China has unveiled its scholarship program for the academic year 2025-26, offering Pakistani and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) students an opportunity to pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Chinese universities. The program is part of the Chinese Government Scholarship initiative, aimed at strengthening educational cooperation between the two nations. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is the nominating agency for this prestigious program.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must be Pakistani or AJK nationals. Dual nationality holders are not eligible. Applicants must also meet specific educational and age requirements:
- Undergraduate applicants must have completed intermediate/A-level/FA-FSc (12 years of education) and be under 25 years of age.
- Master’s applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (16 years of education) and be under 35 years of age.
- Doctoral applicants must have a master’s degree (MS/MPhil) and be under 40 years of age.
Candidates must also meet the admission criteria of the respective Chinese universities, including academic eligibility and language proficiency. Furthermore, they cannot be recipients of any other scholarships at the time of application.
Testing Requirements
Applicants are required to provide valid scores for the Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) or Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT).
- HAT: For master’s and PhD applicants, a score of at least 50 out of 100 is mandatory. The test scores must have been obtained on or after December 9, 2022.
- USAT: For undergraduate applicants, the same minimum score applies, with test validity starting from December 9, 2023.
Without meeting the minimum score requirements, applications will not proceed further.
Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers tuition and administrative costs, as well as health insurance and student activity expenditures. Additionally, recipients will receive either free university dormitory accommodation or an accommodation subsidy. Monthly stipends will also be provided according to Chinese Government Scholarship policies.
Application Process
Interested candidates must submit applications online via both the HEC portal and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) website. Applications under category A (agency number 5861) can be submitted on the China Scholarship Council portal at campuschina.org. The HEC application portal can be accessed at scholarship.hec.gov.pk.
Candidates must complete their profiles and submit the required documents, including a printed and signed application form. Applications must be submitted before 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) on Monday, December 9, 2024.
Significance of the Program
This initiative underscores China’s commitment to fostering educational ties with Pakistan while providing students access to high-quality education and research facilities. The program is expected to contribute significantly to the professional growth of Pakistani students, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their country’s development.
