Home to many world-class universities with great academic reputations, UK is one of the most popular study destinations in the world. In fact, every year, many students flock there from all parts of the globe with one vision: to pursue their degrees in the UK.
While it’s true that the UK’s world-class education has value for money, students who come from poor economical backgrounds may feel like they are aiming for the impossible. However, this shouldn’t hinder them from realising their dreams, as more and more generous organisations are offering financial aids for deserving students.
And British Council Pakistan is one of them. For years, British Council Scholarships have enabled both Pakistani and international students to get their education in the UK, opening doors to great careers. Below, you can explore some British Council Scholarships that are available for students and professionals who wish to study in the UK.
List of British Council Scholarships for Pakistani students
Meritorious Pakistani students may qualify to apply for the following British Council Scholarships:
1. Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls (Bachelor’s Programme)
The Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls funds graduate studies for Pakistani women in any HEC recognised university across Pakistan. Funded by the Scottish Government, these grants aim to make higher education more accessible to women, supporting them in achieving their potential and ambition.
The scholarships are available for students working through their four-year undergraduate studies in Education, Sustainable Energy, Food Security and Agriculture, and Health Sciences.
Then, British Council will administer the scheme in Pakistan and coordinate with selected scholars and universities, either directly or through nominated university focal persons.
Programme Benefits
Qualifying students will receive the following:
- Tuition fees for courses in eligible fields.
- University hostel costs.
- Travel to and from home to university two times a year for students staying in on-campus hostels.
Eligibility Requirements
As has been stated previously, these scholarships are limited to female applicants only. Additionally, applicants must:
- Be Pakistani nationals currently residing in Pakistan
- Hold a confirmed admission offer from an HEC recognised university in Pakistan
- Be pursuing a four-year bachelor degree in the above-listed subject areas
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their application forms to the official British Council Pakistan website by clicking here. Also, they must provide the following documents: a scanned copy of CNIC and transcripts, proof of admission and/or enrolment at bachelor level and tuition fee form.
In addition, applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications and the accompanying documents before the closing date on 15 September 2021.
2. Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls (Master’s Programme)
Unlike the previous schemes, these scholarships are targeted at Pakistani women pursuing a two-year master’s/MPhil degree in Education, Sustainable Energy, Food Security and Agriculture, Health Sciences and STEM.
Furthermore, British Council will administer the scheme in Pakistan and coordinate with selected scholars and universities either directly or through nominated university focal persons.
Programme Benefits
These schemes will facilitate award-holders with the following:
- Tuition fees for courses in eligible fields.
- University hostel costs.
- Travel to and from home to university two times a year for students staying in on-campus hostels.
Eligibility Requirements
Just like the previous schemes, these scholarships are open to female applications only. Also, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidates are Pakistani nationals currently residing in Pakistan.
- They are pursuing a two-year master’s degree in the above-listed subject areas.
- Applicants must hold a confirmed admission offer from an HEC recognised university in Pakistan.
Interestingly, young women with disabilities and young women from rural areas and/or minority groups are also encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Applications for Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls (Master’s Programme) can be done online.
Applicants must submit their application forms to the official British Council Pakistan website by clicking here. Then, they are also required to submit the following documents: a scanned copy of CNIC and transcripts, proof of admission and/or enrolment at master’s level and tuition fee form.
It is strongly suggested that applicants submit their forms before 15 September 2021.
List of British Council Scholarships for International Students
Meanwhile, international students are encouraged to apply for the British Council Scholarships:
1. Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships are given to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage. As part of the UK’s ongoing commitment to the Commonwealth, each year around 800 students are given the chance to undertake postgraduate degrees with UK universities.
If you are from a Commonwealth country and believe you could make a difference to the world but you can’t afford to fund your UK studies on your own, then you could be the ideal candidate for a Commonwealth Scholarship.
There are eight types of Commonwealth Scholarships, including:
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states)
- Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low- and middle-income countries)
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for high-income countries)
- Commonwealth Medical Fellowships
- Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
Programme Benefits
These scholarships are fully funded, which means that, as well as covering your tuition fees, you will also receive your airfare to and from the UK, and a living allowance to support you while you are there.
Eligibility Requirements
Generally, to apply for a Commonwealth Scholarship, you must be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country. You will still be eligible if you are a refugee or British protected person.
Also, you need to have an undergraduate honour degree of at least upper second class (2:1). If you wish to study for a PhD, you will need an appropriate master’s degree too. Finally, you must be unable to afford to study in the UK without a scholarship.
How to Apply
Depending on which scholarship you are applying for, you may need to apply through a National Nominating Agency, a university or a Non-Governmental Organisation.
Basically, to begin your online application, you’ll need a scanned copy of your passport, your academic transcript, your existing university degree certificate, two references and, if you have one, your admission letter.
Annual deadlines for applications are usually in December. However, it’s safe to check the page of the scholarship you are interested in at the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website to see dates when they are announced for the future period.
2. Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust (CWPT)
Charles Wallace Pakistan Trust is a charitable trust that mainly revolves its work around educational development by minimising its administrative expenditure. The trust is supportive to the Pakistani students in acquiring higher studies of doctoral and fellowship level.
The whole scholarship procedures and grants are administered by the British Council. The duration for grants vary; it is a year for doctoral-level and three weeks to three months for reserved fellowships and visiting artists.
Programme Benefits
Below are the amounts of funds given for each scholarship:
- £1,000 for doctoral students.
- Monthly stipend of £1,450, return airfare and United Kingdom visa costs for reserved fellowship students, open fellowship students and visiting artists.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the CWPT, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Students are citizens of Pakistan.
- Candidates applying for the doctoral fellowship must be in the final year of their PhD and have excellent academic skills.
- Applicants applying for open fellowship are required to be a junior or in their mid-careers especially those aged between 30 to 50.
- Visiting artists must be familiarised with art forms, visual arts and modern arts. Also, they must be recent graduates of the National College of Arts Lahore or a VASL Pakistan member.
How to Apply
You will need the following documents to apply for the CWPT:
- Latest CV
- Letter of purpose
- Scanned copy of transcripts
Then, submit the above-mentioned documents alongside your application form to the official British Council Pakistan website. Sadly, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the programme has been temporarily halted, and the council hopes to resume it again from next year.
3. Chief Minister Faculty Development Programme for Faculty of Public Sector Colleges in Punjab
The British Council has been supporting the Government of Punjab since 2014 in the capacity development of its college faculty through the Chief Minister’s Faculty Development Programme.
The scholarship focuses on enhancing the professional knowledge and skills of college faculty by providing them with an opportunity to study in the UK through this scholarship programme. Since 2014, six faculty members from Punjab have completed their master degrees from the UK and 6 others are in the process of completing it.
Programme Benefits
The fully-funded scholarship will cover the university tuition fees, return airfare, living stipend, cost of books, research allowance and health insurance. This cost may vary from country, university, and discipline wise.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be permanent students of Faculty of Public Sector colleges in Punjab
- Have a bachelor or master degree or 16 years of education to his/her credit
- Be 50 years of age in maximum
However, preference will be given to those who already have secured admission in QS Top Ranking 300 institutions as per the ranking of 2016-2017.
How to Apply
Applicants must send completed application forms and necessary documents to the Punjab Higher Education Commission on or before the deadline. The required documents include:
- Copies of transcripts
- A copy of CNIC
- Appointment letter
- Latest CV
- A valid admission letter
