University of Peshawar Closes Nine BS Departments Amid Declining Admissions

In a move that has sparked debate across Pakistan's education circles, the University of Peshawar, one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has decided to close nine of its Bachelor of Studies (BS) programs due to consistently low admission rates.

The decision, though administrative in nature, highlights a much more profound issue in Pakistan's higher education system: the growing disconnect between academic offerings and the evolving interests and economic realities of today's students.

The Announcement and Immediate Impact

According to university officials, departments that fail to attract at least 15 students in a semester are subject to automatic closure under internal academic regulations. 

Unfortunately, this year several departments saw alarmingly low enrollment, forcing the university to take an unprecedented step.

The affected departments include Human Development and Family Studies, Development Studies, Home Economics, Geography, History, Social Anthropology, Statistics, Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics, and Geology.

Data revealed that:

• Only one student applied for admission to Human Development and Family Studies.
• Two students each applied to Development Studies, Logistics & Supply Chain Analytics, and Home Economics.
• Three students applied to Geography and History.
• Social Anthropology had five, Statistics had seven, and Geology attracted fourteen applicants, just one short of the minimum requirement.

As a result, all nine departments will not be offering admissions for the upcoming semester.

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

University officials have termed the closures as "unavoidable." A representative from the admissions office explained that it is not feasible to continue classes or hire faculty for departments with such limited enrollment.

"We understand that this decision will affect a handful of students, but running departments with only two or three students is neither financially sustainable nor academically productive," an official said.

Students who had applied to these programs have been advised to contact the Directorate of Admissions to transfer to other available programs or to receive guidance on alternative study options.

Why Are Students Losing Interest?

The closure of these departments reflects broader trends in Pakistan's education landscape. Fields such as history, geography, and anthropology, once considered pillars of academic scholarship, are increasingly seen by students as less career-oriented in a rapidly changing job market.

Modern students are prioritizing degrees in IT, engineering, business, and health sciences, as they perceive these fields as more practical and better aligned with employment opportunities.

A student who had initially planned to study history but later switched to business administration shared:

“I’ve always loved history, but when you think about job prospects, there aren’t many options beyond teaching. That’s why most of my friends chose computer science or business.”

This sentiment is echoed by education experts who argue that universities have been slow to modernize and market traditional disciplines, resulting in dwindling interest.

Fee Disparity and Accessibility Issues

Another major factor behind the low admission rates is the cost of studying at the University of Peshawar.

According to reports, the university charges around Rs 150,000 per year for a BS program, a steep figure compared to many public colleges where annual fees can be as low as Rs 14,000.

This large fee gap has discouraged many potential applicants, particularly those from middle- and lower-income families. The competition is further intensified by the rise of private and public sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

With 44 universities and over 900 colleges in the province, students have more choices than ever, and many are opting for institutions that are either more affordable or perceived as offering better job-oriented degrees.

The Broader Picture: A Shift in Educational Trends

The closure of these nine departments is not an isolated event. It's part of a larger trend in which disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences are losing ground to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.

Across Pakistan, universities are witnessing a steady decline in enrollment in subjects such as philosophy, sociology, and geography. 

While these fields remain academically significant, they are struggling to compete with the growing demand for marketable degrees.

Dr. Aslam, a senior faculty member at the University of Peshawar, commented:

“The problem is not that students don’t value social sciences, it’s that they don’t see a clear career path. Universities must update these programs, link them with practical skills, and connect them to industries if we want to revive interest.”

Repercussions for Faculty and Research

The closure has also raised concerns among faculty members. Professors and lecturers working in the affected departments now face uncertainty regarding their future teaching assignments.

While the administration has assured that no layoffs will take place immediately, many staff members may be reassigned to interdisciplinary programs or research roles.

Research output in fields like anthropology and geology, which are vital for understanding social behavior and natural resources, may also take a hit, as fewer students mean fewer research projects and less funding.

What Can Be Done to Revive These Departments?

Experts believe that this situation can be turned around if universities take proactive measures, such as:

• Modernizing curricula to align with current job markets.
• Introducing interdisciplinary programs, such as environmental geography, data-driven social research, and digital history.
• Offering financial aid to make higher education more accessible.
• Building stronger industry linkages so that even non-technical degrees lead to employable skills.

These steps, if taken seriously, could help universities like Peshawar rebuild the reputation and relevance of traditional academic disciplines.

A Wake-Up Call for Policymakers

The incident has also reignited calls for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and provincial authorities to review how funding, regulation, and policy decisions impact public universities.

The rising number of higher education institutions has created competition, but without proper oversight and planning, it has also led to uneven student distribution and resource shortages.

Education analysts warn that if similar trends continue, more universities may have to shut down low-enrollment departments, which could negatively affect academic diversity and Pakistan's intellectual landscape.

Final Thoughts

The University of Peshawar's decision to close nine BS departments is not just an administrative action; it reflects the changing priorities, challenges, and aspirations of Pakistan's young generation.

Students today are thinking about employability, affordability, and global relevance. Traditional disciplines that once defined academia must now evolve to stay meaningful in a digital, fast-paced economy.

As one education expert put it:

“We can’t blame students for wanting better opportunities. The solution lies in transforming how we teach, what we teach, and how we connect education to the real world.”

While the closure is undeniably a setback for some, it also presents an opportunity for universities, educators, and policymakers to rethink the future of higher education in Pakistan and ensure that it remains both relevant and inclusive for generations to come.