Admissions Closed 28 Aug 2026

HEC Overseas Scholarships (OSS Phase-III) for MS/MPhil & PhD – Apply by 2026-08-28

HEC Overseas Scholarships (OSS Phase-III) for MS/MPhil & PhD – Apply by 2026-08-28 · Islamabad · The News International, 09 Aug 2026

Admission advertisement published in The News International on Sunday, 9 August 2026, listed under Islamabad. Issued by HEC Overseas Scholarships (OSS Phase-III) for MS/MPhil & PhD – Apply by 2026-08-28. The last date printed on the advertisement was Friday, 28 August 2026 and has passed.

Newspaper clipping: HEC Overseas Scholarships (OSS Phase-III) for MS/MPhil & PhD – Apply by 2026-08-28, The News International, 09 Aug 2026

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Issuing agency: Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad. HEC invites applications from outstanding Pakistani/AJK nationals for Overseas Scholarships (OSS Phase-III) for MS/MPhil and PhD studies at universities ranked in the Top 200 of QS/The World University Rankings. Applications are submitted online through the HEC e-Services portal.

Thematic priority areas include Digital Transformation & Emerging Technologies; Energy, Climate Change & Environment; Agriculture, Food Security & Agri-Tech; Health, Biotechnology & Life Sciences; Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing; Natural & Physical Sciences; Social Sciences, Business & Governance; and Interdisciplinary & Strategic Areas.

Scholarship	Key eligibility & requirements
PhD	Pakistani / AJK nationals. Minimum 18 years of education (MS/MPhil or equivalent). Candidates with 17-year foreign MSc may apply subject to A&A division equivalence. Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division in semester/annual system. Applicants who previously received HEC-funded MS/MPhil must complete a minimum 2-year period in Pakistan after their degree and provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authority. Employees of public sector universities / colleges / R&D / government / semi-government organizations must submit NOC from their employer. Maximum age: 40 years for public sector employees; 35 years for others.
MS / MPhil	Pakistani / AJK nationals. Minimum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal/final degree is permissible; candidates must meet the prescribed educational standards for MS/MPhil. Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division in semester/annual system (as applicable). Employees of public sector institutions must submit NOC to apply through their organization. Maximum age: 35 years for public sector employees; 30 years for others.

Scholarship

Key eligibility & requirements

PhD

Pakistani / AJK nationals.
Minimum 18 years of education (MS/MPhil or equivalent). Candidates with 17-year foreign MSc may apply subject to A&A division equivalence.
Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division in semester/annual system.
Applicants who previously received HEC-funded MS/MPhil must complete a minimum 2-year period in Pakistan after their degree and provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authority.
Employees of public sector universities / colleges / R&D / government / semi-government organizations must submit NOC from their employer.
Maximum age: 40 years for public sector employees; 35 years for others.

MS / MPhil

Pakistani / AJK nationals.
Minimum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal/final degree is permissible; candidates must meet the prescribed educational standards for MS/MPhil.
Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or first division in semester/annual system (as applicable).
Employees of public sector institutions must submit NOC to apply through their organization.
Maximum age: 35 years for public sector employees; 30 years for others.

Selection & tests: Selection is merit-based using HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) scores and interview results, with provincial quotas applied as per Government of Pakistan. Candidates are required to opt for foreign universities ranked in the Top 200 QS list in their online application. HEC may reallocate university/country. HAT (conducted by the Education Testing Council, Pakistan under HEC) scores are valid for two years; applicants must have a valid HAT score on the closing date. Host universities may also require TOEFL/IELTS/GRE.

Funding & payments: Payments will be made according to the approved project provisions covering stipends, tuition fees and health insurance; candidates may be responsible for additional costs if actual tuition exceeds allocated project funds.

How to apply: Apply online via HEC e-Services portal (eservices.hec.gov.pk). Application processing fee: Rs. 3,000 (to be deposited through 1LINK payment services). Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview/selection and are required to submit signed printouts and supporting documents when requested.

Useful links & contacts: Full details and thematic area descriptions: https://www.hec.gov.pk/english/scholarshipgrants/OSSPhase-III. Helpdesk / Helpline: 051-111-119-432 or 0334-111-9432. For online help: https://onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk.

Important note: Candidates holding conditional/confirmed admission in top-ranked universities may be considered for award subject to meeting prescribed eligibility requirements. HEC reserves the right to postpone or cancel the tender and amend terms if required.

Application deadline: 2026-08-28 (1600 hours).

Published in The News International on Sunday, 9 August 2026. DailyAds.pk indexes newspaper advertisements; the original notice and the issuing organisation remain the source for final terms and eligibility.

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