The cost of studying abroad is one of the biggest concerns for Pakistani families — and rightfully so. The good news is that there are a significant number of scholarships specifically available to Pakistani students or open to international applicants from developing countries. Here are seven worth knowing about.
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK) Chevening is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship programme. It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, return flights, and an arrival allowance. It is aimed at future leaders with at least two years of work experience. Applications open every August and close in November. Competition is intense, but Pakistani students have a strong history of being selected.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK) Offered to students from Commonwealth nations including Pakistan, this scholarship covers tuition fees, living costs, and flights for postgraduate study at UK universities. It is administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and prioritises candidates whose studies will directly contribute to development in their home country.
3. Australia Awards Scholarship Funded by the Australian government, the Australia Awards cover full tuition, return airfare, living allowance, and health cover. They are available for undergraduate and postgraduate study and are specifically targeted at students from developing countries including Pakistan. Applications typically open in February.
4. DAAD Scholarship (Germany) The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships for international students wishing to study in Germany. These include full and partial funding for Master’s and PhD programmes. Pakistan is one of the priority countries for DAAD funding, and many DAAD-funded programmes in Germany are taught in English.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe) Erasmus Mundus scholarships fund study across multiple European universities within a single degree programme. They cover tuition fees, travel, installation costs, and a monthly subsistence allowance of up to €1,400. Pakistani students are eligible to apply and the programme spans dozens of disciplines from engineering to social sciences.
6. University-Specific Scholarships Many universities in the UK, Australia, and Europe offer their own merit-based scholarships for international students. The University of Edinburgh, the University of Melbourne, Leiden University, and TU Munich are among many institutions that offer significant partial funding for high-achieving applicants. These are often applied for automatically through your university application.
7. HEC Overseas Scholarships (Pakistan) The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan offers scholarships for Pakistani students to pursue PhD and postdoctoral studies abroad in priority disciplines. These are funded by the Government of Pakistan and require applicants to return and contribute to the country after their studies. Deadlines vary by cycle.
How Student Cord can help Scholarship applications require the same level of care as university applications — sometimes more. A strong personal statement, well-chosen referees, and a compelling case for why you deserve funding can make the difference. At Student Cord, we identify the scholarships you are most competitive for and help you build the strongest possible application.
Book a free consultation with us today to find out which scholarships you may be eligible for.