NUST vs GIKI: Fees, Tests and Campus Life Compared
NUST is a public university in Islamabad. GIKI is a private, fully residential institute in Topi. Both are top engineering choices, but the fee gap is large. Here's the comparison.
By ParhaiKrlo Team · Published 31 Oct 2026 · 2 min read
Updated: 31 October 2026
NUST costs much less. GIKI gives you a fully residential campus with everything in one place. Both have strong engineering reputations, so your budget and the kind of student life you want will usually decide it.
Quick answer
| NUST | GIKI | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Public | Private |
| Location | Islamabad (plus other campuses) | Topi, District Swabi, KP |
| Entry test | NUST NET (NET-1 to NET-4) | GIKI's own admission test |
| Accepts ECAT? | No | No |
| Tuition | Rs 216,750 a semester | Rs 470,000 a semester, incl. hostel |
Fees
GIKI (2025-26, freshmen): Rs 470,000 a semester for engineering and computing, which includes tuition and accommodation. Add a Rs 75,000 admission fee, Rs 40,000 refundable security and Rs 15,000 mess security. Paying by semester adds 5% admin charges, and the fee can't be split into instalments.
NUST (2026-27): Rs 216,750 a semester tuition for engineering, plus Rs 5,000 miscellaneous. One-time charges are Rs 45,000. Hostel is extra.
So even with NUST's hostel added, NUST usually comes out much cheaper. Check both universities for current figures, since they revise fees every year.
Admission tests
- NUST NET-Engineering: 200 MCQs in 180 minutes, Maths, Physics, English. NET is 75% of your merit. You get up to four tries.
- GIKI test: its own paper in Maths, Physics and English. In 2026 it was held 6 to 10 July, after applications closed on 15 June.
GIKI says it has "no special quotas, reserved seats or admission by donations", so it's purely merit.
Programmes
Both offer mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, materials and computer engineering, and computer science. NUST has a much wider range overall: aerospace, avionics, environmental, geoinformatics, plus business, law, architecture and social sciences. GIKI is focused on engineering, computing and management sciences.
See every NUST degree in our NUST campuses and programmes guide.
Campus life
GIKI is a self-contained residential campus away from any big city. Students live, study and socialise on campus. Some love the close-knit feel. Others find it isolated.
NUST H-12 is in Islamabad, with the city close by. More students commute or live in nearby private hostels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GIKI fee?
For 2025-26 freshmen, GIKI charged Rs 470,000 a semester for engineering and computing, including accommodation, plus a Rs 75,000 admission fee and refundable securities.
Does GIKI accept ECAT or NET?
No. GIKI runs its own admission test in Maths, Physics and English.
Is NUST cheaper than GIKI?
Yes. NUST's 2026-27 engineering tuition is Rs 216,750 a semester, and it usually stays much cheaper even with hostel added.
Does GIKI have quotas?
GIKI says it has no special quotas, reserved seats or admission by donations.
Our verdict
- Choose NUST if fee matters, you want a city, or you want a programme GIKI doesn't offer.
- Choose GIKI if you can afford it and want a fully residential, engineering-focused campus.
Apply to both if you can. NET-1 comes first, so start with NUST mock tests and NET-pattern past papers.