The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced the opening of applications for the Commonwealth Scholarships 2025, funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the United Kingdom.
The scholarships are aimed at promoting international development through higher education.
According to HEC, the deadline to apply via its scholarship portal is October 14, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time). A total of 26 nominations are available for Master’s programs and 30 nominations for PhD programs.
Applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals and permanent residents, holding a first division in their terminal degree. For Master’s scholarships, candidates require 16 years of education in the relevant field, while PhD applicants must have 17 or 18 years of education (MS/MPhil). Dual nationals are not eligible.
Candidates must also provide a valid HAT test score of at least 60 out of 100. Only HAT General categories (I–IV) will be considered. Merit will strictly be determined based on HAT scores.
The CSC criteria further require applicants to be available to begin studies in the UK by September 2026, provide complete academic transcripts, and submit at least two references. PhD applicants must also secure a supporting statement from a potential UK supervisor.
The scholarships will not normally fund a second Master’s degree in the UK unless a strong justification is provided. Applicants must also demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without financial assistance.
Further details and application links for Master’s and PhD scholarships are available on the HEC website.
