The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced an extension for the application deadline of the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2025–26. This move grants aspiring Pakistani scholars additional time to complete their submissions for fully funded Master’s and PhD studies in the United Kingdom.
The previous deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarships was set for October 14. Candidates now have until October 21, 2025, to submit their applications through the HEC online portal. This extension is designed to ensure fair access for students who may have faced delays in preparing their extensive documentation.
Scholarship Breakdown
The Commonwealth Scholarship Programme, which is funded by the British government, offers full financial support to students from developing nations. The HEC manages the nomination process for Pakistani and Azad Jammu and Kashmir nationals.
A total of 56 Pakistani students will receive these scholarships, distributed across two major categories:
- Master’s Studies: 26 scholarships
- PhD Studies: 30 scholarships
Essential Application Procedure
Applicants must understand that a successful submission requires completing steps on both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s portal and the HEC website. Failure to complete either application will render the candidate ineligible for nomination.
The HEC has outlined key instructions for applicants:
- Dual Submission is Mandatory: Candidates must apply online on BOTH the Commonwealth and the HEC portals.
- Deadline is Strict: The HEC portal will close promptly at the specified time.
- Time Constraint: Candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the deadline, as the online system often experiences heavy traffic in the final days.
A statement from the HEC application procedure page clarifies the submission timeline: “It is the sole responsibility of applicants to ensure that they apply on both Commonwealth and HEC portal before the deadline October 21, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time).”
The merit list for nominations will be strictly based on the HAT (HEC Aptitude Test) score, with a minimum score of 60 required. This is a critical factor determining who gets nominated from Pakistan for the final selection by the donor country.
