HEC opens overseas scholarships for students targeting top global universities
Scholarships for top-ranked universities
The Higher Education Commission has launched a new batch of HEC scholarships 2026 under its Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil and PhD Studies programme.
The overseas scholarships Pakistan programme will place successful candidates at universities ranked among the Top 200 in the QS or Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The deadline for online applications is August 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM.
The programme covers fields including digital technology, energy, climate change, agriculture, health, biotechnology, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, business and governance.
PhD scholarship requirements
The HEC PhD scholarships are open to Pakistani and AJK nationals who normally have completed at least 18 years of education through an MS, MPhil or equivalent qualification.
Applicants need a minimum 3.0 CGPA out of 4.0 or a first division under the annual system.
The age limit is 40 for employees of public-sector universities, colleges, government organisations and R&D institutions. For other applicants, the maximum age is 35.
Candidates with a 17-year foreign MS or MSc qualification may also be considered after obtaining the required HEC equivalence.
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MS and MPhil scholarships
The HEC MS scholarships are available to candidates with at least 16 years of education in a relevant field.
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 CGPA or first division. A maximum of one second division is allowed before the final degree.
The age limit is 35 for eligible public-sector, government, semi-government and R&D employees, while other candidates must generally be 30 or younger.
HAT test and selection
Selection for the HEC overseas scholarships will be based on merit, HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) scores and interviews.
Approved provincial quotas will also apply during the selection process.
Applicants must indicate their preferred foreign university or country. However, HEC reserves the right to change the selected university or country if necessary.
How to apply
Candidates interested in HEC scholarships 2026 must apply online through the HEC e-Services Portal.
Applicants are required to pay a Rs3,000 processing fee through 1LINK and complete the application before the deadline.
No printed application is required at the initial stage. Shortlisted candidates will later be asked to submit signed applications and supporting documents.
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A major opportunity for Pakistani students
The overseas scholarships Pakistan programme could provide students with an opportunity to study at highly ranked international universities.
The HEC PhD scholarships can particularly benefit students seeking advanced research opportunities, while the HEC MS scholarships provide an option for students planning to continue postgraduate education abroad.
