Office of Admissions
LUMS DHA, Lahore Cantt. 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92 42 3560 8000 Ext.: 2177
The MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives equips professionals with the knowledge, theoretical acumen and leadership skills needed to address challenges of Pakistan’s complex education system. The weekend-based programme is designed for study alongside your full-time job without requiring you to take a career break. The degree will prepare you to create transformative learning at every level and in every role — from teachers to district leaders, policymakers to entrepreneurs, learning designers to nonprofit leaders.
At the LUMS School of Education, we are committed to empower students to become leaders of education reform. The MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives programme will enable students to explore the issues in education and learning faced by educators and discover sustainable solutions. The MPhil programme combines rigorous academics with in-depth practical training enabling students to think critically and innovatively to create immediate impact.
If you are interested in helping others achieve their learning goals and believe sustainable education reforms is the way to address education inequality, the MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives is the programme for you. Whether you are seeking to further your career, develop new skills, or enrich and deepen your knowledge to make a greater impact, the MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives will offer exceptional academic preparation, personal and professional development, and opportunities for real-world engagement — all within a manageable two-year weekend-based programme.
This 36-credit hour degree allows working professionals the flexibility to complete their master’s programme while working full-time. All classes have been scheduled to suit the logistical needs of working professionals.
Our in-person classes will be scheduled on alternative weekends along with a brief online class held in an evening mid-week. The practicum during the second year of the programme will be scheduled taking the time constraints of working professionals into consideration.
Semester/Course | Credits |
First Semester, Fall | |
EDUX 510 Interdisciplinary Theoretical Perspectives on Education | 3 |
EDUX 540 Leadership: The Politics of ChangeField/Lab/Workshop | 3 |
EDUX 560 Research Methods | 3 |
EDUX 590 Observing Schools | 1 |
EDUX 693 Academic Writing | 1 |
Second Semester, Spring |
EDUX 541 School Effectiveness and Development | 3 |
EDUX 561 Applied Data Analysis | 3 |
EDUX 562 Data Lab | 1 |
Elective 1* | 3 |
Third Semester, Fall | |
EDUX 690 Practicum Proseminar | 3 |
Elective 2* | 3 |
Elective 3* | 3 |
Fourth Semester, Spring |
EDUX 691 Practicum | 6 |
Total | 36 |
MPhil ELM (Weekend Track) | |
EDUX 512 The Arts and Education | 3 credits |
EDUX 522 Teacher Education: Comparative & Critical Perspectives | 3 credits |
EDUX 613 Education for Social Justice | 3 credits |
EDUX 623 Effective Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | 3 credits |
EDUX 627 Understanding the Diversity in Disability | 3 credits |
EDUX 643 Contemporary Management Concepts in Educational Leadership | 3 credits |
EDUX 644 High Impact Professional Skills in Educational Leadership | 3 credits |
Course Type |
Credits | Number of Courses |
Core |
15 |
5 (3 credits each) |
Elective |
9 | 3 (3 credits each) |
Field/Lab/Workshop |
3 | 3 (1 credit each) |
Practicum Proseminar |
3 | 1 |
Practicum |
6 | 1 |
Total |
36 | 13 |
Qualification
Applicants must meet the minimum eligibility criteria in order to be considered for admission to the MPhil Education and Leadership Programme - Weekend Track for Executives.
Admission is purely merit-based and rests solely on the following criteria:
Academic Background;
Performance in the Admission Test;
Work Experience (2 years minimum required);
Curriculum Vitae (CV);
Letters of Recommendation (2 letters required);
Interview Performance (if called); and
Submission of complete Online Application, Application Processing Fee, and supporting documents by the stipulated deadline
NOTE:
These are the minimum requirements that applicants need to fulfil in order to be eligible to apply. Fulfilment of these criteria does not guarantee admission to LUMS. Admission decisions made by the University are final.
A minimum of 16 years of education leading to a degree Programme is required for applying to the MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives.
Applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree of less than four years duration or have earned their Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree from foreign institutions must provide an equivalence certificate verifying 16 years of education, issued by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. Similarly, applicants who have obtained their degrees from institutions not listed with the HEC, Pakistan, will be required to obtain an Equivalence Certificate from the HEC. For further information, please visit: www.hec.gov.pk.
There is no specific major requirement. The nature of the degree is such that it lies beyond specific disciplines; therefore, all academic backgrounds are welcome to apply. The aim is to allow students of any other major to learn about the foundations, policies, and methods of the field of education to be able to contribute to Pakistan's overall education discourse in different ways.
Applicants must provide complete and correct information regarding their academics, work experience, and test attempts. The application will be evaluated on the basis of information provided at the time of application submission.
Decisions on admission are made after careful evaluation of all applications. Evaluation for interview call is carried out based on a combination of factors such as academic track record, performance in GRE (General)/GMAT/NTS-GAT/ LGAT, and work experience.
Note:
Applicants completing their last degree by June 30, 2025, are also eligible to apply, provided they currently have a minimum of 2 years of work experience.
LUMS graduating class of 2025 are eligible to apply on the basis of their 7thsemester's result, provided they currently have a minimum of 2 years of work experience.
Applicants are required to take One (1) of the following tests in order to be considered for Fall 2025 admissions:
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
GMAT score is valid for Five (5) years. Scores of GMAT taken before April 27, 2020 will not be considered valid for the Fall 2025 admissions. For further details, please visit www.mba.com
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE (General) score is valid for Five (5) years. Scores of GRE (General) taken before April 27, 2020 will not be considered valid for the Fall 2025 admissions. For further details, please visit www.ets.org
NTS GAT (General)
NTS GAT (General) is valid for Two (2) years. Scores of NTS (General) taken before April 27, 2023, will not be considered valid for Fall 2025 admissions. Moreover, a cumulative score of 50 % in GAT (General) is the minimum requirement for admission. For further information, please visit www.nts.org.pk
LGAT (LUMS Graduate Admission Test)
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) will be conducted only once for Fall 2025 admissions at the designated cities of Pakistan. LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) is comprised of Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical sections. The LGAT Scores will be valid only for Fall 2025 admissions. The LGAT scores will be used for application evaluation and will not be disclosed to the applicants.
Note:
There is no GRE/GMAT cut-off score as applicants will be assessed based on their application as a whole.
If the applicant has taken more than one test or attempt, the best score of a single test or attempt will be considered for application evaluation.
The LUMS code for receiving GRE (General)/GMAT scores from Pearson and ETS is 0679.
The admission application will be considered for evaluation after the successful completion of the following Four (4) STEPS by the applicants on or before the stipulated deadlines:
Online submission of scanned copies of required supporting documents;
Submission of an appropriate Application Processing Fee; and
Online submission of the Letters of Recommendation by the referees.
Note:
Applicants must complete and submit their Online Admission application on or before April 15, 2025, 5:00 pm (PKT).
Applicants are required to submit scanned copies of all supporting documents online on or before April 16, 2025.
After the successful submission of the Online application, applicants must make the Processing Fee payment by the deadline.
Referees must submit completely filled Letters of Recommendation by the given deadline.
Completion of all steps is mandatory. Applications, documents, or fees received after the stipulated deadline will not be processed.
Shortlisted applications will be reviewed by the relevant committee to finalise the admission decision. Applicants are encouraged to provide complete information regarding their academic achievements, research reports, attended workshops, and extracurricular activities, and must tell LUMS about their success stories in order to substantiate their applications.
Performance in Interview
A Merit ranking of candidates shortlisted for interviews will be generated based on their Academic Performance, Work experience, and GMAT/GRE (General)/NTS-GAT/LGAT scores. Only short-listed candidates will be called for the interviews. Evaluation for interview call is carried out based on a combination of factors such as academic track record, performance in GMAT/GRE (General)/NTS-GAT/LGAT, and work experience.
Work Experience
A minimum of 2 years of work experience is required, and a higher number of years of work experience will be highly preferred. We welcome a range of experienced applicants, from education managers, coordinators/administrators, and education entrepreneurs in leadership roles to experienced school and/or college teachers seeking to transition to leadership positions. Our greater interest is to bring together a group of individuals with a keenness to contribute to education reform in Pakistan. In line with existing SOE practice, each candidate will be closely assessed, taking their relevant work experience into consideration. While the diversity of work experiences ranging from classroom teaching to education entrepreneurship will be considered, the evaluation will be based on the quality of each individual’s work experience.
Recommendation Letters (2 letters required)
Recommendation letters are essential to the evaluation process, so choose your referees carefully. Select individuals who know you well in an academic or professional capacity and can speak in detail about your qualifications and experiences relevant to the MPhil ELM at SOE. Referees must not be friends, relatives, or acquaintances; letters from these sources won’t be accepted and may result in losing points. Reach out to your referees well in advance, sharing your goals and aspirations to ensure they have ample time and context to write a thoughtful letter. Providing relevant information about your achievements and motivations will also help them prepare a strong recommendation.
Justification of Age
The applicants are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of work experience, and a higher number of years of work experience will be highly preferred. This means that the age bracket falls into the category of 24 years and above. However, based on the nature of the education sector in Pakistan, we can reasonably expect some applicants to have an overlap in education attainment and work experience; therefore, we are open to considering candidates from a younger age cohort than what would be expected from individuals with 2 years of full-time work experience.
Particulars | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | Total |
---|---|---|---|
PKR | PKR | PKR | |
Admission Fee | 138,130 | - | 138,130 |
Tuition Fee | 378,100 | 378,100 | 756,200 |
Semester Registration Fee | 44,020 | 44,020 | 88,040 |
General Security | 57,580 | - | 57,580 |
Total | 617,830 | 422,120 | 1,039,950 |
To learn more about the University's Refund Policy, please click here.
Activity | Date |
---|---|
Deadline to submit Online Application | April 15, 2025, 5:00 pm (PKT) |
Deadline to submit Online Supporting Documents and Processing Fee | April 16, 2025 |
LUMS Graduate Admission Test (LGAT) Administration | April 27, 2025 (Tentative) |
Deadline to take GMAT/GRE (General)/NTS GAT (General) | April 27, 2025 |
Completion of Admission Process | July 31, 2025 |
Commencement of Classes | September 2025 |
Note:
We will be offering two MPhill programmes in Education Leadership and Management: one is a full-time and another on is a Weekend track for Executives.
Yes, the MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives is a 2-year programme held on weekends.
The MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives is a 2-year-long programme.
The MPhil ELM is a weekend-based, 2 year long programme. Classes are scheduled in blocks of alternative weeks throughout the duration of a semester. Each block comprises a full-day of in-person classes on Saturday, a relatively shorter stretch of classes on Sunday and a short online class mid-week on Wednesday in the evening. There may be some more asynchronous learning or other brief online sessions scheduled during the week to maintain student contact.
In order to reduce the need for students to travel to campus during the week, the programme has been carefully structured around alternative weekends with a brief mid-week online component to maintain student contact. The mid-week online class reduces the need to travel to campus for students who reside outside Lahore, limiting this travel time for in-person classes on alternative weekends only.
The MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives degree is a 36 credit hour programme completed over 4 semesters.
The programme has been carefully designed to cater to the needs of working professionals, therefore, the workload is structured such that it can be managed alongside a full-time job.
This programme is designed to open opportunities for individuals belonging to different academic and professional backgrounds to transition to, among others, education leadership, management or policy reform roles.
Please refer to the Admission Criteria tab.
No, there is no age restriction for admission to the MPhil Education Leadership and Management Programme - Weekend Track for Executives. However, to be able to apply to this programme applicants must have 16 years of education and a minimum of 2 years of work experience.
Yes, this programme has a minimum requirement of 2 years of work experience. We welcome applications from candidates with a diverse set of professional backgrounds. We will give a high preference to candidates with more years of work experience.
No. This programme has a minimum 2-year work experience requirement to be eligible for applying.
A limited number of students will be granted a 100% Merit Scholarship.
Students of the MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives programme may qualify for preferential-rate loans from MCB.
No, the request for MCB-SPL Loan has no adverse effect on the admission decision.
All loans are subject to the Bank’s internal approvals and MCB Bank reserves the right to approve/ disapprove a loan based on its internal assessment. In case a loan is not approved, students will be required to cover the total fees and expenses of the education themselves.
Yes. This programme allows working professionals the flexibility to complete their master’s degree without having to take a career break. The programme structure has been carefully crafted to ensure the programme suits the needs of those who are working full time.
The MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives programme has been designed to ensure working professionals don’t have to take days off from work to attend the programme.
We anticipate a class size of 30-40 students.
The MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives programme includes a research-intensive Practicum, which is a semester-long ‘residency’ in which students work with educational organizations to solve real world policy and practice problems of their choice. The programme also includes field-based coursework that supplements the research methodology component of the curriculum. The field related coursework enables students to understand the development, and implementation of research instruments.
Please have a look on the following link: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/critical-dates-all-programmes
There is no minimum CGPA requirement for applying to the MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives programme.
Yes. We are open to candidates who already have a Master’s degree or any other graduate degree to apply. These can be from a variety of disciplines, such as engineering, business or law.
We have received your application and it is in the process to be reviewed for admission.
Prior direct experience in education is not essential, however an understanding of your interest in this programme should be clear. Education is a field with multi-disciplinary overlaps. We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of professional and academic backgrounds. Candidates from any background with an interest in the field of education and potential to learn can apply.
Please visit the following link: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/checklist-admissions
No, the application fee is non- refundable.
It is very important that you keep our department aware of any address or email change. Please send an email at admissions@lums.edu.pk
Transfer of credits from another programme to the MPhil Education Leadership and Management - Weekend Track for Executives Programme is not allowed. All admitted students regardless of having an advanced degree will begin the programme as a first-year student.
In truly exceptional circumstances the Admissions Committee may grant a deferral. All requests should be made in writing and will be reviewed on a case to case basis.
An applicant can defer his/her admission for 2 years by informing LUMS admissions office before the deadline.
Your Personal Statement should speak to your interest and commitment to the field of education. In the application form you will be required to answer the following questions:
Discuss specific academic experiences, such as coursework, research projects and/or educational initiatives that have influenced your decision to pursue an MPhil in Education Leadership and Management. How have these experiences prepared you for this program? (300 words)
Describe your professional and personal/volunteering experiences related to education. Highlight any significant contributions you have made to your organization or community and explain how these experiences have informed your interest in this program. (300 words)
What are one or two critical issues in the Pakistani education sector that you feel strongly about? Discuss why are these issues are important to you and how you aim to address them through this program? (350 words)
Diversity is a core value of our program. Describe how your background, experiences, and perspectives will contribute to the diversity of the MPhil cohort. (300 words)
Two letters of recommendation are mandatory.
We recommend that at least one letter should be from a faculty member or an academic who has had reasonable opportunity to evaluate your academic aptitude. A second letter should be from a work setting where your recommender can speak to your professionalism, work ethic and a project that you worked on with him or her. We discourage letters from individuals who only know you in a personal capacity (such as friends, family members, etc.).
If an academic referee is unavailable, you may obtain two professional references, where both recommenders can speak to your professionalism, work ethic and any project that you worked on with them.
You are required to take either a GMAT, GRE/ LGAT OR NTS-GAT for admission to the Programme.
There is no minimum required score for GRE/GMAT. We plan to look at the entire application so that each candidate is evaluated in a holistic manner. A low GRE/GMAT score should not be a deterrent to applying.
However, for NTS-GAT, A cumulative score of 50 is a minimum requirement for applying.
GMAT/GRE taken more than five years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.
NTS-GAT (General) taken more than two years before the admission deadline will not be considered valid.
LGAT is valid for Fall 2025 only.
Details regarding registration for GRE (General), GMAT and NTS-GAT (General) are given on www.ets.org, www.mba.com and www.nts.org.pk.
Applicants can register for LGAT in their online application in the test tab.
1. Application for admission to the MPhil Education Leadership and Management- Weekend Track for Executives Programme is an online process (there is no paper-based application to fill out or mail).
2. After creating an online account and accessing the online admission application, you may begin to complete your information in the application form on the website.
3. You can work on your application at any time and submit it when it is ready. Please note that we expect applicants to adhere to the deadlines stated on the LUMS website.
4. The earlier you submit your application the sooner you can upload your documents online and can pay the processing fee within the stipulated deadline.
Our GRE/ GMAT reporting code from ETS and Pearson’s is 0679.
GRE/GMAT/NTS-GAT score is compulsory for submission of online application. You must submit/mail the copy of unofficial GRE/GMAT/NTS-GAT score report as soon as you take the test. However, the official GRE/GMAT/NTS-GAT scores can be submitted later.
A merit ranking for interview short listing is established on academic performance, work experience and admission test scores of candidates. Those who qualify this comparative ranking are called for interview.
The interview is a key indicator of the potential of MPhil ELM - Weekend Track for Executives candidates to assume responsibility for advanced education decision-making, particularly in the Pakistani environment. During the interview the Admissions Committee tries to assess the applicant's leadership abilities, communication skills, aptitude for research thinking, and a level of awareness about Pakistani education. Final decision regarding admission is taken after the interview.
Admission decision will be communicated through the official letter; however, you can also check your application status through your online account. Regretfully, we are unable to provide information regarding the application status by telephone or e-mail.
The admission process is a well deliberated and thorough process. Each year we receive a large number of outstanding applications. Unfortunately, all of them do not qualify because of the limited number of available seats. The decision regarding admission is final.
If your application is unsuccessful you will also receive a letter informing you of this. Due to the volume of applications the university receives, it is not possible to provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Applicants can get equivalence through the following process: http://hec.gov.pk
It is highly recommended to fill out the application form carefully. No changes can be made after the submission of online application. In sheer need an applicant can send the updated information to admissions@lums.edu.pk with the specific header "Change in Application Form".
LUMS is committed to making high-quality education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. Our financial aid programme offers a wide range of support options, designed to facilitate students who demonstrate both high academic achievement and financial need.
Financial aid awards are assessed each year, considering academic performance, demonstrated financial need, available resources, and university policies. While LUMS endeavours to provide substantial financial assistance within its available resources, students are encouraged to explore external funding sources to complement the aid provided by the university.
LUMS strives to enable students to pursue their educational and professional goals without financial barriers, reinforcing our commitment to an inclusive and academically vibrant community.
The following financial support options are available for MPhil Programme students:
At LUMS, academic excellence is highly valued, and the university is committed to supporting students who demonstrate outstanding performance in their studies. The Merit Scholarship at LUMS is designed to reward students who have demonstrated high academic achievement by providing them with financial support.
There is no separate application process for this scholarship. Applicants with high academic credentials are considered for scholarship.
The Merit Scholarship is awarded to the top talent among admitted students, based on the University’s Merit evaluation. This scholarship covers 100% Tuition Fee for One (1) year only.
LUMS has entered into an agreement with MCB Bank Limited through which MCB Bank provides commercial loans to Executive MPhil students.
The commercial loan facility is pivotal for students who are currently financially unable to afford the cost of tuition and living facilities. This is one of the first ventures of its kind in Pakistan and demonstrates LUMS' commitment towards providing equal educational opportunities to its students.
All loans are subject to the Bank’s internal approvals and MCB Bank reserves the right to approve/disapprove a loan based on its internal assessment. In case a loan is not approved, students will be required to provide the total fees and expenses of the education themselves.
Click here for the MCB Loan Term Sheet
Minimum 21 years and maximum 45 years at the time of loan approval.
Subject to regulatory and internal Bank requirements:
Installment repayments will commence six months after the completion of study period (up to 30 months).
Total tenor of repayment of the loan (post education period) to not exceed 7 years, including the grace period.
No pre-payment charges apply on partial or full prepayments.
Voucher can be paid through cash, Pay Order and Bank Drafts made in favour of "Lahore University of Management Sciences" at any branch within Pakistan of following banks.