The ICESCO-Uzbekistan Scholarship Programme is a new, fully funded route into a bachelor's degree in Uzbekistan for students from Islamic World member states. Pakistan is a member state of ICESCO (the educational and cultural arm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation), so Pakistani students can apply directly. The catch is size. The first cohort had only five scholarships spread across two universities, which makes this a long shot for anyone, however strong their grades.
This guide covers what the award pays for, which programs are open, how the ICESCO application works and what to check before you commit years of study to it. You can also see the full scholarship details on our scholarship listing.
A new programme built on an ICESCO and Uzbekistan agreement
The programme grew out of a Joint Action Plan signed in Tashkent in May 2025 between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Uzbek government. It was launched in March 2026, and the provider is listed as ICESCO together with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. You can read the ICESCO announcement of the programme for the original wording.
Because it rests on an intergovernmental plan rather than a one-off university offer, there is reason to expect it to continue. Still, only one cycle has run so far. Treat everything about future rounds (dates, seat numbers, partner universities) as unconfirmed until ICESCO publishes the next call.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Level | Bachelor's |
| Host country | Uzbekistan |
| Partner universities (first phase) | Tashkent State Medical University; Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies |
| Seats in first cohort | Five, across both universities |
| Deadline | First cohort closed 15 May 2026; next cycle not yet announced |
| Usual opening | Expected around March (first quarter of the year), to be confirmed |
| Official site | ICESCO international scholarships portal |
Two universities and a short list of programs
In the first phase, the scholarships went to two institutions only.
- Tashkent State Medical University, for its bachelor's program in General Medicine.
- Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies, for bachelor's programs in Environmental and Sustainable Management, Environment and Economics, and Environmental Science and Public Administration.
The medical seat is what most Pakistani families will notice. A fully funded General Medicine degree is rare, and many pre-medical students who miss a government medical college seat at home already look at Central Asia because fees are lower. Here the fees would be covered entirely.
The environmental programs get less attention, and that may work in your favour. If you have a genuine interest in climate, sustainability or public administration, the competition for those seats could be less crowded than for medicine. ICESCO is expected to add partner universities in later cycles, so the program list may look different next time.
What the full funding actually includes
The package is broader than tuition alone. According to the programme details, each scholarship includes:
- Tuition fees covered in full for the whole duration of the bachelor's program
- Free on-campus student housing
- A monthly living stipend
- Health coverage through Uzbekistan's public healthcare institutions
The stipend amount is not stated, so do not plan your budget around a figure you have seen on a forum. Bundled housing and medical cover matter more than they sound. Many scholarships in the region pay tuition and leave you to find a room and pay for treatment yourself. Here those two costs are taken care of, which makes the stipend go further. You will still need money for flights, the visa and your first weeks in Tashkent, so plan for those yourself.
Eligibility for Pakistani applicants
Citizenship of an ICESCO or OIC member state is the core requirement, and Pakistan qualifies. Beyond that, you need:
- Completed secondary education with strong academic standing
- A Biology and Chemistry background if you want the medical track
- The specific admission prerequisites of the university and program you choose
- A valid passport
- Good health, with a medical fitness certificate to prove it
No minimum marks, age limit or language test score is published. That does not mean there is none. "Strong academic standing" and the receiving university's own prerequisites leave room for requirements that only show up in the official call, so read it line by line when it opens. Selection is merit-based and competitive.
Paperwork to get ready before the call opens
The first cycle ran for roughly six weeks, from the March 2026 launch to the 15 May 2026 deadline. That is not much time if your documents still need attestation and translation. Start on these early:
- The ICESCO scholarship application form, filled in on the ICESCO portal
- Secondary school certificate and transcripts, attested and translated as required
- A copy of your valid passport
- Passport-sized photographs
- A medical fitness certificate
- A motivation letter or statement of purpose
Translations may need to be in English or Russian, depending on the receiving institution. Check which one applies to your program before paying a translator. For attestation of your Matric, FSc or A-level documents, our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide walks through the process.
Applying through ICESCO, not the university
Applications go through ICESCO's own portal. You do not apply to Tashkent State Medical University or the environmental university directly, and sending documents to them will not count. The process looks like this:
- Visit the ICESCO international scholarships portal and confirm there is a current open call for the ICESCO-Uzbekistan Scholarship Programme.
- Choose your track: General Medicine at Tashkent State Medical University, or one of the programs at the Central Asian University of Environmental and Climate Change Studies.
- Prepare attested transcripts and certificates, translated into English or Russian as the institution requires.
- Submit the full application online through the ICESCO portal before the stated deadline.
- Reply quickly to any request for extra documents or an interview from ICESCO or the partner university.
- If selected, complete visa formalities with the Embassy of Uzbekistan and arrange your arrival with the host university's international office.
Timing the next cycle
Here is how the first round unfolded:
- May 2025: Joint Action Plan signed in Tashkent
- March 2026: programme launched and first call for applications opened
- 15 May 2026: first cohort deadline
The next call is expected in the first quarter of the year, around March, but no date has been confirmed. Since this pattern rests on a single cycle, check the portal from January onward instead of waiting for March. Scholarship listing sites, including aggregators, may lag behind ICESCO's own page.
Who should go for it, and what to check first
This suits a Pakistani student who has just finished, or is about to finish, intermediate or A-levels with strong results, wants a full bachelor's degree abroad and is open to Central Asia. It also suits someone already set on medicine who would otherwise pay for a self-financed program in the region.
It is a poor bet as your only plan. Five seats across all member states is a tiny number. Apply, but keep your local admissions and other options moving at the same time. Our scholarships guide for Pakistani students lists other routes worth running in parallel.
If you are aiming for the medical track, verify the current PMDC-equivalent recognition status of Tashkent State Medical University before you accept anything. A free degree is not much use if you cannot practise with it later, and recognition can change. Do this check yourself rather than trusting an agent's word.
A few other mistakes are easy to avoid:
- Sending a generic motivation letter. Tie your academic background to the specific Uzbek program you are applying for.
- Leaving attestation and translation until the call opens, when the window may be only weeks long.
- Relying on details from the pilot cohort. Partner universities and seat numbers are expected to change.
- Paying anyone who claims to guarantee a seat. Applications go through ICESCO's portal.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the ICESCO-Uzbekistan Scholarship?
Yes. Pakistan is an ICESCO and OIC member state, and students from all member states are eligible to apply.
Does this scholarship cover MBBS or medicine?
The first cohort included fully funded bachelor's seats in General Medicine at Tashkent State Medical University. Check recognition with the relevant Pakistani authority before committing.
How many scholarships are available?
The first phase offered five scholarships across two partner universities. Future cohorts are expected to expand, but no numbers have been announced.
Is there a fixed stipend amount?
A monthly living stipend is included, but the amount is not published in the programme details available so far. Look for it in the official call.
Where do I apply?
Through ICESCO's international scholarships portal, not directly through the Uzbek universities.
When is the next deadline?
The first cohort closed on 15 May 2026. Later cycles will be announced on the ICESCO portal, with the call expected around the first quarter of the year.
For the latest call and deadline, check the ICESCO international scholarships portal, and keep the ICESCO-Uzbekistan Scholarship Programme page bookmarked for a summary of the details.