You might be holding your offer letter or weighing a move that could change everything. The thought of studying at a top university can feel thrilling and daunting at once. You deserve a clear path that eases the stress and helps you plan every step.
This short guide helps you map a practical timeline, gather documents and present a competitive submission for your chosen course by the correct December or January cut-off. It explains why the scholarship is fully funded, what that funding covers and how that support brings financial security for international students and UK applicants alike.
You’ll also learn how automatic consideration works, where each course deadline appears on the website, and how to avoid ineligible paths like postgraduate certificates or diplomas. Read on to feel organised, confident and ready to submit.
What is the Clarendon Scholarship and why it matters for your Oxford studies
A major postgraduate award can change how you plan, study and fund your time at university.
The clarendon scholarship is a University-wide scheme that is fully funded for eligible graduate students. It covers your tuition fees in full and provides an annual living grant set at least to the UKRI minimum, so you have clear support for living costs while you pursue your programme and research.
Fully funded support at the University of Oxford
The award pays tuition fees for both Home and Overseas students and adds a stipend to help with day-to-day costs. That means you can focus on a master or DPhil without the usual financial distractions.
Scale, prestige and competitiveness
About 140 new scholars are chosen each year across full-time graduate courses, making this one of the university oxford’s largest schemes.
- Open to applicants of any nationality by the course deadline, with automatic consideration.
- Selection weighs academic excellence, aptitude for the proposed course and strong motivation.
- Receiving the award is a notable credential that can shape your long-term studies and career.
Eligibility and selection: who qualifies and what selectors look for
Start by checking which graduate courses are covered and who can be considered.
Who is eligible
eligibility criteria cover most degree-bearing graduate courses. All full-time Master’s and DPhil programmes are included. Part-time students may receive study support grants.
Academic excellence and record
Selection focuses on a very strong academic record and clear signs of academic excellence. You should show grades, prizes or publications that prove you can thrive here.
Research potential and aptitude
For research degrees, selectors weight your research potential heavily. Present a concise plan that shows methods, feasibility and fit with supervision.
Motivation, leadership and exclusions
Demonstrate impact through teaching, volunteering or awards. Note exclusions: postgraduate certificates and diplomas are not eligible. Applicants with deferred offers or those continuing the same degree next year are not considered.
| Item | Who is eligible | Who is excluded |
|---|---|---|
| Degrees | Full-time Master’s, DPhil; some part-time support | Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma |
| Nationality | Open to all, including international students | None |
| Status | New candidates starting a graduate degree | Deferred offers; continuing students on same degree |
Remember: applicants must tailor materials to departmental criteria. In practice, applicants must demonstrate coherence between your academic record, chosen degree and proposed research.
Deadlines and timeline for 2026: apply by your course’s December/January cut-off
Start by noting your programme’s deadline so your materials are eligible for spring nomination rounds.
Apply to your chosen course by the exact deadline shown on the university oxford website. There is no separate Clarendon form; on-time course submission is the trigger for automatic consideration.
Course submission first
Departments review complete files and rank top candidates. Your course documents act as your scholarship dossier, so polish every section before you submit.
Departmental and divisional nominations (February–March)
In February and March, departments nominate strong candidates. Divisional panels then assess nominations by academic merit and potential to decide who will receive offers.
Offer communications and funding confirmation (April–May)
Successful candidates receive a scholarship offer letter in spring. During April and May, funding packages and college placements are finalised and partnership awards are matched.
If you don’t hear back by June
Most outcomes are sent by early April. If you have not heard by June, you should assume you were not selected. Late reallocations are rare, so plan other options promptly.
| Stage | Timing | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Course deadline | December–January | Submit all course materials on time for automatic scholarship consideration |
| Department review | January–February | Shortlisting and ranking of candidates by departments |
| Divisional decisions | February–March | Nominations assessed and selections made on merit and potential |
| Offer & funding | April–May | Scholarship letters, funding breakdowns and college placements issued |
| No response | By June | Assume not selected; pursue alternatives |
Clarendon Fund (Oxford) application checklist
Begin with a simple timeline that prioritises course eligibility, references and a focused personal statement.
Choose your course and confirm entry requirements
Shortlist suitable graduate degree routes on the university website. Confirm that your chosen route is eligible for the clarendon scholarship and note any specific departmental criteria.
Prepare core documents
- Transcripts: request official copies early so they arrive before the deadline.
- References: ask two to three academic referees and give them clear deadlines.
- Personal statement: make it focused on fit, motivation and strengths that match the scholarship priorities.
English proficiency and research fit
If you are from outside the UK you may require IELTS or TOEFL. Book tests early so results are ready in time.
Refine your research focus and show how your field aligns with departmental strengths and possible supervisors.
Submit on time and track progress
Applicants must submit the course by the December/January cut‑off. Remember, automatic consideration needs no separate form.
Save proof of submission, monitor your applicant portal and reply quickly to any departmental requests to support your scholarship application.
What the scholarship covers: tuition fees, living costs and duration
Knowing exactly what the scholarship pays for lets you plan your living budget and research timeline with confidence.
Full course fees for Home and Overseas students
The scholarship covers your tuition fees in full for both Home and Overseas status. College fees are also included, so the main programme costs are taken care of.
Annual grant for living expenses
You receive an annual living grant set at least to the UKRI minimum. This aligns your living costs with typical university expenditure and helps you manage rent and bills.
Period of fee liability and extra funded time
Award length normally matches the period of fee liability. Continuation charges after that are not paid, so plan your thesis timeline carefully.
At divisional discretion, some awards add a short extra period for living-only support; your offer letter will state this precisely.
Part-time study support grants
Part-time scholars receive a study support grant rather than a full stipend. For 2025–26 guidance, that is at least £2,502 for part-time DPhil and £5,003 for part-time master students.
| Type | Fees | Living support | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time graduate | Tuition and college fees paid | Annual grant (UKRI minimum or higher) | Period of fee liability |
| Part-time graduate | Tuition and college fees may be covered | Study support grant (smaller stipend) | Pro rata to fee liability |
| Extra funded time | — | Occasional short living-only period (division discretion) | Specified in offer |
How to strengthen your Clarendon scholarship application
Build a clear story in your materials that shows both academic strength and future promise.
Showcase academic excellence. Highlight top grades, prizes, publications and any class rank. Make your academic record simple to verify so selectors can see your strength at a glance.
Evidence research potential with a focused proposal (DPhil)
For research routes, present a tight question, realistic methods and a short plan of feasibility. Explain how supervision and facilities in your field will support the work.
Articulate impact: leadership, motivation and future contribution
Explain how your studies will benefit your discipline and the wider world. Give concrete leadership examples mentoring, lab coordination or community projects that meet the scholarship criteria.
- Brief referees on the evidence you want them to cite so letters align with your case.
- Refine your CV and statement to foreground methods, outputs and measurable outcomes.
- Make sure every element reads as a coherent case: departments assess candidates on fit, potential and motivation.
| Area | What to show | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Academic excellence | Grades, awards, publications | Confirms your academic record and readiness for graduate studies |
| Research potential | Clear question, method, feasibility | Demonstrates you can complete a focused DPhil in your field |
| Leadership & impact | Concrete roles and outcomes | Signals motivation and future contribution to the world beyond university oxford |
Final tip: treat submission as your single chance to apply clarendon scholarship automatically. Ensure materials are coherent, evidence-based and tailored to departmental criteria so reviewers can quickly see your potential.
Ready to apply to Oxford? Your next steps for 2026
Start by fixing your course and deadline in your calendar. Submit your programme by the December–January cut‑off to be automatically considered for the clarendon scholarship. Departments nominate in February–March and most offers issue by early April.
Prepare documents early: proofread statements, confirm referees and align your research with supervisors so selectors see clear potential. Budget knowing tuition fees are covered and a living grant meets at least the UKRI minimum; part‑time awards receive smaller support.
Monitor your portal through April–May for funding confirmations. If you have not heard by June, assume you were not awarded and pursue other options while keeping your place decisions on track.
For extra funding ideas and international support, see scholarships for international students at scholarships for international students. Click submit with confidence: you’ve followed the criteria, shown academic excellence and positioned yourself among strong candidates and future scholars.