Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 for Pakistani Students – Fully Funded Master’s & PhD

The Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 is a UK government scholarship for Pakistani students who want to study a full-time taught Master’s or a PhD at a UK university. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has opened applications for Pakistani and AJ&K nationals. The last date is 20 October 2026, and selected scholars are expected to begin their studies in the UK in September or October 2027.

This is not a one-form process. You must apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) on its own portal and also to HEC through the HEC scholarship portal. If one of the two is missing, HEC cannot accept your application. HEC has 26 nomination slots for Master’s and 30 for General PhD, and the final decision belongs to the CSC.

Many people call this scholarship “fully funded”. The official pages are more specific: they list tuition fees, return airfare, a monthly living allowance and a few other allowances. We explain each of these below so you know what is actually promised. Everything in this article was checked against the HEC announcement and the CSC pages on 21 September 2026.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 – Quick Details

What is the Commonwealth Scholarship?

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) gives scholarships to talented people from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. Pakistan is on the eligible list for both the Master’s and PhD programmes. The money comes from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The idea is simple. The UK pays for people who could not otherwise afford to study there, and in return expects them to bring their knowledge back home. Scholars sign an undertaking to return to their home country after the award. The CSC also says that switching to a graduate or other visa to stay on in the UK is not permitted.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 for Pakistani Students

For this cycle, HEC is Pakistan’s national nominating agency. It receives applications from Pakistani and AJ&K candidates, checks them against its own rules, ranks them and sends its nominations to the CSC. The CSC then makes the final selection. A nomination from HEC does not guarantee a scholarship.

HEC also says that women are encouraged to apply and that at least 45% of nominations will go to female candidates. The expected timeline is:

• Nominations sent to the CSC: December 2026
• Results announced: July 2027
• Studies begin in the UK: September/October 2027

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 Eligibility Criteria

You have to meet the conditions of both HEC and the CSC. The two lists below are kept separate for Master’s and PhD, so read only the one that applies to you. HEC has no upper age limit, and the CSC also has no age limit.

Master’s Eligibility

HEC requirements

• Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and a permanent resident of Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals cannot apply.
• Hold a first-division 16-year Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field.
• Do not have a Second or Third Division in your latest (terminal) degree.
• Score at least 60 out of 100 in an accepted HAT test.
• Result-awaiting candidates may apply, but they must submit their final degree and transcript before the academic session begins in August/September 2027.

CSC requirements

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (Pakistan is listed) and permanently resident there.
• Be available to 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.
• Be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
• Apply for a one-year taught Master’s. The CSC does not fund MBA degrees.
• The CSC would not normally fund a second Master’s. If you already hold one, you must explain why you need another. Applicants who have studied at Master’s level at a UK institution, or already received a Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, are not eligible.

PhD Eligibility

HEC requirements

• Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and a permanent resident of Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals cannot apply.
• Hold a first-division 17/18-year Master’s, MS or MPhil degree in the relevant field.
• Do not have a Second or Third Division in your latest (terminal) degree.
• Score at least 60 out of 100 in an accepted HAT test.
• Result-awaiting candidates may apply, with the same condition: final degree and transcript must be submitted before the session starts in August/September 2027.
• The 30 HEC nominations are for General PhD.

CSC requirements

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country (Pakistan is on the PhD list too) and permanently resident there.
• Be available to start in the UK by September 2027.
• By September 2027, hold a first degree of at least 2:1 honours standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Not have been registered for a PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, before September/October 2026.
• Be unable to afford UK study without this scholarship.
• Plan for 36 months of full-time study. The CSC does not support four-year PhDs.
• Provide a supporting statement from a proposed supervisor at a UK university named in your application.

One small point that confuses people: the CSC’s PhD page carries a title about least developed countries and vulnerable states, but Pakistan appears on that page’s list of eligible countries. HEC also links to it as the PhD route.

Commonwealth Scholarship HAT Test Requirement

The Higher Education Test (HAT) is central to the HEC side of this scholarship. Here is what HEC says:

• Minimum score: 60 out of 100.
• Accepted categories: HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III and HAT-IV.
• Not accepted: HAT tests conducted for admission to Pakistani national universities.
• Existing scores: If you took the HAT on or after 25 October 2024, you can upload that result on the HEC portal and enter your score in the application.
• Upcoming test: Based on the ETC’s tentative 2026 schedule, the HAT scheduled for 25 October 2026 is eligible for this nomination process. Anyone without a valid score, or wanting a better one, can register for it. The date is tentative, so check the ETC calendar.
• Results after the deadline: If the result is announced after 20 October 2026, you do not need to add marks by hand. HEC says it will add the valid score automatically for nominations.
• Tie-breaker: If two applicants have the same score, the higher percentage in the last completed degree decides.

The CSC pages say it does not require applicants to take an IELTS test. Universities have their own admission rules, though, so check what your chosen courses ask for.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 Benefits

These benefits come from the CSC’s own Master’s and PhD pages. The CSC says amounts are quoted at current levels and conditions are subject to change, so treat the figures as the present rates rather than a guarantee for 2027.

Both Master’s and PhD

• Tuition: Approved fees are covered under an agreement between the CSC and the university. Scholars do not pay any part of the tuition fee.
• Living allowance: £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• Travel: Approved airfare from Pakistan to the UK and back at the end of the award. Fares for dependants and journeys made before the award is confirmed are not reimbursed.
• Study travel grant: A contribution towards study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Disability support: Scholars who share a disability are offered a needs assessment for extra support.

Extra benefits by programme

• Master’s: A child allowance for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents, if the children live with them in the UK: £622 per month for the first child and £154 per month for the second and third child under 16.
• PhD: Approved fieldwork travel (one economy return airfare to the fieldwork location), and a paid mid-term visit home, unless you claim spouse or child allowances or have received a fieldwork return airfare to your home country. The PhD family allowances are £313 per month for a spouse (up to nine months) and £313 per month for the first child, plus £154 per month for the second and third child under 16. Single-parent rates are the same £622 and £154 as above. Other conditions apply.

Commonwealth Scholarship Fields / Development Themes

There is no fixed list of subjects. Instead, the scholarship works under six CSC development themes. In plain terms, your course should connect to a real development problem, and your application should show how you will help solve it in Pakistan. HEC says exactly this: explain how your study relates to development challenges and how your new skills will contribute to development in Pakistan.

1. Science and technology for development – using science and technology to solve practical problems that affect people’s lives.
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity – improving how health services work and building the skills of people who run them.
3. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship – new ideas, new businesses and better ways of creating jobs.
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance – better institutions, fairer public systems and greater stability.
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises – helping communities and systems cope with floods, conflict, economic shocks and similar emergencies.
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity – making education, services and work available to people who are often left out.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 Application Process

Step 1: Commonwealth/CSC Application

1. Open the CSC’s Master’s or PhD scholarship page (links are in the Official Sources section) and apply through CSC Central, the CSC’s online system. The CSC accepts nothing outside this system.
2. Prepare your answers in a separate document first, then paste them into the form. The CSC provides a template form and a guidance document for this.
3. Have a smartphone or a second email account ready. The system uses two-factor authentication every time you log in.
4. Use the save button often. Refreshing the browser window can wipe unsaved data.
5. List three universities and courses (or universities and supervisors for a PhD) in order of preference. The CSC advises this because it will not normally change your choices after selection.
6. Submit early. You cannot edit the application once it has been submitted.

The CSC also tells applicants to apply to their university courses before the scholarship application, because many courses have strict admission deadlines. Applying to the CSC costs nothing.

Step 2: HEC Application

1. Go to the HEC scholarship portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk and register.
2. Before you start, update your profile with a working email address, mobile number and other current details.
3. Complete your profile and select “Learning Opportunities Abroad”.
4. Enter your HAT score and upload the result if you have already taken the test (on or after 25 October 2024).
5. Submit the application and download a copy for your records.

Do not post hard copies to HEC unless HEC specifically asks for them by email. An application that is only saved and not submitted will not be accepted when the portal closes. Anyone stuck can use the HEC helpline (051-111-119-432 or 0334-1119432) or onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 Last Date

The two closing times are not the same. By a simple time-zone conversion, 16:00 BST falls around 8:00 PM in Pakistan, which means the HEC portal closes first. That conversion is ours, not an official statement, so do not plan around the later time. Both portals are expected to be very busy in the final days. Finish the CSC form first, since it takes longer, and do not leave either one for the last afternoon.

Documents Required

HEC’s announcement does not give a separate document checklist beyond the HAT result, so the list below comes mainly from the CSC. Missing documents make an application ineligible with the CSC, and the CSC accepts uploads only through CSC Central.

Master’s applicants

• A copy of a valid passport or national ID card showing your photo, date of birth and country of citizenship.
• Full transcripts for all higher education qualifications, including to-date transcripts for any course you are still studying. Certified translations are needed if they are not in English. Missing pages make the application ineligible. If to-date transcripts are not available, you must explain why.
• At least two references in PDF format, signed and either on institutional letterhead or as an email clearly showing the sender’s details. Referees must write in their own words, and references must be uploaded by the deadline.
• For the HEC portal: your HAT score and result, if you already have one.

PhD applicants

• Everything on the Master’s list above.
• A signed supporting statement in PDF format from a proposed supervisor at one of the UK universities named in your application. The CSC advises getting it from your first-choice university.

Common Mistakes Applicants Should Avoid

• Applying only through HEC. HEC will not accept the application without the CSC one.
• Applying only through CSC. The CSC does not take direct applications for these scholarships. They come through a nominator, and for Pakistan that is HEC.
• Leaving the HEC application at “saved”. Only submitted applications count.
• Waiting for the deadline. Both portals expect heavy traffic, and the CSC cannot accept late applications.
• Entering wrong academic details. Incorrect information can lead to disqualification by both bodies. HEC can also cancel a nomination later if information turns out to be misrepresented.
• Uploading invalid or incomplete documents. This includes transcripts with missing pages and references that are not signed or do not show the sender’s details.
• Using the wrong HAT. University admission HAT tests are not valid for this scholarship. Only HAT-I to IV count, with a score of 60 or above.
• Not checking updates. HEC says applicants must keep checking the official websites and use only official links.

Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 FAQs

What is the Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28?

It is a UK government scholarship offered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for full-time taught Master’s and PhD study at a UK university, starting in September/October 2027. HEC nominates Pakistani candidates.

Can Pakistani students apply for the Commonwealth Scholarship?

Yes. Pakistani and AJ&K nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan/AJ&K can apply if they meet both HEC and CSC conditions. Dual nationals cannot.

What is the last date for Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28?

20 October 2026. HEC closes at 4:00 PM (PST) and the CSC closes at 16:00 BST on the same day.

How many scholarships are available for Pakistan?

HEC has 26 nominations for Master’s and 30 for General PhD. These are nomination slots. The CSC makes the final selection, and the official pages do not say how many nominees will finally receive awards.

Is HAT required for Commonwealth Scholarship?

Yes. HEC requires every applicant to provide a valid HAT score for nomination.

What is the minimum HAT score?

60 out of 100. Only HAT-I, II, III and IV are accepted, and tests taken for Pakistani national university admissions do not count.

Is there an age limit?

HEC says there is no upper age limit, and the CSC says it has no age limit for its applications.

Can result-awaiting students apply?

Yes, but you must obtain and submit your final degree and transcript before the academic session begins in August/September 2027. The CSC also requires that you hold the necessary degree by September 2027.

Can dual nationals apply?

No. HEC states that dual nationals are not eligible.

How do I apply for Commonwealth Scholarship through HEC?

Register at scholarship.hec.gov.pk, complete your profile, select “Learning Opportunities Abroad”, fill in the application with your HAT details, submit it and download a copy. Remember that you must also apply separately on the CSC’s system.

Do I need to apply on both HEC and Commonwealth portals?

Yes. HEC cannot accept your application if you have not submitted it on both portals before the deadline.

Is Commonwealth Scholarship fully funded?

The CSC scholarship covers approved tuition fees, approved return airfare, a monthly living allowance and a study travel grant, with extra allowances depending on programme and family circumstances. Many people describe that as fully funded, but the official pages list specific items rather than using that phrase, and HEC has no financial liability. See the benefits section and the CSC Handbook for the details.

Final Words

Dates, HAT test schedules and allowance rates can change, and this article is only a summary. Before you submit anything, read the current HEC announcement and the CSC Master’s or PhD page in full, and use only the official portals. Keep the copy of each submitted application, and check your email, including the spam folder, until results are announced.

Moawin.pk is an independent website and is not affiliated with HEC, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission or the UK Government.

Official Sources

• HEC – Commonwealth Scholarship Programme (Master’s & PhD) 2027-28 announcement
• HEC Scholarship Portal (Learning Opportunities Abroad)
• HEC ETC – HAT Test Calendar
• CSC – Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• CSC – Commonwealth PhD Scholarships
• CSC Central – online application system
• CSC – Handbook for Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows
• CSC – Development Themes