The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, as the national nominating agency for Pakistan, invites applications from eligible Pakistani/AJ&K nationals for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year. The scholarships are offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK and are intended to support talented and motivated candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries who would otherwise be unable to afford study in the United Kingdom (UK). HEC will undertake the nomination process in Pakistan in accordance with its prescribed eligibility and merit criteria, while the final selection of scholars will be made by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
The scholarships are for full-time taught Master's and PHD study at a UK university, commencing in September/October 2027, and are offered under the CSC's six development themes.
The expected test to be conducted on 25 October 2026, is the last test for the Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2027". Any test conducted after this date will be considered for the next year batch of scholarship program
Key Dates
- Closing date for CSC applications: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST
- HEC application deadline: 20 October 2026 at 4:00 PM (PST)
- Expected nomination by nominating agencies: December 2026
- Expected announcement of results: July 2027
- Expected commencement of studies in the UK: September/October 2027
Important: Applicants must complete the application process required by both HEC and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission within the respective deadlines. Applicants are advised to submit their applications well before the closing date.
HEC will shortlist and nominate candidates in accordance with its prescribed selection criteria. Nomination by HEC does not guarantee final selection, as the final selection is made by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
- 26 nominations are available for Masters and 30 nominations are available for General PhD
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of both HEC and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
HEC Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and permanent resident of Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals are not eligible.
- There is no upper age limit for this scholarship.
- For Master scholarship, an applicant must hold a first division in 16 years Bachelors 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.
- Not have a Second/Third Division in the terminal (latest) degree.
- Result-awaiting candidates may apply, provided they obtain and submit their final degree and transcript before the commencement of the academic session (August/September 2027).
ELIGIBLE HAT TEST:
- 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 25, 2024 may upload the test result on HEC portal for consideration and enter their score while filling online HEC application.
- Only HAT categories (HAT-I, II, III and IV) are acceptable for the scholarship nomination. Please note that the HAT tests conducted for Pakistan national university admissions are not applicable for the commonwealth scholarship program.
- As per the ETC tentative HAT test schedule 2026, the test scheduled for 25.10.2026 (tentative) is eligible for the commonwealth scholarship nominations process. Therefore, those who do not have a valid HAT test score or want to improve their marks can register for the upcoming HAT test by ETC. (https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/services/students/etc/Pages/Test-Calendar.aspx)
- In case the test results are announced after the application deadline then applicants are not required to add their marks manually. HEC will automatically add the valid test score for nominations after the announcement of results.
- Merit shall be determined strictly on the basis of HAT score, subject to any modification in the merit criteria prescribed by HEC.
- In case two or more applicants have the same test score, merit will be determined based on the percentage obtained in the applicant's last completed degree program, with preference given to the higher percentage.
- If any information or document submitted by an applicant is found to have been misrepresented, whether before or after nomination or the award of the scholarship, HEC reserves the right to cancel the nomination or disqualify the applicant from the scholarship at any stage of the process.
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) Eligibility Criteria
For Masters Program visit the link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
For PHD Program visit the link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-vulnerable-states/
NOTE: Applicants are advised to read the complete eligibility criteria and application procedure for the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme before applying. Incomplete applications, missing documents, incorrect information, misinformation or the submission of invalid documents may render an application ineligible. Such applications may be disqualified by both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants are required to submit online applications at the Commonwealth and HEC portals (the scholarship portal will be active on 8 September 2026). In case the applicant fails to submit online application forms on any one of the mentioned websites in Step (1) & Step (2) below, HEC is unable to accept their application.
Step- 1 (Commonwealth Online Application)
Candidates must apply using the CSC's online application system mentioned below. The CSC is unable to accept any applications that are not submitted via the online application system or after the closing date listed above.
a) For Master's Program visit the link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
b) For PHD program visit the link: 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, download the application for your record.
Important Instructions:
Before applying, applicants are advised to update their HEC profile with their latest active email address, mobile number, and other relevant information. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications as early as possible, as the online application system is expected to experience heavy traffic in the days leading up to the application deadline.
Important Notes:
DO NOT SEND HARD COPIES OF APPLICATIONS TO HEC UNLESS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED BY HEC VIA EMAIL. IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO REGULARLY CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITES AND SUBMIT APPLICATIONS ONLY THROUGH 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, HEC reserves the right to cancel and debar applicants for all future scholarships at any stage of the process.
- It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply on both Commonwealth and HEC portal before the deadline of October 20, 2026.
FIELDS OF STUDY / DEVELOPMENT THEMES
The Commonwealth Scholarships are offered under the following six CSC development themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises
- Access, inclusion and opportunity
Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed study relates to development challenges and how the knowledge and skills gained through the scholarship will contribute to development in Pakistan.
CONTACT DETAILS
Learning Opportunities Abroad (LOA)
Scholarship Division, Higher Education Commission
Sector H-9, Islamabad.
HEC Helpline: i) 051-111-119-432 or 0334-1119432
ii) onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk
