Admissions Closed 28 Aug 2026

HEC Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil & PhD Studies — Apply by 28 August 2026

HEC Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil & PhD Studies · 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 for MS/MPhil & PhD Studies. The last date printed on the advertisement was Friday, 28 August 2026 and has passed.

Newspaper clipping: HEC Overseas Scholarships for MS/MPhil & PhD Studies — Apply by 28 August 2026, The News International, 09 Aug 2026

Original clipping · The News International · 09 Aug 2026 · tap to zoom

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Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan invites applications from outstanding Pakistani / AJK nationals for Overseas Scholarships (Phase-III, Batch-IV) for MS/MPhil and PhD studies at Top 200 QS/THE world-ranked universities. Scholarships cover thematic areas listed by HEC and will be awarded following HEC rules and selection procedures.

Thematic Areas (selected): 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; Transdisciplinary & Strategic Areas.

Program	Key Eligibility & Requirements
PhD Scholarships	Applicant must be a Pakistani / AJK national. Minimum 18 years of education (MS/MPhil or equivalent). Candidates with 17 years (foreign MS/M.S) may apply subject to equivalence from A&A Division. A maximum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal degree is permissible. Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (semester) or first division (annual) in MS/MPhil or equivalent. Applicants who previously availed an HEC-funded MS/MPhil scholarship are eligible only after completing a minimum 2-year period in Pakistan and must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Employees of public universities/colleges/R&D/Government/Semi-Government organizations must submit NOC from their organization. Maximum age: 40 years for public sector university/college/R&D/Government/Semi-Government employees; 35 years for others.
MS Scholarships	Applicant must be a Pakistani / AJK national. Minimum 16 years of education (BS/BE/Masters or equivalent) in relevant field with minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (semester) or first division (annual). A maximum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal degree is permissible. Employees of public universities/colleges/R&D/Government/Semi-Government organizations must submit NOC from their organization. Maximum age: 35 years for public sector university/college/R&D/Government/Semi-Government employees; 30 years for others.

Program

Key Eligibility & Requirements

PhD Scholarships

Applicant must be a Pakistani / AJK national.
Minimum 18 years of education (MS/MPhil or equivalent). Candidates with 17 years (foreign MS/M.S) may apply subject to equivalence from A&A Division.
A maximum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal degree is permissible.
Minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (semester) or first division (annual) in MS/MPhil or equivalent.
Applicants who previously availed an HEC-funded MS/MPhil scholarship are eligible only after completing a minimum 2-year period in Pakistan and must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Employees of public universities/colleges/R&D/Government/Semi-Government organizations must submit NOC from their organization.
Maximum age: 40 years for public sector university/college/R&D/Government/Semi-Government employees; 35 years for others.

MS Scholarships

Applicant must be a Pakistani / AJK national.
Minimum 16 years of education (BS/BE/Masters or equivalent) in relevant field with minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (semester) or first division (annual).
A maximum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout academic career prior to terminal degree is permissible.
Employees of public universities/colleges/R&D/Government/Semi-Government organizations must submit NOC from their organization.
Maximum age: 35 years for public sector university/college/R&D/Government/Semi-Government employees; 30 years for others.

Selection & Tests: Selection will be merit-based on HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) scores and interview results, subject to approved provincial quotas. Candidates must opt for foreign universities (Top 200 QS/THE world university rankings) in the online application. Candidates must meet host university admission requirements (e.g., GRE, TOEFL, IELTS) — these tests may be required before interview/admission. The HEC Aptitude Test (HAT) is conducted by the Education Testing Council (ETC), and HAT scores remain valid for two years.

How to Apply: Online registration through HEC e-Services Portal: https://eservices.hec.gov.pk. Application processing fee: Rs. 3,000 (to be deposited through 1LINK payment services).

Important Notes: HEC reserves the right to re-allocate any university/country. Shortlisted candidates will be called for interviews. Applicants should complete registration and submission of required documents as per HEC instructions and timelines. Financial provisions and tuition disbursement will follow project-approved rules.

Contacts & More Information: Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad. Project Director: Saima Naurin. Helpline: 051-111-119-432 or 0334-111-9432. Further details: https://hec.gov.pk/english/scholarshipsgrants/OSSPhase-III and https://onlinehelp.hec.gov.pk

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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