Bahria University was created by the Pakistan Navy in 2000. While operating a wider curriculum than just training academies, its governing body and senior management continue to be dominated by senior serving officers.
Growing out of the earlier Bahria College and Bahria Institute of Management and Computer Science (both affiliates of Peshawar University) it declares a mission to become "an internationally recognised university that contributes to the development of the nation through excellence in research and training".
The current rector, a vice-admiral, has said that "it is our vision to make our university the best educational institute in the country".
In 2019 it was rated 15th in the general universities ranking of the national Higher Education Commission, up eight places since 2016.
It has faculties of engineering, management, health, psychology, medicine and dentistry. The main campus is in the Naval Complex in Islamabad with multiple other campuses. The Karachi campus on National Stadium Road accommodates the Bahria University Medical and Dental School, founded in 2008, the Institute of Professional Psychology and the National Centre for Marine Policy Research. The Lahore campus is in Johar Township.
There are a number of student-driven societies, clubs and associations including the literature and debates club, the law society, the media club and the society of empowerment.
There is a strong emphasis on community service, with a requirement that students complete a minimum of 32 hours of community work as part of their degree courses – some doing so by delivering Education for All, a basic six to eight week computer skills course for underprivileged pupils.
