International Scholarships for Pakistanis 2026
Dozens of fully funded and partial scholarships are available for Pakistani students to study abroad. This guide lists the most prestigious and accessible scholarship programmes by country.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Masters | Full tuition + living + flights | Nov each year |
| Fulbright | USA | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + living + flights | May each year |
| DAAD | Germany | Masters/PhD | Monthly stipend + tuition + insurance | Oct each year |
| Erasmus Mundus | EU (multiple) | Masters | Full tuition + living + travel | Jan each year |
| Commonwealth | UK | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + living + flights | Oct each year |
| CSC (Chinese Govt) | China | Bachelor/Masters/PhD | Full tuition + accommodation + stipend | Jan-Apr |
| Turkiye Burslari | Turkey | Bachelor/Masters/PhD | Full tuition + accommodation + stipend | Jan-Feb |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Masters/PhD | Full tuition + living + flights | Apr-May |
| Vanier (Canada) | Canada | PhD | CAD $50,000/year for 3 years | Nov each year |
| Gates Cambridge | UK | PhD/Masters | Full tuition + living + flights | Oct/Dec |
Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application
- Start early: Most scholarships require extensive documentation. Begin 3-6 months before deadlines.
- Strong personal statement: Explain your goals, why this programme, and how you will contribute to Pakistan on return.
- Leadership experience: Highlight community involvement, volunteering, and leadership roles.
- Research experience: For PhD scholarships, published papers or research experience is crucial.
- IELTS score: Most scholarships require IELTS 6.5+ overall. See our IELTS guide.
- Strong references: Choose referees who know your work well and can write detailed, specific letters.
Pakistan-Specific Scholarships
- HEC overseas scholarships: The Higher Education Commission funds Pakistani scholars for PhD studies in top global universities
- Punjab Education Endowment Fund (PEEF): For students from Punjab province
- Ehsaas scholarship: Government scholarship for undergraduate studies
- USAID Merit & Needs-Based Scholarship: For Pakistani universities with study abroad components