Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the HEC-CSC PhD scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:
1. Nationality & Residency
- Be a Pakistani/AJ&K national and permanent resident.
- Dual nationals are ineligible.
2. Academic Qualifications
- Hold a first division (no second/third division) in a 17/18-year Master’s/MS/MPhil degree in your field of study.
- Result-awaiting candidates may apply (final degree confirmation required later).
3. HAT Test Requirement
- Achieve a minimum score of 60/100 in the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT).
- Test validity: Scores from tests taken on or after October 16, 2022 are acceptable.
- If your existing HAT result does not specify a scholarship region (e.g., FATA/Balochistan), it remains valid for the Commonwealth Scholarship.
- Option to retake HAT: Register by October 15, 2024 via HEC’s portal.
- Applications without a valid HAT score (≥60) will be rejected.
4. CSC (Commonwealth Scholarship Commission) Requirements
- Start date: Be available to begin studies in the UK by September 2024.
- No prior PhD registration: Must not be enrolled in a PhD/MPhil program in the UK or your home country before September/October 2025.
- Financial need: Demonstrate inability to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Supervisor statement: Provide a supporting statement from a proposed UK supervisor (from institutions listed in your application).
- Second UK Master’s degree: Justification required if applying for a second UK Master’s (rare for PhD candidates).
5. Application Documents
- Transcripts: Upload full, certified transcripts of all qualifications (with English translations if applicable).
- References: Submit references from two individuals.
6. Selection Process
- Open merit basis: Rankings determined strictly by HAT scores.
- HEC reserves the right to revise merit criteria.
Key Deadlines
- HAT registration: October 15, 2024 (for retakes).
- Ensure all documents, including HAT scores, are uploaded to the HEC portal before the application closure date.
Important Notes
- Strictly adhere to degree division requirements; even one second/third division in your last degree disqualifies you.
- Contact HEC for queries or updates on eligibility via their official channels.