The history of the college spans over half a century. A year after the independence of Pakistan, School of Military Engineering (SME) was established at Sialkot in 1948. Having functioned at Sialkot for over four years, SME was shifted to Risalpur in 1952. It gradually transformed into a full fledged engineering college, and named as College of Military Engineering (CME). In 1958 the institution was renamed as Military College of Engineering (MCE), in line with its expanded role. In 1962 it was given the charter of self degree awarding and autonomous institution status by the Government of Pakistan. To meet the growing needs of the country as well as armed forces, the college got affiliated with the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, for post graduate classes in various disciplines in 1988.
To further the cause of knowledge, the College sought collaboration with reputed universities abroad apart from qualifying its students in various civil engineering disciplines from a number of universities in USA.
Military College of Engineering is located at Risalpur, a medium sized garrison, about 50 kilometers from the historic city of Peshawar and 130 kilometers from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
Although Risalpur is connected with Peshawar and Islamabad by both rail and road, but travelling by road is preferred. Raisalpur is 325 metres above sea level. This area experiences moderately severe climatic conditions. Summers are generally dry and hot with mercury going upto 50° Celsius during June and July. Barring the months of December and January, when the minimum temperature goes as low as freezing point, the winters are generally pleasant. Annual rate of precipitation is moderate. Winter rains are received mostly during February and March, whereas August and first half of September are characterised for monsoon downpours.
The College is organized into instructional and administrative wings as:
Each training wing has senior civil or army officer possessing high academic and military qualifications in the related spheres of activity; M.Sc/Ph.D for Academics and Military Engineering Services Wings and advanced combat defence courses like National Defence Course, Armed Forces War Course, Joint Service Staff Course and Pakistan Staff Course for Combat Engineering Wing.
Following sports facilities are available:
