HEC Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters & PhD 2022

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) has announced HEC Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters and PhD degrees for the year 2022. All Pakistani nationals including people of Jammu and Kashmir are eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarships.

HEC Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters and Phd 2022

There is no age limit for this opportunity, therefor deserving and eligible students can avail of this scholarship and pursue their higher studies in the UK.

The deadline is 1st November 2021, for details carefully go through the contents and visit the important links before applying online.

HEC Commonwealth Scholarships for Masters & PhD 2022

Programme Offered

Commonwealth (CW) Scholarships are for candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries for full-time study (Masters & Ph.D.) in the United Kingdom. These scholarships are offered under the following six themes:

Science and technology for development
Strengthening health systems and capacity
Promoting global prosperity
Strengthening global peace, security and governance
Strengthening resilience and response to crises
Access, inclusion and opportunity

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for these scholarships, you must meet the eligibility requirements mentioned below:

Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national & permanent resident of Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals are not eligible.
Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2022
For Master scholarship, applicant must hold a first-class degree in relevant postgraduate qualification (16 years Bachelors/master’s degree) in the relevant field of study by closing date of applications
For PhD scholarship, applicant must hold a first-class degree in relevant postgraduate qualification (17/18 years Masters/MS/MPhil degree) in the relevant field of study by closing date of applications
Maximum two-second divisions are allowed but candidate must not have second division in the terminal/last degree.
Must apply under one of the themes as mentioned above and on the CSC website and candidate’s field of study must be in line with future development needs of Pakistan.
NOT be registered for a Master or PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2022
NOT have commenced and be currently registered for a Master or PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in your home country or elsewhere
Have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form. (For PhD)
Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship
Two references submitted online to UK application system.
Must obtain minimum 70% marks in HEC Aptitude Test (HAT).

Application Procedure

You are advised to complete and submit your application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline

Applicants are required to submit online applications at the Commonwealth and HEC portal. In case the applicant fails to submit online application forms on BOTH websites mentioned at Step (1) & Step (2) below, their application will not be considered for further processing.

Step- 1 (Commonwealth Online Application)

Apply online to Commonwealth (CW) Scholarship for Master & Doctoral studies (PhD) through their Electronic Application System (EAS) at:
- For Masters https://fs29.formsite.com/m3nCYq/tblglqacxe/index.html
- For PhD https://fs29.formsite.com/m3nCYq/0mie49l1ze/index.html

Step – 2 (HEC Online application)

Apply online at HEC website: https://eportal.hec.gov.pk. After registering and filling your profile, please select “Learning Opportunities Abroad” under “Scholarship and Grant” menu in left hand side panel of the online portal.
While submitting an online application at HEC website, do attach scan copy of deposit slip of Rs. 800/- (non-refundable) deposited in HEC online Account No. 17427900133401 in HBL, Sector H-9, Islamabad for HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) to be conducted by Education Testing Council (ETC). All payments are to be made to HEC through HBL online facility available across HBL branches in Pakistan.

* Before applying, kindly update your HEC e-portal profile with the latest email/cell number & updated information.

Important Notes:

Application without submitting both Commonwealth Application form and online HEC form will not be entertained in any case (submitted applications must also be complete in all aspects)

Save your HEC online application & Commonwealth online application after successful submission to relevant portals.

Hardcopies of HEC application form (along with relevant academic documents viz. transcripts, equivalence for a foreign degree, statement of purpose, research plan/proposal, copies of CNIC, Domicile) & submitted Commonwealth scholarship forms (proof of minimum 02 references & placement letter) may be kept saved. They will be taken from shortlisted candidates only

DO NOT SEND YOUR HARD COPIES OF APPLICATIONS.

Deadline

For HEC Portal: Deadline for submission of HEC online application is 1^st November 2021 (1600 Hours Pakistan Standard Time)

For CW portal: All applications must be submitted, and all mandatory fields completed in the application form by 16:00 (GMT) on 1^st November 2021 at the latest. Your application must include the following supporting documentation by 16:00 (GMT) on 22nd November 2021 in order for your application to be eligible for consideration:

NOTE:

HEC may conduct test/interview to shortlist/nominate candidates.
HEC endorses equal opportunity, therefore, females are encouraged to apply.
HEC online portal shall close as per the deadline, thereafter, no candidate would be able to apply. Also, incomplete applications (not submitted) will NOT be accepted.
Please note that HEC has only facilitation role in nomination process, as final selection will be made by the donor country. Further, HEC will have no financial liability regarding this scholarship.
In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the rights to cancel and debar applicants for all future scholarships.
It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply before the deadline of 1^st November 2021.

Disclaimer: Applicants are advised to submit their online applications on Commonwealth (CW) portal. After submission of CW form, applicants must also apply on HEC online application portal https://eportal.hec.gov.pk

For details visit the following Links:

FAQs

1. What is the eligibility criteria for Commonwealth Scholarship?

To apply for this scholarship, Applicant;

Must be a Pakistani/AJ&K national & permanent resident of Pakistan/AJ&K. Dual nationals are not eligible.
Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2022
For Master scholarship, applicant must hold a first-class degree in relevant postgraduate qualification (16 years Bachelors/master’s degree) in the relevant field of study by closing date of applications
For PhD scholarship, applicant must hold a first-class degree in relevant postgraduate qualification (17/18 years Masters/MS/MPhil degree) in the relevant field of study by closing date of applications
Maximum two-second divisions are allowed but candidate must not have second division in the terminal/last degree.
Must apply under one of the themes as mentioned above and on the CSC website and candidate’s field of study must be in line with future development needs of Pakistan.
Applicant must not have registered for a Master or PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, at a UK university before September/October 2022
NOT have started and/or be currently registered for a Master or PhD, or an MPhil leading to a PhD, in your home country or elsewhere
Have the support of a potential supervisor from at least one UK university listed in your application form. (For PhD)
Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format
Applicant must not be able to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
Two references letter must be submitted online to UK application system.
Must obtain minimum 70% marks in HEC Aptitude Test (HAT).

2. How to find a program & university?

Visit the following sites and find your desired program by following mentioned methods in the web link. CSC participating universities can also be found by visiting the below links.

Masters: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

PhD: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-phd-scholarships-for-least-developed-countries-and-fragile-states/

3. How to apply online at HEC & CSC (Commonwealth portal)?

There are 2 mandatory steps to apply:

Step- 1 (Commonwealth Online Application)

Apply online to Commonwealth (CW) Scholarship for Master & Doctoral studies (PhD) through their Electronic Application System (EAS) at:

For Masters https://fs29.formsite.com/m3nCYq/tblglqacxe/index.html

For PhD https://fs29.formsite.com/m3nCYq/0mie49l1ze/index.html

Step – 2 (HEC Online application)

Apply online at HEC website: https://eportal.hec.gov.pk. After registering and filling your profile, please select “Learning Opportunities Abroad” under the “Scholarship and Grant” menu in the left-hand side panel of the online portal.

4. What is the last date/ deadline to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship?

Deadline for HEC and CW portal:

For HEC Portal: Deadline for submission of HEC online application 1st November 2021 (1600 Hours Pakistan Standard Time)

For CW portal: All applications must be submitted and all mandatory fields completed in the application form by 16:00 (GMT) on 1st November 2021 at the latest. Your application must include the following supporting documentation by 16:00 (GMT) on 22nd November 2021 in order for your application to be eligible for consideration.

Note it is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply before the deadline.

5. Is there any fee to apply for Commonwealth Scholarship?

No, there isn’t any application fee for Commonwealth Scholarship, However, the fee for the HAT test is Rs. 800/- While submitting an online application at the HEC website applicant needs to attach scan copy of the deposit slip.

6. Where can the applicant pay the fee for Commonwealth Scholarship?

While submitting an online application at the HEC website, do attach scan copy of the deposit slip of Rs. 800/- (non-refundable) deposited in HEC online Account No. 17427900133401 in HBL, Sector H-9, Islamabad for HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) to be conducted by Education Testing Council (ETC). All payments are to be made to HEC through HBL online facility available across HBL branches in Pakistan.

8. What is the test date for Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT)?

HEC – Education Testing Council (ETC) Pakistan will conduct the HAT test in November-2021 (Tentatively). For more information, visit the official website of ETC https://etc.hec.gov.pk or lock your query at onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk

9. Is there any Important Information related to scholarship?

HEC may conduct test/interview to shortlist/nominate candidates.
HEC validate/promote equal opportunity, therefore, females are encouraged to apply.
Please note that HEC has only facilitation role in nomination process, as final selection will be made by the donor country. Further, HEC will have no financial liability regarding this scholarship.
In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the rights to cancel and ban applicants for all future scholarships.
It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply before the deadline of 1st November 2021.
HEC online portal shall close as per the deadline, thereafter, no candidate would be able to apply. Also, incomplete applications (not submitted) will NOT be entertained.
Applicants are advised to complete and submit their application as soon as possible, as the online application system will be very busy in the days leading up to the application deadline

10. Is it mandatory to appear on Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT)?

Yes, appearance in the test is mandatory as the difficulty level of this test is different.

11. What is the minimum qualifying marks required for Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT)?

Applicants are required to obtain minimum of 70% marks in Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) for consideration towards the nomination.

12. If applicants mistakenly submits false information at any stage (if qualified) will they be eligible for the scholarship?

Applicants are required to submit their information carefully. In case of submitting false information at any stage, HEC reserves the right to cancel and disqualify applicants for all future Scholarships.

The application form once submitted is not editable

13. Is IELTS necessary for applying to a Commonwealth scholarship?

No. However, the applicant has to fulfill his/her intended university requirement.

14. What is the age limit for Masters’s/Ph.D.?

There is no age limit.

15. Can an Afghan national apply for this scholarship?

No, only Pakistani / AJ&K nationals can apply for this scholarship.

16. Is the international GRE-General /Subject score acceptable?

No. International GRE-General/Subject is not acceptable for the award of this scholarship.

17. Which test is applicable for the award of these scholarships?

Only HAT organized by Education Testing Council (ETC) is an acceptable test for the award of these scholarships. Education Testing Council (ETC) shall arrange an HAT tests for eligible applicants in November 2021.

18. What are the mandatory requirement while applying for Ph.D. Programs?

Candidates applying for Ph.D. studies must have the consent of acceptance by a supervisor at the proposed host university (mentioned in the application form). A statement of acceptance issued by the supervisor must be attached to the online application.

Online references must also be submitted by the CW portal deadline