Clarendon Scholarship 2027 at the University of Oxford (Fully Funded)

If you dream of studying at the University of Oxford with full financial support, the Clarendon Scholarship is one of the most prestigious opportunities available to international students. Awarded to academically outstanding candidates from around the world, this fully funded scholarship supports master’s and doctoral (DPhil) studies across virtually all subject areas at Oxford.

The Clarendon Scholarship covers full tuition fees, college fees, and a generous annual living allowance, enabling scholars to focus entirely on their academic and research goals. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know about the Clarendon Scholarship 2027, including its benefits, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and step-by-step application process.

About the Clarendon Scholarship

The Clarendon Fund is one of the largest and most respected scholarship programmes at the University of Oxford, awarding approximately 140 new scholarships each year to exceptional graduate students.

Known for its highly competitive selection process, the Clarendon Scholarship attracts some of the brightest minds from across the globe. The scholarship is awarded based solely on academic excellence and future potential, regardless of nationality, background, or chosen field of study.

Oxford’s world-class academic environment provides graduate students with access to leading researchers, cutting-edge facilities, and an intellectually stimulating community. Small class sizes, personalized supervision, and extensive research opportunities allow scholars to develop their expertise while contributing to groundbreaking work in their chosen disciplines.

Most Clarendon Scholars pursue a DPhil (Oxford’s equivalent of a PhD), although scholarships are also available for one-year and two-year master’s programmes, including MSc, MSt, MPhil, BPhil, MBA, and MFE degrees.

Scholarship Summary

Level of Study: Master’s Degree, DPhil (PhD)

Host Institution: University of Oxford

Study Destination: United Kingdom

Eligible Courses: click here all eligible graduate degree programmes offered by the University of Oxford 

Duration: Depends on the length of the selected programme

Application Deadline: December 2026 or January 2027, depending on the admission deadline for your chosen course.

Scholarship Benefits

The Clarendon Scholarship provides one of the most comprehensive funding packages available at Oxford. Successful applicants receive:

Full Tuition and College Fees

All Clarendon Scholars receive complete coverage of university tuition fees and Oxford college fees throughout their programme.

Annual Living Allowance

Students enrolled in full-time programmes receive a generous annual grant to cover living expenses. The living stipend is typically reviewed each academic year and is expected to be at least £15,009 annually.

Support for Part-Time Students

Part-time scholars receive financial support to help cover study-related expenses beyond tuition fees.

Funding for the Entire Programme

Scholarships are normally awarded for the full period during which the student is required to pay tuition fees, ensuring stable financial support throughout the degree.

Selection Criteria

Clarendon Scholarships are awarded based on three key factors:

Academic Excellence

Applicants must demonstrate an exceptional academic record and a strong history of academic achievement.

Suitability for the Proposed Course

The selection committee assesses how well the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and research interests align with the chosen programme.

Motivation and Future Potential

Candidates should clearly demonstrate their passion for their field of study, career aspirations, and potential to make a meaningful contribution to academia, industry, or society.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Clarendon Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Language Requirement

Applicants must satisfy the English language requirements set by the University of Oxford.

Eligible Countries

Applications are open to students from all countries worldwide.

Academic Eligibility

All applicants applying for graduate study at Oxford are eligible for consideration.

Most master’s and DPhil programmes are eligible. Postgraduate certificate and diploma programmes are not eligible. There are no restrictions based on subject area, faculty, or department. Students applying for a new Master’s or DPhil programme may be considered. Current Oxford master’s students who are applying for a new DPhil programme may also be eligible.

Read selection criteria HERE

Not Eligible

The following applicants are generally not eligible:

• Students holding deferred offers from previous admission cycles.
• Current students continuing in the same Oxford degree programme without submitting a new application.

How to Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship

One of the advantages of the Clarendon Scholarship is that there is no separate scholarship application form.

Follow the steps below to be automatically considered:

Step 1: Apply for Admission

Submit an application for an eligible master’s or DPhil programme at the University of Oxford before the relevant December or January admissions deadline.

Step 2: Academic Assessment

After submission, your application will be reviewed by academics within your chosen department. They will assess the quality of your academic achievements, research potential, and suitability for the programme.

See decision timeline HERE

Step 3: Departmental Nomination

Departments identify outstanding candidates and nominate them for Clarendon Scholarship consideration based on academic excellence and future potential.

Step 4: Divisional Review

Oxford’s academic divisions review departmental nominations and evaluate candidates according to the Clarendon selection criteria.

Only the highest-ranked nominees progress to the final shortlist.

Step 5: Scholarship Offer

Once the shortlist is finalized, successful candidates are contacted directly by the Clarendon Fund administration team and receive an official scholarship offer.

Step 6: Confirm Your Place

After accepting the scholarship offer and meeting all admission conditions, your funding becomes fully secured for the duration of your programme.

See details of conditions of your offer and contract HERE

Step 7: Funding and College Confirmation

During April and May, scholars may be matched with Clarendon Partnership Awards where applicable. Final funding arrangements and Oxford college placements are then confirmed.

Notification Timeline

Most successful applicants receive their scholarship offers by early April. Applicants who are not selected are generally not contacted individually. If you have not received a notification by June, you should assume that your application was unsuccessful. Late scholarship offers occasionally occur if a selected candidate withdraws, although such cases are rare.

Why Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?

The Clarendon Scholarship offers more than financial support. It provides access to one of the world’s most prestigious academic communities, enabling scholars to study at Oxford without worrying about tuition costs or living expenses. For ambitious students seeking to advance their careers, conduct impactful research, and join a global network of future leaders, the Clarendon Scholarship represents an exceptional opportunity to achieve academic excellence at one of the world’s leading universities.

Official Website

For detailed eligibility requirements, programme information, and application, follow the official Clarendon Fund Scholarship website HERE