Pakistan Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Masters and PhD

Since November 2004 the Swedish institute is administering a scholarship programme for studies at Master and PhD level for Pakistani nationals. The programme is fully financed by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC). The objective of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Masters and PhD in selected fields is to promote advancement of universities and institutes of higher learning in Pakistan. The aim of the program is to strengthen Pakistan’s national research capacity through educational cooperation between Pakistan and Sweden.

The Higher Education Commission is responsible for the funding and conditions of the scholarship program and the Swedish Institute is responsible for the implementation of the program in Sweden and the annual monitoring of the study progress of the students. The scholarship amounts to 900 Euro per month. The scholarship is extended annually up to a maximum period of 24 months for master studies and 48 months for PhD studies, under the condition that the students fulfil the requirements for the scholarship and requirements for studies in Sweden. In return, the scholarship holders sign an agreement with the HEC to return to Pakistan after a successfully completed study period to work in Pakistan. Failure to comply with this agreement makes it incumbent on the graduates to repay the scholarship.

RECEIVING ACADEMIC INSTITUTION

For PhD studies the recipient academic institution shall provide a supervisor, a research position and provide guidance in finding accommodation. The PhD candidate is wholly responsible for financing her/his accommodation during the period of study.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The scholarship programme is advertised nationwide in Pakistan and open for study in all academic disciplines. Other countries included in the scholarship scheme are Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and the United States.

The selection procedure for applicants is carried out in two steps. Firstly, the candidate must fulfil the following criterion laid out by the HEC:

• MPhil/Ms/ME or equal
• Maximum two second division throughout the academic career
• Not less than 50% marks in academic career
• Maximum 40 years of age on the year of applying

In the second step all applicants undergo a preliminary selection process in Pakistan, including scrutiny of academic credentials and language testing through a GRE-type (Graduate Record Examination General Test) a test which assesses general academic competence and language skills. The results of this test can be found on the HEC website. Pre selected candidates are finally called to interviews conducted by representatives from the Swedish institute and the HEC. Please note that the interviews carried out by the SI/HEC appreciation of the candidate’s language skills and motivation for study in Sweden are not assessments of the applicant’s academic credentials. The final selection is subject to rules and regulations governing higher education in Sweden and is the sole responsibility of Swedish academic institutions.

In order to qualify for the interview procedure the student must have either have gained admission to master level studies in Sweden or have provided a ’conditional offer form’ from a Swedish academic institution for studies at PhD level.

Deadline for submitting a conditional offer form for PhD-studies is May 1 2008 for studies beginning fall 2008 and November 1 respectively for studies beginning the following spring 2009. The application for master level study programs is done through the webpage www.studera.nu

For further information please contact: Pakistan@si.se.

Further Information

Scholarship Tags: Master's, overseas, Pakistan, PhD, Scheme, Scholarship