Rs 15,000 tuition component. The newly reported policy raises the annual tuition itself to Rs 50,000.
What students will have to pay
| Fee category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual tuition for open-merit students | Rs 50,000 |
| Previous annual public-sector tuition | Rs 15,000 |
| Annual increase | Rs 35,000 |
| UHS application processing fee | Rs 2,000 |
| Initial deposit to secure a private-college seat | Rs 600,000 |
| Annual fee for reserved overseas self-finance seats in public colleges | $10,000 |
UHS application processing fee is reported to be non-refundable and applicable to candidates submitting applications. Candidates allocated seats in private medical and dental colleges must reportedly deposit Rs 600,000 into the designated UHS account within three working days of the relevant selection list to secure their placement.
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Remaining private-college charges are paid directly to the institution, with payment arrangements potentially varying between quarterly, half-yearly and annual instalments. Private tuition fees remain subject to the applicable regulatory limits set by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
The overseas fee structure also differs according to the category of admission. The reported USD 10,000 annual charge applies to reserved overseas self-finance seats in public colleges, while overseas Pakistanis admitted on open merit are reported to pay the standard local tuition rate of Rs 50,000.
Alongside the fee changes, the admission process continues to rely on a weighted aggregate combining entrance-test performance and previous academic results. Under the reported formula, MDCAT carries 50% weight, HSSC or equivalent marks account for 40%, and Matric or equivalent results contribute the remaining 10%.
Candidates must have at least 60% marks in HSSC or an equivalent qualification. The minimum MDCAT requirement is 55% for MBBS and 50% for BDS, according to the supplied policy details.
Biology and Chemistry are compulsory subjects, while Physics or Mathematics is required as the third subject. Applicants with foreign qualifications must obtain equivalence certification from the Inter Board Coordination Commission (IBCC).
The reported rules also state that MDCAT results remain valid for three years and that no additional marks are awarded for Hafiz-e-Quran candidates. Applicants should verify these requirements against the latest official prospectus before applying.
The centralised admission system requires public-sector applicants to rank all available colleges according to their preferences. Private-college applicants are not subject to the same limit on the number of preferences. Candidates may edit their preferences before the deadline, but the list becomes final once submissions close. A college that has not been included in the final list cannot be offered to the applicant through that application.
Candidates must complete the required fee payments and reporting procedures within the stipulated deadlines to confirm their seats. Private-college students may also be able to opt out of further upgradation, although the decision is final under the reported policy.
Nearly 9,900 seats expected across public and private institutions
| Sector | MBBS | BDS seats | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public colleges | 4,051 | 340 | 4,391 |
| Private colleges | 4,400 | 1,100 | 5,500 |
| Combined total | 8,451 | 1,440 | 9,891 |
Of the estimated 4,391 public-sector seats, approximately 3,981 are reported to be open-merit places. The final number of approved seats may change in line with PMDC decisions and official revisions.
The scale of the expected intake means the revised fee structure could affect a substantial number of students entering public medical and dental institutions during the new admission cycle.
The reported admission calendar places MBBS applications around mid-to-late October 2026, with the BDS application process expected to begin around mid-to-late December 2026. The process is expected to include application submission, publication of merit and selection lists, allocation of seats, payment of fees and completion of reporting formalities. Additional selection lists may be issued as the process progresses.
These dates should be treated as indicative until confirmed through official notices. Applicants are advised to monitor UHS announcements closely because deadlines and admission arrangements may be revised.