ISLAMABAD: Pakistani students seeking postgraduate education in the United Kingdom will have new opportunities to pursue fully funded master’s degrees under a partnership between the British government’s Chevening programme and Allied Bank Limited (ABL).
Pakistan’s greatest strength is its people. Delighted that @ABLpk is our first local @CheveningFCDO partner, funding two master’s scholarships in the UK each year. A fitting full-circle moment for CEO Aizid Gill, himself a Chevening alumnus. https://t.co/Q3Fr1cyF2v
— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) November 3, 2026
Under the Chevening-ABL Scholarship Programme, two Pakistani scholars will receive fully funded scholarships annually for three academic years, starting from 2027-28, according to a statement issued by the British High Commission.
The selected candidates will pursue master’s degrees in priority fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, economics and financial inclusion, with the aim of developing skills relevant to Pakistan’s future needs.
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Scholarship selection and application timeline
The first two recipients will be selected from the existing pool of applicants for the 2027-28 academic year.
Applications for the 2028-29 Chevening-ABL Scholarships are expected to open in August 2027 as part of the regular Chevening application cycle. Successful candidates will begin their studies at UK universities in 2028.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott welcomed the partnership, saying Pakistan’s greatest strength was its people and expressing hope that the initiative would enable promising future leaders to study at world-leading British universities and bring fresh ideas and expertise back home.
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She particularly highlighted the role of ABL President and Chief Executive Officer Aizid Gill, a former Chevening scholar who completed an MSc in Business Economics at the University of Manchester in 2001.
Marriott said it was especially fitting that a former Chevening scholar was helping open similar educational opportunities for the next generation of Pakistani students. Pakistan has nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni, according to the statement.
Gill said the partnership was aimed at giving talented Pakistanis opportunities to learn, develop professionally and bring their international exposure back home.
He added that Allied Bank was strengthening its commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders by helping them acquire the knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s future.
UK announces fully funded master’s scholarships for Pakistani students. The United Kingdom’s Chevening programme and Allied Bank Limited (ABL) launched a new partnership enabling talented Pakistanis to pursue fully funded master’s degrees at leading UK universities, #Pakistani https://t.co/RtDuTJtBSe
— Aman E Pakistan (@Aman_E_Pakista) November 3, 2026
Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations.
Established in 1983, the programme provides fully funded opportunities for international students to pursue one-year master’s degrees at UK universities, covering tuition fees, living expenses and travel costs.
Read Also: UK Opens Fully Funded Scholarships for Pakistani Students
Nearly 60,000 individuals from more than 160 countries and territories have studied in the UK through the programme.
Chevening alumni from Pakistan are working across several sectors, including education, governance, healthcare, climate change, business and civil society, contributing to professional development and stronger ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
