The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications for the Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2027–28, offering Pakistani students opportunities to pursue master’s and PhD studies in the United Kingdom.
Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals can apply for the scholarships. However, candidates must meet both HEC and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission requirements.
The deadline for online applications is October 20, 2026.
Commonwealth Scholarships for Master’s and PhD
The scholarship programme covers master’s and PhD studies during the 2027–28 academic year.
HEC manages the programme in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK. Candidates can review detailed information about their selected degree through the Commonwealth Scholarship resources provided by HEC.
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Applicants
Applicants must hold Pakistani or AJK nationality and maintain permanent residency in Pakistan or AJK. Dual nationals cannot apply, while the programme has no upper age limit.
For a master’s scholarship, candidates need a first-division bachelor’s degree with 16 years of education in the relevant field.
For a PhD scholarship, applicants must hold a first-division master’s, MS or MPhil degree. Their qualification must represent 17 or 18 years of education in the relevant field.
Candidates must also have no second or third division in their latest degree.
Meanwhile, students awaiting final results can apply. However, they must submit their final degree and transcript before the academic session begins in August or September 2027.
Applicants must also satisfy the CSC’s separate requirements for their chosen scholarship.
HAT Score Required for Applications
HEC requires every applicant to provide a Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score of at least 60 out of 100.
Moreover, HEC will accept eligible HAT results taken on or after October 25, 2024.
Only HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III and HAT-IV categories qualify for scholarship nominations. HAT tests taken specifically for admission to Pakistani universities will not qualify.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Scholarships
Interested candidates should visit HEC’s official Commonwealth Scholarship page and review the requirements for their selected programme.
Applicants should then prepare the required academic documents and complete the online application according to HEC’s instructions.
Candidates should carefully check all eligibility conditions before submitting their applications. They must also ensure that their HAT score meets the required threshold.
The final deadline for online submission is October 20, 2026. Applicants should complete the process before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or documentation issues.
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