Question:1 What is the eligibility criteria for Commonwealth Scholarship?
Please visit the Introduction/Eligibility criteria page.
Question: 2 How to find a program & university?
CSC participating universities can also be found by visiting the links below.
a) For Masters Click here to apply for a Master's Scholarship
b) For PhD Click here to apply for a PhD Scholarship
Question: 3 How to apply online at HEC & CSC (Commonwealth Portal)?
There are 2 mandatory steps to apply:
Step- 1 (Commonwealth Online Application)
Apply online to Commonwealth (CW) Scholarship for Master's & Doctoral studies (PhD) through their Application System at:
a) For Masters Click here to apply for a Master's Scholarship
b) For PhD Click here to apply for a PhD Scholarship
Step - 2 (HEC Online application)
Apply online at HEC website: https://scholarships.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.
Question: 4 What is the last date/ deadline to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship?
Deadline for HEC:
For HEC Portal: October 15, 2024 (04.00 PM Pakistan Standard Time)
Note: It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply before the deadline.
Question: 5 Is there any fee to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship?
No, there isn't any application fee for Commonwealth Scholarship. However, the applicant may be required to pay for ETC-HAT test.
Question: 6 What is the test date for Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT)?
For more information, visit official website of ETC https://etc.hec.gov.pk or lock your query at onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk for ETC.
Question: 7 Is there any Important Information related to scholarship?
1. HEC endorses equal opportunity; females are encouraged to apply. Gender balance shall be followed in nominations as per Commonwealth requirement.
2. Please note that HEC has only facilitation role in nomination process, as final selection will be made by the donor country. Further, HEC will have no financial liability regarding this scholarship.
3. In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the rights to cancel and ban applicants for all future scholarships.
4. It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply before the deadline.
5. HEC online portal shall close as per the deadline, thereafter, no candidate would be able to apply. Also, incomplete applications (not submitted) will NOT be entertained.
6. Applicants are advised to complete and submit their application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline
Question: 8 Is it mandatory to provide Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score?
Yes, without HAT test score, application shall not be considered.
Question: 9 What is the minimum qualifying marks required for Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT)?
Applicants are required to obtain minimum 60% marks in Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) for consideration towards nomination.
Question: 10 If applicant mistakenly submit false information at any stage (if qualified), will they be eligible for the scholarship?
Applicants are required to submit their information carefully. In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the right to cancel and disqualify applicants for all future Scholarships.
The application form on HEC once submitted is not editable.
Question: 11 Is IELTS required for applying in Commonwealth scholarship?
No. HEC doesn't require IELTS score. However, applicant may need to fulfil his/her intended university requirement.
Question: 12 What is age limit for Masters/PhD?
There is no age limit.
Question: 13 Can an Afghan national apply for this scholarship?
No. Only Pakistani / AJ&K national can apply for this scholarship.
Question: 14 Is international GRE-General /Subject score acceptable?
No. International GRE-General/Subject is not acceptable for this scholarship.
Question: 15 Which test is applicable for award of these scholarships?
Only HAT test organized by Education Testing Council (ETC) is acceptable for these scholarships.
Question: 16 What are the mandatory requirements while applying for Ph.D. Programs?
Candidates applying for PhD studies must have consent of acceptance by supervisor at one of the proposed host universities (mentioned in application form). A statement of acceptance issued by the supervisor must be attached to the online application.
Online references must also be submitted by Commonwealth portal deadline.
Question: 17 Only MS/MPhil HAT test option is available on ETC website?
All Master's applicants are required to register for the MS/MPhil test available on ETC website. Whereas, PhD applicants are required to select PhD option.
Question: 18 I am PhD applicant, whereas I registered for MS/MPhil HAT test option?
Please request ETC through onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk to change category from MS/MPhil to PhD test only, if you are not able to edit it through ETC portal.
Question: 19 Applicant do not have HAT test score. If he/she registers for HAT test now, how will he/she submit score for Commonwealth Scholarship?
Those who have not yet registered for the HAT or have already registered should note that their scores will be automatically submitted to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) once they complete the test. The testing agency (ETC) will link the test scores to the CNIC provided in the applicant's application form.
