Opportunities from HEC Pakistan and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

Applications are open for UK Master's and PhD study beginning September/October 2027. HEC nomination does not guarantee an award. Both HEC and CSC submissions are compulsory.

Funding / remuneration: Approved tuition and return airfare; living stipend currently £1,712/month, or £2,000 in London, plus qualifying travel/support allowances. Master's funding covers one-year taught courses, excluding MBAs; PhD tenure is 36 months.

Deadline: 2026-10-20. HEC: Asia/Karachi, 16:00 (UTC+5). CSC: Europe/London, 16:00 BST (UTC+1). HEC closes four hours earlier.

How to apply:

1. Read both official eligibility pages and arrange university admission applications.

2. Submit the relevant CSC application with identity evidence, complete transcripts and at least two references. PhD applications also require a proposed UK supervisor's supporting statement.

3. Separately submit HEC's Learning Opportunities Abroad application. Keep the downloaded submission record.

CSC application: https://portal.csccentralonline.org.uk/application

Additional official sources:

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/

Pakistani/AJ&K nationals permanently resident in Pakistan/AJ&K; dual nationals excluded. HEC requires first-division relevant qualifications: 16-year bachelor's for Master's; 17/18-year master's/MS/MPhil for PhD. No second/third division in the latest degree; no upper age limit. Result-awaiting applicants must provide final credentials before the academic session. HAT-I–IV score of at least 60/100 is required; tests from 25 October 2024 onward qualify. HEC also accepts the tentatively scheduled 25 October 2026 test and will add later results. University-admission HAT tests do not qualify. Applicants must also satisfy CSC academic, financial-need and return-home conditions. Master's applicants with previous UK Master's study or a previous Commonwealth Master's award are ineligible. CSC's PhD page excludes applicants registered for PhD/MPhil-to-PhD before September/October 2026; consult CSC for clarification if affected.