For the academic year 2025–2026, the Chinese government has formally launched a fully-funded scholarship program for students from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with the goal of enhancing educational ties between the two countries. The program will facilitate scientific collaboration and intellectual exchange between the two nations by allowing students to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate studies at prestigious Chinese universities.
The Pakistani Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced that Monday, December 9, 2024, is the deadline for online applications. Potential applicants need to make sure they meet the qualifying conditions and carefully follow the application guidelines.
Qualifications for Eligibility
Candidates need to fulfil the following requirements:
- Nationality:
Only Pakistani and AJK nationals are eligible. Dual nationality holders are excluded.
- Health:
Both mental and physical well-being are requirements for candidates.
Educational Background and Age
- Undergraduate Program:
Age restriction: intermediate (FA/FSc or equivalent) with 12 years of education; must be at least 25 years old.
- Master’s Program:
Bachelor’s degree (16 years of education); age limit: 35 years.
- Doctoral Program:
Master’s degree (MS/MPhil); age limit: 40 years.
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Application Process
To apply, candidates must:
- Apply online at CampusChina.org under Category A (Agency No. 5861) on the China Scholarship Council (CSC) portal.
- Register and fill up their profiles by choosing the “Learning Opportunities Abroad” option on the HEC portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk.
- Present a legitimate HAT (for master’s and doctoral degrees) or USAT (for undergraduate degrees) score that was earned on or after the deadlines, which are December 9, 2022 for HAT and December 9, 2023 for USAT. A minimum score of fifty out of one hundred is required.
Scholarship Benefits
- The scholarship covers:
- Tuition fees:
- Includes educational and administrative expenses.
- Accommodation:
- A subsidy for off-campus living or a free university residence.
- Stipend:
- According to the scholarship policy of the Chinese government.
- Health insurance:
- Comprehensive coverage.
It is important for applicants to understand that the scholarship recipients will be responsible for covering their own travel expenses. Furthermore, under this arrangement, the HEC will not offer financial assistance.
- Deadline to Apply
Applications will be accepted through the HEC’s online portal at http://scholarship.hec.gov.pk/ until December 9, 2024, at 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time). Candidates must print and sign the full form after completing the online application.
The goal of this scholarship program is to strengthen relationships between academic institutions and give prospective Pakistani and AJK students worthwhile chances to pursue higher education.