HEC Overseas Scholarship for MS/MPhil Leading to PhD in Selected Fields (Phase-III)

Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan · Checked September 26, 2026

HEC's main overseas scheme funds MS/MPhil and PhD study at Top 200 QS/THE-ranked universities worldwide in priority areas. Partner agencies include DAAD, Campus France, OeAD, CSC China, the University of Alberta, SKKU and the Cambridge Trust. Selection uses HAT scores, interviews and provincial quotas.

Deadline: Batch-IV closed on 28 August 2026 (4 pm), and the HAT test was rescheduled to 19 September 2026. HEC advertises new batches on its website.

Funding	Fully funded
Level	Master's, PhD
Study in	Multiple
Subjects	Eight priority areas: digital technologies/AI, energy and climate, agriculture and agri-tech, health and life sciences, engineering, natural and physical sciences, social sciences/business/governance, and interdisciplinary areas

What it covers

Maintenance allowance up to USD 1,600 per month or the approved country rate (24 months for MS, 48 months for PhD)
Tuition fee contribution up to USD 4,000 per year (a fee waiver is needed for any excess)
Health insurance up to USD 600 per year
Economy round-trip airfare (up to PKR 250,000 per one-way journey)

Who can apply

For all applicants: Pakistani/AJK national; at most one second division before the final degree; public sector employees need an NOC.

MS/MPhil: 16 years of education (BS/BE/Masters) in a relevant field with CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division; maximum age 30 (35 for public sector university, college, R&D or government employees).
PhD: 18 years of education (MS/MPhil), or a 17-year foreign MS with HEC equivalence; CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division; maximum age 35 (40 for public sector employees).
Those who held an HEC MS/MPhil scholarship must first complete two years' residency in Pakistan.
Candidates already enrolled in MS/PhD, or already holding an HEC/Government scholarship, are not eligible.
A valid HAT score is needed. Unconditional admission at a Top 200 university in a thematic area exempts you from the test and interview.

How to apply

Create or log in to your HEC e-Services scholarship portal profile and choose 'Overseas Scholarship for MS/PhD Studies'.
Complete the online application and pay the Rs. 3,000 processing fee through 1LINK.
Take the HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) conducted by ETC, unless exempt.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed and must secure admission at a Top 200 QS/THE university (GRE/IELTS as the host requires).
Only shortlisted applicants send signed printouts, supporting documents and legal bonds.

Documents you usually need

Online application on HEC e-Services portal
Rs. 3,000 fee payment record (1LINK)
Valid HAT score
HEC-attested degrees (or HEC equivalence for foreign degrees)
NOC from employer (public sector employees)
Admission letter from a Top 200 QS/THE university (when shortlisted)
Deed of agreement, surety bond and undertaking of service and assets

Official page Apply on the official portal

Scholarship rules and deadlines change every cycle. This page summarises the official information; always confirm on the official page before applying. Official applications are free.

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