Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 for Pakistan: HEC Eligibility, HAT Test and Timeline
Key facts
- Offered by
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK); nominations by HEC
- Level
- Master's, MPhil / PhD
- Who can apply
- First-division 16-year Bachelor's (Master's) or 17/18-year degree (PhD); HAT score of 60 or more
- Applications open
- 8 September 2026
- Last date
- 20 October 2026
- Official source
- hec.gov.pk
- Last verified
- 24 October 2026
Applications for this cycle have closed. We will update this page when the next official notice is published.
The Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 funds Pakistani students for a full-time Master’s or PhD at a UK university. In Pakistan, HEC nominates candidates to the UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). For the 2027-28 intake, HEC has 26 nominations for Master’s and 30 for PhD. Applications closed on 20 October 2026; nominations are expected in December 2026 and results in July 2027.
Eligibility (as set by HEC)
| Requirement | Master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Previous degree | 16-year Bachelor’s in a relevant field, first division | 17/18-year Master’s/MS/MPhil in a relevant field, first division |
| Nationality | Pakistani or AJK national and permanent resident; dual nationals are not eligible | |
| Age | No upper age limit | |
| Test | HEC Aptitude Test (HAT-I, II, III or IV) with at least 60/100 | |
The latest degree must not be in second or third division. Candidates awaiting results can apply if the final degree and transcript reach HEC before the session starts in August/September 2027.
How selection works
- Candidates had to apply on both the CSC online system and HEC’s scholarship portal (under “Learning Opportunities Abroad”).
- HEC ranks applicants by HAT score; ties are decided by the percentage in the last completed degree.
- The HAT test on 25 October 2026 (tentative) is the last test that counts for this cycle.
- HEC states it has no financial liability for this scholarship; the award is funded by the CSC.
Timeline
| HEC portal opened | 8 September 2026 |
| Last date (CSC and HEC) | 20 October 2026 (HEC portal: 4:00 PM PST) |
| Nominations to CSC | December 2026 (expected) |
| Results | July 2027 (expected) |
| Study begins in the UK | September/October 2027 |
Planning for the next cycle
If you missed this round, the most useful step is to take the HAT test early and keep your degree documents ready, because HAT score decides the merit. We will update this page when HEC publishes the next official notice.
See also the Fulbright Scholar Program 2027 and all scholarships for Pakistani students.
Source: HEC announcement for the Commonwealth Scholarship Programme 2027-28, checked 24 October 2026. Helpline: 051-111-119-432.
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