China Announces Scholarships for Pakistani Students for 2025-26 Academic Year

The Chinese government has officially announced a fully-funded scholarship initiative for students from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for the academic year 2025-26, aimed at strengthening educational relations between China and Pakistan. The program will enable students to undertake undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies at prestigious Chinese universities, thereby promoting research collaboration and academic exchange between the two countries.

As per the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan, the deadline for the submission of online applications is set for Monday, December 9, 2024. Prospective candidates are required to verify that they fulfill the designated eligibility criteria and adhere meticulously to the application guidelines

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Nationality: Only Pakistani and AJK nationals are eligible. Dual nationality holders are excluded.
2. Health: Candidates must be in good physical and mental health.
3. Educational Background and Age:
   • Undergraduate Program: Intermediate (FA/FSc or equivalent) with 12 years of education; age limit: 25 years.
   • 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.

Application Process

To apply, candidates must:

• Submit applications on the China Scholarship Council (CSC) portal under Category A (Agency No. 5861) at CampusChina.org.
• Register and complete their profiles on the HEC portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk, selecting the “Learning Opportunities Abroad” category.
• Provide a valid HAT (for master’s and PhD) or USAT (for undergraduate) score, obtained on or after the respective cutoff dates (December 9th, 2022, for HAT and December 9th, 2023, for USAT). A minimum score of 50 out of 100 is required.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees: Includes education and administrative costs.
• Accommodation: Free university dormitory or a subsidy for off-campus housing.
• Stipend: As per Chinese Government Scholarship policy.
• Health insurance: Comprehensive coverage.

Applicants must note that travel expenses will not be covered and must be borne by the scholarship recipients. Additionally, the HEC will not provide financial support under this program.

Last Date to Apply

The HEC portal will remain open for applications until 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) on December 9th, 2024. After submitting the online application, candidates must print and sign the completed form.

This scholarship initiative aims to deepen educational collaboration and provide aspiring Pakistani and AJK students with valuable opportunities for advanced studies.