ISLAMABAD, September 11: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications from eligible Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals for the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme for Master’s and PhD studies in the United Kingdom for the 2027-28 academic year.
According to HEC, the scholarships are being offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK for talented and motivated candidates who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education in Britain. The programmes are expected to begin at UK universities in September or October 2027.
HEC, which serves as Pakistan’s national nominating agency, will shortlist and nominate candidates under its prescribed merit and eligibility criteria. However, nomination by HEC will not guarantee a scholarship, as the final selection will be made by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
For the 2027-28 programme, 26 nominations are available for Master’s studies and 30 for general PhD programmes. HEC has also stated that the female nomination ratio will be at least 45 percent.
October 20 Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications to both HEC and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is October 20, 2026. The CSC application system will close at 4:00pm BST, while the HEC deadline is 4:00pm Pakistan Standard Time.
Nominations are expected to be made in December 2026, while final scholarship results are expected in July 2027. Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK in September or October 2027.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJ&K nationals and permanent residents of Pakistan or AJ&K. Dual nationals are not eligible. There is no upper age limit for the scholarship.
Master’s applicants must hold a first division in a relevant 16-year bachelor’s degree, while PhD applicants must have a first division in a relevant 17- or 18-year Master’s, MS or MPhil degree. Applicants must not have a second or third division in their latest degree.
Result-awaiting candidates can also apply, provided they obtain and submit their final degree and transcript before the start of the academic session in 2027.
Minimum 60 HAT Score Required
Applicants are required to provide a valid Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score of at least 60 out of 100. Only HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III and HAT-IV categories are acceptable for nomination under the programme.
HEC said merit will primarily be determined on the basis of the HAT score. In case two or more applicants secure the same score, the percentage obtained in their last completed degree will be used to determine merit.
Candidates who do not currently have a valid HAT score, or want to improve their marks, may register for the upcoming eligible HAT examination. If the result is announced after the scholarship application deadline, HEC will automatically incorporate the valid score into the nomination process.
Applications Required on Two Portals
Candidates must submit separate online applications through both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and HEC portals. Failure to complete either application will make the candidate ineligible for consideration by HEC.
On the HEC scholarship portal, candidates are required to complete their profile and select “Learning Opportunities Abroad” before submitting the application.
HEC has advised candidates to apply well before the deadline because the online systems may experience heavy traffic during the final days. Applicants should also ensure that their email addresses, mobile numbers and other profile information are up to date.
No hard copies should be sent to HEC unless specifically requested through email.
Six Development Themes
The Commonwealth Scholarships for 2027-28 are offered under six 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; and access, inclusion and opportunity.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed studies address development challenges and how the knowledge and skills acquired in the UK could contribute to Pakistan’s development.
HEC cautioned applicants against submitting incomplete, incorrect or false information, saying misrepresentation could result in cancellation of nomination or disqualification at any stage.