Fulbright Scholarship Pakistan for Undergraduate Students

No, the Fulbright scholarship in Pakistan is not for a bachelor's degree. USEFP's Fulbright Degree Program funds master's and PhD study in the US, and a master's applicant needs a four-year bachelor's degree (or 16 years of education) first. If you are an undergraduate now, Fulbright is something to plan for during your degree, not to apply to yet.

We read USEFP's pages on 26 October 2026. Below is what they say, what happened to the undergraduate exchange students used to ask about, and the routes that do lead to a US bachelor's.

Who can apply for Fulbright in Pakistan

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), which runs Fulbright here, says:

• Master's: a four-year bachelor's degree, or a bachelor's plus a master's adding up to 16 years of formal education. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. MBA and public policy or administration applicants need two years of relevant work experience.
• PhD: a master's, MPhil or similar degree (18 years of education). Teaching, research or public sector experience in Pakistan is described as highly desirable.
• All fields except clinical medicine.
• GRE General Test with at least 145 in each section, and a higher score in the section closest to your field.
• English: strong spoken and written English; selected candidates take the TOEFL.
• You must be a Pakistani citizen living in Pakistan throughout the process, and willing to study without your family if needed.

USEFP's page doesn't say whether a student in the final year of a bachelor's can apply before the degree is complete, so ask USEFP directly if that is your case. The scholarship covers tuition, required textbooks, airfare, a living stipend and health insurance, and USEFP says the number of awards depends on its budget for the year.

When is the next Fulbright deadline?

USEFP's page shows the Fulbright Degree Program as closed, with the last deadline on 1 April 2026. It doesn't give a date for the next round yet. Our Fulbright page and deadline calendar show the expected timing, but wait for USEFP to announce the round before relying on a date.

What about Global UGRAD?

Global UGRAD was the US exchange that undergraduates in Pakistan used to ask about. USEFP's Global UGRAD page describes it as a one-semester, non-degree exchange at a US university for Pakistani students aged 18 to 24 in the second year of a bachelor's at a Pakistani university, covering tuition, airfare, a stipend and insurance.

The same page lists the programme as closed, with its last deadline on 25 September 2024, and no newer round. So there is nothing to apply to at the moment. If USEFP announces a new round, it will appear on usefp.org, which is the only place to apply. Our Global UGRAD page keeps track of its status.

How undergraduates can still study in the US

A full US bachelor's for a Pakistani student is usually funded by the university, not by Fulbright. Some US colleges give need-based financial aid to international students, and our guide to a bachelor's abroad from Pakistan explains how that works, along with the SAT, IBCC equivalence and other countries' undergraduate scholarships. The Study in the USA guide covers costs, the F-1 visa and the colleges that meet full need.

USEFP also links to EducationUSA Pakistan, the US government's advising network, for help with US admissions.

If you are still in FSc or A levels, our articles on scholarships after FSc Pre-Engineering and after FSc Pre-Medical list options in Pakistan and abroad.

How to prepare for Fulbright while you study

Fulbright decisions come after your degree, but the groundwork happens during it:

• Finish a four-year degree. A two-year BA or BSc alone doesn't meet the 16-year rule; you would need a master's on top.
• Plan the GRE. You need 145 or more in each section. Our GRE guide covers the fee, test centres in Pakistan and free official prep.
• Build your English. Selected candidates take the TOEFL, and essays and interviews are in English.
• Get experience if you want an MBA or public policy degree. Those need two years of relevant work.
• Keep good relationships with teachers. You will need recommendation letters; see how to ask for one.

Apply only through USEFP

Fulbright and every USEFP programme are applied for on usefp.org. No agent or consultant can apply for you or improve your chances, so never pay anyone who promises a Fulbright place. Our guide to avoiding scholarship scams lists the warning signs.

Your next step

If you are an undergraduate, note the requirements above and set a target term for the GRE in your final year. If you have already finished a four-year degree, check USEFP's Fulbright page for the next round and run your profile through our eligibility checker. USEFP's own pages are the final word on dates and rules.