Fully Funded Scholarships to Apply for in 2027: Complete Deadline Calendar
Last updated: 19 September 2026
Studying abroad without paying tuition is realistic, but only for students who apply early and organise their documents well. Most fully funded scholarships have one application window per year, and missing it means waiting twelve months. The most competitive programmes also receive far more applications than they can fund, so timing and preparation matter as much as grades.
This guide covers 11 major scholarships for Pakistani students, with a month-by-month deadline calendar so you can plan your year. Some deadlines are already confirmed. Others are labelled "Expected", meaning they are based on last year's cycle and should be verified on the official website once announced.
What "Fully Funded" Really Means
A fully funded scholarship usually covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, health insurance and airfare. Not all awards are equal. Some pay a generous stipend, while others cover tuition and housing but give only a modest living allowance. Some also require work experience or a commitment to return home after graduation. Always read what is included before you apply.
2027 Deadline Calendar (September 2026 to September 2027)
Confirmed deadlines:
- 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC (4:00 PM Pakistan time): Chevening Scholarship (UK)
- 20 October 2026: Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships (UK), HEC portal deadline
- 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on your course: Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Deadlines that depend on the course or programme:
- Mostly August to November 2026, set by each course: DAAD EPOS Scholarships (Germany)
- Mostly November 2026 to January 2027, set by each programme: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
Expected deadlines (based on last year's dates, so confirm after the official announcement):
- December 2026 to January 2027: Chinese Government Scholarship, HEC route (China). The last HEC deadline was 5 January 2026.
- Mid-January 2027: Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary). The last cycle closed on 15 January 2026.
- 10 January to 20 February: Türkiye Burslari (Turkey), following the official annual calendar
- February to April 2027: Australia Awards (Australia). The last round opened in February and closed on 30 April 2026.
- Early 2027: Fulbright Scholarship (USA). The last deadline was 1 April 2026.
- April to June 2027: MEXT Embassy Recommendation (Japan). The last research scholarship deadline was 26 May 2026.
If you are reading this in September 2026, your most urgent deadlines are Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship, both closing in October.
The Scholarships in Detail
1. Chevening Scholarship (United Kingdom)
Chevening is the UK government's flagship scholarship for a one-year master's degree. The 2027-28 deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC, and you must hold at least one unconditional UK university offer by 8 July 2027. Successful applicants are announced in June 2027.
- Level: Master's
- Requirements: At least two years of work experience (2,800 hours), and a commitment to return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship
- Covers: Full tuition fees (up to a cap) and a monthly living stipend
- Best for: Professionals with leadership experience. Fresh graduates without work experience are not eligible yet.
2. Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships (United Kingdom)
HEC is the national nominating agency for Pakistan and invites applications for full-time taught master's and PhD study at UK universities starting in September or October 2027. Applicants must complete the process required by both HEC and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. The HEC online deadline is 20 October 2026.
- Covers: Full UK tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend
- Tip: Your nominating agency can close applications earlier than the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's own deadline, so check HEC's page first.
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (United Kingdom)
This is a full-cost scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. About 80 scholarships are awarded each year, and around two-thirds go to PhD students. There is no separate form. You apply through the Cambridge graduate portal and indicate that you want to be considered for Gates Cambridge.
- Deadline for Pakistani applicants: 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on your course
- Covers: The University composition fee, a maintenance allowance, airfare at the start and end of the course, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Selection focus: Academic excellence, the fit and quality of your proposed study, leadership capacity and commitment to improving the lives of others
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
These are EU-funded master's programmes delivered by university consortia, so you study in two or more European countries. There is no single deadline for all programmes. Applications are usually submitted between October and January, and 37 new programmes were announced on 16 July 2026, with applications expected to open in autumn 2026 for a September 2027 start.
- Covers: Tuition fees, a living allowance, visa fees and travel costs
- Tip: Results usually arrive three to five months after the deadline, so apply to several programmes.
5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD funds many programmes, and EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) is the most relevant for many Pakistani applicants. There is no single EPOS deadline. Every course sets its own, and most fall between August and November for the following year's intake.
- Requirements: A bachelor's degree (usually four years) and at least two years of professional experience
- How to apply: Apply directly to the course. You may list up to three courses in order of priority.
- Covers: A monthly payment (992 euros for graduates), insurance and, in many cases, a travel allowance
6. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
This is one of the largest scholarship programmes open to Pakistani students, covering bachelor's, master's and PhD levels. Tuition fees are covered and accommodation costs are supported. The living stipend is modest, so plan your budget accordingly.
- Last cycle deadline: 15 January 2026. A similar mid-January deadline is expected for 2027.
- Important: Pakistani applicants must submit on both the Stipendium Hungaricum portal and the HEC portal, or the candidature will not be considered.
7. Chinese Government Scholarship (China)
China offers 75 seats to Pakistani students through HEC (35 bachelor's, 25 master's and 15 PhD), and the last HEC portal deadline was 5 January 2026. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend and medical insurance.
There is also a direct route through Chinese universities. The 2027/28 cycle is expected to open in December 2026, with university and embassy deadlines between January and April 2027. Pakistani applicants using the HEC route face an earlier deadline than the generic March date many guides quote.
8. Türkiye Burslari (Turkey)
Turkey's government scholarship covers all levels, from bachelor's to PhD. Applications run from 10 January to 20 February, with evaluation in March and April, interviews from April to June, and results in early August.
- Covers: Full tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, a flight ticket and a one-year Turkish language course
- Note: Undergraduate applicants must be under 21, and you can list up to 12 programme and university choices.
- Warning: No institution or person is authorised to apply on your behalf.
9. Fulbright Scholarship (United States)
Fulbright funds graduate study in the US for Pakistani students. The last deadline was 1 April 2026, and the award covers tuition, living expenses, insurance and airfare. The last programme was announced in January, so the next call is likely to appear in early 2027.
- Fields: All disciplines except clinical medicine
- Note: PhD awardees must sign a bond with HEC that obliges them to return to Pakistan and serve the country.
10. Australia Awards (Australia)
These are Australian government scholarships for master's study. The 2027 intake closed on 30 April 2026, so the next round is expected to run roughly from February to April 2027.
- Level and fields: Master's level only for 2027, with priority fields of climate change, empowerment of women and girls, agriculture and water security, infrastructure and inclusive economic development
- Covers: Full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance, health cover and a contribution to living expenses
11. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Japan's government scholarship covers airfare, tuition fees, entrance fees and a monthly stipend, and IELTS or TOEFL is not needed to apply. Pakistani applicants apply through the Embassy of Japan. The last research scholarship deadline was 26 May 2026, so expect the next call in spring 2027. There is also a university recommendation route, with deadlines that vary by university.
How to Prepare: A Simple Plan
Now to October 2026: Shortlist three or four scholarships that match your level and experience. Ask two referees early and give them a summary of your achievements. Begin any document attestation now, since it can take weeks.
October to December 2026: Finish your CV, personal statement and study plan. Book your English test (IELTS or TOEFL) if your target programmes require one. For PhD applications, start contacting supervisors.
January to April 2027: Submit early for Türkiye Burslari, Stipendium Hungaricum, CSC, Fulbright and Australia Awards. Portals get very busy in the days before a deadline, and late applications are not accepted.
April to September 2027: Prepare for MEXT and Chevening 2028/29, and update your documents for the next cycle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying on the wrong deadline. Nominating agencies such as HEC can close earlier than the scholarship's official date.
- Writing a generic statement of purpose. Reviewers read hundreds of essays, so be specific about your goals, your course and your plan to contribute after graduation.
- Ignoring eligibility rules. Chevening and DAAD EPOS need work experience, and some scholarships have age limits.
- Paying agents. Official scholarships are free to apply for, so avoid anyone promising guaranteed selection.
- Applying to only one scholarship. Apply to several, and keep backup options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarships can I still apply to right now?
Chevening (until 6 October), Commonwealth (20 October), Gates Cambridge (December or January), Erasmus Mundus programmes, and DAAD EPOS courses with open deadlines.
Are there scholarships for undergraduate students?
Yes. Türkiye Burslari and Stipendium Hungaricum cover bachelor's level, the Chinese Government Scholarship reserves 35 undergraduate seats for Pakistan through HEC, and MEXT runs an embassy-recommendation undergraduate scholarship.
Can I apply to more than one scholarship?
Generally yes, and you should. You can accept only one award, so check each scholarship's rules.
Do I need IELTS?
It depends on the scholarship and the course. Some accept alternatives or waive it, so check each programme's language requirements.
Final Thoughts
Scholarships reward students who start early. Pick a few that match your profile, mark the deadlines on your calendar, and begin gathering your documents well before the portals open. A strong application built over several months will always beat a rushed one.
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