The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, working with the UK's Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), has opened applications for the Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2027-28, which funds master's and PhD study in the United Kingdom beginning in the 2027 academic session. The deadline to submit online applications is October 20, 2026. The scholarship is open to Pakistani nationals and AJK nationals who are permanent residents of Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Dual nationals are not eligible to apply, and there is no upper age limit for applicants. Eligibility requirements differ by degree level. Master's applicants need a first-division bachelor's degree representing at least 16 years of education in their relevant field. PhD applicants need a first-division master's, MS, or MPhil degree representing 17 or 18 years of education, with no second or third division in their most recent qualification. Students still awaiting their final results may still apply, but must submit their final degree and transcript before the program's August or September 2027 start date. Applicants must also hold a Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) score of at least 60 out of 100, using a HAT-I, HAT-II, HAT-III, or HAT-IV test taken on or after October 25, 2024. HAT tests used for admission to Pakistani universities are not accepted for this scholarship. Candidates cannot apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission directly. Applications must be submitted through the CSC's online system and require nomination from an approved nominating agency, which for Pakistani applicants is HEC. Applicants should review the specific eligibility criteria and required documents for their chosen degree level on HEC's Commonwealth Scholarship page before beginning their application, and submit everything before the October 20, 2026 deadline.