Chinese Government Scholarship for Pakistanis: HEC Route, 75 Seats

The Chinese Government Scholarship round for 2027-28 has not been announced by HEC yet. In the last round, for 2026-27, HEC nominated Pakistani students for 75 seats (35 bachelor's, 25 master's and 15 PhD) and closed its portal on 5 January 2026 at 4 pm. That date has passed. Expect the next round to follow a similar winter timeline, and check HEC's scholarship page before you plan around it.

We read HEC's Chinese Government Scholarship Program 2026-27 pages on 29 September 2026: the overview, eligibility, how to apply, programmes, documents and financial coverage. We also read the China Scholarship Council (CSC) application guidelines that HEC attaches to its page.

We could not open campuschina.org, CSC's own application site. It served a browser check that our tools could not pass. So the CSC rules below come from the CSC guideline HEC republishes, and we say where a detail rests only on HEC.

HEC's Chinese scholarship route is called Type A

Type A means you apply through a government agency in your own country, and for Pakistan that agency is HEC. You must apply on both the HEC portal and the CSC portal. Type B is a separate route that does not go through HEC at all.

HEC's own words are clear. It handles only Type A, and applicants who apply "directly under Type-B or any other Chinese Government Scholarship program are solely responsible for their own applications and correspondence". We could not read CSC's own description of Type B, so we have not listed its universities or dates here.

The CSCA test applies to both routes. HEC says the China Scholastic Competency Assessment is required for every bachelor's applicant, whether nominated by HEC or applying under Type B.

Last round's dates, now all past

For 2026-27, HEC's portal closed on Monday 5 January 2026 at 4 pm Pakistan time. The HAT and USAT test HEC used for ranking was on 7 December 2025, and the CSCA test for bachelor's applicants was on 21 December 2025 or 25 January 2026.

One small warning. HEC's documents page gives the deadline as "05 January 2025", while its main page says 5 January 2026. The 2026 date matches the rest of the round, so the 2025 figure looks like a typing slip.

The test is where most applicants lose out. HEC needs a HAT score for master's and PhD, or a USAT score for bachelor's, of at least 50 out of 100. HAT stays valid for 2 years, so the HEC HAT test on 25 October 2026 may be worth sitting now, if HEC keeps the same rule.

Who can apply through HEC

You must be a Pakistani or AJK national without dual nationality, with a completed degree by the closing date. Bachelor's applicants need 12 years of education and must be under 25. Master's applicants need a 16 year bachelor's and must be under 35. PhD applicants must be under 40.

• Bachelor's: intermediate, FA, FSc or A Level, under 25, plus a USAT and a CSCA score.
• Master's: a 16 year bachelor's, under 35, plus a HAT score.
• PhD: an MS or MPhil, under 40, plus a HAT score.
• Language: HSK Level 4 for Chinese-taught master's and PhD. English-taught programmes follow the university's IELTS or TOEFL rule.
• No other scholarship: you cannot hold another government or university scholarship at the same time.

Every applicant also needs a pre-admission letter or notice from a chosen Chinese university, or an invitation from a professor. Contact the university's international office early to ask how to get one.

Medical and engineering applicants have one more job. HEC says you must first confirm the degree will be accepted by PMDC, PEC or the relevant council in Pakistan. Skip that and you may come home with a degree you cannot practise with.

What the Chinese Government Scholarship covers

The scholarship pays tuition, health insurance, a free dormitory or a housing subsidy, and a monthly stipend set by CSC policy. HEC says travel is paid by you, not by the scholarship, and HEC carries no financial liability.

HEC does not print the stipend amount, and we could not read it on CSC's site. So we have left it out rather than repeat a figure we could not check.

Degrees run 4 to 5 years for bachelor's, 2 to 3 for master's and 3 to 4 for PhD. Budget for the flight, the medical test and the police certificate yourself.

How to apply through HEC

When HEC opens the next round, apply on the HEC scholarship portal and on campuschina.org under Type A with agency number 5861. Upload your test scores, pre-admission letter and documents on both, and submit before HEC's deadline.

1. Sit HAT or USAT early, and CSCA if you want a bachelor's.
2. Shortlist Chinese universities and ask each for a pre-admission letter.
3. Update your profile on scholarship.hec.gov.pk and apply under Learning Opportunities Abroad.
4. Apply on campuschina.org, choosing Type A and agency number 5861.
5. Upload a study plan, passport, medical form, police certificate and, for master's or PhD, two recommendation letters.
6. Keep signed printed copies of both forms. HEC says it does not want hard copies at this stage.

After HEC's portal closes, the Culture Office of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan runs the first review and may hold a test or interview. CSC then decides, and it can change your university, subject or scholarship type.

If you are nominated, you will need attested papers. That means HEC degree attestation for degrees, or an IBCC equivalence certificate for O and A Levels. And think before you say yes. Anyone finally admitted who then declines may be barred from applying for three years.

No agent can place you on HEC's list. If someone charges you to "secure" a Chinese Government Scholarship, treat them like any unverified study abroad agent.

Common questions

When is the Chinese Government Scholarship 2027 deadline in Pakistan?

HEC has not announced it. The last round's HEC deadline was 5 January 2026 at 4 pm.

How many CSC seats does Pakistan get through HEC?

75 in 2026-27: 35 bachelor's, 25 master's and 15 PhD.

Is HAT required for the Chinese scholarship?

Yes, for master's and PhD through HEC. Bachelor's applicants need USAT. The minimum was 50 out of 100.

Does the scholarship pay my air ticket?

No. HEC's financial coverage page says travel is borne by the awardee.

What is the age limit?

Under 25 for bachelor's, under 35 for master's and under 40 for PhD.

Can HEC help with a Type B application?

No. HEC says it handles only Type A, and Type B applicants are responsible for their own applications.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 29 September 2026. The 75 seats, the 5 January 2026 deadline, HEC's Type A role, the Type B disclaimer and the CSCA rule are read on HEC's Chinese Government Scholarship Program 2026-27 page. Eligibility, test rules, HSK levels, the embassy review, the CSC adjustment and withdrawal rules are on HEC's eligibility page. Agency number 5861 is on the how to apply page. Coverage, programme lengths and documents are on HEC's coverage, programmes and documents pages. The age limits, CSCA dates and pre-admission rule are also in the CSC guideline HEC attaches. We could not load campuschina.org, so CSC's Type B details and stipend amounts are not verified.