ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited students from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme 2027–28, offering opportunities to pursue master’s and PhD degrees in the United Kingdom.
The scholarships are offered through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), with HEC acting as Pakistan’s nominating agency. Successful applicants 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 terms and conditions.
The provided information lists monthly living allowances of £1,347 for students studying outside London and £1,652 for those based in London. Applicants should verify the applicable rates and benefits through the official scholarship guidelines.
To be eligible, applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals and meet the academic requirements for their selected programmes.
Master’s applicants generally need 16 years of education with a first division or 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 criteria.
Their proposed studies or research must align with the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme’s development priorities.
Candidates must apply through both the HEC scholarship portal at https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s official website.
Depending on the programme, applicants may need to submit academic transcripts, identification documents, references and research proposals.
The stated application deadline is October 20, 2026. Prospective applicants should check the official HEC and CSC websites to confirm the deadline, eligibility requirements, stipend rates and application procedures before submitting their applications.
