HEC Opens Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28 for Higher Studies Abroad
HEC Announces Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the opening of applications for Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28 for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) students. The scholarships provide an opportunity for eligible candidates to pursue higher education at the master’s and PhD levels in the United Kingdom.
According to the HEC announcement, interested applicants must complete the required online application process before October 20, 2026. Students planning to apply should carefully review the eligibility conditions, HAT requirements, academic qualifications, and documents before submitting their applications.
HEC administers the program in cooperation with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom.
Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28 for Master’s and PhD
The scholarship program is available for students seeking admission to postgraduate degree programs for the 2027–28 academic session.
Eligible candidates can apply for opportunities at two major study levels:
- Master’s degree
- PhD degree
The scholarships are intended for candidates who meet both HEC requirements and the separate eligibility conditions set by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Applicants should therefore check the requirements for their selected scholarship category before completing the application.
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Key Details:
- Scholarship year: 2027–28
- Study levels: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible applicants: Pakistani and AJK nationals
- Minimum HAT score: 60/100
- Acceptable HAT categories: HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III and HAT-IV
- HAT validity: Tests taken on or after October 25, 2024
- Application deadline: October 20, 2026
- Program partner: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, UK
- Age limit: No upper age limit
Who Is Eligible for the HEC Scholarship?
The opportunity is open to Pakistani and AJK nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan or AJK.
Applicants holding dual nationality are not eligible for the program. There is also no upper age limit mentioned for applicants under the HEC announcement.
For a master’s scholarship, candidates must have completed a first-division bachelor’s degree consisting of 16 years of education in a relevant subject or field.
PhD applicants need a first-division master’s, MS, or MPhil degree representing 17 or 18 years of education in the relevant field.
Candidates should also make sure that they do not have a second or third division in their most recent degree.
Students Awaiting Results Can Also Apply
Students whose final results have not yet been announced may also be able to apply for the Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28.
However, they must obtain their final degree and transcript and submit the required documents before the beginning of the academic session.
The expected academic session will begin around August or September 2027. Therefore, applicants awaiting results should make sure they can provide the required academic documents within the specified timeframe.
Meeting HEC’s conditions alone does not automatically guarantee eligibility. Candidates must also satisfy the requirements established by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for their chosen scholarship.
HAT Test Requirement for Applicants
One of the important requirements for candidates applying through HEC is the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT).
Applicants must have a minimum HAT score of 60 out of 100.
HEC will consider eligible HAT tests taken on or after October 25, 2024. Candidates should check their test result before starting the scholarship application.
Only the following HAT categories are acceptable for scholarship nominations:
| HAT Category | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| HAT-I | Accepted |
| HAT-II | Accepted |
| HAT-III | Accepted |
| HAT-IV | Accepted |
| University admission HAT | Not accepted |
An important point for applicants is that HAT tests conducted specifically for admission to Pakistani universities will not be considered valid for this scholarship nomination.
Commonwealth Scholarship Application Process
Students interested in these scholarships should first visit the Commonwealth Scholarship information provided by HEC and review the requirements for their selected degree program.
Applicants should carefully check their academic qualifications and make sure they meet the conditions for the master’s or PhD category.
The general application process includes reviewing the scholarship requirements, preparing the required academic and supporting documents, completing the relevant online application, and submitting it before the closing date.
Candidates should enter their information carefully because incomplete or incorrect applications may affect their consideration.
It is also important to review the separate requirements of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission before submitting an application.
HEC Commonwealth Scholarship Deadline 2026
The deadline is one of the most important details for students planning to apply. HEC has set October 20, 2026 as the last date for submitting the online application.
Applicants should not wait until the final day. Preparing academic documents, checking the HAT score, and completing the online form can take time.
Students should also keep copies of their submitted application and relevant documents for their records.
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Final Update
The Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–28 offer Pakistani and AJK students an opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies through an internationally recognized scholarship program.
Before applying, candidates should confirm that they meet the required academic qualification, nationality conditions, HAT score requirement, and other HEC and CSC criteria.
Applicants should also remember that submitting an application does not itself guarantee selection. Final consideration depends on the applicable scholarship requirements and selection process.
Students who meet the criteria should complete the application process as early as possible and carefully follow the instructions issued by HEC and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
