At Ziauddin Medical College a student is identified as an adult learner and is expected to utilise inborn capabilities to adapt and understand the rapidly changing academic atmosphere around the world.
The academic schedule for the MBBS degree programme reflects the innovative system-based course. The course content is presented with a body system-based modular approach, which is in line with regulations of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for the MBBS degree. Emphasis is given to the development of conceptual understanding and the ability to construct knowledge for oneself. The students are actively involved in their learning process and assessment involves examining the learner’s entire conceptual network, not just focusing on discreet facts and principles. For the clinical training and experience, the students are rotated through all three hospitals affiliated with the university.
The faculty of Ziauddin Medical College has taken the initiative of improving the quality of medical education by fostering adult learning styles, catering to the requirements of the students and early introduction of clinical experience. In order to facilitate student learning, the basic medical sciences curriculum utilises multiple learning and assessment strategies.
Curriculum reviews are critical and take place on a regular basis to incorporate content updates in the form of themes for quality improvement purposes. Patient Safety, Medical Ethics and Medical Genetics are the integrated themes that have been recently introduced vertically in the MBBS curriculum.
Faculty from Basic Health Sciences (BHS), Community Health Sciences (CHS) and Clinical Sciences are collaboratively engaged in teaching programmes. As a result, students develop a comprehensive understanding and holistic approach to recognise and solve healthcare problems.
The Primary Health Care (PHC) programme run by the university serves as an educational site for community-based training. The PHC programme is a unique prototype of partnership between academia, local NGOs, government and international NGOs for education, research and service.Â
The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme from Ziauddin Medical College opens up a wide range of career opportunities such as; General Practitioner, Medical Officer, Clinical Research Associate, Occupational Health Physician, Medical Writer or Editor, Medical Advisor in Pharmaceutical Companies, Medical Officer in NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations, Medical Educator, Public Health Officer, Hospital Administrator, Medical Consultant, Primary Healthcare Provider, Medical Transcriptionist, Medical Officer in the Armed Forces, Forensic Medical Examiner, Telemedicine Practitioner, Health Policy Analyst, Medical Quality Assurance Officer, Medical Sales Representative, and Medical Coordinator.
These are just a few examples of career opportunities for MBBS. It is important to note that some positions may benefit from additional certifications, specialisation, experience, or postgraduate training. It is advisable to research the specific requirements and opportunities available in the desired field of interest.Â
Competency-I: Skillful
PLO-1: Diagnose common clinical presentations based on patient history, physical examination, and investigation results.
PLO-2: Formulate safe, holistic, and evidence-based management plans for common medical diseases by applying critical reasoning, relevant health sciences, therapeutic principles, and appropriate levels of care according to disease severity and complexity.
PLO-3: Perform the essential clinical procedures according to the international standards and patient safety guidelines.
Competency-II: Lifelong Learner
PLO-4: Evaluate one’s own learning needs in relevance to the evolving societal needs, evidence-based practice, and modern information technology tools.
Competency-III: Communicator
PLO-5: Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, families, colleagues, and healthcare teams through verbal, written, and digital modes, while maintaining accurate, authentic, and legally appropriate documentation.
Competency-IV: Collaborator
PLO-6: Collaborate with peers and professionals, within and across the disciplines, in a conducive learning environment to achieve safe patient care.
Competency-V: Professional
PLO-7: Maintain the highest standards of personal, academic, and professional integrity while responding respectfully and constructively to the opinions and feedback of peers and teachers.
PLO-8: Demonstrate accountability to patients as well as colleagues and accept responsibility for errors.
Competency-VI: Researcher
PLO-9: Engage in original research adopting the latest technological, methodological, or theoretical approaches for disseminating the findings ethically.
Competency-VII: Leader
PLO-10: Demonstrate resilience while providing safe, ethical, evidence-based, and comprehensive healthcare, using a system-based approach that integrates all three levels of prevention.
The five-year MBBS spirally integrated curriculum aligns with PMDC guidelines, progressively integrating basic medical sciences with clinical learning. Ziauddin Medical College is a pioneer in implementing problem based learning curriculum in Pakistan.
Years 1 and 2 comprise a modular and integrated curriculum covering the basic medical sciences, including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology alongside Community Health Sciences. Learning is supported through a combination of problem-based learning, team-based learning, virtual dissection and other interactive teaching strategies. Clinical and communication skills are introduced during these years, together with professionalism, bioethics, social accountability and research.
Years 3 to 5 are primarily clinical rotation-based and emphasize clinical problem-solving through supervised participation in patient care. Year 3 also incorporates the subject of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, covering medico-legal aspects of medical practice, and principles of toxicology. Students rotate through different clinical disciplines where instructional methodologies include bedside teaching, case-based integrated learning, tutorials, clinical rounds and other interactive activities. Basic science concepts are revisited and integrated with clinical practice throughout these years.
Longitudinal themes, including communication and clinical skills, ethics, leadership, social aspects of medicine and artificial intelligence extend across the five-year curriculum. HEC-prescribed courses, including Islamic Studies and Pakistan Studies, are also incorporated into the curriculum.
(Detailed schemes of study for each academic year are provided in the respective study guides)Â
Admission to Ziauddin Medical College for a five-year (MBBS) degree course is open to all individuals who meet the selection criteria. All candidates are chosen for their academic achievements and potential.
Students are admitted to the first year of MBBS on previous high school and/or college academic records and scores in the MDCAT/test and interview conducted by Ziauddin University and as determined by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Selection of students is on the basis of an admission policy approved by the Governing Body of Ziauddin University, which is in line with the regulations of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). Students are largely admitted in the category of Local Residents. A few seats are available for overseas students (as defined by the PMDC Rules).Â
Documents to be submitted for admission:
If results of HSC Part II have not been declared by the concerned Board, admit card of the HSC Part II examination must be submitted.
Selection Criteria for Admission:
The final merit list will be issued after having completed all tests, interviews, etc., and taking into account results of MDCAT and other exam results for the purpose of calculating the merit.
Note: Candidates will be selected in accordance with PMDC guidelines.
As per PMDC criteria, the university has defined the category of Overseas Students as follows:
Documents to be submitted for admission:
Note: Before submitting applications, applicants must ensure that they have complied with the instructions given with the application form. It remains the responsibility of the applicant to submit the application according to the instructions. Students are expected to submit photocopies of documents along with the application and originals for the purpose of verification by the university. If required, the university will check the authenticity of the documents submitted with the concerned school, college, board or university.
An aptitude test for all eligible applicants will be conducted by the university. The structure of the test will be provided to PMDC in advance for review. Applicants will also be given sufficient time to appear in the test. The test consists of Multiple Choice Questions of various types. In addition to Biology, Chemistry and Physics corresponding to that expected at the end of Intermediate or equivalent qualifications, e.g., 12th Year etc. There will be questions on English and General Knowledge as well.Â
| Subjective Components | Weightage % | Questions | Time Duration (in minutes) |
| Biology | 50% | 45 | 90 |
| Chemistry | |||
| Physics | |||
| General Components | Â | Â | |
| General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Aptitude / Analytical Skills / IQ General English / Comprehension | 50% | 45 | |
| Â | 100% | 90 | 90 |
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed to assess their suitability to complete the MBBS course and pursue a career in health sciences.
STRUCTURE OF INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR ADMISSION TO FIRST-YEAR MBBS FOR SESSION 2024-25
As per the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Act/Admissions Regulations, an interview will be conducted according to the rules in force at the time.
The following documents are required to be submitted through admission.zu.edu.pk prior to the interview:
The interview process is divided into writing a personal statement giving a personal insight about the candidate (interests, strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, etc.). The personal statement, which should not be more than 300 words, will be submitted prior to the interview.
(Admission announcement through print and online media)
(9th August 2026)
(For shortlisted applicants; October and November 2026)
(To be displayed after announcement of MDCAT and Intermediate / ‘A’ Level results)
(To be announced accordingly)
