Studying at reputable foreign universities can appeal to anyone with a thirst for knowledge. This bodes well for Pakistani students if the universities offer fee waivers and scholarships to international students. According to UNESCO statistics, nearly 64,604 Pakistani students are currently studying abroad. This figure reflects a 17.2 percent rise from the previous year. Additionally, the USA has been the greatest destination for Pakistani students wishing to pursue higher studies at international universities, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia. This can be attributed to diverse educational offerings, high academic standards, a welcoming atmosphere, and low tuition fees at public sector universities.
Top Universities Offering Scholarships for International Students in the UK
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is among the top universities in the world and ranks 2nd in the 2024 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. The university offers special scholarships for Pakistani students through the Oxford Pakistan Program (OPP). This program aims to enhance the representation of Pakistani students while promoting exchange and collaboration. The OPP is the largest privately owned scholarship supporting eleven exceptional scholars from a broad spectrum of academic domains.
The University of Southampton
The University of Southampton, located in the United Kingdom, ranks 11th in the UK and 80th globally. Around 500 Pakistani students are pursuing their education there owing to the strong research programs and diverse courses. The university also offers scholarships namely the Great Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship for international students. The Great Scholarship offers a stipend of £10,000 for master’s programs. On the other hand, up to £10,000 or 100% tuition fee coverage is given to the candidates pursuing PhD through the Presidential Scholarship.
The University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is also one of the top public universities in Glasgow, United Kingdom. It ranks 78th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Approximately 400 Pakistani students are pursuing their degrees there. The scholarships that are offered and can be sought by Pakistanis are the Chancellor’s Award and the Great Scholarship. The Chancellor Award offers a stipend of £5,000 for starting a one-year postgraduate taught master’s program in any discipline. On the other hand, the Great Scholarship offers a stipend of £10,000 for Pakistani students pursuing one-year taught postgraduate courses in specific subjects, including justice, law, science, and technology.
The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester ranks 34th globally and 6th in the UK according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. Approximately, 225 Pakistani students are currently studying there. The university is providing more than 100 merit-based undergraduate scholarships of up to £24,000 (£8,000 per year over three years) to South Asian students. In addition, it offers 230 merit-based master’s scholarships encompassing a stipend of £8,000 to international students.
The University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham ranks 85th globally and 12th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Around 400 Pakistani students are concurrently pursuing degrees, mainly in business administration and engineering programs. The university also offers a stipend of £2,500 solely to Pakistani students who want to apply to undergraduate programs.
Top International Scholarship Universities in the US
Harvard University
Harvard University ranks 4th in the QS World University Rankings, and 1st in the U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities. The university is exceptionally known for offering need-based and merit-based scholarships for both international graduates and undergraduates. While the estimates of the number of Pakistani students enrolled there are not enlisted, the Harvard College Pakistani Students Association (HCPSA), encompassing a vibrant community of Pakistani students, can be a better destiny for young scholars from Pakistan.
Yale University
Yale University located in New Haven, United States ranks 23rd in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The university also offers need-based financial scholarships covering all the academic expenditures that can be availed by Pakistani students. This can vary significantly, from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year, with the average scholarship exceeding $50,000.
The University of California
The University of California, a prominent public sector university located in the USA ranks 12th in QS World University Rankings 2025. In addition, it ranked 5th among public universities in the U.S. News and World Report. The university offers merit-based scholarships, namely the “Regents Scholarship,” awarding a total of $20,000 over four years. It also offers merit-based scholarships with an amount varying on merit and needs.
Other Universities Offering Scholarships for Pakistani Students
The University of Toronto in Canada
The University of Toronto is a leading global institution, ranking 25th in the QS World University Rankings and 4th in the National Taiwan University rankings. The university also offers scholarships, namely the International Scholar Awards. These are provided upon admission and have a value of over $100,000.
The University of Warwick in Germany
The University of Warwick, located in Coventry England, ranks 64th in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Additionally, it also Ranked 7th among the UK research universities in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, with 92% of its research considered “world-leading” or “internationally excellent.” It also offers a scholarship worth up to £10,000 each through the Warwick Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme. In addition, the university also offers an exchange program for undergraduate students.
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne, located in Australia, ranks 13th in the QS World University Rankings. Approximately, 1,500 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in different programmes. The scholarships offered by the institute include the Graduate Research Scholarships, awarding full tuition fee waiver, and a living allowance of $37,000 per year. Additionally, the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship is merit-based covering up to $10,000 in tuition fees. This is particularly true for academically performing students. Furthermore, the Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship is particularly for postgraduate students, offering up to $120,000 for study, travel, and living expenses.
Conclusion
The growing number of Pakistani students studying abroad is a reflection of the global appeal of higher education. This is facilitated by various opportunities available through scholarships and fee waivers provided by international universities for Pakistani students. By choosing universities that align with their academic goals and financial needs, Pakistani students can access world-class education.
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Qirat Mirza is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in international relations from International Islamic University Islamabad. She is also a writer for Modern Diplomacy, International Affairs Forum, Pakistan Today, KIIR, CISS AJK, and Pak Observer. Recently, she completed a six-week internship at the Kashmir Institute of International Relations and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) to foster her academic insights and gain practical experience.