School of Computer & IT at BNU: Programs, Careers and Admissions

Beaconhouse National University (BNU) in Lahore teaches computer science through its School of Computer & IT (SCIT). SCIT offers a 4-year, 134-credit BS Computer Science, three related bachelor's degrees (Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Management & Business Computing), and a 2-year MS Computer Science on a weekend track. Programs follow HEC standards and combine theory with hands-on lab work.

If you are a student in Lahore or anywhere in Pakistan choosing where to study computer science, this guide covers what BNU's program includes, who teaches it, where graduates end up, and how to apply.

What computer science programs does BNU offer?

BNU's School of Computer & IT runs five degree programs: four undergraduate and one graduate. All bachelor's degrees take 4 years over 8 semesters.

The BS Computer Science is accredited by NCEAC, the computing accreditation council affiliated with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The MS runs on weekends, so working professionals can study without leaving their jobs.

BS Computer Science specializations

BSCS students choose one of five specialization tracks, taken through eight specialization electives from semester 3 onward:

• Artificial Intelligence: building systems that reason, learn and adapt
• Cybersecurity: protecting systems and data from digital threats
• Data Science: analyzing and visualizing large datasets to support decisions
• Multimedia & Game Development: graphics, interactive applications and game design
• Computer Engineering: designing the hardware and software behind modern devices

What will you study in BNU's BS Computer Science?

The BSCS curriculum moves from programming foundations to systems, theory and a specialization, ending in a two-part final year project. Most core courses include a weekly lab alongside lectures.

1. Year 1 – Foundations: Programming Fundamentals, Object Oriented Programming, Digital Logic Design, Application of ICTs, Functional English and Expository Writing.
2. Year 2 – Core computing: Data Structures & Algorithms, Computer Organization & Assembly Language, Database Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Design & Analysis of Algorithms, Discrete Structures, and Probability & Statistics.
3. Year 3 – Systems and depth: Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing, Information Security and Theory of Automata, plus specialization electives.
4. Year 4 – Specialize and build: Final Year Project (Parts I and II), further specialization electives, a professional certification and Entrepreneurship.

Two features stand out. A professional certification is built into the degree in year 4, so students graduate with an industry credential as well as a diploma. A summer internship is a degree requirement, giving every student workplace experience before graduation.

Students from the pre-medical group can also join. They take two non-credit math courses (Math I and Math II) in their first year to catch up. Graduation requires all 134 credits with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.

Why study computer science at BNU?

BNU combines an accredited, lab-based curriculum with faculty who research AI and software, and an advisory council drawn from Pakistan's largest tech companies.

Experienced faculty and leadership

The school is led by Dean Prof. Dr. Shafaat Ahmed Bazaz, a MEMS researcher and former founding Vice Chancellor of Sir Syed CASE Institute of Technology. He previously served as Dean of Computer Science & Engineering at GIKI and worked as a scientist at the Canadian Microelectronics Corporation.

Faculty research spans artificial intelligence, natural language processing, software engineering, databases and machine learning. For example, Dr. Usman Nazir holds a PhD from LUMS and led AI research on poverty mapping and climate with partners including the University of Oxford. Department heads Ms. Shazia Rizwan (Computer Science) and Dr. Natash Ali Mian (Software Engineering) each bring over 17 years of teaching experience.

Direct links to industry

The SCIT Industrial Advisory Council helps keep the curriculum aligned with what employers need. Its members include:

• Asif Peer, CEO of Systems Limited
• Aqib Gadit, Chief Revenue Officer at DigitalOcean and co-founder of Cloudways
• Syed Ahmad, Founder and CEO of DPL
• Hira Zainab, VP Strategic Affairs at Contour Software and former CEO of P@SHA
• Badar Khushnood, co-founder of Bramerz and former Chairman of P@SHA
• Ayub Ghauri, Executive Director of the Innovations Lab at NETSOL Technologies

Students also hear directly from industry through the school's Tech Talk Series and guest sessions on topics like AI agents and technology entrepreneurship.

Students who compete and win

In November 2025, three final-year SCIT students placed third at the National Artificial Intelligence Championship at LUMS. Their project, Shopiq, used AI and computer vision for personalized in-mall advertising and won PKR 100,000.

Campus life

BNU is a non-profit university on a dedicated campus in Tarogil, off Raiwind Road in Lahore. Students have access to on-campus hostels, a library, an IT Resource Center, sports facilities and active student societies.

What careers can you pursue after a BS in Computer Science from BNU?

BNU computer science graduates work in software, AI, security and cloud roles at local firms, multinationals and companies abroad. BNU lists these as the main career paths for BSCS graduates:

• Software development and engineering
• Artificial intelligence and data science
• Systems and network security
• Cloud computing and DevOps
• Human-computer interaction and UI/UX
• Research in computing and emerging technologies

BNU alumni show where these paths lead. Inam Ullah is a Senior Application Architect at American Airlines. Misha Zahid works in data science and AI, and Hafsa Tahir applies AI in sports.

BNU's Career Development Center supports students with internships and job placement, and the required summer internship gives every graduate real work experience on their CV.

How to get admission to BNU's computer science program

To apply for BS Computer Science at BNU, you need at least 50% marks in Intermediate, A Level, HSD or IB (or equivalent) with Mathematics. Pre-medical students are also eligible. Admission is based on your academic record, an admission test and an interview.

Source: BNU Admissions Criteria

Application steps

1. Open the BNU admission portal and register with a valid email address.
2. Pay the PKR 4,000 application processing fee at any UBL branch, through the Blinq app or via 1Bill.
3. Complete the online form and upload attested copies of your documents as PDFs.
4. Sit the SCIT admission test and interview. Check the Admissions Schedule for dates and the sample tests to prepare.

The whole application is online, so you do not need to visit campus to apply. Students awaiting Intermediate or A Level results can apply for provisional admission.

Fees and scholarships

For 2026–27, BSCS tuition is PKR 321,000 per semester, plus a one-time admission fee of PKR 30,000 and a refundable security deposit of PKR 35,000. Fees can change each year; see BNU Fees for the current schedule.

BNU offers merit, need-based, sports and Vice Chancellor's scholarships, with some covering up to 100% of tuition. Details and deadlines are on the Scholarships page.

Frequently asked questions

Is BNU good for computer science?

Yes. BNU's BS Computer Science is accredited by NCEAC, follows HEC standards and is lab-based. Its faculty research AI and software engineering, and an advisory council of leaders from Systems Limited, DigitalOcean and NETSOL guides the program.

Is BNU's BS Computer Science accredited by NCEAC?

Yes. The BS Computer Science program is accredited by NCEAC, the National Computing Education Accreditation Council affiliated with HEC.

How long is the BS Computer Science program at BNU?

It takes 4 years, split into 8 semesters, and requires 134 credit hours including a final year project and a summer internship.

What is the fee for BS Computer Science at BNU?

For 2026–27, tuition is PKR 321,000 per semester. New students also pay a PKR 30,000 admission fee and a refundable PKR 35,000 security deposit.

Can pre-medical students apply for BS Computer Science at BNU?

Yes. Pre-medical students with at least 50% marks are eligible. They take two non-credit math courses in their first year.

What specializations are available in BNU's BSCS?

Students can specialize in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Multimedia & Game Development, or Computer Engineering.

Does BNU offer an MS in Computer Science?

Yes. BNU offers a 2-year, 33-credit MS Computer Science on a weekend track, designed for working professionals.

Where is BNU located?

BNU's campus is at 13 KM off Thokar Niaz Baig, Raiwind Road, Tarogil, Lahore. BNU has no campuses in Karachi or Islamabad.

Start your computer science journey at BNU

If you want an accredited computer science degree in Lahore with hands-on labs, a chosen specialization and real industry exposure, BNU's School of Computer & IT is worth a close look. Explore the School of Computer & IT, download the 2026–27 prospectus, or apply online today.

Questions? Call 042-111-BNU-LHR (042-111-268-547) or email admissions@bnu.edu.pk.