HEC Announces Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program 2026-27 for Bachelors, Masters and PhD Studies

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications from Pakistani and AJ&K nationals for the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme 2026–27, offered by the Government of Hungary for Bachelor’s, One-Tier Master’s, Master’s and PhD studies.

The last date to apply on both the HEC Scholarship Portal and the Stipendium Hungaricum online portal is 15 January 2026 at 4:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time).

Available scholarship slots

Under this programme, Hungary has allocated the following seats for Pakistan:

1. Bachelor’s (BS): 200 seats (all available disciplines)
2. One-Tier Master’s (OTM): 70 seats
   • 20 for Medicine/General Medicine
   • 10 for Dentistry
   • 40 for other disciplines
3. Master’s (MS/MPhil): 100 seats (all available disciplines)
4. PhD: 30 seats (all available disciplines)

Eligibility criteria

1. Applicants must be citizens of Pakistan or AJ&K.
2. Result-awaiting candidates and those in the final year/semester of their current degree may apply, but must upload final degree and transcript to the Hungarian portal by 1 August 2026, otherwise their candidature will be cancelled.
3. For:
   • BS/OTM: Completed HSSC/Intermediate or equivalent required by 1 August 2026.
   • Master’s: 16-year Bachelor’s or equivalent required by 1 August 2026.
   • PhD: Completed MS/MPhil or equivalent required by 1 August 2026.
4. Minimum age: 18 years on or before 31 August 2026.
5. No upper age limit.
6. Dual nationals are not eligible.

Some Hungarian universities require IELTS/TOEFL, while others accept an English proficiency certificate from the applicant’s institution.

HAT/USAT test requirement

1. All applicants must have a valid HAT or USAT score with at least 50% marks.
2. For this call:
   • HAT score must be dated on or after 15 January 2024.
   • USAT score must be dated on or after 15 January 2025.
3. A fresh HAT/USAT test is tentatively scheduled for 1 February 2026, with registration opening 8 December 2025 at: https://etc.hec.gov.pk/.

Applications without a valid HAT/USAT score will not be processed.

Bond & professional accreditation

Selected candidates will have to sign a bond to:

1. Not change discipline after award
2. Return to Pakistan after completion and serve the country for a prescribed period, failing which HEC may recover a penalty.

Applicants for professional degrees (Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Law, Architecture, Veterinary etc.) must independently confirm accreditation of their chosen programme with PMDC, PEC, PNC, PCATP, PBC, PVMC, PCP etc.

How to apply

Candidates must submit applications on both portals:

1. Hungarian side (Tempus Public Foundation):
   • Apply online at: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/
   • Select programmes carefully (full-degree vs partial) as mode cannot be changed after the deadline.
2. HEC scholarship portal:
   • Register and apply at: http://scholarship.hec.gov.pk/
   • Choose “Hungarian Scholarship Program” and submit by 15 January 2026, 4:00 pm PST.

Hard copies are not required initially, but applicants should keep printed copies and scanned documents for record.

HEC will shortlist and nominate candidates, but final selection rests with Tempus Public Foundation, Hungary.