Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for the Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2027–28, offering fully funded master’s and PhD study opportunities in the UK for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals — with online applications due by October 20, 2026.
What the Scholarship Covers
The Commonwealth Scholarship is a fully funded program run by the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with HEC. Successful candidates typically have their full tuition fees, airfare, living allowance, and visa costs covered, along with additional grants for research, study travel, and in some cases family support — removing most of the financial barriers that would otherwise stand between a Pakistani student and postgraduate study at a UK university.
Key Dates and Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | October 20, 2026 |
| Academic year covered | 2027–28 |
| Study levels | Master’s and PhD |
| Administered by | HEC Pakistan, in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK) |
| Minimum HAT score required | 60 out of 100 |
Who Can Apply
- Must be a Pakistani or AJK national and permanent resident — dual nationals are not eligible
- No upper age limit
- For Master’s: a first-division bachelor’s degree representing 16 years of education in the relevant field
- For PhD: a first-division master’s/MS/MPhil degree representing 17–18 years of education in the relevant field
- Candidates must not have a second or third division in their most recent (terminal) degree
- Students still awaiting final results may apply, provided they submit their final degree and transcript before the academic session begins in August or September 2027
The HAT Requirement — Read the Fine Print
Every applicant must provide a Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score of at least 60 out of 100. This requirement comes with an important catch: only HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III, and HAT-IV test categories are accepted, and the test must have been taken on or after October 25, 2024. HEC has specifically clarified that HAT tests taken for admission to Pakistani universities do not count toward this scholarship — applicants need a qualifying HAT score taken specifically within the accepted window and category, so it’s worth double-checking your existing test record before assuming it qualifies.
Meeting Two Sets of Requirements
Applicants need to satisfy eligibility criteria from both organizations involved — HEC’s requirements above, plus the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s own separate criteria for the specific scholarship type being applied for. The CSC publishes these requirements on its own master’s and PhD scholarship pages, and it’s worth reviewing both sets carefully, since meeting HEC’s criteria alone isn’t sufficient without also satisfying the CSC’s requirements.
What Fields Are Covered
The Commonwealth Scholarship program prioritizes fields aligned with development and global impact themes, including science and technology, health systems, global prosperity, peace and security, and crisis resilience — though the program spans a wide range of academic disciplines beyond these priority areas.
How to Apply
- Visit HEC’s official Commonwealth Scholarship page and review the study-level-specific instructions
- Confirm your HAT score meets the minimum 60/100 threshold, using an eligible test category taken after October 25, 2024
- Prepare required documents: academic transcripts, degree certificates (or proof of pending results), a personal statement, a study plan (for PhD applicants), letters of recommendation, and an English proficiency test score
- Complete the online application through the HEC portal before the October 20, 2026 deadline
- Separately review and confirm you meet the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s specific eligibility criteria for your chosen scholarship type
Final Thoughts
With a clear October 20, 2026 deadline and detailed eligibility criteria now published, prospective applicants have a defined window to get their HAT scores, academic documents, and personal statements in order. Given the added complexity of meeting both HEC’s and the CSC’s separate requirements — plus the specific HAT test category and date restrictions — starting the application process early is likely to make the difference between a smooth submission and a last-minute scramble before the deadline.
