University of Peshawar to Shut Down Nine BS Programs Over Low Student Enrolment

The University of Peshawar (UoP) has announced the closure of nine undergraduate departments starting from the Fall 2025 semester due to persistently low admission numbers. According to an official notification, the affected BS programs include Development Studies, Geography, Geology, History, Social Anthropology, Statistics, Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics, Human Development and Family Studies, and Home Economics. Each of these departments failed to meet the university’s minimum enrollment requirement of 15 students.

Enrollment data revealed a significant decline in student interest across these disciplines. Only one student applied for BS Human Development and Family Studies, while two applications each were received for Development Studies, Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics, and Home Economics. The highest number was recorded in Geology, which received just 14 applications. To protect students already enrolled or admitted, the university stated that the Directorate of Admissions would assist them in selecting alternative programs.

Sources within the university cited a widening gap between academic offerings and job market needs as a key reason for the declining interest. While departments such as Pharmacy, English, Computer Science, Law, and Political Science continue to maintain strong admissions, traditional disciplines have seen a steady fall in applicants.

Academician Yousaf Ali criticized the university’s administration for not updating its curricula to match evolving industry standards. He added that rising tuition fees, coupled with the expansion of public and private sector universities offering more affordable BS programs, have diverted prospective students elsewhere.

Provincial data further highlights a broader concern: overall higher education enrollment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has dropped from 160,000 in 2022 to 155,000 in 2025. Education experts argue that this trend reflects a systemic need for reform, including curriculum modernization, enhanced career counseling, and alignment of university programs with employability and market-driven skills.

The closure of these nine departments underscores growing challenges faced by traditional academic fields in Pakistan’s higher education landscape, where relevance, affordability, and employability have become key factors influencing student choices.