Beaconhouse National University (BNU) is a private, not-for-profit university in Lahore, established in 2003 by the Beaconhouse group. It is recognised by the Higher Education Commission and is best known for the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design, the Razia Hassan School of Architecture, and its schools of Media and Mass Communication, Education, Business and Computer Science. If you want to study visual arts, design, architecture or film in Pakistan, BNU is the first name most people mention.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | 13 km off Thokar Niaz Baig, Raiwind Road, Tarogil, Lahore |
| Type | Private not-for-profit university, established 2003, HEC-recognised |
| Tuition per semester (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026) | Rs 292,000 (most programmes); Rs 397,000 (Visual Arts & Design and Architecture) |
| First semester total (BBA / BSCS) | About Rs 369,000 including one-time charges |
| Admission | Online application; entry test and interview, plus portfolio for arts programmes |
Popular programmes
BBA, BS Computer Science, BS Software Engineering, BA (Hons) Visual Arts and Design, BArch Architecture, BS Media and Mass Communication, BA Film and Television, and the School of Education's graduate programmes are the most popular choices. BNU's visual arts and design school and its architecture school are the university's signature programmes — they run studio-based teaching with small classes and a portfolio-based admission process. The School of Computer and Information Technology runs the BSCS and BSSE programmes, and the School of Business runs BBA and related degrees.
Fees and costs
Based on the official figures for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, BNU charges Rs 292,000 per semester in tuition for most programmes, and Rs 397,000 per semester for the Mariam Dawood School of Visual Arts and Design and the Razia Hassan School of Architecture. For a BBA or BSCS student, the first semester works out to about Rs 369,000 — Rs 292,000 tuition plus about Rs 12,000 in recurring charges and about Rs 69,000 in one-time charges (including an admission fee of Rs 30,000, a student security fee of Rs 35,000 and a Rs 4,000 application processing fee). Over four years, tuition alone is about Rs 2.34 million for non-arts programmes and about Rs 3.18 million for arts and architecture. Fees increase every year with Board of Governors approval, so always check the official BNU fee page before applying.
Admission and merit
Applications are made online through the BNU admissions portal. Most programmes require an entry test and interview; arts, design and architecture applicants must also submit a portfolio and may be asked to complete a drawing or design test. Merit lists are published programme by programme. BNU offers merit scholarships and need-based financial assistance, and its hostel is available on campus — about Rs 28,000 a month for on-campus hostel and Rs 23,000 a month off campus, with a refundable deposit of Rs 25,000. The campus is on Raiwind Road, about 13 km from Thokar Niaz Baig, and the university runs transport for students.
FAQ
What is the fee per semester at BNU? Rs 292,000 for most programmes and Rs 397,000 for Visual Arts and Design and Architecture (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 official figures).
Is BNU good for arts and design? Yes — its visual arts and design school is one of the best-regarded in Pakistan, with studio-based teaching and a portfolio admission process.
Does BNU have a hostel? Yes — on-campus hostel at about Rs 28,000 a month, with a refundable deposit of Rs 25,000.
Figures checked 2026-11-05: BNU official fee figures for Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 (Rs 292,000 per semester non-arts; Rs 397,000 arts and architecture; first semester about Rs 369,000 for BBA/BSCS; hostel Rs 28,000 a month on campus). Fees for Fall 2027 are to be confirmed on the official BNU fee page.
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Sources and verification: Beaconhouse National University official fee policy and fee schedules (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026).