HEC Overseas Scholarships for PhD & MS/M.Phil (Phase-III, Batch-3)

Higher Education Commission (HEC) has invited applications for HEC Overseas Scholarships from outstanding Pakistani/AJK nationals for the award of PhD and MS/Mphil scholarships. HEC Overseas Scholarships for PhD are being offered in selected fields, whereas MS/Mphil scholarships are being offered in Engineering Technology.

Scholarships will be awarded for Spring-Fall(2022) session in HEC identified top-ranked foreign universities of advanced countries. Application Deadline is May 30, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria for HEC Overseas Scholarships for PhD & MS/M.Phil (Phase-III, Batch-3)

1. e a Pakistani/AJK national
2. For PhD scholarships, candidates must have a minimum qualification of MS/MPhil/ME or equivalent (18 years) before the closing date ( May 30,2021)
3. For MS/M. Phil scholarships in Engineering Technology, Candidates must have a minimum of sixteen years of education and should be Registered with National Technology Council (NTC), Pakistan. ( http://www.ntc-hec.org.pk/ )
4. Maximum one-second division throughout the academic career prior to the final degree.
5. Candidates must have a minimum CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0 in semester system or first division (in the annual system) in MS/MPhil/ME/Equivalent degree.
6. Maximum age on the closing date ( May 30,2021):
   1. 40 years for full-time regular Faculty Members of Public Sector Universities/Colleges and employees of the Public Sector R & D organizations registered with Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST)
   2. 35 years for all others
7. Must have minimum 70% marks in a valid HEC Aptitude Test (HAT). HEC will consider best HAT score of the last two years for short-listing purpose.   
8. Must not be availing any other scholarship:

Important Note: The Applicants provisionally or finally selected in any of the HEC scholarships scheme in the past are required to obtain NO Objection Certificate (NOC) from relevant HEC-Scholarship Section before submission of their application.

1) Copy of this NOC must be emailed at ossphase3@hec.gov.pk before closing date of     application submission i.e May 30, 2021.

2) Application submitted by any such candidate without obtaining NOC may be rejected at any stage of selection/award process”

HEC-Aptitude Test:

Education Testing Council (ETC) Pakistan will conduct HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) on JUNE-2021 (tentatively). For more information, keep in touch with the registered email/ HEC Overseas Phase-3 website  

  

Last Date of Receipt of Applications:

Applicants must be submitted online via HEC e-portal (­­­­­­­eportal.hec.gov.pk) by, SUNDAY, May 30 , 2021.

Please do not send a printed copy of the online application form. Only shortlisted applicants will be advised to provide a signed printed copy of the online application form along with necessary documents

Bank Deposit Slip: Original online deposit slip OR ATM transfer slip of Rs 300/-
(non–refundable) as application processing fee in favor of DG Finance, Fee can be deposited in Account Number 1742-79001334-01, Habib Bank Limited, Shalimar Recording Company Branch, Islamabad Pakistan through any bank.
HEC must be uploaded on HEC e-portal (Online Application Form for Overseas Scholarships Program). 

How to Apply

Application Procedure:

1. Applicants are required to submit an online application via HEC e-portal (­­­­­­­eportal.hec.gov.pk).
2. Original online deposit slip OR ATM transfer slip of Rs 300/- (non–refundable) as application processing fee in favour of DG Finance, HEC must be uploaded on HEC e-portal. Fee can be deposited in Account Number 1742-79001334-01, Habib Bank Limited, Shalimar Recording Company Branch, Islamabad Pakistan through any bank.

Scholarships will be awarded under the following two categories:

Category-1:(Attached/Faculty Development): Around 2/3 scholarships will be awarded under this category for the development of future faculty of Pakistani University. Candidates interested under this category are required to opt identified Pakistani universities of their choice for job interview/placement in the online application form. Shortlisted candidates will have to pass the employment selection process of Pakistani Universities of their choice for further process toward the award of scholarship. On return after successful completion of Ph.D. applicant has to serve in the same University for a period of 5(five) consecutive years.

Category-2:(Unattached/Open Merit): Around 1/3 scholarships will be awarded under this category for the development of human resources in the national priority areas. These applicants will have to serve either in parent organization or other organization preferably in any University/R&D organization of Pakistan, for a period of 5(five) consecutive years.

Important Note:

1. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of Government Approved provincial quota.
2. Merit will be drawn on the basis of valid HEC Aptitude test scores separately for both categories.
3. Candidates are required to opt for foreign countries/universities of their choice in the online application form. HEC reserves the right to re-allocate any Country/University to the candidate. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews and the admission process.
4. Candidates are required to make sure that their field of the subject is being offered in their choice of Country/University, otherwise, the candidate will not be considered for an interview/scholarship.
5. Candidates are required to fulfill the requirement of the Host University to secure admission which may include International GRE, TOFEL, etc. Candidates are advised to appear in these tests before the interview/admission.
6. Applicants are required to fill in the information through an online application process. The merit list will be prepared on the basis of online data/information provided by the applicant. In case any information is found to be misrepresented at any stage; the application process will be terminated.
7. Awardees will have to execute a bond with HEC/Respective Pakistani University to serve for a period of five years immediately after completing PhD study. Request for change of University for the purpose of service bond will not be entertained at any stage.
8. The Applicants provisionally or finally selected in any of the HEC scholarship schemes in the past are required to obtain a NO Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant HEC-Scholarship Section before submission of their application. Copy of this NOC must be emailed at ossphase3@hec.gov.pk before the closing date of application submission i.e May 30, 2021. Application submitted by any such candidate without obtaining NOC may be rejected at any stage of selection/award process”
9. NO NEED TO SEND/SUBMIT HARDCOPIES OF THE APPLICATION FORM AND EDUCATIONAL
10. Applicants are advised to check all details of this scholarship scheme before filing/submitting the online application form. Requests for amendment will not be entertained after submission of the online application.

Apply Online for HEC Overseas Scholarships for PhD & MS/M.Phil (Phase-III, Batch-3)

To apply on line click on the following link:

Apply On Line for HEC Overseas Scholarships

List of MS Technology Subjects

1. Civil Engineering Technology
2. Electrical Engineering Technology
3. Mechanical Engineering Technology
4. Electronics Engineering Technology
5. Biomedical Engineering Technology
6. Chemical Engineering Technology
7. Textile Engineering Technology
8. Nano Technology/ Materials Engineering Technology
9. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology
10. Energy Engineering Technology
11. Aviation/Avionics Engineering Technology
12. Automotive/Automobile Engineering Technology
13. Agro-Industrial Engineering Technology
14. Information Engineering Technology
15. Computer Engineering Technology
16. Cyber/Cyber Security Engineering Technology
17. Artificial Intelligence Engineering Technology
18. Marine Engineering Technology
19. Software Engineering Technology
20. Petroleum Engineering Technology
21. Telecommunication Engineering Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question:Is GAT-General test conducted by NTS applicable for these scholarships?

Answer:                      No, GAT-General Test Conducted by NTS is not applicable for these scholarships.

Question: Which test is applicable for award of these scholarships?

                                    Only HAT organized by Education Testing Council is acceptable test for the award of these scholarships. Education Testing Council (ETC) arranges HAT test for eligible applicants for different scholarship schemes of HEC. ETC will arrange HAT test in June, 2021 (Tentatively). Validity of HAT test is 2 years, so, previous 2 years best HAT score will be considered for shortlisting.    

Question:Am I eligible to apply?

Answer:                      Please read the following eligibility criteria carefully and if you meet the criteria then you are eligible to apply:

• Be a Pakistani/AJK national
• For PhD scholarships, candidates must have a minimum qualification of MS/MPhil/ME or equivalent (18 years) before the closing date.
• For MS/M. Phil scholarships in Engineering Technology, Candidates must have a minimum of sixteen years of education and should be registered with National Technology Council (NTC), Pakistan.
• Maximum one-second division throughout the academic career prior to the final degree.
• Candidates must have a minimum CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0 in semester system or first division (in the annual system) in MS/MPhil/ME/Equivalent degree.
• Maximum age on the closing date:
• 40 years for full-time regular Faculty Members of Public Sector Universities/Colleges and employees of the Public Sector R & D organizations registered with Pakistan Council for Science & Technology (PCST)
• 35 years for all others
• Must have minimum 70% marks in a valid HEC Aptitude Test (HAT). HEC will consider best HAT score of the last two years for short-listing purpose.   
• Must not be availing any other scholarship

Question :                  I affirm that I am availing/applied in HEC-Scholarship  can i apply in 

                                    Overseas Phase-3 , Batch-3 Scholarship?  

Ans:                          Yes, The Applicants provisionally or finally selected in any of the scholarship schemes in the past are required to obtain a NO Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant HEC-Scholarship Section before submission of their application. Copy of this NOC must be emailed at ossphase3@hec.gov.pk before the closing date of application submission i.e May 30, 2021.

Application submitted by any such candidate without obtaining NOC may be rejected at any stage of selection/award process”

Question:Is this fully funded scholarship?

Answer: This is a fully-funded scholarship that will cover Tuition fees, Maintenance Allowance, Health Insurance, and airfare for a specific period and rate as approved in PC-1/MOUs. However, HEC also has MoUs/DoUs with specific foreign universities that are offering tuition fee waivers to HEC candidates. Only those candidates will be awarded scholarships who will secure tuition fee/Maintenance scholarships from those universities/countries.

Question:Do these scholarships support MS Studies?

Answer: These scholarships are offered in two distinct sorts; a) PhD in selected fields and b) MS/M. Phil in Engineering Technology. Scholarships awarded for PhD will not support MS/M. Phil studies. Only NTC Registered Candidates can submit application form (PEC) Registration is not valid for this Technology Based Scholarships Program.

Question:Are there any MS/M. Phil scholarships?

Answer: Yes, there are exclusive MS/M. Phil Scholarships offered in the field of Engineering Technology. Only NTC Registered candidates are eligible to apply for this scholarships program for MS in Technology based subjects.

Question:What are disciplines/subjects offered for MS/M. Phil scholarships?

Answer: MS/M. Phil Scholarships are offered only in the field of Engineering Technology. No other disciplines and subjects are offered under this scholarship scheme for MS/M. Phil studies

Question: I have foreign Master degree (18 years), can I apply for this scholarship scheme?

Answer:                       You may apply, however, you have to provide HEC Equivalence Certificate of foreign degree and must be eligible to apply for direct Ph.D. program.

Question:What are “Attached” and “Unattached” categories?

Answer:                       Category-1: (Attached/Faculty Development): Around 2/3 scholarships will be awarded under this category for the development of existing and future faculty of Pakistani public sector Universities. Candidates interested under this category are required to opt Pakistani universities of their choice for job interview/placement from the list of universities as per their discipline/subject wise demand. Shortlisted candidates will have to pass the employment selection process of Pakistani universities of their choice for further process toward the award of scholarship. Existing Faculty members of participating and other Pakistani universities are required to apply for this scholarship scheme and have to follow rest of the process including HAT.

Category-2: (Unattached/Open): Around 1/3 scholarships will be awarded under this category for the development of human resources in the national priority areas. These applicants don’t need to get appointment in participating universities. However, they are required to apply for this scholarship scheme and have to follow rest of the process including HAT.  

Question:What disciplines and subjects are offered in Category-1 (attached)?

Category-1 Scholarships will be awarded in specific disciplines/subject areas for each participating university. The institution wise list of disciplines/ subjects is available on HEC Website. The candidate may choose up to three universities. Candidates are required to indicate the Pakistani universities of their choice for job interview and placement in the online application form. HEC reserves the right to re-allocate any university to the candidate. Only short listed candidates will be called for interviews.

Question:What disciplines and subjects are offered in Category-2 (unattached)?

Category-2 scholarships will be awarded in National Priority Areas/Subjects identified by HEC. A list of approved disciplines is available on HEC website

Question:I am regular faculty member of Public University in Pakistan and after PhD want to serve in my university. Under which category do I have to apply?

Answer:If candidate wants to serve in his/her own Public Sector University as a faculty and position is also demanded by university in his/her subject then applicant has to apply and compete under “Attached Category”.

On the other hand, if there is no demand of his/her university then applicant has to apply on “Unattached Category” and if he/she will be selected then he/she has to get study leave and after PhD will have to serve his/her own university for at least 5 years on your previous position.

Besides, if a candidate will be selected by any other opted HEC identified university on “Attached Category” as per their demanded position then he/she has to resign from their current university and have to join the other university before proceeding abroad and after completion of PhD will have to serve in that university for 5 years.

Question:                    While filling the education section my university department & degree program is not in the drop down box of the system?

Answer:                      Please consult your university Focal person/ Registrar to register your degree program in Pakistan Qualification Register in HEC so that program may be included in the online portal.

Question:My discipline has been selected automatically in application which is not correct. What should I do?

Answer:                      Classification of subjects and their disciplines have been incorporated in the Pakistan Qualification Register (PQR) by the degree awarding institutes themselves. You will be required to contact your university authorities or Attestation & Accreditation Division of HEC for any change/updation.

Question:                    Can I get admission in any university of the world?

Answer:NO, you have to get admission in HEC identified universities with whom HEC has signed MoUs/DoUs and the university must be in top 500 ranking. 

Question:I do not have admission letter/supervisor acceptance from HEC identified country/university, Can I apply”

Answer:                      Yes, you may apply. Admission letter/supervisor acceptance letter is not mandatory at this stage. Only those candidates will be asked to secure admission/supervisor acceptance who will come on merit and at least 1-2 semesters will be given to get admission/Supervisor Acceptance letter.

Question:I have admission/offer in HEC identified Country/University, do I have to appear in HAT test?

Answer:Applicants must have to appear in the HAT test

Question:                    I have admission/offer in the HEC identified Country/University, do still I need to apply under this scholarship scheme?

Answer:Yes, you have to apply and compete to secure scholarship.

Question:I am already doing PhD in HEC identified Foreign Country/University, do still I have to go through the whole selection process?

Answer:                       Yes, you have to go through the whole selection process.

Question:How should I know that my subject is falling under which discipline?

Answer:                      List of approved disciplines/subjects is available on HEC-Overseas website.

Question:      I am already availing HEC/Government Scholarship for MS/PhD studies. Am I eligible to apply in this Scholarship scheme?

Answer:                The Applicants provisionally or finally selected in any of the HEC scholarships scheme in the past are required to obtain NO Objection Certificate (NOC) from relevant HEC-Scholarship Section before submission of their application. Copy of this NOC must be emailed at ossphase3@hec.gov.pk before closing date of application submission i.e May 30, 2021.

Application submitted by any such candidate without obtaining NOC may be rejected at any stage of selection/award process”

Question:                    I was selected under another scholarship of HEC but I did not avail that, so, what should I do?

Answer:                      Candidates who applied under any other scholarship scheme but either not availed or withdrawn, must ensure to obtain NOC/Permission from the respective Scholarship section before submitting their applications for this scholarship. Such candidates who will not submit their applications with proper NOC, their application for a scholarship will not be entertained and the candidacy will be withdrawn from further scholarship process at any stage.

Question:    If I am selected, will I be required to submit the Agreement and other related legal documents, to serve in Pakistan?

Answer:             YES.

Question:    Is international GRE-General /Subject score acceptable?

Answer:                  No, International GRE-General/Subject is not acceptable for the award of these scholarships. However, the foreign host university may require for admission purpose

Question: Can public/private sector employees apply without informing their parent department?

Answer:                      Applicant has to apply through the proper channel, however, an advance copy of the application can be forwarded to HEC. 

Question:   How can I fill out the online application form?

Answer:                      Applicants are required to submit online application via HEC e-portal

(­­­­­­­eportal.hec.gov.pk). For users who have got their Degree Attested from HEC or already created a common profile at HEC E-portal, please use your existing User ID (CNIC Number) and Password to apply. Applicants who have not created a common profile are required to create a common profile first through the online application process and then need to apply for Overseas Scholarships after following the required procedure. A hard copy of the application form and pre-requisite documents are not required at this stage. Moreover, please make sure to keep the Original deposit slip in your record. 

Question:   What is last date for the submission of application?

Answer:                      Applicants must submit an online application form via HEC e-portal (­­­­­­­eportal.hec.gov.pk) on or before 30 May 2021. Please do not send a printed copy of the online application form. Only shortlisted applicants will be advised to provide a signed printed copy of the online application form along with necessary documents

Question:    Where can I deposit application processing fee?

Answer:               Original online deposit slip OR ATM transfer slip of Rs 300/-(Three Hundred Only  (non–refundable) as application processing fee in favor of DG Finance, HEC must be uploaded on HEC e-portal. The fee can be deposited in Account Number 1742-79001334-01, Habib Bank Limited, Shalimar Recording Company Branch, Islamabad. Pakistan through any bank. Please make sure to keep the Original deposit slip in your record. 

Question:                    Can I edit or modify my submitted application for the scholarships 

                                     program?

Answer:            Applicants are advised to check all details of this scholarship scheme before
filling/submitting the online application form. Requests for amendment will not be entertained after submission of the online application.

Important Links

• Official Page
• List of Universities
• Terms  Conditions-Attached Catagory
• Terms  Conditions-Unattached Catagory
• HEC-Overseas Scholarship Phase-3 , Batch-3 Advertisement
• List of the Public Sector Universities for OSS Phase-3, (Batch-3)
• HEC Approved list of disciplines and Subjects for PhD
• List of MS Subjects approved by NTC for Batch-3
• Foreign Partner Countries Universities Details for Batch-2
• Advertisement for Batch-2
• User ManualFAQs for Batch-2
• Discipline/Subject List for Batch-2
• ​List of Public Sector Universities and Subject Demand for Batch-2

Overseas Scholarships Batch-1 (CLOSED)

• HEC Foreign Partner Countries/Universities
• Initially Shortlisted Candidates under the Batch-1
• Pakistani-Public Sector Universities and their Demand (Batch-1)
• HEC Priority Areas (HEC National Conference
• Language Course Requirements

READ MORE

• Allama Iqbal Scholarships for Sri Lankan students in Pakistan
• Scholarships at South Korea Universities for international students
• Scholarships at University Della Calabria 2021-22 Italy
• Government of Ireland – International Education Scholarships 2021/2022
• World Bank Scholarships Program 2021 for developing countries
• Study in Canada Scholarships 2021 – 2022 (Apply Online)
• Australia Awards Scholarships for Developing Countries 2021/22
• Turkey Scholarships 2021, Fully Funded (Complete Details)
• Scholarships

Follow us on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram for updates.