Most Pakistani students hunting for fully funded postgraduate places look at the UK, Germany, Turkey or China. Very few look at Colombia. That is partly why the Colombia Scholarship for Foreigners (Beca Colombia para Extranjeros) deserves a serious look. It is run by ICETEX, the Colombian government's student-financing and international scholarship agency, and it pays tuition, a monthly stipend, insurance and a settling-in allowance for specialization, master's and PhD study at participating Colombian universities. You can read the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
There is one big catch, and it shapes everything else in this guide: programs are generally taught in Spanish. No IELTS is required, but that is because English is not the language you will study in. If you are willing to learn Spanish properly, this is one of the more approachable fully funded options in Latin America. If you are not, skip it.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | ICETEX (Instituto Colombiano de Credito Educativo y Estudios Tecnicos en el Exterior), Government of Colombia |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Levels | Specialization (roughly 18 months), master's (around 2 years), PhD (up to about 4 years) |
| Country | Colombia |
| Deadline | Early June, typically around June 5 (Colombia time), with results in mid-June |
| Language test | No IELTS or other English test required |
| Official site | ICETEX internationalization platform |
What ICETEX and the university each pay
The funding comes from two places, and it helps to know which is which. The participating Colombian university waives 100% of your tuition fees for the length of the program. ICETEX then covers your living and practical costs.
- A monthly stipend equal to three Colombian minimum wages
- An installation allowance when you arrive, meant for initial settling-in costs
- Medical and hospital insurance, including repatriation coverage in case of disability or death
- Support and guidance with visa procedures
The stipend is tied to the Colombian minimum wage rather than set as a fixed figure, so its value changes whenever that wage changes. Check the current amount in the official call before you plan your budget. Colombia's cost of living is notably lower than most of North America or Western Europe, which is why three minimum wages can stretch reasonably far in cities like Bogota, Medellin and Cali. Still, do your own sums for the city you pick rather than assuming it will be comfortable.
Notice what is not on the list. The source material does not mention airfare. Plan on paying for your own flight unless the current call says otherwise.
Does a Pakistani graduate qualify?
The rules are written for genuine international applicants. ICETEX wants students building a new academic relationship with Colombia, not people already living there. You need to meet all of these:
- You are not a Colombian citizen and you do not live in Colombia when you apply
- You hold at least a bachelor's degree (or higher if you are applying for a PhD)
- You are under 50 years of age at the time of application
- You are not married to a Colombian national
- You have admission, or are eligible for admission, to a qualifying program at a participating Colombian university
- Your Spanish is good enough for the program you choose
Nothing in these criteria shuts out Pakistani citizens, and the program is described as an approachable option for students from South Asia. Even so, each year's call sets its own terms, so confirm on the official portal that your nationality is covered before you start collecting documents.
The age limit is generous compared with many scholarships, which makes this a realistic option for mid-career professionals. A teacher, engineer or public health worker in their thirties or forties who wants a second degree has a real shot here.
The field question
Eligible fields cover engineering, technology, social sciences, business and economics, health sciences, environmental studies, education, arts and the humanities. In practice almost any background can find a fit. The limit is not your field but whether a participating university offers a suitable program in the current year's call. That list changes, so check it every cycle.
Why Spanish is the real entry requirement
Many Pakistani applicants see "no IELTS required" and assume the language hurdle is gone. It is the opposite. Because most instruction is in Spanish, your Spanish ability affects both your admission and your daily life in Colombia. Lectures, assignments, a thesis, renting a room and seeing a doctor will all happen in Spanish.
The source gives no specific Spanish certificate or level as a requirement. The wording is "sufficient for the chosen program." That leaves room for each university to set its own expectation, so ask your target department directly what they expect and how they assess it. If you are starting from zero, begin basic to intermediate Spanish study well before the call opens. A year of steady work is far better than a panicked few months.
Paperwork to prepare before the call opens
The application is fully online, so everything has to be scanned and ready to upload. You will need:
- The completed application on the ICETEX internationalization platform
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- An updated CV
- Letters of recommendation
- A copy of your valid passport
- A health or medical certificate
- A statement of purpose
Get your documents translated and notarized in advance. Document preparation is often the biggest time sink in this application, and for Pakistani applicants that usually means degree verification as well. Our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide covers the Pakistani side of that process. Ask the host university exactly which translations and certifications they want, since Spanish translations may be expected for some documents.
Your statement of purpose matters more than many applicants think. It should clearly connect your academic background to the field you want to study in Colombia, and ideally say why a Colombian program makes sense for you. A generic statement recycled from a UK application will read badly.
Applying through the ICETEX platform
- Read the current call's list of participating Colombian universities and eligible programs.
- Choose a program. Where required, secure preliminary admission interest from the host university.
- Register on the ICETEX internationalization platform.
- Upload your transcripts, CV, recommendation letters, passport copy, health certificate and statement of purpose.
- Review everything and submit before the deadline. The deadline is in Colombia time, so convert it to Pakistan time and do not leave submission to the final evening.
- Wait for results, typically published within about two weeks of the deadline, then complete enrollment formalities with the university.
Step two is where people stumble. Contact your target university's international office early and confirm that your program is actually part of this year's scholarship call. A program that was included last year may not be included now.
A typical year, from call to classroom
The cycle usually runs like this, though exact dates move from year to year:
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| February-March | The call opens and the list of participating universities and programs is published |
| March-May | University pre-selection: applicants confirm program eligibility with the host university |
| Early June | Application deadline on the ICETEX platform |
| Mid-June | Results announced and enrollment begins |
| July-August | Most Colombian universities start their second semester |
Look at how short the gap is between results in mid-June and classes starting in July or August. That leaves very little time for a visa, travel and accommodation. ICETEX offers visa support, but you should still have your passport valid and your documents in order before results come out. Also be aware that some universities set their own internal sub-deadlines ahead of the national ICETEX date, so apply as early in the window as you can. Confirm the exact deadline for your cycle on the official portal rather than relying on the typical date.
Who should apply, and the mistakes that sink applications
This scholarship suits you if you are open to Latin America, genuinely willing to study in Spanish, and want a fully funded degree in a country that most of your classmates are ignoring. It also suits older applicants who have aged out of other programs. It does not suit someone who wants an English-taught degree or who is only applying because the word "fully funded" caught their eye.
The mistakes that most often cost applicants a place:
- Treating "no IELTS" as "no language requirement" and arriving unable to follow lectures
- Picking a program without checking it is in the current year's call
- Missing a university's internal sub-deadline while watching only the ICETEX date
- Leaving translation and notarization until May
- Not checking the age and marital-status rules before investing time in the application
For a broader view of how this fits with other options, see our scholarships guide for Pakistani students.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ICETEX Colombia scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The university waives 100% of tuition, and ICETEX provides a monthly stipend, medical and hospital insurance, an installation allowance and visa support. Airfare is not listed among the benefits.
Do I need IELTS?
No standardized English test is required. Programs are generally taught in Spanish, so your Spanish ability matters far more than your English score.
How much is the monthly stipend?
It is equal to three Colombian minimum wages. Because it is linked to the minimum wage, the exact amount changes over time. Check the current figure in the official call.
Can I apply if I am over 50?
No. Applicants must be under 50 years of age at the time of application.
Can I apply for a PhD with only a bachelor's degree?
The general rule is at least a bachelor's degree, with a higher degree expected for PhD applicants. Confirm the exact requirement for your PhD program with the host university.
Which universities take part?
The list of participating universities and programs is published each year when the call opens, typically in February or March. Check it on the ICETEX platform or the ICETEX official website.
Before you apply, read the current call on the official ICETEX portal and go through the full scholarship page for the complete details.