For Pakistani applicants, Type A is processed through the sending partner, HEC, which nominates candidates for the CSC scholarship.
STEP 1 — HAT / USAT
Master’s and PhD applicants: prepare for the HAT. Bachelor’s applicants: prepare for the USAT. For Bachelor’s applicants, CSCA is also mandatory where required by the relevant CSC call. A strong HAT/USAT score is important because competition for HEC nomination can be intense. A score of 70+ may be a useful target, but it is not a guarantee or universal cutoff; follow the current HEC call.
STEP 2 — APPLY ON BOTH PORTALS
Complete the application on both the HEC scholarship portal and the CSC Online Application System, following the current scholarship-call instructions. Official starting points: HEC — https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk/ ; CSC — https://studyinchina.csc.edu.cn/ . Confirm the active call and exact portal links before publishing.
STEP 3 — SELECT THREE UNIVERSITIES
Under Type A, applicants may be able to select three Chinese universities according to the current scholarship instructions. Applicants may choose the same or similar program at different universities, or different programs where permitted. The process does not always require independently contacting many universities or professors for acceptance letters. Follow the current call.
STEP 4 — HEC NOMINATION → EMBASSY → CSC
After HEC completes its selection and nomination process, nominated applications are handled through the relevant Chinese Embassy process and forwarded to CSC, subject to the current rules.
STEP 5 — CSC FORWARDS APPLICATION TO UNIVERSITIES
CSC may forward applications to universities according to the applicant’s selected preferences and the applicable process. Universities may review academic documents, research proposal/study plan, recommendation letters, language documents and other required materials. Some universities may conduct an interview.
WHAT IF THE FIRST UNIVERSITY DOES NOT SELECT YOU?
Depending on the applicable CSC process, an application may be considered by the next selected university. If all selected universities decline, additional choices or reassignment may sometimes be possible, but this is not guaranteed. The exact process can vary by year.
THE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE — HEC NOMINATION
For Type A applicants from Pakistan, HEC nomination is a crucial stage. Nomination allows the application to proceed to the next stage; it does not guarantee a final scholarship award.
COMPETITION AND SCORE TARGET
Scholarship seats are limited and competition can be intense. Do not advertise a fixed number of seats or a guaranteed HAT/USAT cutoff unless confirmed by the current official HEC call. A score of 70+ can be presented as a preparation target, not an eligibility guarantee.
Official starting points
HEC scholarship call ↗ · HEC application portal ↗ · CSC application portal ↗
The published HEC call reviewed on 16 October 2026 is for 2026–27. Do not treat its deadline as a future intake deadline. Check HEC for the next active call.