About NICE
Karachi has too many private universities that charge like Harvard but teach like a tuition center. NICE is not one of them.
Full name: Newports Institute of Communications & Economics. Type: Private, non-profit, HEC-recognized. Chartered by: Government of Sindh. Location: L-40, Block 6, PECHS, Karachi — right near Tariq Road and Allah Wali Chowrangi. Established: 1993. Study options: Morning, evening, and weekend classes. Gender policy: Co-education — boys and girls study together in separate sections or combined classes depending on the program.
Look, it is not the fanciest campus in the city. Do not expect a swimming pool or a food court. But you get an HEC-recognized degree, central Karachi location, and fees that will not make your parents sell the car. They have been running for over three decades. That counts for something in a city where institutes open and close every other year.
Programs & Degrees Offered
NICE keeps it practical. No random degrees. Just stuff that actually gets you a job in Karachi.
Computer Science & IT
- BS Computer Science (BSCS) — 4 years
- BS Software Engineering (BSSE) — 4 years
- Associate Degree in Computer Science (ADCS) — 2 years
Management & Commerce
- BBA (Hons) — 4 years
- B.Com — 2 years
- ADP Commerce — 2 years
- MBA (Executive / Regular) — 1.5 to 2.5 years
Engineering Technology
- BS Civil Technology — 4 years
- BS Electrical Technology — 4 years
- BS Electronics Technology — 4 years
- B-Tech (Hons) — 2 to 4 years
Education & Social Sciences
- B.Ed (Hons) — 4 years
- B.Ed (1.5 / 2.5 Years) — 1.5 to 2.5 years
Important note: The engineering programs are technology degrees, not full BE or BSc Engineering. If you want to become a licensed engineer through PEC, this path is different. Know what you are signing up for.
Fee Structure
Here is the honest breakdown. No hidden surprises.
| Program | Duration | Per Semester | Total Approx. |
| BS Computer Science | 4 Years | ~PKR 87,000 | ~PKR 348,000 |
| BS Software Engineering | 4 Years | ~PKR 87,000 | ~PKR 348,000 |
| AD Computer Science | 2 Years | ~PKR 54,000 | ~PKR 108,000 |
| BBA (Hons) | 4 Years | ~PKR 145,000 | ~PKR 572,000 |
| B.Com / ADP Commerce | 2 Years | ~PKR 77,000 | ~PKR 154,000 |
| MBA | 1.5–2.5 Years | Varies | PKR 150,000–300,000 total |
| BS Civil / Electrical / Electronics Tech | 4 Years | ~PKR 100,000 | ~PKR 400,000 |
| B-Tech | 2–4 Years | Varies | PKR 200,000–420,000 total |
| B.Ed (Hons) | 4 Years | ~PKR 45,000 | ~PKR 180,000 |
| B.Ed (Short) | 1.5–2.5 Years | Varies | PKR 67,500–121,500 |
First semester extra charges: Admission fee (~PKR 25,000), security deposit (~PKR 15,000), registration fee. Budget an extra PKR 40,000 to 50,000 on top of your first tuition installment.
Installment policy: NICE collects fees per semester. Some students arrange to pay in two installments per semester — half at registration, half by midterms. But this is not guaranteed for everyone. You need to talk to the accounts office and get it approved. Do not assume monthly payments are available.
My take: The B.Ed and ADCS are genuinely cheap for a private HEC-recognized institute in central Karachi. The BBA is pricier but still undercuts what Gulshan or Clifton campuses charge.
Admissions: How to Apply & When
NICE does not make you run around with ten attested photocopies from different offices. The process is simple.
Important Dates
Fall intake opens: Around August every year. Admissions portal: Open for a limited window — usually 4 to 6 weeks. Entry test: Happens in September. Classes start: Late September or early October.
Do not wait until the last week. Seats fill fast for BSCS and BBA. The entry test happens only once per intake. Miss it and you wait a full semester.
Step-by-Step Application
Step 1 — Check if you qualify
- BS / BBA / B.Com / ADP: 45% in Intermediate (FA, FSc, ICS, I.Com) or A-Level equivalence
- BS Computer Science / Software Engineering: 50% in Intermediate (ICS preferred, Pre-Engineering or Pre-Medical with extra math also accepted)
- MBA: 16 years of education with minimum 2.0/4.0 CGPA or 45% marks
Step 2 — Apply online or walk in
- Online: Go to newports.edu.pk, click Apply Now, fill the form, upload documents
- Walk-in: Visit the PECHS Block 6 campus with original documents and passport-size photos
Step 3 — Documents you need
- Matric and Intermediate mark sheets (original + copies)
- CNIC or B-Form
- Passport-size photographs
- Character certificate
- Provisional certificate (if result is still awaited)
Step 4 — Entry test
Most undergraduate programs at NICE require the NTS NAT test. Here is what you need to know:
| Your Background | NAT Test Type | Sections |
| Pre-Engineering / ICS (for CS/SE) | NAT-ICS or NAT-IE | English, Math, Analytical, Computer/Physics |
| General Science / FA / I.Com (for BBA/B.Com) | NAT-IA or NAT-IGS | English, Analytical, Quantitative, General Knowledge |
| Pre-Medical (for CS with extra math) | NAT-IM or NAT-ICS | English, Analytical, Quantitative, Biology/Computer |
The NAT has 90 MCQs in 120 minutes: 20 English, 20 Analytical Reasoning, 20 Quantitative, and 30 subject-specific questions.
How to prepare: Buy a NAT prep book from any Urdu Bazaar shop. Practice English vocabulary, basic math, and analytical puzzles. The test is not as hard as NUST NET or FAST entry test. Manage your time and do not get stuck on one question.
Step 5 — Interview
Some programs — especially BBA and MBA — include a short interview. They ask why you chose this field and what you know about the industry. Nothing technical. Just be honest.
Step 6 — Confirm your seat
Once selected, pay the admission fee plus first semester dues by the deadline. Seats are limited. Do not delay.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
NICE offers more scholarship types than most private colleges in Karachi. Do not sleep on these.
Merit-Based Scholarship: Up to 100% off tuition if you were a top 3 position holder in your previous board or university.
Need-Based Financial Aid: Partial to full fee coverage. You submit income proof and go through an interview. They actually verify.
Hafiz-e-Quran Grant: Tuition concession upon passing the oral recitation test or showing your Hafiz certificate.
Sibling Discount: If your real brother or sister already studies at NICE, you get a tuition cut.
Extra-Curricular Scholarship: Sports, arts, photography, debates, drama — show your certificates and you might get an award.
Heads up: All scholarships depend on fund availability. The committee reviews applications periodically. Apply early and do not assume you will automatically get it.
Campus Life & Culture
The location: PECHS Block 6 is central Karachi. You can get there from Gulshan, Bahadurabad, Tariq Road, or even Saddar without spending half your day in traffic. That matters more than you think.
The campus itself: Functional, not fancy. Classrooms, computer labs, a basic library, cafeteria, and sports courts. Do not expect a gym with AC. But everything works.
Class timings: Morning for regular students. Evening and weekend for working professionals and those who cannot do 8 AM. This flexibility is rare in Karachi private universities.
Co-education: Yes, NICE is co-educational. Boys and girls attend together. The environment is professional and conservative — this is PECHS, not a party campus.
Hostel: Not officially advertised. Most students commute from home or rent nearby flats in PECHS, Bahadurabad, or Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
Food: Campus cafeteria exists. You can also hit nearby dhabas and food streets around Tariq Road. Cheap and plenty of options.
Transport: No dedicated university transport. Students use public buses, Careem, or live close by.
The vibe: Mixed crowd. Fresh FSc graduates in morning classes. Working adults in evening MBA sessions. It is not a party campus. People come to get their degree and leave. If you want a heavy social scene, look elsewhere.
Jobs After Graduation: Will You Get Hired?
This is the question every student asks but few institutes answer honestly.
NICE has an active Job Placement Cell that helps students and alumni find work. According to the institute, alumni hold key positions in listed companies, corporations, and banks across Karachi.
Where do NICE graduates actually work?
- BSCS / BSSE grads: Software houses in Karachi, banks (HBL, UBL, Meezan), telecom companies (Jazz, Telenor), and startups
- BBA / MBA grads: Banks, FMCGs (Unilever, Nestle), local corporates, and family businesses
- B.Ed grads: Private schools, academies, and government teaching posts after CT/PST clearance
- B-Tech grads: Construction firms, electrical contractors, and manufacturing units in SITE and Port Qasim areas
Starting salaries: Fresh BSCS graduates typically start between PKR 35,000 to 60,000 depending on the company and your skills. BBA freshers range from PKR 30,000 to 50,000. B.Ed graduates in private schools start around PKR 25,000 to 40,000.
The honest truth: NICE is not IBA or FAST. Top multinational companies do not campus-recruit here. But local banks, software houses, and schools do hire NICE graduates. Your internship experience and personal projects matter more than the brand name on your degree.
Quick FAQ
Yes. Chartered by the Government of Sindh and officially recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.
Fall intake usually opens in August and closes by mid-September. Entry test happens in September.
NICE uses the NTS NAT test. NAT-ICS for computer science applicants. NAT-IA or NAT-IGS for business and commerce applicants. 90 MCQs in 120 minutes.
Yes. Boys and girls study together. The environment is professional and conservative.
Usually per semester. Some students arrange two installments per semester with accounts office approval. Monthly payments are generally not available. Ask directly when you apply.
Roughly PKR 348,000 for 4 years plus admission charges.
Yes. Evening and weekend options for BBA, MBA, ADP, and engineering technology.
Yes. The placement cell actively helps. Alumni work in banks, software houses, schools, and corporations. But top-tier multinational campus recruitment is limited — you will need to hustle for internships and build your own network.
No. B-Tech and BS Technology degrees are not the same as BE or BSc Engineering. They are technology-focused with different career paths. Know the difference before enrolling.
Call 0336-5671999 or 021-345547417. Email Info@newports.edu.pk.
Bottom Line
NICE is a solid middle-ground option among private universities in Karachi. It is not IBA. It is not FAST. But it is also not charging you like them. If you want an HEC-recognized degree in BSCS, BBA, or Education without burying your family in debt, NICE deserves a look.
The PECHS location is convenient. Evening and weekend classes save working students. The entry test is manageable if you prep for NAT. And the scholarship scene is better than most private colleges in the city.
Apply online. Visit the campus. Talk to current students if you can. Then decide.
Good luck.
