Last updated: 11 November 2026
Quick answer: The biggest fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students are Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary, around 400 seats through HEC), Türkiye Bursları (Turkey), the Chinese Government Scholarship, Chevening and Commonwealth (UK), Fulbright (USA), DAAD (Germany), GKS (Korea), MEXT (Japan) and Erasmus Mundus (Europe). At home, the main options are HEC need-based, Ehsaas/Benazir undergraduate, PEEF and Karwan-e-Ilm. If you are reading this in November, the ones to act on right now are Stipendium Hungaricum (deadline usually mid-January), Chinese Government Scholarships and Erasmus Mundus, followed by Türkiye Bursları in January.
Most scholarship lists online are 60 names copied from somewhere else, half of them closed or not open to Pakistanis. This page is different: it covers only programmes Pakistani students actually win every year, sorted by when you need to apply, because timing is where most students lose. Chevening and Commonwealth closed in October 2026; if you only found out now, you’ve missed a full year. Bookmark this page and use the calendar below.
2027 scholarship calendar: when to apply
Dates marked “confirmed” come from the official announcement for the current cycle. “Usual window” is based on recent years; the exact date is confirmed when each programme opens.
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Application window | Status (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stipendium Hungaricum (via HEC) | Hungary | BS, MS, PhD, MBBS/BDS | Usually Nov to mid-January (last cycle: 15 Jan 2026) | Opening now for 2027-28 |
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC, via HEC and universities) | China | BS, MS, PhD | Usually Nov to March | Opening now |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | MS | Usually Oct to Feb (each programme sets its own date) | Many programmes open now |
| Türkiye Bursları | Türkiye | BS, MS, PhD | Usually 10 Jan to 20 Feb | Expected January 2027 |
| GKS (Global Korea Scholarship), graduate | South Korea | MS, PhD | Usually Feb to March | Expected Feb 2027 |
| Fulbright (USEFP) | USA | MS, PhD | Deadline around 1 April (2027 cohort closed 1 Apr 2026) | Next round expected early 2027 |
| MEXT (Embassy recommendation) | Japan | BS, MS, PhD | Usually April to May | Expected spring 2027 |
| DAAD (EPOS and others) | Germany | MS, PhD | Mostly Aug to Oct (varies by course) | Next round mid-2027 |
| Chevening | UK | MS (1 year) | August to October (2027/28 closed Oct 2026) | Next opens Aug 2027 |
| Commonwealth (via HEC) | UK | MS, PhD | Sep to Oct (2027-28 closed 20 Oct 2026) | Next opens Sep 2027 |
| GKS undergraduate | South Korea | BS | Usually Sep to Oct | Next opens Sep 2027 |
Fully funded scholarships abroad: one by one
1. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Probably the easiest big scholarship for Pakistanis to win, simply because of the numbers. In the 2026-27 round HEC offered 400 seats: 200 for bachelor’s, 70 for one-tier master’s (including 20 for Medicine and 10 for Dentistry), 100 for master’s and 30 for PhD. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance. You must apply on both the HEC portal and the Stipendium Hungaricum portal before the deadline, which was 15 January last time. Missing either one means automatic rejection.
Good for: FSc students wanting a free BS or MBBS in Europe, and graduates wanting an MS without a huge GPA. Full details: Stipendium Hungaricum 2027-28 for Pakistani students.
2. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)
Türkiye’s government scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, a free dormitory, health insurance, a return air ticket and a one-year Turkish language course. Applications usually run from around 10 January to 20 February on the Türkiye Bursları portal, followed by interviews in Pakistan. IELTS is not compulsory for most programmes, which helps many Pakistani applicants. Your personal statement carries a lot of weight; vague “I want to serve humanity” essays don’t do well. Full details: Türkiye Bursları 2027 for Pakistani students.
3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
China offers seats through HEC (Type A) and directly through Chinese universities (Type B). It covers tuition, accommodation, insurance and a monthly allowance. Applications usually open in November and run until early spring, with each university setting its own deadline. Many engineering and science MS and PhD programmes are taught in English.
4. Chevening (UK)
The UK government’s flagship one-year master’s scholarship. The 2027/28 round opened in August 2026 and closed in October 2026, with interviews in March to April 2027 and results from mid-June. You need relevant work experience and unconditional offers from UK universities. If you missed it, start preparing now for August 2027: essays, references and three university choices.
5. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK, via HEC)
Master’s and PhD scholarships in the UK, nominated through HEC. The 2027-28 round closed on 20 October 2026. Requirements included a first-division degree (16 years for master’s, 17 to 18 years for PhD), Pakistani or AJK nationality with permanent residence (no dual nationals), no age limit, and a HAT score of at least 60. Take the HAT well before the next round opens in September 2027.
6. Fulbright (USA, via USEFP)
Fully funded master’s and PhD study in the United States, covering tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend and health insurance. All fields can apply except clinical medicine. Priority fields in the last round were the sciences, technology and AI, trade and economics, and natural resource management. The deadline for the 2027 cohort was 1 April 2026, so the next round should open early in 2027. You’ll need the GRE for most fields, so book it months in advance.
7. DAAD (Germany)
DAAD funds master’s and PhD programmes in Germany, especially development-related EPOS courses for applicants with work experience. Since German public universities charge little or no tuition, DAAD scholarships mostly cover living costs, insurance and travel. Read our full DAAD scholarship guide for Pakistani students.
8. Erasmus Mundus (Europe)
Joint master’s programmes run by groups of European universities, where you study in two or three countries. Scholarship holders get tuition coverage plus a monthly allowance (for example, around €1,400 a month on programmes like NOHA). There are over a hundred programmes, each with its own deadline, mostly between October and February.
9. GKS (South Korea) and MEXT (Japan)
Both are generous government scholarships with a language-learning year built in. GKS graduate applications usually run in February and March, and undergraduate applications in September and October. MEXT applications through the Japanese Embassy usually open in April. Both suit students in engineering, IT and the sciences.
Scholarships inside Pakistan
| Scholarship | Who it’s for | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| HEC Need-Based Scholarship | Students already admitted to public universities who can show financial need | Through your university’s financial aid office, usually each semester |
| Ehsaas / Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship | Low-income students in public universities | Through participating universities after admission. See our Ehsaas scholarship guide |
| PEEF (Punjab Educational Endowment Fund) | Bright, low-income students from Punjab after Matric or Intermediate | Through the PEEF portal after board results |
| Karwan-e-Ilm Foundation | Students with good marks and financial need, all over Pakistan | Online application. See our Karwan-e-Ilm guide |
| Scotland Pakistan Scholarship for Women | Young women at partner Pakistani universities | Through partner universities. See full guide |
Scholarships without IELTS
This is one of the most common questions we get. Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum (for many programmes) and many Chinese universities accept an English-medium certificate from your previous institution instead of IELTS. Japanese and Korean scholarships include a language year. UK, US and most Erasmus programmes will ask for IELTS, TOEFL or similar. Always check the specific programme page before you skip the test.
Documents checklist: prepare these before any window opens
- Passport valid for at least 18 months
- Attested Matric, Intermediate and degree certificates and transcripts (HEC attestation for degrees)
- IBCC equivalence certificate if you studied O/A Level or abroad
- Two or three recommendation letters from teachers or employers
- A motivation letter or personal statement written for each scholarship (never one generic essay)
- CV in Europass or a simple academic format
- IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo score or an English-medium certificate
- HAT score (60+) for HEC-nominated scholarships such as Commonwealth
- GRE/GMAT if you are aiming for Fulbright or US universities
Need help with the essay? Read how to write a winning scholarship essay. Thinking about Europe on a budget even without a scholarship? See the 15 cheapest European countries for international students.
Five mistakes that cost Pakistani students their scholarships
- Starting when the window opens. Essays, references and attestations take weeks. Start three months early.
- Submitting on only one portal. Stipendium Hungaricum needs both HEC and the Hungarian portal.
- Copy-paste essays. Reviewers read thousands. A specific story about your village, lab project or job beats generic patriotism.
- Paying agents for “guaranteed” scholarships. Government scholarships are free to apply and nobody can guarantee selection.
- Ignoring HAT/GRE timelines. Test dates fill up. Book early.
Note: Dates and figures above come from the latest official announcements (HEC, Chevening, USEFP) and recent cycles. Each programme confirms its own dates when it opens; always check the official site before applying. We update this page as each round opens.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarship is easiest for Pakistani students to get?
Stipendium Hungaricum is often the most accessible because HEC offers around 400 seats across bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and medical programmes. Türkiye Bursları and Chinese Government Scholarships are also widely won by Pakistani students.
Which scholarships are open for Pakistani students right now?
In November, Stipendium Hungaricum (deadline usually mid-January), Chinese Government Scholarships and many Erasmus Mundus programmes are open or opening. Türkiye Bursları usually opens around 10 January.
Can I get a fully funded scholarship after FSc?
Yes. Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye Bursları, Chinese Government Scholarships, GKS and MEXT all offer fully funded bachelor’s degrees to Pakistani students after Intermediate.
Can I get a scholarship abroad without IELTS?
Yes, for many programmes. Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum (many programmes) and many Chinese universities accept an English-medium certificate. UK and US scholarships generally require IELTS or TOEFL.
When does Chevening open for Pakistani students?
Chevening opens in August and closes in October each year. The 2027/28 round closed in October 2026, so the next round opens in August 2027.
What HAT score is needed for HEC scholarships?
For the Commonwealth Scholarships 2027-28, HEC required a HAT score of at least 60 out of 100.