The Health Services Academy follows a strict merit-based criteria for the selection of students into its MSPH programme. Please note that there are slight differences in the eligibility criteria for Pakistani applicants and non-resident international applicants. See the page for international students for details.

Basic Qualifications
The candidate should possess one of the following qualifications or an equivalent degree from a recognized university or accrediting body.

1. MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery)
2. BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
3. BPharmacy (Bachelor’s in Pharmacy) or MPharmacy (Master’s in Pharmacy)
4. BSc Nursing (Bachelor of Sciences in Nursing)
5. DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
6. Master’s Degree in a relevant subject such as Anthropology, Business Administration, Economics, Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Physiology, Psychology, Public Health Engineering, Sociology, Statistics and Zoology.

Experience
The candidate should minimally have three years of full-time work experience (in the case of medical doctors, after the house job) in public health-related fields in either the private sector or the public sector, including the armed forces, such as:

1. Primary health care settings (public, private or semi-private);
2. Recognized training and research institutions, such as departments of community medicine/school of nursing/public;
3. Public health related vertical programmes/planning/management and policy positions at the federal and provincial level.

Age Limit
Candidates should not be over 45 years of age at the time of the beginning of the course. In case of a tie in the process of fulfilment of selection criteria, preference shall be given to those of younger age.

Quotas
All Pakistani students shall be selected on the basis of merit, out of which:

• 40% will be selected purely on merit, irrespective of their provenance;
• the remaining 60% will be selected on the basis of the provincial quotas defined in the Civil Establishment Code (2000)*. This division is shown in the following table.

• additionally, out of the total number of applicants:
  • a minimum of 35% of seats are reserved for women;
  • a minimum of 10% of the seats are reserved for non-physicians;
  • a minimum of 20% of the seats are reserved for candidates from the private sector.

In addition to Pakistani students, a limited number of seats are available for foreign students. Applicants with disabilities will be given due consideration within the prescribed merit-based system.

English Language Requirements
Applicants should have an appropriate level of English language proficiency. Foreign applicants from non-English speaking countries who submit results for English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS will be given preference. A minimum TOEFL score of 450 on the paper-based test or 200 on the computer-based test is recommended; a minimum IELTS score of 6 is recommended.

Please note that Pakistani students are not required to submit the results of English language proficiency tests.

Computer Skills Requirements
Additionally, given that most assignments will be computer-based, all applicants are required to have basic computer skills, including wordprocessing, spreadsheet processing and using basic Internet services such as the world wide web and e-mail. Following admission to the MSPH programme but before the start of the course on computer applications in public health, applicants without the required computer skills will not be allowed to attend this course without either taking a non-creditable course in basic computer skills offered at the Academy, or a similar course offered at a reputed training institute.

screening examination and Interview
Candidates fulfilling the eligibility criteria will then take a written screening exam, which will be based on the GRE General Test issued by the ETS. It will test verbal, quantitative and analytical abilities, basic knowledge of public health, and will also include a short hands-on test on computer skills. Candidates are expected to know how to use Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel. A model test will be made available on the website soon. Finally, those who clear the screening exam will be interviewed, during which their suitability for the programme will be assessed.

Note: International students who are not resident in Pakistan will not be required to take the screening examination or be interviewed. However, they must send in two letters of reference instead. Please see the page for international students for details.

* Ansary SA, Haq MN, et. al. ESTACODE Civil Establishment Code: A compendium of laws, rules and instructions relating to the terms and conditions of federal civil servants. Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Public Administration Research Centre, Management Services Wing Cabinet Division; 2000: 51.