Commonwealth Scholarships 2025
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has officially announced the opening of applications for the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarships 2025, funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), United Kingdom. These scholarships aim to strengthen global cooperation and support international development by providing exceptional students with advanced higher education opportunities in the UK.
According to HEC, Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) nationals who meet the eligibility criteria can now apply through the HEC Scholarship Portal. The application deadline has been set for October 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time).
For the upcoming academic year, the CSC has allocated 26 nominations for Master’s programs and 30 nominations for PhD programs. The selection process will be highly competitive, as merit will be determined based on the applicant’s academic record and performance in the HAT (Higher Education Aptitude Test). Candidates must secure a minimum of 60 out of 100 marks in the HAT (General I–IV) categories to be considered.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be Pakistani or AJK nationals and permanent residents.
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Hold a first division in their terminal degree.
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Have 16 years of education for Master’s programs.
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Have 17–18 years of education (MS/MPhil) for PhD programs.
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Not hold dual nationality.
In addition, PhD candidates must provide a supporting statement from a potential UK supervisor, while all applicants must submit two academic references along with complete academic transcripts.
The CSC also requires that successful candidates be available to commence their studies in the UK by September 2026. Importantly, the scholarships will not normally fund a second Master’s degree unless a strong academic or professional justification is presented.
HEC emphasized that applicants must demonstrate genuine financial need, proving they cannot pursue studies in the UK without this scholarship.
Further details, guidelines, and application links for both Master’s and PhD programs are available on the official HEC website.
