In 2004 Sweden was selected as a country of destination for candidates in Pakistan’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Master and PhD in selected fields.
The scheme is financed and administered by the
Higher Education Commission (HEC). The stated aim of the program is to improve Pakistan’s national research capacity. The Swedish Institute acts as a national program agency in Sweden.
Please note that the Swedish Institute does not accept applications to this program. All inquiries regarding admissions and submissions of applications to the program should be directed to
HEC.
General critieria
Country: This scholarship program is exclusively open to Pakistani nationals that have received a HEC scholarship.
Study levels: Master’s and PhD.
Eligible subjects and programs: The programme is open for studies in all academic subjects.
Scholarship benefits: The scholarship amounts to 900 Euro per month for MA and PhD students.
Program description
The objective of the Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Masters and PhD in selected fields is to promote advancement of universities/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.
Target groups
The program provides students with an opportunity to pursue postgraduate study at Swedish universities within all fields of study.
Who is eligible?
These scholarships are intended for Pakistani nationals pre-selected by the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan. The candidates for Master studies and PhD studies are selected by the Swedish academic institutions based on their academic credentials and the rules and regulations governing higher education in Sweden.
In order to be selected for the scholarship the candidate has to pass a preliminary selection process of the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan. In the initial selection procedure (in Pakistan) the candidates have to fulfill the following criteria:
• Hold a MPhil/MS/ME or equal (18 years)
• Have a result of maximum second division throughout the academic career
• Achievement of not less than 50% marks in their academic career
• Maximum age on October 30, 2009 is 40 years for full time regular faculty members of public sector, Universities/Colleges and employees of the public sector R&D organizations.
In the second part of the selection round the candidates’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills assessed through a local form of a GRE-test (Graduate Record Examination).
Final selection of the scholarship candidates are conducted through interview, which are conducted by a selection committee from the Swedish Institute.
Scholarship benefits and limitations
The scholarship amounts to 900 Euro per month for MA and PhD students. The scholarship is fully financed by the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan.
Travel grants
Scholarship holders receive a travel grant for a trip to and from Sweden.
Insurance
Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.
Scholarship limitation
The scholarship is designed to cover the living costs for the scholarship holder. There are no grants for family members. Bench fees and other academic allowances are generally not provided for.
How to apply
The applications for Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Masters and PhD in selected fields are made directly to the Pakistan
Higher Education Commission (HEC). Inquiries regarding admissions and submission of applications should be made directly to the
HEC. Once accepted you should follow the steps below.
For master’s level studies: Apply for the scholarship while applying to a master’s degree program via www.studera.nu. The deadline for 2010 is January 15th, 2010.
For PhD level studies: The application system varies according to different universities. Those of you that have already been awarded a scholarship from HEC can contact pakistan@si.se in order to receive more information.