Habib University

What Habib University does

Habib University is a private, non-profit liberal arts and sciences university located in Karachi, Pakistan. Incorporated in 2007, it opened to its first cohort of students in August 2014 and has since completed nine annual convocations, most recently the Class of 2026. The institution delivers six undergraduate degree programs across two schools: the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering (BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering) and the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (BA in Communication & Design, BA in Comparative Humanities, and BSc in Social Development & Policy). All undergraduates complete a required interdisciplinary Habib Liberal Core curriculum supported by a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and faculty recruited globally through structured pipelines such as the Dean's Fellowship, Global Fellows, and Visiting Scholar programs. Five academic centers — Ideal, CPE, Arzu Center, CSAM, and IDRAC — provide specialized research and pedagogical capacity.

The university's technology stack is administrative and pedagogical rather than product-focused. PeopleSoft Campus Solutions (PSCS) serves as the student information system; College Board's Accuplacer computer-adaptive testing platform administers entrance examinations; and dedicated Student, Faculty, Alumni, and Staff portals handle day-to-day academic operations alongside a virtual campus tour and a self-serve e-application admissions portal. There is no disclosed proprietary software product, no in-house AI/ML capability, and no consumer-facing technology platform.

Habib generates revenue primarily through semester tuition (PKR 780,000 per semester across both schools), supplemented by lab/studio fees (PKR 160,000–215,000), one-time admission and enrollment fees, refundable security deposits, and substantial philanthropic contributions from its "Mohsineen" donor community. Because 87% of students receive financial aid — ranging from 20% to 100% coverage across merit- and need-based tiers (Habib YOHSIN at 100%, Habib Excellence at 60–80%, HU TOPS at 100% for National Board students) — effective per-student revenue is materially below sticker price. Distribution is sales-led through a dedicated Office of Admissions that runs information sessions, entrance exam orientations, campus tours, and a multi-channel digital admissions funnel targeting both National and International examination board students across Pakistan.

Name

Habib University

Legal name

Habib University

Website

https://habib.edu.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Habib University is a private, non-profit liberal arts and sciences university in Karachi, Pakistan, offering six interdisciplinary undergraduate degree programs across science, engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences. It serves Pakistani undergraduate students through a 12:1 faculty ratio and financial aid covering up to 100% of tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Liberal Arts & Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

General Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Great Books/Core Curriculum Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAM), Selective/Highly Selective Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAJ), Secular/Nonsectarian Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAG)

Keywords

• Liberal arts education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Higher education services
• Interdisciplinary curriculum
• Scholarship financial aid

Headquarters

HQ city

Karachi

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition Fees: Habib University generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged per semester for undergraduate programs. The tuition fee is PKR 780,000 per semester for both DSSE and AHSS programs. Additional fees include laboratory fees (PKR 215,000 for DSSE, PKR 160,000 for AHSS) and semester registration fees (PKR 32,000 from second semester onwards).
2. Admissions and Enrollment Fees: One-time fees including Admission Application Fee (PKR 7,500), Round 1 Enrolment Fee (PKR 70,000) or Round 2 Enrolment Fee (PKR 110,000), and Security Deposit (PKR 30,000 refundable).
3. Philanthropic Donations (Mohsineen): The university receives substantial philanthropic support from the Mohsineen community (donors and supporters) which funds scholarships and financial aid for students. 83% of Class of 2025 received financial assistance through scholarships and aid.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Habib University is a private nonprofit liberal arts and sciences institution delivering undergraduate higher education through six four-year degree programs across two schools: the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering (BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering) and the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (BA in Communication & Design, Comparative Humanities; BSc in Social Development & Policy). All students complete the interdisciplinary Habib Liberal Core curriculum, supported by academic centers, career services, library resources, and a Learn Abroad Program that sends students to international partner institutions such as Stanford University.

Product overview

Habib University is Pakistan's leading liberal arts and sciences institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate programs through two main schools: the Dhanani School of Science and Engineering (offering BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering) and the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (offering BA in Communication & Design, Comparative Humanities, and BSc in Social Development & Policy). The university distinguishes itself through its interdisciplinary Habib Liberal Core curriculum required of all students, complemented by five academic centers (Ideal, CPE, Arzu Center, CSAM, IDRAC) that foster specialized research and pedagogical innovation. Student support services include the Office of Career Services, Office of Academic Performance with Writing Center and EHSAS Center, Library & Academic Commons, and Student Employment Portal. Global engagement is enabled through the Learn Abroad Program, while the Horizon collaborative learning space supports experiential education. The Summer Career Academy provides career preparation, creating an integrated ecosystem connecting liberal arts education with professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Computer Science
• BS in Computer Engineering
• BA (Honors) Communication & Design
• BA (Honors) Comparative Humanities
• BSc (Honors) Social Development & Policy
• Habib Liberal Core Curriculum
• Learn Abroad Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of students receive financial support
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• K-ElectricminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2024Habib University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with K-Electric on February 7, 2024. The partnership aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry, potentially involving research initiatives, student opportunities, and energy-related projects.
• Bank Al Habib LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Bank Al Habib Ltd provides internship opportunities for Habib University students. Students Muhammad Furqan Karim and Muhammad Shahzaib Alam were the first from Habib University to work in the Business Development Department at the bank, working on Loan Default Prediction and Customer Retention Models.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Through Habib University's Learn Abroad Program, students have opportunities to study at Stanford University. Student Muhammad Furqan Karim was selected for Stanford's International Honors Program '18 and completed Data Science Intensive Studies Certification, attending courses taught by senior executives from Google.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Ashoka University: India's leading liberal arts and sciences university founded in 2011 with similar interdisciplinary model, residential campus, and donor-backed financial aid. Highly comparable as a South Asian liberal arts pioneer facing similar market dynamics.
• Ahmedabad University: Private research university in India founded in 2009 with interdisciplinary schools and strong donor backing. Comparable as a recently established, donor-supported institution pursuing global academic standards.
• FLAME University: Private liberal arts university in India offering interdisciplinary undergraduate programs with similar selective admissions and premium positioning. Comparable as a private interdisciplinary institution in a South Asian emerging market.
• Minerva University: Global liberal arts university with interdisciplinary curriculum and small class sizes. Comparable as a recent entrant using interdisciplinary liberal arts model with strong student outcomes narrative, though operating in a different delivery format.

Direct peers

• Aga Khan University: Private, internationally-affiliated university based in Karachi with interdisciplinary programs and significant donor support. Comparable as a Pakistani private institution combining liberal education with professional training and global partnerships.
• Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS): Pakistan's leading private research university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines. Most direct comparable in Pakistan given similar private, interdisciplinary model, premium tuition, and selective admissions approach.
• Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi: Premier private business school in Karachi with expanding undergraduate programs. Comparable as a private, premium-priced Karachi-based institution with selective admissions and scholarship programs targeting high-achieving students.

Broad incumbents

• National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST): Pakistan's largest public-sector research university with STEM focus. Comparable as a higher education competitor in Pakistan, though much larger scale and public funding model versus Habib's private liberal arts positioning.
• FAST National University: Large private Pakistani university primarily focused on computer science and engineering. Competes with Habib's DSSE school for engineering and computer science students in the Pakistani private higher education market.
• University of Karachi: Karachi's major public university serving the same metropolitan market as Habib. Represents the incumbent public option that Habib competes against for top students seeking local higher education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/habibuniversity
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HabibUni
• Facebookfacebook.com/HabibUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/habib-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/habibuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@habibuniversity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Habib University