Commonwealth Scholarship Pakistan 2027: HEC + CSC

Last checked: 28 September 2026 against HEC's announcement "Commonwealth Scholarship Programme (Master's & PhD) for Academic Year 2027-28", HEC eligibility pages, and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission pages for Master's Scholarships and PhD Scholarships (least developed countries and vulnerable states) on cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk. Applications for 2027/28 are open.

If you can only prepare one UK scholarship application this autumn, make it this one. The Commonwealth Scholarship for Pakistani students for the 2027/28 academic year is open now, with a shared deadline of 20 October 2026. You must apply on both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) system and the HEC portal. HEC nominates; the CSC makes the final selection.

This guide covers deadlines, HEC and CSC rules, what the award pays, and a practical plan for the weeks before 20 October.

Key dates (confirmed)

• CSC Central deadline: Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST (8:00 pm Pakistan time);
• HEC portal deadline: 20 October 2026 at 4:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time;
• HEC portal active from 8 September 2026;
• Expected HEC nominations to the CSC: December 2026;
• Expected CSC results: July 2027;
• Studies start in the UK: September/October 2027.

Submit both forms early. CSC warns that its system is very busy near the deadline and that late applications are not accepted.

How many nominations Pakistan has

HEC states that for this round 26 nominations are available for Master's and 30 nominations for General PhD. Nomination by HEC does not guarantee a scholarship. HEC has also stated that the female nomination ratio will be at least 45 percent.

What the scholarship covers (CSC Master's page)

Each Commonwealth Master's Scholarship provides:

• approved airfare to the UK and return at the end of the award (not for dependants; not for travel before the award is confirmed);
• full approved tuition fees under the CSC–university agreement;
• a stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels on the CSC page);
• a study travel grant for study-related travel;
• child allowances in limited family situations described on the CSC page (widowed, divorced or single parents with children living with them in the UK).

CSC funds one-year taught Master's programmes only and does not fund MBA degrees. Scholars must return home after the award; switching to a graduate or other visa to remain in the UK is not permitted under CSC rules.

HEC eligibility

• Pakistani or AJ&K national and permanent resident; dual nationals are not eligible;
• no upper age limit for this scholarship;
• Master's: first division in a 16-year bachelor's degree in the relevant field;
• PhD: first division in a 17/18-year master's / MS / MPhil;
• no second or third division in the terminal (latest) degree;
• result-awaiting candidates may apply if they submit the final degree before the 2027 session starts;
• HAT score of at least 60 out of 100 (HAT-I, II, III or IV only).

HAT scores from tests on or after 25 October 2024 can be used. HEC says the HAT scheduled for 25 October 2026 is eligible for these nominations. If results come after the application deadline, you do not add the marks by hand — HEC adds valid scores for nomination. Merit is based on HAT score, with last-degree percentage used as a tie-breaker.

Register for HAT through etc.hec.gov.pk if you still need a score of 60 or higher.

CSC eligibility (Master's)

On top of HEC rules, the CSC Master's page requires that you:

• are a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (Pakistan is listed) or hold refugee status as described;
• are permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
• can start in the UK by September 2027;
• by September 2027 hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification;
• are unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship;
• upload all required supporting documents by the deadline.

CSC prefers applicants who have already completed their undergraduate degree and would not normally fund a second Master's. Applicants who have already studied at Master's level at a UK institution, or who have already held a Commonwealth Master's Scholarship, are not eligible.

PhD awards follow the separate CSC PhD page for least developed countries and vulnerable states (Pakistan is listed there). Read that page carefully if you are applying for a doctorate.

How to apply (two portals)

1. CSC Central: apply through the links on the CSC Master's or PhD pages. Upload proof of citizenship, full transcripts and at least two references in PDF before the CSC deadline. CSC does not charge an application fee.
2. HEC portal: apply at scholarship.hec.gov.pk before 4:00 pm PST on 20 October 2026.

HEC cannot accept your application if either portal is missing. On the CSC form you will write a Development Impact statement in four parts, career plans, a study plan and a personal statement. List three UK universities and courses in preference order — CSC will not normally change them after selection.

You must also take steps to apply for admission to your preferred UK universities. A scholarship without a place can stall. For course research, use our course page checklist and the wider study in the UK from Pakistan guide for visa costs later.

Documents to gather this week

• valid passport;
• full higher-education transcripts (certified translations if not in English);
• two referee letters on letterhead or from identifiable institutional emails, uploaded by you before the CSC deadline;
• HAT score report or HAT registration;
• draft Development Impact statement and study plan.

Keep files tidy with our documents checklist. For writing help, see how to write a statement of purpose.

How Commonwealth compares with Chevening

Both can fund a UK master's. Chevening focuses on leadership and requires 2,800 hours of work experience; Commonwealth focuses on development impact and, through HEC, requires a HAT score. Deadlines differ: Chevening closes on 6 October 2026; Commonwealth closes on 20 October 2026. Read both our Chevening scholarship Pakistan guide and this page before you decide where to spend your best writing time. Also see Erasmus Mundus and the fully funded scholarships map.

Apply yourself. CSC states it does not charge to apply. Treat paid "guaranteed nomination" offers as scams — see scholarship scams.

More guides for Pakistani students

Commonwealth is competitive, so keep a backup. The Türkiye Bursları (open every January to February), the Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarship and the MEXT Japan scholarship are all fully funded, and each runs on a different calendar.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Commonwealth Scholarship deadline for Pakistan?

20 October 2026: 4:00 pm PST on the HEC portal and 16:00 BST on CSC Central. You must complete both applications.

Do I need a HAT score of 60?

Yes. HEC will not process applications below 60 out of 100 on an eligible HAT category. The 25 October 2026 HAT still counts for nomination; HEC will add the score when results are out.

How much is the Commonwealth stipend?

The CSC Master's page quotes £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for London metropolitan universities, at current levels, plus tuition and approved airfare.

Does HEC nomination mean I have the scholarship?

No. HEC nominates a limited number of candidates. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission makes the final selection and contacts applicants by July 2027.

Do this week

Create or continue your CSC Central application, start the HEC form, ask two referees for letters, and confirm your HAT score or register for the 25 October 2026 test. Aim to submit both scholarship forms at least three days before 20 October.