HEC Commonwealth Scholarships UK for Pakistani Students 2025

• No. of Scholarships - Approximately 47 Scholarships were awarded
• Host Country - United Kingdom
• Level - Postgraduate and Doctorate
• Courses - Support a broad spectrum of courses
• Benefits - Fully Funded
• Application Window - Annually, September to October

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK, backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), offers scholarships as part of the UK's efforts to support the Commonwealth. This program aims to bring talented people to UK universities and help with sustainable development in low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan. Since it started in 1960, the CSC has helped over 30,000 people, many of whom have made valuable contributions in their countries and worldwide. These scholarships are quite competitive and are given based on academic achievement, the strength of the research proposal (for PhDs), and how the study can benefit the candidate's home country.

 

Benefits

Commonwealth Scholarships are fully funded and offer great financial support to scholars. For those from Pakistan, here’s what you can usually expect:

• Full tuition fees: The CSC and the UK institution have an agreement that covers all approved tuition fees.
• Approved airfare: Return economy flights from Pakistan to the UK at the start and end of the award.
• Living allowance (stipend): A monthly stipend to cover living expenses, which can range between £1,378 and £1,690 for people attending universities in the London metropolitan region (rates are subject to change).
• Warm clothing allowance: Where appropriate, a grant for warm clothes.
• Study travel grant: Helps cover travel expenses for study-related trips in the UK or abroad. 
• Thesis grant: Assists with the costs of preparing your thesis, if you need it. 
• Family allowance: For parents who are widowed, divorced, or single, there's support for the first child (£590 per month) and £146 per month for the second and third kids under 16, as long as they live with you in the UK. 
• Visa costs: Covers the fees for your visa application.

For Distance Learning Scholarships, you generally get full tuition coverage and access to study materials and online resources, since there are no travel or living expenses needed.

 

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Commonwealth Scholarships, Pakistani citizens need to meet the general requirements from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, as well as the specific criteria laid out by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, which nominates candidates.

General CSC Eligibility

To qualify, you need to meet these criteria:

• Be a citizen or refugee from an eligible Commonwealth country (Pakistan counts).
• Have permanent residency in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be ready to start your studies in the UK by September or October of the academic year you're applying for.
• By the start of that academic year, you should have at least a second-class degree (2:1) or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant Master's degree.
• Show that you can’t afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
• Provide all necessary documents in the required format.
• If you're applying for a PhD, you shouldn't be already enrolled in a PhD or MPhil program at a UK university or in your home country before the scholarship starts.

HEC Specific Eligibility for Pakistani Citizens

• Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and permanent resident in Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals are often ineligible.
• For Master's scholarships, you must have a first-class Bachelor's/Master's degree in the relevant field of study after 16 years of study.
• For PhD scholarships, you must have received a first-class degree in a 17/18-year Master's/MS/MPhil program in the relevant discipline.
• Candidates must not have a second or third division in their terminal/final degree.
• Candidates who are awaiting their results may be eligible, however this must be validated by HEC.
• HAT (Higher Education Aptitude Test) Score: Everyone applying needs to submit a HAT score, and the minimum acceptable score is 60 out of 100. If you've taken the HAT test on or after a certain date (like October 16, 2022), that score will typically count. If you haven't taken it yet, you'll need to register for the test through ETC HEC.
• English Proficiency: HEC might not specifically ask for IELTS, but most UK universities will want to see proof that you have a good grasp of English (like IELTS or TOEFL) as part of their admission requirements. If you've been nominated, you may need to take the IELTS.