Islamabad, 1 Sep 2025 : The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has released a revised roster of accredited MS/MPhil (Level 7) and PhD (Level 8) programs on its website to safeguard prospective students from enrolling in unapproved courses. The index is accessible at https://www.hec.gov.pk/site/MS-MPhil-PhD.
This announcement follows nationwide training sessions conducted by the HEC for representatives of higher education institutions (HEIs) on the Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR). The workshops, attended by delegates from across the country, focused on enhancing the precision and comprehensiveness of qualification information utilized for degree verification and other functions.
The HEC underscored the significance of the PQR as a unified, authoritative repository of recognized degree courses aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Institutions were urged to provide comprehensive program specifics in the PQR, supplemented by approvals from regulatory bodies for graduate studies.
The preparation reinforced the function of PQR representatives as the primary link between the HEC and universities/HEIs for addressing verification issues and ensuring transparent, precise program details. Following these sessions, the HEIs validated their PQR submissions, leading to the updated catalogs now published on the HEC website. These publicly available registers aim to assist prospective scholars in making well-informed decisions.
Applicants are highly encouraged to review the updated PQR and NOC Issued lists before applying to ensure their chosen program is active and HEC-recognized. Admission to an unlisted program in the PQR could lead to non-attestation of the degree.
The PQR serves as an official record of HEC-approved academic offerings by Pakistani HEIs. It categorizes programs by NQF levels, indicates current status (active/suspended/closed), and facilitates informed decision-making by students, universities, employers, and regulatory bodies. It also bolsters planning and reinforces public confidence in the higher education system
