You want to study abroad but cannot afford the tuition, airfare, and living expenses. A master's degree in the UK costs Rs 3-5 million. The USA is even more expensive. Then you hear about fully funded scholarships where the government or organization pays for everything. But you are unsure which ones are actually open to Pakistanis, what the competition looks like, and how realistic your chances are.
Five major fully funded scholarship programmes actively recruit Pakistani students: Chevening from the UK, Fulbright from the USA, DAAD from Germany, Turkiye Bursları from Turkey, and China Scholarship Council (CSC) from China. Each covers tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.
But eligibility differs, deadlines are scattered throughout the year, and competition is intense. This guide compares all five, explains who qualifies, and walks you through the application process.
For the broader context of all scholarship options available to you, see the complete scholarships guide for Pakistani students.
What 'Fully Funded' Covers - And What It Doesn't
A fully funded scholarship from these international funders covers tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend. But specific inclusions vary by programme.
Component | Always Covered | Sometimes Covered | Never Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuition fees | Yes, fully covered | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Accommodation | Not always included | Yes, housing or allowance | Not generally excluded |
Monthly stipend | Yes, regular stipend | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Airfare | Not always included | Yes, one-way or return varies | Usually not guaranteed |
Health insurance | Yes, covered by the programme | Not applicable | Not generally excluded |
Thesis/research allowance | Not always included | Yes, for some programmes | Usually not provided |
Books and materials allowance | Not always included | Yes, for some programmes | Usually not provided |
Dependent family support | Not provided | Not generally included | No, usually not covered |
Pre-arrival visa fees | Not always included | Yes, for some programmes | Usually not reimbursed |
Read each scholarship's terms carefully. Some cover return airfare annually, others one-way only. Some include thesis allowance, others do not.
Chevening Scholarship - United Kingdom
Funder
UK Foreign Office and participating universities. Prestigious government scholarship for master's degrees.
Coverage
Tuition: 100% of fees at UK universities. Stipend: Monthly living allowance (GBP 1,200-1,400 depending on location). Airfare: Return flight covered. Other: One-time arrival allowance.
Eligibility
Pakistani national or permanent resident
Bachelor's degree completed. Minimum GPA 3.0 (UK 2:1 equivalent)
IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 92
Minimum 2 years full-time work experience after degree
No age limit but preference for ages 25-45
Application Deadline
Annual deadline typically September-October for studies starting the following autumn. Check chevening.org for current cycle deadline.
Difficulty Level
Highly competitive. Multiple rounds. First round is application form. Shortlisted candidates are called for interview. Very selective at interview stage.
Fulbright Scholarship - United States
Funder
US State Department and IIE (Institute of International Education). Bilateral programme between US and Pakistan.
Coverage
Tuition: 100% of fees. Stipend: USD 500-800 monthly (varies by location). Airfare: Return flight. Health insurance: Full coverage.
Eligibility
Pakistani citizen (must have lived in Pakistan minimum 2 years prior to application)
Bachelor's degree minimum. No specific GPA but competitive candidates have 3.2+
TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5
No work experience required but valued in selection
Application Deadline
Annual deadline typically December-January for studies starting in fall. Check fulbright.edu.pk for exact dates.
Difficulty Level
Moderately competitive. Two-stage process: written application then committee interview in Islamabad. Selection committee interviews shortlisted candidates together, discussion-based.
DAAD Scholarship - Germany
Funder
German Academic Exchange Service. Large funding pool with multiple scholarship types.
Coverage
Tuition: 100% covered. (German universities often have no tuition for master's degrees.) Stipend: EUR 861 monthly (approximately PKR 150,000). Health insurance: Covered.
Eligibility
Pakistani citizen
Bachelor's degree. GPA typically 3.0+ (varies by field)
IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 (or German language proficiency for programmes taught in German)
No minimum work experience
Application Deadline
Varies by DAAD programme. Many deadlines fall in December-January. Some programmes have rolling admissions. Check daad.de for all available scholarships and their deadlines.
Difficulty Level
Moderately competitive. Application includes essay, letters of recommendation, and academic record. No interview required for most programmes.
Turkiye Bursları - Turkey
Funder
Turkish Government. Expanding scholarship programme for international students.
Coverage
Tuition: 100% covered. Stipend: USD 200-500 monthly (varies by degree level). Accommodation: On-campus housing provided first year.
Eligibility
Pakistani citizen
Bachelor's degree (for master's) or master's degree (for PhD)
No strict IELTS minimum but proficiency needed. TOEFL 60 or equivalent
No work experience required
Application Deadline
Annual deadline typically February-March for fall intake. Check turkiyeburslari.gov.tr for current cycle.
Difficulty Level
Least competitive among major funders. Larger number of awardees relative to applicants. Application process is straightforward.
China Scholarship Council (CSC) - China
Funder
Chinese Government. Extensive scholarship programme for ASEAN and developing countries including Pakistan.
Coverage
Tuition: 100% covered. Stipend: CNY 2,500-3,500 monthly (approximately PKR 50,000-70,000). Accommodation: On-campus housing provided.
Eligibility
Pakistani citizen
Bachelor's degree (for master's). GPA 3.0+ preferred
No strict English requirement for Chinese-taught programmes. IELTS 5.5 for English-taught programmes
No work experience required
Application Deadline
Varies by university. Many deadlines are April-May for fall intake. CSC publishes university-specific deadlines on their portal.
Difficulty Level
Moderately competitive. Large number of awardees but also high volume of applicants. Application is online through Chinese university portals.
Quick Comparison: Five Fully Funded Scholarships
Scholarship Details and Funding Overview
Scholarship | Country | Monthly Stipend | Min GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
Chevening | UK | GBP 1,200-1,400 | 3.0 |
Fulbright | USA | USD 500-800 | 3.2 (competitive) |
DAAD | Germany | EUR 861 | 3.0+ |
Turkiye Bursları | Turkey | USD 200-500 | Not strict |
CSC | China | CNY 2,500-3,500 | 3.0 |
Eligibility Requirements and Selection Criteria
Scholarship | IELTS Requirement | Work Experience | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
Chevening | 6.5 | 2 years required | High |
Fulbright | 6.5 | None required | Medium |
DAAD | 6.0 | None required | Medium |
Turkiye Bursları | 60 TOEFL | None required | Low-Medium |
CSC | 5.5 (some) | None required | Medium |
The Statement of Purpose - Critical for All Scholarships
All five scholarships require a statement of purpose (SOP) or personal essay. This is your chance to explain why you deserve the scholarship and what you intend to achieve. Quality of SOP directly impacts selection.
See how to write a statement of purpose with real examples for detailed guidance and templates.
English Language Requirements
IELTS or TOEFL scores are required for all scholarships. Minimum scores vary. For comprehensive guidance on IELTS requirements by scholarship type and test costs in Pakistan, see IELTS score requirements for scholarships in Pakistan.
After You Win - Student Visa Process
Winning a scholarship is step one. Obtaining a student visa for your destination country is step two. Visa processes differ significantly by country. For Pakistani students, see student visa process for Pakistani students for country-specific guidance on applications, timelines, and interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I apply for multiple fully funded scholarships at the same time?
Yes. You should apply to multiple scholarships with different deadlines. The more applications you submit, the higher your chances of success. However, once you accept one scholarship, decline others to avoid legal complications.
Q: Which fully funded scholarship is easiest to get for Pakistani students?
Turkiye Bursları and CSC have the lowest competition relative to slots available. Chevening is most competitive. Fulbright and DAAD are moderate.
Q: Do I need work experience for any of these scholarships?
Chevening requires 2 years minimum. Others prefer but do not require it. If you lack work experience, focus on Fulbright, DAAD, Turkiye Bursları, and CSC.
Q: What if my IELTS score is below the requirement?
Some programmes offer conditional acceptance with a required English language programme before master's starts. Some universities also accept TOEFL scores. Check with each university if IELTS is below their minimum.
Q: How long does the full scholarship application and visa process take?
From application submission to arrival abroad typically takes 8-12 months. Application review takes 2-4 months. Visa processing adds another 2-3 months. Plan accordingly.
Q: Can a Pakistani on a fully funded scholarship work part-time?
Varies by country. UK allows students to work 20 hours per week during term. USA is more restrictive. Germany allows unlimited part-time work. Check your destination country's student work regulations.
Start Your Application Today
Check IELTS requirements and timeline for each scholarship at IELTS for scholarships in Pakistan.
Write your statement of purpose using the complete SOP guide with examples.
Explore other scholarship options in our complete scholarships guide.
Apply to multiple scholarships. Set calendar reminders for each deadline.
After selection, prepare for the student visa process for Pakistani students.
Article Details
Category: Scholarship Guides
Published:
Updated:
Author: Kaif
More Stories
Continue Reading
Scholarship Guides
Student Visa Process for Pakistani Students - Complete Guide
Scholarship Guides
IELTS for Scholarships - Score Requirements and Cost in Pakistan
Scholarship Guides