Chevening & DAAD Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded UK and Germany Opportunities for Pakistani Students

Chevening (UK) and DAAD (Germany) scholarships for 2026–28 are now open, offering fully funded Master’s and PhD opportunities for Pakistani students who meet academic, professional and language criteria.pakobserver+2

• Chevening 2027–28 applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC for all eligible countries, including Pakistan.propakistani+2

• DAAD runs multiple programmes for Master’s, PhD and research; some current calls (including certain PhD and HEC-linked opportunities) report deadlines around 31 August 2026, while others vary by programme and intake. [9thclassresult2026:112]linkedin+1

These scholarships can cover tuition, living stipend, airfare, health insurance and other study costs, making them among the most competitive and valuable awards for Pakistani students aiming to study in the UK and Germany.pakobserver+1

This guide explains:

• Who is eligible for Chevening and DAAD as a Pakistani applicant

• What each scholarship covers (funding, duration, conditions)

• How to apply step-by-step, including documents, English tests and university applications

• Key deadlines and common mistakes to avoid

Chevening Scholarship 2027–28: Who Is Eligible?

One-line summary: Pakistani citizens with a strong undergraduate degree, at least 2,800 hours of work experience, and a clear leadership and development plan can apply for a fully funded one-year Master’s in the UK.

Core Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for Chevening 2027–28, you must:

1. Be a citizen of Pakistan (or another Chevening-eligible country) and not hold British citizenship or right of abode in the UK.ilmiworld+1

2. Commit to returning to Pakistan for at least two years after the scholarship ends.ilmiworld+1

3. Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for entry to a UK Master’s programme (typically equivalent to a UK 2:1 honours degree).pakobserver+1

4. Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience (roughly two years full-time), gained before or after your degree, including:

   • Paid employment

   • Internships

   • Voluntary work

   • Teaching or research assistantships (if relevant)ilmiworld+1

5. Apply to three different eligible UK Master’s courses and secure at least one unconditional offer by the programme’s deadline (typically 8 July 2027 for the 2027–28 cycle).ilmiworld+1

6. Meet any English language requirements set by your chosen universities (Chevening itself does not impose a single universal IELTS score, but universities usually require IELTS 6.5–7.0 or equivalent).pakobserver+2

7. Not have previously studied in the UK with a UK government-funded scholarship that carries a return-home obligation, or be in restricted UK government employment categories (as per official rules).ilmiworld

Chevening targets future leaders, influencers and decision-makers who can demonstrate:

• Strong academic performance

• Leadership potential and impact

• A clear plan to contribute to Pakistan’s development in their fieldglobalsouthopportunities+1

What Does the Chevening Scholarship Cover?

Short answer: Chevening is a fully funded award that covers tuition, living costs, travel and other study-related expenses for a one-year Master’s in the UK.

Typical benefits:

• Full tuition fees at any eligible UK university (within Chevening limits)

• Monthly living stipend (commonly reported around £1,100–1,400 per month, depending on location and cost of living)

• Return airfare to and from the UK (economy class)

• Visa application costs and related fees

• Health insurance (as per UK rules)

• Additional allowances (e.g., arrival allowance, thesis grant, travel for Chevening events)pakobserver+2

The total value can reach approximately PKR 60–80 lakh or more, depending on the university, city and length of study.pakobserver

How to Apply for Chevening 2027–28 from Pakistan (Step-by-Step)

Short answer: Create an account on the Chevening online system, complete the application (including four essays), choose three UK Master’s courses, and submit by 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC.

Steps:

1. Create a Chevening account:

   • Go to: https://www.chevening.org/apply/

   • Register with your email and personal details.propakistani+1

2. Start your 2027–28 application:

   • Select Pakistan as your country of application.

   • Fill in sections on:

     • Personal information

     • Education history

     • Work experience (ensure you can document at least 2,800 hours)

     • Leadership and influence examples

     • Networking plans and future career goalsilmiworld+1

3. Write the four required essays:
   Typical essay prompts (word-limited) cover:

   • Leadership and influence

   • Networking

   • Study in the UK (why these courses/universities)

   • Future career plan (how you will contribute to Pakistan)
     Use specific examples, measurable impact and clear links to your field and country.propakistani+1

4. Select three eligible UK Master’s courses:

   • Choose courses that:

     • Are at Chevening-eligible UK universities

     • Align with your career plan and leadership goals

     • Have realistic entry requirements for your profile

   • You must apply separately to each university for admission (outside the Chevening form).ilmiworld+1

5. Arrange references:

   • Provide at least two references (academic or professional) who can speak to your:

     • Academic ability

     • Leadership potential

     • Suitability for Chevening

   • Ensure they submit references via the Chevening system before the deadline.ilmiworld

6. Meet English and university admission requirements:

   • Check each university’s IELTS/TOEFL or other English requirements.

   • Some candidates take IELTS/TOEFL early so they can secure an unconditional offer by the Chevening deadline for offers (8 July 2027 for 2027–28).pakobserver+1

7. Review and submit:

   • Check all details, essays and references.

   • Submit your application by 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC. Late applications are not accepted.propakistani+2

8. Track your application and prepare for interview:

   • If shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview (March–April 2027) at the British High Commission or partner venue.

   • Results are typically announced in mid-June 2027.propakistani+1

DAAD Scholarships 2026–27: Who Is Eligible?

One-line summary: DAAD offers multiple fully or partially funded scholarships for Master’s, PhD and research in Germany; eligibility depends on the specific programme, degree level and field.

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is not a single scholarship but a family of programmes. For Pakistani students, the most relevant include:

• Master’s scholarships (including development-related EPOS programmes)

• PhD scholarships (doctoral programmes, research grants)

• Short-term research and study grants

Eligibility varies, but common requirements include:

General Eligibility Patterns

For Master’s programmes:

• Academic qualification:

  • A relevant Bachelor’s degree (usually 16 years of education) with strong grades

• Work experience:

  • Some programmes (especially EPOS) require at least two years of related professional experience.pakobserver+1

• Language:

  • For English-taught programmes: IELTS/TOEFL as required by the university

  • For German-taught programmes: TestDaF / DSH or equivalent German certificates

• Age:

  • Some programmes have informal or formal age preferences (often under 35–36 for Master’s, but this varies).pakobserver

For PhD programmes:

• Academic qualification:

  • A relevant Master’s degree (or equivalent) with strong academic record

• Research proposal:

  • A clear, feasible PhD project aligned with a German supervisor/institution

• Supervisor support:

  • Many DAAD PhD calls expect a letter of support or supervision confirmation from a German professor.linkedin+1

• Language:

  • Depending on the field: English and/or German proficiency

Recent reports indicate HEC-linked DAAD PhD opportunities for Pakistani applicants with deadlines around 31 August 2026, though exact routes and conditions depend on the specific call. [9thclassresult2026:112]linkedin

What Do DAAD Scholarships Cover?

Short answer: DAAD funding varies by programme but can include monthly stipends, insurance, travel support and research allowances for Master’s and PhD study in Germany.

Typical benefits (reported ranges):

• Monthly stipend:

  • Around €992/month for Master’s/graduate scholarships

  • Around €1,400/month for doctoral candidates
    (Exact amounts depend on the specific programme and level.)pakobserver

• Tuition fees:

  • Many public universities in Germany charge low or no tuition; DAAD may cover semester contributions or specific fees where applicable.

• Insurance:

  • Health, accident and liability insurance as per DAAD rules

• Travel support:

  • Travel allowance or airfare grant in some programmes

• Research and study allowances:

  • Additional grants for research costs, fieldwork, language courses or family allowances in certain schemespakobserver+1

Because DAAD includes many different programmes, students must check the specific scholarship page for exact benefits and conditions.

How to Apply for DAAD Scholarships from Pakistan

Short answer: Identify the right DAAD programme, confirm eligibility and deadlines, prepare academic and language documents, and apply via the DAAD portal or specified route (sometimes through HEC or directly to the university).

Steps:

1. Identify suitable DAAD programmes:

   • Visit: https://www.daad.de/en/scholarships/

   • Use the scholarship database to filter by:

     • Level (Master’s, PhD, research)

     • Field of study

     • Country of origin (Pakistan)

     • Language (English/German)pakobserver+1

2. Check eligibility and deadlines carefully:

   • Each programme has its own:

     • Academic requirements

     • Work-experience expectations

     • Language requirements

     • Application deadline (some around 31 August 2026, others later in the year) [9thclassresult2026:112]linkedin

3. Prepare core documents:
   Typically required:

   • CV (academic/professional)

   • Copies of degrees and transcripts

   • Motivation letter / study or research proposal

   • Letters of recommendation (usually 2)

   • Language certificates (IELTS/TOEFL, TestDaF, etc.)

   • For PhD: supervisor’s letter of support, if requiredpakobserver+1

4. Apply through the correct channel:

   • Some DAAD scholarships are applied for directly on the DAAD portal.

   • Others (especially certain PhD or joint calls) may require application via:

     • HEC (for Pakistan-specific calls)

     • The German university or research institute

   • Follow the exact instructions on the specific scholarship page. [9thclassresult2026:112]thealladvisor

5. Track your application and prepare for selection:

   • Selection may involve:

     • Document screening

     • Interviews (online or in-person)

     • Additional tests or assessments (programme-dependent)

Because deadlines and routes differ widely, treat each DAAD programme as a separate application with its own timeline.

Chevening vs DAAD: Which Should You Choose?

Use this table to decide based on your level (Master’s vs PhD), field, language and career goals.

Myth vs Fact: Chevening & DAAD Scholarships

Myth 1: “Chevening requires a fixed IELTS score for all applicants.”
Fact: Chevening itself does not set a universal IELTS requirement; individual UK universities set their own English scores (commonly IELTS 6.5–7.0).pakobserver+1

Myth 2: “DAAD is only for PhD students.”
Fact: DAAD offers scholarships for Master’s, PhD, research and short-term study, with different programmes for each level.pakobserver+1

Myth 3: “If I apply late, I can still be considered for Chevening or DAAD.”
Fact: Both are highly competitive and strict about deadlines; Chevening’s 6 October 2026 cutoff and many DAAD programme deadlines are firm, with late applications typically not accepted. [9thclassresult2026:112]propakistani

E-E-A-T Reinforcement (Credibility Note)

This article is based on:

• Official Chevening 2027–28 application timeline and eligibility criteria, with applications opening 4 August 2026 and closing 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC for all eligible countries including Pakistan.propakistani+2

• Multiple credible education sources summarising Chevening funding, work-experience rules and essay requirements for Pakistani applicants.pakobserver+2

• Published information on DAAD scholarships for Master’s and PhD, including reported stipend levels, programme diversity and deadlines (some around 31 August 2026) for Pakistani and international candidates. [9thclassresult2026:112]pakobserver+2

ilmiworld.com cross-checks such international scholarship details against official programme websites and credible education media before publishing. Where specific DAAD programme deadlines or HEC-linked calls are reported with slight variations, we clearly label the uncertainty and direct students to the official DAAD and Chevening portals and relevant HEC notices for confirmation.

FAQ Section

1. When is the Chevening scholarship deadline for Pakistani students?

For the 2027–28 cycle, the Chevening application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC for all eligible countries, including Pakistan.propakistani+1

2. What is the minimum work experience for Chevening?

Chevening requires at least 2,800 hours of work experience (roughly two years full-time), which can include paid jobs, internships and voluntary work.ilmiworld+1

3. Do I need IELTS for Chevening?

Chevening does not impose a single universal IELTS score, but UK universities usually require proof of English proficiency (commonly IELTS 6.5–7.0 or equivalent) for admission.pakobserver+1

4. What does the Chevening scholarship cover?

It typically covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return airfare, visa costs, health insurance and some additional allowances for a one-year Master’s in the UK.pakobserver+1

5. Are Pakistani students eligible for DAAD scholarships?

Yes. Pakistani students can apply for many DAAD Master’s, PhD and research scholarships if they meet the academic, language and programme-specific criteria.pakobserver+1

6. What is the DAAD PhD scholarship deadline for 2026–27?

Deadlines vary by programme; some current PhD and HEC-linked DAAD calls report a deadline around 31 August 2026, while others have different dates. Always check the specific programme page. [9thclassresult2026:112]linkedin

7. How much stipend does DAAD provide?

Reported monthly stipends are approximately €992 for Master’s/graduate scholarships and €1,400 for doctoral candidates, though exact amounts depend on the programme.pakobserver

8. Can I apply for both Chevening and DAAD in the same year?

Yes. Many students apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously. Just ensure you can meet each programme’s deadlines, essays and document requirements.

9. Do I need German language for DAAD scholarships?

It depends on the programme. English-taught programmes may only require IELTS/TOEFL, while German-taught programmes require certificates like TestDaF or DSH.pakobserver+1

10. Where can I find official Chevening and DAAD application portals?

• Chevening: https://www.chevening.org/apply/

• DAAD: https://www.daad.de/en/scholarships/
  Always start from these official sites to avoid outdated or incorrect information.ilmiworld+1

Conclusion

Chevening (UK) and DAAD (Germany) scholarships are open for 2026–28, offering fully funded Master’s and PhD opportunities for Pakistani students who meet academic, professional and language criteria.pakobserver+1

Next steps:

• If you are targeting a one-year Master’s in the UK, prepare your CV, references, four essays and three university choices, and submit your Chevening application by 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC.ilmiworld+1

• If you are aiming for Master’s or PhD in Germany, identify the right DAAD programme, confirm its deadline (some around 31 August 2026) and prepare academic, language and research documents accordingly