Last checked: 7 October 2026. The 2027-28 call has not been officially confirmed. The pattern below comes from earlier calls, so verify it on the official pages.
The Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship, run by Hungary with the Tempus Public Foundation, lets students from partner countries study bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and some single-cycle programmes at Hungarian universities. Pakistan is a partner country, and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) nominates Pakistani applicants. The cycle normally opens in the autumn and closes in mid-January.
Key facts for Pakistani applicants
| Scholarship provider | Government of Hungary, coordinated by Tempus Public Foundation |
|---|---|
| Pakistan’s sending partner | Higher Education Commission (HEC) |
| Levels | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and some single-cycle programmes |
| Usual deadline | 15 January. HEC has closed its portal at 4:00 pm Pakistan time on that date in recent years |
| Expected 2027-28 opening | Around November 2026 (not yet confirmed) |
| Application cost | Free. HEC states there is no fee or challan |
The golden rule: apply on two portals
Applying on only one portal means automatic rejection. You must complete both:
- The Hungarian application system at apply.stipendiumhungaricum.hu.
- The HEC scholarship portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk, where you select the Hungarian scholarship programme.
Fill in every field on both forms. HEC has warned that incomplete forms are not processed, and an HEC application cannot be edited after submission.
Eligibility basics
- Pakistani or AJK citizenship.
- Master’s: a completed 16-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Students awaiting results have been allowed to apply, with final documents due before a set date in summer.
- PhD: a master’s, MS or MPhil, or equivalent.
- Test score: in earlier calls HEC asked for a minimum of 50 out of 100 in the HAT or USAT test. Register for tests at the HEC Educational Testing Council.
- English proficiency evidence if your chosen programme asks for it.
What the scholarship usually covers
The scholarship generally gives you free tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support or a dormitory place, and medical insurance. The amounts are decided each year, so check the official call before budgeting.
Step-by-step plan
- November to December: Use the programme finder on the Stipendium Hungaricum site to list courses and universities. Not every field is available every year.
- Prepare documents: degrees, transcripts, passport or CNIC as requested, motivation letter, CV, language certificate and recommendation letters if required. Compress large scans with our image compressor.
- Write your motivation letter carefully. See our tips on writing a winning scholarship essay.
- Take the HAT or USAT if you do not have a valid score.
- Submit on both portals at least several days before the deadline.
- Wait for HEC nomination, then for the Hungarian university decision.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the second portal.
- Choosing a programme that is not offered to Pakistan that year.
- Uploading blurry scans or the wrong document type.
- Waiting for the final day when the HEC system is busiest.
FAQ
Is Stipendium Hungaricum fully funded?
It covers tuition, a stipend, accommodation support and insurance, though the details change by year and level.
Can I apply with an awaiting result?
In past calls yes, as long as you submit the final documents before the stated date. Check the new call for the exact rule.
What other scholarships close sooner?
The Commonwealth Scholarship closes on 20 October 2026, and Türkiye Burslari usually opens in January.
Official sources: Stipendium Hungaricum and HEC Pakistan.
