Applications are now open for HEC’s new batch of fully financed scholarships for study abroad, marking the first time in about 10 years that fields other than engineering are included, such as Social Sciences, Business, and Governance. Here is what you will need and the process if you are thinking about applying for a position.
Key Dates and Fees
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Online Application Deadline | August 28, 2026, 4:00 PM |
| Application Processing Fee | Rs. 3,000, via 1LINK payment services |
| Application Portal | HEC e-Services Scholarship Portal (scholarship.hec.gov.pk) |
| Hard Copy Required? | Not at initial stage; only after shortlisting |
Eligibility for PhD Scholarships
- Must be a Pakistani or AJK national.
- Generally need at least 18 years of education, including an MS, MPhil, or equivalent qualification.
- Candidates with a 17-year foreign MS/MSc degree may also be considered, after obtaining the required HEC equivalence.
- Minimum 3.0 CGPA out of 4.0 under the semester system, or first division under the annual system.
- A maximum of one second division is allowed across your academic record before the terminal degree.
- Age limit: For public-sector universities, colleges, R&D organizations, and government/semi-government institutions: 40 years. If you are not one of the above, this limit is 35 years.
Eligibility for MS/MPhil Scholarships
- Must be a Pakistani or AJK national.
- Generally need at least 16 years of education, such as a BS, BE, or equivalent degree.
- The CGPA and age requirements are similar to the PhD track, and check the official HEC page for precise numbers before submitting applications.
A Step-by-Step Application Process
- If you already have an existing HAT score. The HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) score will be valid for a period of 2 years. If you don’t have one, create and complete a HAT using the HEC testing system.
- Log in to the HEC e-Services Scholarship Portal with CNIC and email. Use CNIC and email to log in to the HEC e-Services Scholarship Portal.
- Choose any of the available programs such as ‘Overseas Scholarship For MS/PhD Studies Batch-4’.
- Fill in your academic profile by listing your degree history, CGPA, and any relevant research or publications.
- Select a preferred country/University from the list of partners available on HEC’s website, and ensure that the selected thematic area is consistent with your field of study.
- Documents such as attested degrees, transcripts, CNIC, and English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL) for overseas study, if required to be submitted, must be uploaded.
- Payment services 1LINK will charge a 3,000 processing fee.
- The application deadline is August 28, 2026, 4:00 PM. There is no need for a hard copy or printout of this at this stage.
- If shortlisted, wait to be called. At that time, HEC will contact the shortlisted candidates and request a signed printout of their application form and supporting documents.
An Important Exemption Worth Knowing
You may be exempted from the scholarship test and interview if you have unconditional (confirmed) admission at one of the eligible Top 200 QS/THE ranked universities for the next semester (Fall 2026) and fulfill the other requirements. It’s a worthwhile shortcut for those who have already been accepted for admission.
What the Scholarship Actually Pays
Funding for this project is provided for in HEC’s approved financial provisions as follows:
- Stipend for living expenses
- Tuition fees
- Health insurance
For similar programs, the funding has been a monthly allowance (reported at up to about $2,500, depending on the country of destination), full tuition, and a return air ticket allowance (the exact amounts are reported, but must be verified on the official scholarship page for HEC).
