The United Kingdom has become a captivating place for international students to pursue their academic aims & professional goals. The reason is the global status of UK universities pioneering the latest trends in research & development. The diverse and inclusive cultural environment attracts students worldwide regardless of ethnic, cultural, and geographical differences. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency more than 700,000 international students are enrolled in the UK universities and among the non-EU countries, Pakistan is fourth country with most international students reporting 30,000 students.
If your dream to study in the UK has brought you to us, then be at peace because we will guide you through all you have to know to secure a scholarship in the UK from Pakistan.
Best Scholarships for Pakistani Students
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is sponsored by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. This scholarship provides a full tuition fee, monthly allowance, economy-class air travel & other allowances. Pakistani students possessing an undergraduate degree equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honor in the UK (GPA between 3.0 and 3.59), 2 years of work experience, 2 reference letters, an IELTS score, and an offer letter from a UK university are eligible for this award.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan
The Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan is a program sponsored by the UK Government for students from countries belonging to the Commonwealth. This scholarship provides tuition fees, accommodation allowance, thesis allowance, clothing allowance, health facilities funded by CSC & travel allowance. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 degree in the UK, be incapable of funding their studies in the UK without this scholarship, and must not have studied or worked in a high-income country for a full academic year.
3. Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust sponsors these highly competitive scholarships to international students covering tuition fees, living expenses, and travel allowance. The basic eligibility criteria for securing the Rhodes Scholarship are a bachelor’s degree (GPA of 3.7 or above) and an age limit of 18-24 years.
4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funds The Gates Cambridge Scholarship. It is a fully funded scholarship program covering tuition fees, accommodation allowance, airfare & miscellaneous allowances.
Scholarships Offered by individual Universities for Pakistani students
1. Oxford-Weidenfeld & Hoffmann Scholarships & Leadership Programme
The University of Oxford & Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust have joined hands to initiate the Oxford-Weidenfeld & Hoffmann scholarship & leadership program for Pakistani students at the University of Oxford. This scholarship provides tuition fees, accommodation allowance, travel & other allowances with the added advantage of professional development opportunities.
2. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship
The University of Manchester provides master’s scholarships to Pakistani students through the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship. It covers tuition fees and a stipend for accommodation costs.
3. University of Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarship
It is a master’s scholarship by the university for excellent international students who belong to countries that are underrepresented in the UK including Pakistan. The scholarship is worth £10,000 and acceptable for one year.
4. Sheffield Hallam University Transform Together Scholarship
The Sheffield Hallam University Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for students who cannot afford to study at Sheffield Hallam University. It provides 50% tuition fees to students for undergraduate & postgraduate courses.
Private Organization Scholarships for Pakistani Students
1. Dawood Foundation Scholarships
Dawood Foundation which is an independent non-profit organization in the United Kingdom offers fully funded UK scholarships to Pakistani students, who wish to pursue academic attainment at the University of Cambridge. This scholarship covers tuition fees, and an annual living allowance of £15,000 & provides travel & visa costs.
2. British Council Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Award
Pakistani students who wish to pursue postgraduate degrees in the UK can benefit from the British Council Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust Award. This scholarship includes approx. £18,000 tuition fee, accommodation allowance (£2,000) & a research grant of up to £4,000. This scholarship also includes orientation & cultural revelation training & an opportunity to participate in the British Council’s Professional Development Program.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers master’s degree scholarships to Pakistani students at any of the UK universities. It provides full tuition fees, visa fees, air travel, insurance & accommodation allowance. It is awarded to students with the highest academic achievements.
Advantages of UK Scholarships for Pakistani Students
Studying in the UK has a massive advantage for every international student & it is a golden opportunity to pursue career goals through education acquired in the UK. Pakistani students who can study in the UK through scholarships are among the luckiest gems.
The crucial benefits that Pakistani students obtain from securing scholarships in the UK are financial support, huge career prospects, cultural exposure, research opportunities & networking opportunities.
General Overview of the UK Scholarships Application for Pakistani Students
The application process to every scholarship program varies accordingly but there are some general tips to follow while applying to a UK scholarship from Pakistan.
The first & foremost step in applying for a UK scholarship is a selection of the right scholarship program according to the relevant field of study & academic objectives. Various scholarship search engines, university websites & scholarship portals can help in the selection of the right scholarship program.
The second step is to find out if you are eligible to apply for that scholarship program you deemed suitable for yourself. The basic requirements for eligibility are academic record, language proficiency & age limit.
Timely arrangement of required documents such as academic records, experience certificates, and language certificates. Bank statements, research proposals & other required documents are crucial for the application of scholarship.
Finally, you can move further with your scholarship application after scrutiny of the right scholarship program based on academic record & eligibility and arrangement of documents. To avoid any inconvenience later, be sure to strictly follow the application process guidelines mentioned by scholarship awarding authorities.
Some scholarship programs require you to give an interview during the application process. Be prepared in advance and give your best!
Await the results for the scholarship program patiently. Check on updates regularly and provide timely information or documents if required later during the waiting time.
Last but not the least grabbing an opportunity to gain a scholarship in a UK university is a tough nut to crack. Considering the whopping number of international students in the UK and piled up applications of international students dreaming of securing a scholarship in the UK has made it tricky for eligible candidates to secure a scholarship. But, do not stress it. You can secure an impressive scholarship in the UK with no difficulty based on your academic excellence, experience and right scholarship choice. AK Consultant can further make your journey worry free by handling out your scholarship application and providing you with the right guidance. Feel free to contact us!
