The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited students from across Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme 2027–28, which offers opportunities to pursue master’s and PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.
The scholarships are offered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), with HEC serving as Pakistan’s nominating agency. Successful candidates may receive financial support covering tuition fees, a monthly living allowance and return air travel between Pakistan and the UK.
Additional benefits may include a warm clothing allowance, study travel grants and a thesis grant for eligible PhD scholars, subject to the programme’s official terms and conditions.
According to the provided information, the monthly living allowance is listed as £1,347 for students studying outside London and £1,652 for those based in London. Applicants are advised to verify the applicable stipend rates and benefits through the official scholarship guidelines.
To qualify, applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals and meet the academic requirements for their chosen programmes. Master’s applicants generally need 16 years of education with a first division or an equivalent CGPA, while PhD applicants must fulfil the prescribed postgraduate qualification requirements.
Applicants are also required to take the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) and secure at least 60 marks, according to the stated eligibility criteria. Proposed studies or research should align with the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme’s development priorities.
Candidates must submit applications through both the HEC scholarship portal at https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s official website. Applicants should carefully review the relevant instructions before submitting their applications. Required documents may include academic transcripts, identification documents, references and research proposals, depending on the programme and applicant category.
The application deadline is October 20, 2026. Prospective applicants should consult the official HEC and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission websites to confirm the deadline, eligibility criteria, required documents and application procedures before applying.