Description:
Commonwealth Scholarships are awarded to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage. As part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth, each year around 700 students are given the chance to undertake postgraduate degrees with UK universities.
Degree Level: Master’s & PhD
Grants: Fully funded covering tuition fees, also receive return airfare and a living allowance.
Eligibility Criteria: To apply for these scholarships, you must meet HEC eligibility in addition to CSC requirements mentioned below:
· Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and permanent resident of Pakistan /AJ&K. Dual nationals are not eligible.
· For Master scholarship, an applicant must hold a first division in 16 years Bachelors/master's degree in the relevant field of study.
· For PhD scholarship, an applicant must hold a first division in 17/18 years Masters/MS/MPhil degree in the relevant field of study.
· Candidate must not have Second/Third division in the terminal/last degree. Result-awaiting candidates are eligible to apply.
· All applicants are required to provide HAT test score. Applicant must have obtained a minimum score of 60 out of 100 in HAT test. Those applicants who have taken HAT test on or after October 16, 2023 may upload the test result on HEC portal for consideration and enter their score while filling online HEC application.
· Only HAT (General categories i.e. HAT-I, II, III, IV) test is acceptable for the scholarship nominations, specific (other program) HAT tests such as HAT for FATA Baluchistan, etc will not be considered.
· Without providing minimum HAT test score (60 out of 100), applications will not be considered for further process. Those interested applicants who are yet to take HAT test, may register for the same by visiting https://etc.hec.gov.pk/
· Merit shall be strictly based on HAT score. (HEC reserves the right to modify the merit criteria)
CSC Eligibility Criteria in addition to HEC criteria:
To apply for these scholarships, you must:
· Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September 2026.
· The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master's degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master's degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study.
· Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
· Provide full transcripts detailing all your higher education qualifications including to-date transcripts for any qualifications you are currently studying (with certified translations if not in English) – uploaded to the online application system.
· Provide references from at least two individuals.
For Ph.D. candidates only:
· NOT be registered for a Ph.D., or an MPhil leading to a Ph.D., at a UK university or in your home country before September/October 2026
· Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor in the UK from at least one of the institutions named on your application form.
.How to Apply: Applicants are required to submit online applications at the Commonwealth and HEC portals (the scholarship portal will be active on 2 September 2025). In case the applicant fails to submit online application forms on BOTH websites mentioned in Step (1) & Step (2) below, HEC is unable to accept their application.
Step- 1 (Commonwealth Online Application) For Master: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
For PhD: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/
Step - 2 (HEC Online application) Apply online at HEC website: https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk/
After registering and filling your profile, please select "Learning Opportunities Abroad". After submission of the application, get its printed copy to be signed by applicant.
Before applying, kindly update your HEC profile with latest email/cell number & updated information. You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Important Notes:
Application without submitting both Commonwealth Application form and online HEC form will not be entertained in any case (submitted applications must also be complete in all aspects)
Keep a copy of your HEC online application and Commonwealth online application after successful submission to the relevant portals.
DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF APPLICATIONS TO HEC UNLESS INTIMATED BY HEC VIA EMAIL, IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES AND APPLY ONLY ON THE OFFICIAL LINKS PROVIDED BY HEC
NOTE: -
HEC endorses equal opportunity; females are encouraged to apply. The female nomination ratio shall be minimum 45%.
HEC online portal shall close as per the deadline, incomplete applications (not submitted/saved status) will NOT be accepted.
Please note that HEC has only a facilitation role in the nomination process, as the final selection will be made by the donor country. Further, HEC will have no financial liability regarding this scholarship.
In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the right to cancel and debar applicants for all future scholarships.
Application Deadline: October 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time).