Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Clarendon Fund fully-funded scholarships for study at the University of Oxford (open to all nationals)

Ednah Carrick September 22, 2025

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Closing Date: December 2025/January 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Clarendon Fund fully-funded scholarships for study at the University of Oxford (open to all nationals)

Clarendon Overview

Clarendon not only offers over 200 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to assist outstanding graduate scholars, but also the opportunity to join one of the most active, internationally diverse, and multidisciplinary communities at Oxford.

The Fund’s purpose

The Fund’s purpose is simple; to assist academically outstanding graduate students through their studies at the University of Oxford.

Originally established to support Overseas students, the Clarendon Fund first welcomed scholars to Oxford in 2001. The scheme was expanded in 2012 to include students from the UK and EU, therefore providing funding for all fee statuses. Throughout this period, the Fund’s aim has remained unchanged; to assist academically outstanding graduate students through their studies at the University of Oxford.

Clarendon scholarships are competitive, prestigious and highly sought-after. Like all fully-funded Oxford scholarships, Clarendon covers course fees, and provides a generous grant for living expenses. This funding helps reduce the financial barriers that may stand in the way of the best students, from across the world, coming to study at Oxford.

Quick facts about Clarendon

You will be automatically considered for Clarendon if you apply by the December or January deadline, whichever is relevant to your course. You do not need to submit a separate application.
Clarendon offers fully-funded scholarships covering course fees, as well as a grant for living expenses for the period of fee liability.
There are no restrictions on nationality, ordinary residence or field of study. All full-time and part-time DPhil and Master’s courses are eligible.
Clarendon scholars are selected for their outstanding academic merit and potential.
Clarendon scholarships are highly competitive.

Scholarship application process

Apply to your course by the December or January deadline, whichever is relevant to your course, to be considered for a Clarendon scholarship. There is no scholarship application – all applicants to degree-bearing courses are considered.
Your application to your course will be considered by the academics working in your proposed field of study. They will assess the academic quality and suitability of your application.
The department will make the final decision on your graduate place and will notify you with an outcome. See decision timeline for more details.
In parallel, academics within your department will determine who to nominate to the division for a Clarendon scholarship based on the selection criteria.

Divisional allocation of scholarships

The process varies between the University’s academic divisions and the Department for Continuing Education, but each meet in February or March to review the departmental scholarship nominations.
The academic divisions assess the nominations on their academic merit and future potential and the top ranked departmental nominees within the division are shortlisted for Clarendon.
Once the shortlist is confirmed, the Fund Administrator will contact successful applicants and will provide the scholarship offer letter (aka a ‘CB1’).
If you are offered (and accept) a Clarendon scholarship, this means your funding is now secure, as long as you meet the conditions of your offer of a place to study at Oxford.
During April, May and sometimes into June, Clarendon Partnership Awards are matched to scholars depending on the award requirements. No further information is required of Clarendon offer holders.
Once each scholar’s unique funding package is confirmed, they will receive the funding breakdown letter (aka a ‘CB2’) outlining the funding arrangements. Final college placements will also be confirmed alongside partnership awards.

Notification of Clarendon scholarship decisions

A few late nominations may take place during the summer period if nominated students withdraw. All successful Clarendon candidates will be contacted via email. Most offers are sent out by the end of April of each year.

Value

Clarendon scholarship cover course fees in full. This applies to Home and Overseas fee status students. Scholars on a full-time course will receive an annual grant for living expenses of at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate, which is normally sufficient to cover the living costs of a single student living in Oxford.

Duration

Clarendon scholarships are normally offered for a scholar’s period of fee liability. This is the period for which you are liable to pay course fees to the University. The fee liability page explains this in full, and also gives information about charges that may be applied after this period, known as continuation charges, which are not covered by the Clarendon Fund.

At the discretion of the academic divisions, some scholarships cover an additional period of study beyond the duration of fee liability. Only a grant for living expenses is paid during that additional period. Scholars are notified in their offer letters of the exact duration of their scholarships.

Nationality or Ordinary Residence

There are no restrictions by nationality or country of ordinary residence. Clarendon scholars come from across the world: from the USA to Australia, Venezuela to Vietnam and from Norway to Nigeria.

Level of study

All full-time DPhil and Master’s courses are eligible, as long as you have applied by the December or January deadline, whichever is relevant for your course. A list of all the graduate courses offered by the University of Oxford can be found on the courses page.