The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) is a leading postgraduate research institute in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is the best option for students who have completed their undergraduate degree. Do you want to pursue high-quality postgraduate studies in the field of economics? PIDE Islamabad is the perfect choice for you. 

About Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE Islamabad)

PIDE Islamabad is located at the Quaid-i-Azam University Campus. However, it has its board of overseers. The campus provides a serene and beautiful environment against the backdrop of the Margalla Hills. 

It was granted the degree awarding status in November 2006. Since then, its top priority has been to offer quality education. While being of world-class standards in the region, PIDE Islamabad provides affordable education and a stimulating learning environment.    

PIDE Islamabad comprises 

• 8 academic departments
• 8 research sections
• 2 research centers

Mission Statement

A world-class research and teaching institute building on the strengths and high standards it has achieved over the last sixty years. 

Vision Statement

PIDE to Function as a World Class Centre of Excellence for Research and Teaching

Core Values

• Creativity
• Integrity
• Intellectual rigor
• Ideological diversity

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE Islamabad) Rankings

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics enjoys significant rankings in the area of economics. It is a Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognized higher education institution. Re Pec ranked PIDE Islamabad as the top Economics University in Pakistan and Asia’s 10th-best Economics University.

Furthermore, PIDE Islamabad was ranked as the top small university in Pakistan by the HEC of Pakistan in 2015.

In addition to this, PIDE is a policy think tank of the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reforms. So, the research at PIDE can easily influence policy-making in the country.

Programs Offered at PIDE Islamabad

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Islamabad offers 4 distinct departments. Each department offers postgraduate programs, including Master’s, MPhil, and doctorate degrees. 

The departments offered at PIDE Islamabad are as follows:

• Department of Economics and Econometrics
• Department of Business Studies
• PIDE School of Public Policy (PSPP)
• Department of Development Studies 

The MPhil and MS programs offered are:

• Economics
• Econometrics
• Economics & Finance
• Business Economics
• Management Sciences
• Development Studies
• Public Policy
• Environmental Economics

PhD programs offered are:

• Economics 
• Econometrics

Affiliated Institutions

As PIDE Islamabad is a well-known research institution, it has conducted research in collaboration with various international organizations. Therefore, it enjoys affiliation with various prestigious international institutions. 

 Collaborative efforts of PIDE include some of the following:

• Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP)
• World Bank, Committee for International Cooperation on Research in Demography (CICRED)
• World Bank Institute (WBI)
• International Labor Organization (ILO)
• the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI)
• World Economic Forum, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

How to Get Admission to PIDE Islamabad

It is a postgraduate research institution. This means that admissions are open to students who have completed an undergraduate degree, which is typically a four-year or three-year program. 

Students interested in getting admission into PIDE can apply for the fall semester, which commences in September each year. Admissions open in July of each year. 

Apply for Admission

Students who are interested in applying for admission to PIDE after the completion of their undergraduate degree can do the following:

• Complete the application form with accurate and up-to-date information. 
• The application form is available online at the official PIDE website.
• Along with the application form, students must also submit a deposit challan through cash/online transfer.
• Rs. 1000/- additional amount may be deposited for each additional program.
• Before the academic session starts, in-service applicants must submit NOC issued by their employer. 

Entry Test

After applying, the student must appear for an entrance exam. PIDE Islamabad will issue an exam seating slip. For the sample papers, students can check the PIDE official website.   

Eligibility Criteria

• For students applying for an MS or MPhil program, the eligibility criteria are sixteen years of education, i.e., 4 years of Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent (MA/MSc degree after a two-year Bachelor’s degree) in any discipline from an HEC-recognized university or institute with at least a CGPA of 2.50 out of 4.00 (semester system) or at least a second division.
• For PhD students, the eligibility criteria are candidates who possess an MPhil or equivalent degree with Research in any discipline from an HEC-recognized university/institution with at least first division (annual system) or CGPA of 3.00 out of 4.00 (semester system). 

After admission is finalized, freshly enrolled students will be called in for an Orientation Day. Then, they will become acquainted with the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics. The official start date of the fall semester is in September.

If you want higher education, consider a top-notch institute— PIDE Islamabad.