9 Departments Closed at KP’s Largest University Amid Plunging Admissions

In a worrying development for Pakistan’s higher education sector, 9 departments closed at KP’s largest university amid plunging admissions, signaling a deepening academic and financial crisis in the province’s education system. The University of Peshawar (UoP) — the oldest and most prominent public university in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) — has decided to discontinue several Bachelor of Studies (BS) programs from the Fall 2025 semester due to alarmingly low student enrollment.

According to official university documents, the programs being discontinued include Development Studies, Geography, Geology, History, Social Anthropology, Statistics, Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics, Human Development and Family Studies, and Home Economics. The university administration has instructed the respective departments to coordinate with the Directorate of Admissions to assist affected students in shifting to alternative disciplines.

Admissions Collapse Across Key Departments

The low admission rates were the central reason behind the drastic step. Under UoP’s policy, any program with fewer than 15 enrolled students is automatically canceled for the semester. However, this year’s admission data revealed a sharp decline across multiple departments.

Only one student applied for BS Human Development and Family Studies, two students each for Development Studies, Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics, and Home Economics, and three applicants for Geography and History. Likewise, five students sought admission in Social Anthropology, seven in Statistics, and 14 in Geology — all below the required threshold.

University officials confirmed that despite multiple extensions and outreach campaigns, student turnout remained dismal. As a result, the administration formally approved the closure of these departments, stating that running them with minimal enrollment was financially unsustainable.

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Faculty and Experts Raise Alarm Over Declining Interest

Academicians and education analysts have expressed deep concern over the KP University Department Closures, warning that they reflect a growing disinterest in humanities and social sciences. Many argue that outdated curricula, lack of career relevance, and limited job prospects are driving students toward more market-oriented fields.

“The higher education system in KP has failed to modernize,” said a senior professor from the University of Peshawar. “Departments have been teaching the same course outlines for decades without linking them to industry or employability. Students now prefer fields that promise real-world skills and job security.”

Experts also highlighted poor marketing and weak career counseling as contributing factors. “When students don’t understand the career scope of subjects like anthropology or history, they naturally choose degrees like computer science, pharmacy, or law,” noted an education consultant.

Shifting Trends in Higher Education

This year’s admission cycle has revealed a major shift in student preferences across KP universities 2025. While departments in humanities and social sciences face sharp declines, technical and professional disciplines continue to attract high enrollment.

Programs such as pharmacy, English, psychology, computer science, international relations, criminology, and management sciences are among the few maintaining healthy admission numbers. The contrast reflects a growing divide between traditional academic disciplines and emerging professional courses.

A UoP spokesperson explained that the student shift toward science, technology, and health sectors is part of a global trend. “Students want employability,” the spokesperson said. “They are moving away from theory-heavy subjects and leaning toward disciplines that offer practical skills and better job opportunities.”

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Financial Crisis and Fee Disparities Deepen the Problem

The higher education crisis in KP is also closely tied to financial constraints. Experts say that rising tuition fees, coupled with the availability of cheaper alternatives in affiliated colleges, have further discouraged university enrollments.

Education analyst Yousaf Ali pointed out that a BS degree at the University of Peshawar costs approximately Rs150,000 per year, whereas the same program costs around Rs14,000 annually in public sector colleges. “When the fee difference is tenfold, students from middle-income families will obviously choose the cheaper option,” he said.

He added that UoP’s ongoing financial crisis — fueled by budget deficits and delayed government grants — has forced the administration to increase fees repeatedly. Meanwhile, the expansion of higher education institutions across KP, with 44 universities and nearly 1,000 public and private colleges, has fragmented the student population, reducing enrollment across older universities.

Outdated Curricula and Lack of Market Alignment

Another major reason for the university departments shut is the outdated structure of the BS programs. Faculty members admit that most courses lack practical components such as internships, data analysis, or fieldwork — elements that could make these degrees relevant to current market needs.

“The academic model still follows a 20th-century mindset,” said an education researcher from Peshawar. “There’s no collaboration between universities and industry. We keep teaching theoretical concepts while employers demand digital and analytical skills.”

He emphasized that degrees like Development Studies and Social Anthropology could thrive again if integrated with public policy, data science, or community development modules. However, without reform, such programs will continue to lose relevance.

Calls for Government Action and Policy Reform

The wave of department closures has prompted renewed calls for education policy reform in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Academicians are urging the Higher Education Department (HED) to conduct a province-wide review of university programs, enrollment patterns, and resource allocation.

Experts propose creating joint academic frameworks that prevent duplication of programs across universities and affiliated colleges. They also recommend introducing performance-based funding, where departments receive incentives for innovation, research, and employability outcomes rather than enrollment numbers alone.

“The government must step in now,” warned Yousaf Ali. “If we don’t reform the BS structure, more universities will face the same fate. The crisis is spreading beyond Peshawar — it’s becoming a provincial problem.”

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The Broader Impact on KP’s Academic Landscape

The closure of nine departments at UoP is a symptom of a larger structural decline in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s education system. As admissions plummet and costs rise, public universities risk losing their academic diversity — traditionally a strength of institutions like the University of Peshawar.

Observers note that this trend could have long-term consequences for Pakistan’s intellectual development. “When humanities and social sciences disappear, so does critical thinking,” said one senior academic. “STEM fields are vital, but societies need balanced education — a mix of creativity, ethics, and innovation.”

Conclusion

The fact that 9 departments closed at KP’s largest university amid plunging admissions serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and the government alike. It underscores the urgent need for academic reform, financial restructuring, and modernization of higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Without decisive intervention, more universities may follow suit, leading to the erosion of Pakistan’s academic foundations. For now, the halls of the University of Peshawar stand quieter — a reflection of a province struggling to keep its students, its relevance, and its educational legacy alive.