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Scholarships for Pakistani students: calendar and how to win
Most deadlines fall 6 to 12 months before the intake. Use this calendar to plan, then confirm exact dates on each official page.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Figures are checked against the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
Talk to a counsellorScholarship calendar
Dates change every year. The “usual window” column is a planning guide drawn from past cycles. Confirm the live date on the official page, and register for alerts.
| Scholarship | Destination | Level | Usual window | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master’s (one year) | Opens in August; 2027/28 closes 6 Oct 2026 | Tuition, living allowance, flights, visa and other costs |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | UK | Master’s and PhD | Autumn, with nomination through the national agency in Pakistan | Tuition, stipend, flights |
| Fulbright (USEFP) | USA | Master’s and PhD | Usually opens in the first half of the year | Tuition, stipend, travel, insurance |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s to PhD | Usually opens in the first weeks of the year | Tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation support |
| DAAD | Germany | Master’s and PhD | Many programmes close in autumn for the following year | Monthly stipend, travel, insurance |
| Türkiye Burslari | Türkiye | Bachelor’s to PhD | Usually January to February | Tuition, housing, monthly stipend, flights |
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | China | Bachelor’s to PhD | Early in the year through HEC and the university route | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance |
| Italian regional DSU scholarships | Italy | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD | Often summer, for example early September for DSU Toscana | Tuition waiver, grant, meals and accommodation if awarded |
| MAECI Italian Government Scholarships | Italy | Master’s and research | Usually early in the year | Monthly allowance, confirm current terms |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | France | Master’s and PhD | Applied for by the French institution, usually in winter | Monthly allowance, travel and insurance |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD | Usually opens early in the year via NIIED and the embassy | Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, insurance and a Korean language year |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Master’s | Usually January to February | Tuition and living allowance |
| University scholarships | Any | All | Often with the offer or by the offer deadline | Part-tuition discounts |
Windows are indicative. Official pages carry the live dates. Eligibility, quotas and funded costs change.
How to prepare a winning application
- Start the year beforeStrong applications need references, essays and an English score, all of which take weeks.
- Read the selection criteriaEach award wants leadership, impact or research potential. Write evidence against each criterion.
- Use specific examplesName the project, the number of people, the result and what you learned.
- Get two strong referencesAsk people who know your work well and give them a one-page brief.
- Use a clear career planShow how the course feeds a concrete role or research question in Pakistan or beyond.
- Apply to more than oneAdd university scholarships and at least one other major award.
HEC and Pakistani routes to check
- HEC overseas scholarships and nominations for CSC, Commonwealth, Stipendium Hungaricum and similar programmes run through HEC. Watch the HEC portal for live calls.
- USEFP runs the Fulbright programme and EducationUSA advising for Pakistan.
- Provincial and federal funds change over time. Ask your university’s scholarship office for any current options.
- Interest-free education loans for study at top-ranked universities have been offered by Pakistani government schemes in recent years. Check eligibility and current status with the scheme or HEC before you plan around it. See education loans.
Mistakes that cost scholarships
- Missing the deadline by a day, or ignoring the time zone
- Using one generic essay for every award
- Weak references on plain paper without a clear academic or employer link
- Ignoring eligibility rules such as age limits, work experience or previous study abroad
- Paying a “scholarship consultant” for a free application
Frequently asked questions
When does Chevening close?
For the 2027/28 awards, applications close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Which scholarship is easiest to get?
None is easy. Competition is high for fully funded awards. Part-tuition scholarships from universities are more common and can stack with other funds.
Do I need IELTS for a scholarship?
Most awards require an English score before you start the course, and some at the application stage. Check the page for your scholarship.
Can I get a scholarship for a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, in some countries such as Türkiye, China and Hungary, and at many universities. Fully funded bachelor’s awards are rarer in the UK and USA.
Where do I find live deadlines?
On each scholarship’s official page and the HEC portal. Do not rely on social media posts.
Sources and how we verify
Checked on 30 September 2026. This page is general information, not legal, immigration, medical or financial advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change, so confirm with the official body before you pay or apply.
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