Scholarships for Pakistani Students 2027: Fully Funded Options and Deadlines

If you are searching for scholarships for Pakistani students for 2027, here is the honest picture first. Several of the biggest 2027-entry deadlines have already passed, including Chevening (6 October 2026) and the Commonwealth Scholarship (20 October 2026). That does not mean you are out of options. A few fully funded programmes are still open or about to open, and the rest are worth preparing for now, because their next rounds usually start within months.

This guide sorts everything into three groups: open now, closed for 2027, and coming next. It also walks you through the application steps in plain language, even if you have never applied abroad before.

Please read this first: No scholarship can be guaranteed. Every programme below is highly competitive. Dates marked expected come from past patterns, not from an official announcement. Confirm every date on the official website before you apply.

Quick Overview: What Is Open, Closed and Coming Next

About the Swiss deadline: HEC’s own announcement says 31 October 2026, which is tomorrow as you read this. One other source quotes 29 September 2026, and last year’s Swiss deadline for Pakistan was 30 September. Because the sources disagree, check the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad directly before assuming you still have time.

Key Details at a Glance

Exact amounts change from year to year. Treat the figures above as a guide and check the current call.

What Does Fully Funded Actually Mean?

“Fully funded” sounds simple, but it is not a legal term. It usually means tuition fees are covered and you receive a monthly allowance. Many programmes also pay for flights, health insurance, or a language course.

Here is where people get surprised. Some awards cover living costs but not every extra, such as visa fees paid before you are selected, English test fees, document attestation, or application courier costs. The Swiss scholarship, for example, is described as a stipend for basic living expenses. Read the benefits section of each call carefully and add up what you will pay yourself.

Scholarships Open or Opening Soon

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027-28

HEC advertises two categories for Pakistani applicants: a one-year research scholarship for doctoral candidates planning a research stay, and a three-year PhD scholarship. Postdoctoral awards are not part of the 2027-28 round.

Applications go through the Swiss Government’s online portal. HEC states clearly that it only advertises the scholarship. You apply directly, and HEC carries no financial liability. If you are not already well into your application and have a Swiss host in mind, plan for the next round instead of rushing.

Also read: MEXT Scholarships 2027: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

These are master’s degrees run by a group of European universities. You study in more than one country. The European Commission announced 37 newly selected programmes on 16 July 2026, though not every new programme has published its student page yet.

There is no single application and no single deadline. You choose a programme from the official catalogue and apply on that programme’s website. Students from outside the EU are usually treated as partner-country students, and the scholarship is awarded by each programme, so check how many scholarships it offers.

Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

HEC nominates Pakistani candidates for this Hungarian government scholarship. In the last round you had to apply on both the HEC portal and the Hungarian portal, and missing either one meant the application was not processed. The deadline was 15 January 2026 at 4:00 PM Pakistan time.

The 2027-28 call was not published when this guide was checked, and HEC had moved the 2026-27 round to its inactive list. Prepare now, but do not treat 15 January 2027 as confirmed.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

For 2026-27, China offered 75 seats to Pakistan through HEC: 35 bachelor’s, 25 master’s and 15 PhD. Applicants used the HEC portal and the CSC portal, with HEC’s agency number 5861. Bachelor’s applicants also needed the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).

HEC had not announced the 2027-28 round at the time of writing. A direct route to Chinese universities (called Type B) runs on separate deadlines, and HEC says it is not responsible for those applications.

Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)

The Turkish government’s programme places you at a university and pays costs for the full degree, after a mandatory year of Turkish language study. Applications are free. The usual general window is 10 January to 20 February, but the 2027 call had not been announced in mid-October, so wait for the official notice.

DAAD (Germany)

For Pakistan, the most relevant route is EPOS, which funds selected development-related master’s courses and generally needs at least two years of work experience. Each course sets its own deadline, so there is no single EPOS date. The Helmut-Schmidt Programme (public policy) closed on 31 July 2026 and reopens around 1 June 2027. Some guides claim a general DAAD study scholarship is open to Pakistan, but at least one deadline tracker lists Pakistan as not eligible, so check DAAD’s official country list.

Closed for 2027 Entry: What to Do Now

Chevening Scholarship (UK)

The 2027-28 round opened on 4 August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC, which is 4:00 PM in Pakistan. Chevening uses UTC, which catches many people out.

Also read: CM Punjab Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Phase IV 2026: Eligibility, Last Date & How to Apply

The key rules, which rarely change much between years:

• You must be a Pakistani citizen and commit to returning home for at least two years after the scholarship.
• You need at least 2,800 hours of work experience (about two years full-time) gained after your undergraduate degree. Part-time, voluntary work and internships can count.
• Your undergraduate studies must have finished at least two years before the deadline.
• You apply to three different eligible UK courses and must hold an unconditional offer from at least one by the July deadline (8 July 2027 in this cycle).
• The application is free, and Chevening does not set its own English test, though each university does.

The next round is expected to open around August 2027 if the pattern holds. Use the gap to build your work hours and your leadership story.

Fulbright Master’s and PhD (USEFP)

USEFP announced its 2027 programme in January 2026 with a deadline of 1 April, so that round is over. A separate Fulbright Scholar programme for PhD holders closed on 28 October 2026. USEFP has reported roughly 900 applications for a recent programme year, which shows how competitive it is. Reported requirements include 16 years of education for a master’s, 18 for a PhD, and the GRE, but confirm these on the USEFP site when the next call opens.

Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)

HEC was the nominating agency. The 2027-28 round closed on 20 October 2026, and HEC required a HAT score of at least 60 out of 100. You had to apply on both the HEC and Commonwealth portals.

Australia Awards

Australia Awards for Pakistan are for master’s study only. Applications open on 1 February and close on 30 April each year, through the OASIS portal. The 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026 at 2:00 PM Australian Eastern time. For 2028 entry, expect the same window in early 2027, but wait for the official notice.

MEXT (Japan)

The embassy route for the 2027 intake closed on 26 May 2026, and the embassy has already contacted shortlisted candidates. Applications go to the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad or the Consulate General in Karachi. Past rounds have run April to May, so watch the embassy page in spring 2027. You can also approach Japanese universities for the university-recommended route.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The 2027 undergraduate embassy round was announced on 14 September 2026 and has now closed. For graduate study, the Korean Embassy in Pakistan opened its 2026 round from 12 to 25 February 2026, with a Pakistan embassy-track quota of 8. A similar February window for the 2027 graduate round is plausible, but unconfirmed.

Eligibility: Requirements Most Programmes Share

Every scholarship has its own rules, but these themes appear again and again:

• Citizenship. Most calls need Pakistani (and, for HEC routes, AJK) citizenship.
• Academic level. A 16-year bachelor’s degree is usually needed for master’s study, and a master’s or MPhil for PhD study. Result-awaiting candidates can sometimes apply but must submit final transcripts by a set date.
• Test scores. HEC uses the HAT for master’s and PhD foreign-funded scholarships and the USAT for bachelor’s. Minimum scores differ by programme.
• Work experience. Chevening and DAAD EPOS require it. Others do not.
• Return commitment. Chevening and Australia Awards expect you to go back to Pakistan for at least two years.
• No double funding. Many programmes, including the Chinese scholarship, bar applicants who already hold another scholarship.
• English. Check each university’s requirement. A few programmes ask for IELTS or TOEFL, others accept a university’s own test or prior English-medium study.

Documents to Prepare Early

The slowest items are usually the ones you do not control. Start these first:

Also read: Scholarships Opportunities for South African Students 2027 (Deadlines + How to Apply)

1. Passport. Check expiry, since some calls ask for a passport valid for a set period.
2. Degree certificates and transcripts. HEC attestation can take weeks.
3. CNIC and domicile where required.
4. HAT or USAT result card for HEC-routed scholarships.
5. CV with exact dates and, for Chevening, hours worked.
6. Reference letters from people who know your work. Ask early and give them the deadline.
7. Motivation letter or essays written specifically for each programme.
8. Research proposal for PhD and research awards.
9. Admission or pre-admission letter where the scheme requires it, as with the Chinese Type A route.
10. English test result, if the programme asks for one.
11. Medical and police certificates, usually only after provisional selection.

Scan everything clearly in the format the portal asks for. Use your name exactly as it appears on your passport.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

Scholarships routed through HEC (Hungary, China, Commonwealth, and similar)

1. Go to the HEC scholarship portal and create an account, or log in if you already have one.
2. Complete your profile fully: personal details, education history and uploaded documents. Once you submit an HEC application, it cannot be edited, so check every field first.
3. Open the Learning Opportunities Abroad section and choose the scholarship you want.
4. Check the test requirement for that call. Book your HAT or USAT early if your score is missing or expired.
5. Apply on the foreign portal as well: the Hungarian portal for Hungary, the CSC portal for China (with agency number 5861), or the Commonwealth portal for the UK.
6. Submit both applications before the deadline. HEC deadlines are in Pakistan time, and foreign portals may use another time zone.
7. Save your confirmation emails and screenshots.

Chevening (when the next round opens)

1. Check eligibility on the Chevening website, then total your work hours using exact start dates and weekly hours.
2. Research eligible UK courses. Pick three that fit your career plan and that you meet the entry rules for.
3. Create your account when applications open, usually early August.
4. Fill in the form: personal and passport details, education, work history, your three course choices, referee details and the four essays.
5. The four essays cover leadership, networking, your study plan and your career plan. Use real examples with dates and results.
6. Submit well before 11:00 UTC on the deadline day. In Pakistan that is 4:00 PM.
7. If shortlisted, upload your documents at least seven working days before your interview. In the 2027-28 cycle, interviews ran in March and April, and results came from mid-June.
8. Make sure at least one UK university gives you an unconditional offer before the July deadline.

Türkiye Bursları (when the 2027 call opens)

1. Read the official call on the Türkiye Scholarships website for dates, age rules and countries.
2. Create an account on the application portal.
3. Choose your degree level and your preferred programmes. Reports say you can list up to 12 university-programme combinations, so confirm in the portal.
4. Upload your documents and write your motivation letter.
5. Submit before the closing date. Once submitted, the application is locked.
6. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews in spring, with results expected in summer, then arrival in September and a Turkish language year.

Erasmus Mundus

1. Browse the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and shortlist programmes in your field.
2. Open each programme’s website and note its deadline, scholarship quota and language requirement.
3. Prepare a tailored motivation letter for each programme. Generic letters do poorly.
4. Apply on the programme’s own online system and attach all documents.
5. Decisions generally arrive between March and May.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

1. Decide between the one-year research and three-year PhD category.
2. Contact potential Swiss supervisors first. Their support matters for the application.
3. Create an account on the Swiss ESKAS online portal.
4. Upload everything and submit before the deadline. For questions, the Swiss Embassy in Islamabad publishes a scholarships email address on its website.

How Selection Usually Works

Most programmes screen your documents first, then shortlist for a test or interview. HEC-routed schemes add another stage: HEC nominates candidates, and the foreign government or university makes the final decision. That is why results can take many months.

Committees look for academic strength, a clear study plan, and proof you will use the degree for your country’s benefit. Weak motivation letters and vague plans are the usual reasons strong students lose out.

How to Check Your Application Status

• HEC schemes: log in to your HEC portal account and also watch your email for notices.
• Foreign portals (CSC, Hungarian, Commonwealth): log in to your account there, since each system shows its own status.
• Chevening, Fulbright, Swiss: use the account you created. Shortlist and interview emails come from the programme.
• Embassy-run schemes (MEXT, GKS): the embassy contacts shortlisted candidates directly, so keep your email and phone number correct.

Check your spam folder, too.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing a time zone. Chevening closes at 4:00 PM Pakistan time, not midnight.
• Applying on only one portal. Many HEC schemes need two applications.
• Reusing last year’s deadline. Deadlines move, and some programmes skip a year.
• Miscounting work hours for Chevening, or counting overlapping jobs twice.
• Weak references. Choose referees who can give specific examples.
• Leaving attestation late. Degree verification can take weeks.
• Choosing courses without checking entry rules.
• Submitting at the last minute. Portals are slow near deadlines.
• Applying for a programme you do not qualify for, such as Erasmus Mundus without checking each course’s requirements.

Which Scholarship Suits You?

• Fresh graduate, no work experience: Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, Chinese Government Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus, GKS.
• Two or more years of work experience: Chevening, Australia Awards, DAAD EPOS.
• Researcher aiming for a PhD: Swiss Government Excellence, Fulbright, MEXT, Commonwealth.
• Bachelor’s study abroad: Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, Chinese Government Scholarship, GKS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fully funded scholarships can Pakistani students still apply for in 2027?

As of 30 October 2026, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships list a 31 October deadline on HEC’s site, and many Erasmus Mundus programmes are still accepting applications. Hungary, China and Türkiye are expected to open within the next few months but have not published confirmed 2027-28 calls.

Is the Chevening Scholarship still open for Pakistan?

No. The 2027-28 round closed on 6 October 2026. The next round is expected to open around August 2027, but wait for the official announcement.

When will Türkiye Bursları 2027 applications open?

The official calendar pattern is 10 January to 20 February, but the 2027 call had not been confirmed when this was checked. Watch the Türkiye Scholarships website.

Do I need IELTS for a fully funded scholarship?

It depends. Chevening has no separate test, though your UK university will set its own requirement. Australia Awards reported a minimum IELTS of 6.5 for the 2027 intake. Check each call.

What is the HAT and do I need it?

HEC’s HAT is used for master’s and PhD foreign-funded scholarships. It is not needed for every scholarship. Commonwealth 2027-28 required at least 60 out of 100, for example.

Can I apply to more than one scholarship?

Usually yes, unless a programme bars applicants who hold another award, or you receive two offers and must choose one. Applying to several is normal and sensible.

Do I have to return to Pakistan after studying?

Some programmes require it. Chevening and Australia Awards ask you to return for at least two years. Rules differ, so read each call’s conditions.

Are there scholarships for Pakistani students with no work experience?

Yes. Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, the Chinese Government Scholarship and many Erasmus Mundus programmes do not require professional experience.