The University of Oxford Scholarships 2027 provide fully funded opportunities for outstanding international students to pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the United Kingdom. The Reach Oxford Scholarship covers undergraduate course fees, living expenses, and one return flight each year, while the Clarendon Scholarship covers full graduate course fees and provides an annual living grant. The Rhodes Scholarship also funds postgraduate study at Oxford, including course fees, a living stipend, visa costs, a health surcharge, and flights. These scholarships follow three different application routes: Reach Oxford can only be applied for after receiving an undergraduate offer, Clarendon consideration is automatic when you submit your graduate application by the relevant funding deadline, and Rhodes requires a separate application through an eligible geographical constituency. In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the University of Oxford Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
There is no single scholarship application covering every University of Oxford student. Undergraduate applicants must first compete for admission before applying for Reach Oxford; most graduate applicants are considered automatically for Clarendon, and Rhodes applicants normally apply to the Rhodes Trust before submitting their Oxford course application. Understanding which process applies to you is important because missing the correct admission or constituency deadline can also end your scholarship eligibility.
Related Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK
- Clarendon Scholarship
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK
- Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
University of Oxford Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master’s / DPhil (PhD)
- Institution: University of Oxford
- Study Destination: United Kingdom
- Courses Offered: Most undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the University of Oxford
- Program Period: Two to four years, depending on the scholarship and degree
The three University of Oxford scholarships covered in this guide are:
- Clarendon Scholarship
- Reach Oxford Scholarship
- Rhodes Scholarship
University of Oxford Scholarships Deadline
The application deadline depends on the scholarship and your chosen Oxford course.
Clarendon Scholarship Deadline
There is no separate Clarendon Scholarship deadline or application form. To be considered, you must submit a complete application for an eligible master’s or DPhil course by the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 funding deadline shown on the course page.
Almost all Oxford graduate courses use a December or January deadline for scholarship consideration. Applications submitted only for a March or later deadline are generally not considered for Clarendon or most other Oxford graduate scholarships. Your application must normally include all mandatory documents and at least two submitted references before the course deadline.
Because the exact date differs between courses, applicants should check the deadline listed on the official Oxford graduate courses page.
Reach Oxford Scholarship Deadline
Students applying for undergraduate entry in October 2027 must submit their Oxford admission application through UCAS by:
- Oxford admission deadline: October 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM UK time
Oxford will release undergraduate admission decisions on January 12, 2027. Only students who receive an Oxford offer can apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship.
The separate Reach Oxford Scholarship deadline for 2027 entry has not yet been announced. Oxford states that the application instructions and deadline for 2027 entry will be published on the official Reach Oxford page in January 2027. Applicants should not use the February 4, 2026 deadline from the previous cycle as the confirmed 2027 deadline.
Rhodes Scholarship Deadline
Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 are open for students beginning their Oxford studies in October 2027.
Rhodes deadlines are set separately by each geographical constituency and generally fall between July and October 2026. For example, the 2027 deadlines include August 5, 2026, for Pakistan, August 11, 2026, for Australia, and October 7, 2026, for the United States. Applicants must use the Rhodes eligibility checker to identify the correct constituency and local closing date.
The Rhodes Trust has suspended the Global Rhodes Scholarships for applicants who do not qualify through an existing constituency. Students should therefore confirm that they meet the nationality, residency, or education requirements of a named Rhodes constituency before preparing an application.
University of Oxford Scholarship Coverage
Clarendon Scholarship
The Clarendon Fund awards more than 200 new fully funded graduate scholarships each year.
For full-time master’s and DPhil students, the scholarship provides:
- Full payment of University of Oxford course fees
- An annual grant for living expenses
- Funding for the normal period during which the student is liable to pay course fees
The living grant is set at no less than the UK Research and Innovation minimum doctoral stipend. The official Oxford page lists a minimum grant of £20,780 for the 2025–2026 academic year, but the amount for students beginning in 2027 will be updated before the scholarship starts.
Part-time Clarendon scholars receive full course-fee coverage and a study-support grant rather than the full-time living stipend.
Clarendon normally covers the period of fee liability for the degree. For example, funding may cover one year for a one-year master’s degree or three to four years for a DPhil, depending on the structure of the course and the terms stated in the scholarship offer.
Reach Oxford Scholarship
The Reach Oxford Scholarship provides:
- Full undergraduate course fees
- A grant towards living expenses
- One return airfare between the student’s home country and the UK each year
- Funding for three or four years, depending on the course length
Oxford normally offers only around two or three Reach Oxford Scholarships each year, making it one of the university’s most competitive undergraduate awards. Medicine is not eligible for this scholarship.
Continued funding in later years depends on satisfactory academic progress. Scholars are also expected to submit an annual report describing their academic and social activities at Oxford.
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship provides:
- Full University of Oxford course fees
- An annual living stipend
- Oxford graduate application fee
- UK student visa fee
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Two economy-class flights, covering travel to the UK at the beginning of the scholarship and return travel after completing the scholarship
- A settling-in allowance after arrival in Oxford
- Visa renewal and health-surcharge support when a scholar progresses to an approved second Oxford course
The official Rhodes page lists the 2025–2026 stipend as £20,400 per year, paid at £1,700 per month. The stipend is reviewed periodically, so the amount available to scholars beginning in October 2027 may be different. Scholars use this stipend to pay for accommodation and other living expenses.
Rhodes funding normally supports at least two years of postgraduate study. The exact duration depends on the approved course combination, with up to three years of fees and stipend available for some DPhil students.
Eligibility Criteria for University of Oxford Scholarships
Applicants must meet the academic and English-language requirements of their chosen University of Oxford course in addition to the scholarship-specific requirements below.
Clarendon Scholarship Eligibility
To be considered for the Clarendon Scholarship, applicants must:
- Apply for a new master’s or DPhil course at the University of Oxford
- Submit the complete graduate admission application by the relevant December or January deadline
- Demonstrate an exceptional academic record
- Show strong future academic or research potential
- Demonstrate clear motivation for the proposed course
- Meet the admission and English-language requirements of the selected Oxford program
Clarendon is open to applicants of every nationality and has no restriction based on country of residence or academic subject. Both full-time and part-time master’s and DPhil applicants can be considered.
Most successful candidates have at least a first-class honours degree or its international equivalent. Oxford gives a GPA of approximately 3.7 out of 4.0 as a general example, although many selected scholars have higher results. An exceptional master’s record may sometimes compensate for a less competitive undergraduate result.
Selection is based on the complete graduate application. Academic departments assess:
- University grades and class ranking
- Academic prizes and awards
- Publications, where applicable
- Research proposal or statement of purpose
- Academic references
- Suitability for the proposed course
- Potential to make a significant contribution to the field
Students who already hold a deferred graduate offer are not eligible for Clarendon consideration. Current Oxford students continuing the same degree are also ineligible, although a current master’s student applying for a new DPhil or second master’s degree may be considered.
Reach Oxford Scholarship Eligibility
To qualify for the Reach Oxford Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a national of a country receiving official development assistance through the OECD Development Assistance Committee
- Apply for a new undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford
- Receive an Oxford undergraduate admission offer
- Demonstrate the highest level of academic ability
- Show substantial financial need
- Demonstrate social commitment
- Be unable to study for a suitable degree in their own country because of financial, political, or educational circumstances
- Intend to return to their home country after completing the degree
Priority is given to students who have not previously studied at the undergraduate level. The scholarship supports all eligible Oxford undergraduate courses except medicine.
Eligible countries currently include Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Jordan, Ukraine, and many other countries appearing on the official OECD DAC list.
Meeting the nationality requirement does not guarantee selection. Applicants must first win admission to Oxford and then compete for one of only a few Reach Oxford awards.
Rhodes Scholarship Eligibility
Rhodes eligibility varies by constituency, but applicants generally must:
- Qualify through the nationality, citizenship, residency, or education rules of a Rhodes constituency
- Meet the age requirements stated for that constituency
- Complete an undergraduate degree before beginning at Oxford
- Have grades that meet or exceed the entry requirements of the intended Oxford course
- Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement
- Show leadership, character, service, and sustained achievement outside the classroom
- Apply for an eligible full-time postgraduate course at Oxford
For many constituencies, applicants must be aged 18 to 23 on October 1, 2026. Some constituencies also permit candidates under the age of 27 who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual. The exact age calculation must be checked through the official eligibility tool because the rules can differ by constituency.
A first-class honours degree or a GPA of approximately 3.7 out of 4.0 generally places an applicant in a stronger position for Oxford admission, although the scholarship is not selected solely on grades.
The Rhodes selection criteria consider the following:
- Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity
- Achievement in activities such as sport, music, debate, theatre, arts, or other pursuits
- Service to others
- Courage, integrity, sympathy, and unselfishness
- Leadership in thought and action
- Commitment to using personal talents for wider public benefit
How to Apply for University of Oxford Scholarships?
Each of the three scholarships has a different application process.
How to Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
(1) Search the University of Oxford graduate course directory and choose an eligible master’s or DPhil program. Read the academic requirements, English-language criteria, supporting-document instructions, and funding deadline shown on the individual course page.
(2) Prepare the required graduate application documents. Most courses request academic transcripts, references, a CV, and a statement of purpose or research proposal. Some programs also require written work, a portfolio, GRE scores, or evidence that a suitable supervisor is available.
Our guides on writing an academic CV, preparing a statement of purpose, and requesting strong scholarship recommendation letters can help you prepare these documents.
(3) Submit your complete Oxford graduate application by the December or January deadline specified for your course. Do not wait for a later March deadline if you require Clarendon funding.
(4) No separate Clarendon form, scholarship essay, or additional supporting document is required. Your academic department automatically assesses eligible applicants using the documents submitted for graduate admission.
Departments rank their strongest candidates and send nominations to the relevant academic division. Scholarship offers are normally issued between February and June.
How to Apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship?
(1) Choose an eligible undergraduate course from the Oxford undergraduate course list. Reach Oxford supports all listed undergraduate subjects except medicine.
(2) Submit your Oxford admission application through UCAS by October 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM UK time. Your application must include your course choice, educational history, personal statement, and academic reference. You must also complete any required Oxford admissions test or written work for your course.
(3) Participate in the Oxford selection process. Shortlisted applicants are normally interviewed in December, and 2027 undergraduate admission decisions will be released on January 12, 2027.
(4) After receiving an Oxford admission offer, check the official Reach Oxford page in January 2027 and complete the separate scholarship application by the published deadline.
The scholarship application is likely to assess your financial circumstances, academic record, reasons you cannot study in your home country, social commitment, and plans to use your education after returning home. However, applicants should follow the 2027 form rather than relying on questions from a previous cycle.
Students who do not receive an Oxford offer cannot apply for Reach Oxford.
How to Apply for the Rhodes Scholarship?
(1) Use the Rhodes eligibility checker to identify the constituency through which you can apply. Carefully read the constituency-specific eligibility rules, deadline, application checklist, course restrictions, and instructions for referees.
(2) Create an account in the Rhodes online application system and complete the application before your constituency deadline. Some constituencies require institutional endorsement or nomination, while others allow eligible candidates to apply directly.
(3) Prepare your academic statement, personal statement, CV, transcripts, proof of citizenship, and other constituency-specific documents. Your personal statement should explain your experiences, values, interests, and future direction in your own voice. Rhodes applicants must comply with the Trust’s rules regarding originality and the use of outside assistance.
(4) Arrange the required references early. Rhodes applications commonly require several referees who can assess your academic ability, character, leadership, service, and extracurricular achievements. Share the official constituency guidance with every referee rather than giving them only a general request.
(5) Submit the Rhodes application before the local deadline and attend the preliminary and final interviews if shortlisted.
(6) Successful Rhodes candidates must then apply separately for admission to an approved University of Oxford postgraduate course. Winning the Rhodes Scholarship does not automatically guarantee admission to Oxford, so the applicant must also satisfy the university’s course-specific academic and English-language requirements.
Documents Required for University of Oxford Scholarships
The documents depend on the scholarship and selected degree.
Clarendon Scholarship Documents
Clarendon uses the documents submitted with the Oxford graduate application, which may include:
- Graduate application form
- Official academic transcripts
- Academic CV
- Statement of purpose or personal statement
- Research proposal for research-based courses
- Three referees, although an application may be considered complete by the deadline with at least two submitted references
- Written work, portfolio, or other course-specific material
- Proof of English-language proficiency, where required
No separate Clarendon Scholarship form or additional scholarship document is required.
Reach Oxford Scholarship Documents
Applicants may need:
- UCAS undergraduate admission application
- Academic qualifications and predicted grades
- Personal statement
- Academic reference
- Admissions-test results, where required
- Written work, where required by the course
- Oxford undergraduate admission offer
- Reach Oxford Scholarship application
- Financial and family-income information
- Information explaining why suitable study is unavailable in the applicant’s home country
- Evidence of academic achievement and social commitment
The university will publish the confirmed 2027 scholarship form and document requirements in January 2027.
Rhodes Scholarship Documents
The exact requirements vary by constituency but commonly include:
- Rhodes online application form
- Passport, birth certificate, or proof of citizenship
- Official academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic statement explaining the proposed Oxford course
- Personal statement
- Details of extracurricular activities, leadership, and community service
- Multiple recommendation letters
- Institutional endorsement, where required
- Recent photograph
- Evidence of residency or education within the relevant constituency
- Additional documents requested by the constituency
Applicants can use our guides to prepare an effective academic CV, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters.
Website
To learn more about the University of Oxford Scholarships, visit the official pages:
- University of Oxford Scholarships
- Clarendon Scholarship
- Reach Oxford Scholarship
- Rhodes Scholarship
- Oxford Graduate Course Directory
- Oxford Undergraduate Application Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Oxford offer fully funded scholarships?
Yes. The Clarendon, Reach Oxford, and Rhodes are fully funded scholarships. Their benefits differ, but each covers full course fees and provides financial support for living expenses.
What is the best University of Oxford scholarship for international students?
Clarendon is one of the strongest options for international master’s and DPhil applicants because it is open to all nationalities, covers every academic subject, and awards more than 200 fully funded scholarships each year.
Rhodes is the most internationally recognised Oxford scholarship, while Reach Oxford is the principal fully funded option covered in this guide for undergraduate students from eligible developing countries.
Can undergraduate students apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
No. Clarendon is available only for new master’s and DPhil applicants.
Undergraduate applicants may be eligible for Reach Oxford or other Oxford undergraduate funding schemes.
Do I need a separate application for Clarendon?
No. Applicants are considered automatically when they submit a complete application for an eligible Oxford graduate course by its relevant December or January deadline.
Can I apply for Reach Oxford before receiving admission?
No. You must first apply to Oxford and receive an undergraduate admission offer. Only offer holders can submit the Reach Oxford Scholarship application.
Is the Rhodes Scholarship open to every country?
Rhodes Scholarships are awarded through geographical constituencies. Applicants must meet the nationality, residency, or education rules of an eligible constituency.
The separate Global Rhodes Scholarships for applicants who do not qualify through an established constituency are currently suspended.
Can I apply for both Clarendon and Rhodes?
Yes. An eligible postgraduate applicant may apply separately for Rhodes and also be considered automatically for Clarendon by submitting the Oxford course application before the relevant funding deadline.
You cannot normally hold two full scholarships simultaneously, so a successful applicant would need to follow the conditions stated in the scholarship offers.
Does Oxford require IELTS for scholarship applicants?
Scholarship applicants must meet the English-language requirements of their selected Oxford course unless they qualify for an exemption. Oxford accepts several approved English tests, but the required score depends on whether the course uses the standard or higher English-language level.
Is a separate Oxford admission application required after winning Rhodes?
Yes. The Rhodes Scholarship and Oxford admission processes are separate. A selected Rhodes candidate must still apply for and receive admission to an eligible University of Oxford postgraduate course.
