University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships: How to Apply for Fully Funded Master’s and DPhil Study

Every year, hundreds of students from around the world begin graduate degrees at the University of Oxford with their fees paid and their living costs covered by a Clarendon Scholarship. It is one of the largest and most generous graduate scholarship programmes at any British university, and it has one feature that makes it unusual: you do not submit a separate scholarship application. If you apply for an eligible graduate course at Oxford on time, you are considered automatically.

That sounds simple, and in some ways it is. But it also means that the quality of your Oxford application is your scholarship application, and a missed deadline or a weak personal statement can cost you both the place and the funding. This guide explains what the Clarendon Scholarships cover, who can apply, how selection works, exactly how to submit a strong application step by step, and what the timeline looks like. The official links are at the bottom of the page.

Status check as of 18 October 2026: For entry in the 2027/28 academic year, Oxford’s graduate applications are being submitted now, with funding deadlines that fall in December or January depending on your course. That means the window is open, and you may have a matter of weeks to prepare. Check your course page today for its exact funding deadline.

Clarendon Scholarships at a Glance

These details are drawn from published summaries of the programme, so confirm the exact terms on the official Oxford pages listed at the end of this guide.

What the Scholarship Covers

Published information describes Clarendon Scholarships as covering your full course fees and your college fees where applicable, plus an annual grant for living costs for full-time scholars, and a study support grant for eligible part-time scholars. Scholars are funded for the full period for which they are liable to pay fees, which means the support continues for the normal length of the degree.

International course fees at Oxford are high, so a scholarship that covers them completely and adds a living grant can reduce the financial barrier dramatically. As with any award, check what is not included. You will need to plan for the cost of travel, visa and health surcharge payments if they are not covered, books and personal expenses, and any costs linked to your family if you bring dependants. Ask the university to clarify these points when you receive an offer, and read the award terms carefully.

Who Can Apply?

The Clarendon Scholarships are open to graduate applicants of any nationality. Published guidance states there are no restrictions on residence and none based on subject area. The main requirements are:

• You must apply for a new, eligible degree. The scholarship is for a new master’s or DPhil programme at Oxford. Postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and other non-degree programmes are generally not eligible.
• You must meet the academic and admission requirements of your course. Without an offer of admission, you cannot receive the scholarship.
• You must apply by the relevant funding deadline. Late applications are generally not considered for funding, even if you are still considered for admission.

If you already hold a degree from Oxford, check the rules carefully, because eligibility can depend on your previous study. Always confirm the current details on the official Clarendon page.

How Selection Works

Because there is no separate application, the selection process rests on your Oxford graduate application. Published guidance describes selection as based mainly on:

• Your academic record. Your degree results and the strength of your previous study.
• Academic and research potential. Evidence that you will thrive at graduate level and contribute to your field.
• The overall strength of your application. This includes your personal statement, references, and, where relevant, your research proposal and written work.
• Suitability for the course. How well your background and plans fit the programme you have chosen.

Courses and departments rank their applicants, and scholarships are allocated from those rankings. The exact process differs between divisions, and offers may arrive alongside or after your admission decision depending on the course. This is why a single strong application matters so much: it determines both whether you are admitted and whether you are funded.

The Timeline in Practice

For 2027/28 entry, the typical sequence looks like this:

• Now to the funding deadline: Choose your course, prepare your documents, and submit your application. Funding deadlines fall in December or January depending on the course.
• After the deadline: Departments review and rank applications. This can take several weeks or months.
• Offers: Admission offers are made, and funding decisions follow in line with the course’s timetable. Some applicants hear about funding at the same time as admission, and others receive a separate notification.
• Spring and early summer: Accept your offer, meet any conditions, and begin visa and accommodation arrangements.
• Autumn 2027: Start your course.

Check your course’s page for the exact dates, because they differ by subject and division.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Step 1: Choose an Eligible Course

Browse Oxford’s graduate course listings and pick a new master’s or DPhil programme. Think carefully about fit. Read the course description, look at the research strengths of the department, and check whether specific professors work in your area. If you are applying for a research degree, a clear match between your interests and a potential supervisor is important.

Step 2: Check the Funding Deadline

Every course has a deadline for consideration for funding, usually in December or January. Write it down, and work backwards. Remember that some documents, such as references and transcripts, take time to arrange. Do not assume that a general application deadline applies to scholarships, because the funding deadline may be earlier.

Step 3: Understand the Entry Requirements

Check the academic requirements, including the minimum degree classification or its equivalent, any required subjects, and the English language level. If you are unsure how your degree compares, contact the department, but do this early. Also note whether your course asks for a written sample, a research proposal, test scores, or an interview.

Step 4: Prepare Your Documents

A typical Oxford graduate application includes:

• Transcripts showing your degree results to date.
• A CV or résumé.
• A personal statement or statement of purpose explaining why you want to take the course and what you will contribute.
• References, usually from academic referees who know your work.
• A research proposal and written work, where the course requires them.
• Proof of English language ability, if applicable.

Requirements vary by course, so use the course page as your checklist.

Step 5: Write a Strong Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your main chance to show your academic motivation and potential. Strong statements usually:

• Open with a specific intellectual motivation. Describe a problem, question, or experience that led you to this field, not a general love of learning.
• Show preparation. Connect your previous study, research, work, or projects to the course content.
• Explain your plans. Say what you would like to study, why Oxford is the right place, and what you hope to do afterwards.
• Demonstrate fit. Mention specific modules, research groups, or resources that attract you.
• Stay focused and honest. Avoid exaggeration and unnecessary autobiography.

Ask a mentor or lecturer to read it and tell you what they remember.

Step 6: Choose and Brief Your Referees

References carry great weight in graduate admissions and funding decisions. Choose academics who know your work well and can speak with specific examples. Contact them early, explain your plans, send your CV and statement, and tell them the deadlines. Follow up politely as the date approaches, because late references can delay or damage an application.

Step 7: Submit Before the Funding Deadline

Complete the online application through Oxford’s graduate admissions system, pay any application fee, or request a fee waiver if you are eligible, and make sure all parts are submitted. Aim to apply a few days early so that technical problems do not cost you your place. Once your complete application is in by the funding deadline, you are automatically considered for the Clarendon Scholarships and other Oxford funding for which you are eligible.

Step 8: Wait, Respond, and Plan

After submission, you may be invited to an interview, particularly for research degrees. Prepare by rereading your application, reviewing your field, and thinking about how you would describe your research plans. If you receive an offer, read the conditions and funding details carefully before accepting. Then begin planning your visa, accommodation, and finances.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Apply early. Even though the deadline is in December or January, applying earlier gives you more time to fix problems.
• Pick a course that fits your record. Courses are competitive, and a close fit between your background and the programme improves your chances.
• Contact potential supervisors where appropriate. For research degrees, a short, specific email to a potential supervisor can help you understand whether your project fits.
• Make your academic case clear. Selectors want evidence of intellectual ability and potential, not just general ambition.
• Prepare a realistic budget. Even a generous scholarship does not cover everything, so plan for extra costs.
• Apply for other funding. Oxford and external bodies offer many scholarships. Check the university’s scholarship listings and apply to those you are eligible for. Other awards linked to Oxford include the Rhodes Scholarship and, for undergraduates, the Reach Oxford Scholarship, both covered elsewhere in this series.

Common Mistakes

• Missing the funding deadline. This is the most damaging mistake, because late applications are generally not considered for funding.
• Waiting for a separate scholarship form. There is none, so do not delay your course application.
• Choosing an ineligible programme. Non-degree courses and some other programmes are not eligible.
• Weak or late references. Choose strong referees and give them time.
• A generic personal statement. Tailor it to the course and show specific interest.
• Ignoring English requirements. Book tests early, and check whether you can use alternatives.
• Trusting scammers. The Clarendon Scholarships do not charge fees, and the university does not sell scholarships. Be wary of agents who guarantee funding.

START APPLICATION HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate Clarendon application form? No. Published guidance says eligible graduate applications submitted by the deadline are automatically considered.

Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree? Possibly, if you are applying for a new, eligible course, but check the current rules because previous Oxford study can affect eligibility.

Does the scholarship cover living costs? Published information indicates that full-time scholars receive a living-cost grant along with fee funding. Check the current amount on the official page.

What if I miss the funding deadline? You may still be considered for admission, but late applications are generally not considered for the scholarship.

Can part-time students receive a Clarendon Scholarship? Published guidance says eligible part-time scholars receive a study support grant. Check the current eligibility rules.

Final Thoughts

The Clarendon Scholarships reward strong academic applicants without asking them to complete another form, which means that your single Oxford application has to do a great deal of work. Choose your course carefully, check its funding deadline today, build a complete and polished application, and give your referees plenty of time. Verify every date and rule on the official Oxford pages, and use the weeks before your deadline well. If you are organised and your academic case is strong, you give yourself a real chance of studying at Oxford with your costs covered.