Students in Pakistan who are looking for a chance to study abroad can now apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2027–28. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for both master’s and PhD scholarships.
Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) nationals are eligible to apply. The important thing for students to remember is that the online application must be submitted by October 20, 2026.
What Are the Commonwealth Scholarships?
The scholarships are available for the 2027–28 academic year and are being offered for two levels of study: master’s and PhD.
HEC is managing the scholarship program in cooperation with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom.
Students should not only check HEC’s requirements. The CSC has its own conditions as well, and applicants need to meet those requirements for the scholarship they choose.
Who Can Apply for the Scholarship?
The program is open to Pakistani and AJK nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan or AJK.
There is no upper age limit for applicants. However, students with dual nationality are not eligible.
The education requirement is different for master’s and PhD applicants.
Master’s Scholarship Requirements
For a master’s scholarship, applicants need a first-division bachelor’s degree with 16 years of education in the relevant subject.
So, students should make sure their degree is related to the field they want to study and meets the required academic level.
PhD Scholarship Requirements
Students applying for a PhD must have a first-division master’s, MS or MPhil degree.
The qualification should represent 17 or 18 years of education in the relevant field. The applicant must also not have a second or third division in their latest degree.
What If Your Final Result Is Still Pending?
Students who are waiting for their final result can still apply for the scholarship.
There is one condition. They must receive their final degree and transcript and submit them before the academic session starts in August or September 2027.
This can be helpful for students who are currently completing their degree but have not received their final documents yet.
HAT Score of 60 Is Required
Another important requirement is the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT).
Applicants need a minimum HAT score of 60 out of 100. HEC will accept eligible HAT tests taken on or after October 25, 2024.
The accepted HAT categories are:
| HAT Test | Status |
|---|---|
| HAT-I | Accepted |
| HAT-II | Accepted |
| HAT-III | Accepted |
| HAT-IV | Accepted |
Students should keep in mind that a HAT taken for admission to a Pakistani university will not be accepted for this Commonwealth scholarship program.
Do Not Forget the CSC Eligibility Rules
Getting through HEC’s basic requirements is not the only step.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has separate eligibility requirements for its master’s and PhD scholarships. Students should read the rules for their selected scholarship before applying.
Checking these requirements early can help applicants avoid submitting an application for a scholarship they are not eligible for.
How Pakistani Students Can Apply
Students who want to apply should visit the Commonwealth Scholarship information provided by HEC and follow the instructions given for the 2027–28 program.
Before submitting the application, it is a good idea to check your qualification, HAT score and required documents carefully.
Applicants should also make sure that they meet the CSC requirements for their selected scholarship.
Commonwealth Scholarship 2027–28 Deadline
The deadline for submitting the online application is October 20, 2026.
Students interested in these scholarships should complete their applications before this date. It is better to submit the form early after checking all the required information and documents.