Clarendon Scholarship 2027-2028

Overview

The Clarendon Fund is the University of Oxford's largest scholarship scheme for graduate students, awarding about 140 new scholarships each year across all four academic divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematical Physical and Life Sciences, and Medical Sciences. The fund was established in 2001, financed by Oxford University Press and partnering colleges and departments.

Clarendon Scholarships cover course fees in full and provide a generous annual grant for living costs, making them among the most valuable graduate funding awards in the United Kingdom. For 2025-26, full-time scholars receive at least £15,009 per year for living expenses. The scholarships are available for both Master's and DPhil (PhD) programmes, and scholars are funded for their full period of fee liability.

No separate application is required. Every graduate applicant to the University of Oxford who applies by the relevant December or January funding deadline is automatically considered. Selection is based entirely on academic excellence and research potential as assessed through the standard Oxford admissions process. This makes the Clarendon accessible to every strong graduate applicant regardless of nationality, field, or background.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Clarendon Fund, financed by Oxford University Press in partnership with Oxford colleges and departments
Host Country	United Kingdom
Degree Levels	Master's, PhD
Value	Full course fees plus an annual living costs grant of at least £15,009 for 2025-26 (full-time). Part-time DPhil scholars receive at least £2,502; part-time Master's scholars at least £5,003
Deadline	December 2026 / January 2027
Duration	Full period of fee liability (typically 1 year for taught Master's, 3-4 years for DPhil)
Eligible Nationalities	Open to applicants of all nationalities — no citizenship or residency restrictions
Official Website	https://www.ox.ac.uk/clarendon

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants must show outstanding academic ability and research potential. Selection runs through the Oxford admissions assessment, so candidates must meet and exceed the standard admission criteria for their chosen programme. The strongest applicants in each department are considered.

Nationality Requirements

No restrictions based on nationality or country of ordinary residence. Applicants from every country are eligible on equal terms.

Language Requirements

Applicants must meet the University of Oxford's English language requirements for their chosen course, which means IELTS 7.0 or 7.5 overall (depending on the department) or equivalent scores.

Work Experience

No specific work experience is required. For research programmes (DPhil), evidence of research aptitude through prior academic work, publications, or a strong research proposal is expected.

Other Requirements

Applicants must be applying to start a new DPhil or Master's course at Oxford. Students who hold a deferred graduate offer are not eligible for Clarendon consideration. The scholarship is only available to those who apply by the December or January funding deadline.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full payment of University and college course fees for the duration of fee liability
• Annual living costs grant of at least £15,009 per year for full-time scholars (2025-26 rate)
• Funding for the full period of fee liability (1 year for taught Master's, 3-4 years for DPhil)
• No service obligation or bond after graduation
• Access to the Clarendon Scholars community and networking events
• Recognition as a Clarendon Scholar within the Oxford academic community
• Part-time scholar support: at least £2,502/year (DPhil) or £5,003/year (Master's)
• Some Clarendon awards are co-funded with colleges, departments, or external partners, which may include additional benefits

How to Apply

1. Choose a Graduate Course at Oxford: Select a graduate programme (Master's or DPhil) at the University of Oxford. Review the course requirements, application materials, and the relevant funding deadline (December 2 or January 8, depending on the course).
2. Submit Your Oxford Graduate Application by the Funding Deadline: Apply to your chosen course through the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions portal. Submit your complete application by the December or January funding deadline to be automatically considered for the Clarendon Scholarship. There is no separate Clarendon application form.
3. Provide All Required Application Materials: Make sure your application includes everything your department requires: academic transcripts, CV, research proposal (for DPhil), personal statement, writing samples (if required), and academic references. The strength of these materials determines your Clarendon eligibility.
4. Await Automatic Scholarship Assessment: The Clarendon Fund reviews the strongest applicants identified through the Oxford admissions process. No additional action is needed from you. Departments nominate their top candidates for Clarendon consideration.
5. Receive Notification: Most initial Clarendon offers go out by the end of April. Some offers may arrive later. If you have not heard by mid-June, assume you have not been awarded a Clarendon Scholarship. Successful candidates must accept the offer to confirm.

Required Documents

• Completed University of Oxford Graduate Admissions application
• Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions
• Curriculum vitae / resume
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Research proposal (for DPhil applicants)
• Two or three academic references (submitted through Oxford's online system)
• Writing sample (required by some departments)
• English language proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, if applicable)
• Proof of degree award or expected completion

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	September 2025 (Oxford Graduate Admissions portal)
Application Deadline	December 2, 2025, or January 8, 2026 (varies by course — must apply by the funding deadline)
Results Announced	By end of April 2026 (most initial offers); final notifications by mid-June 2026
Course Start	October 2026 (Oxford Michaelmas Term)

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Your Oxford application IS your scholarship application, so make every component as strong as possible
• For DPhil applicants, a well-crafted research proposal that shows originality, feasibility, and alignment with Oxford's research strengths is the single most important factor
• Reference letters carry enormous weight. Choose referees who know your work well and can write detailed, specific letters about your academic potential.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing the December or January funding deadline. Applications submitted after these dates are not considered for Clarendon, even if the course itself has a later admission deadline.
• Assuming that applying to Oxford automatically means Clarendon consideration. Only applications submitted by the funding deadline qualify.
• Submitting a generic personal statement that does not explain why Oxford specifically is the right place for your research or study
• Not checking whether your course falls under the December 2 or January 8 deadline, as this varies by department

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply separately for the Clarendon Scholarship?

There is no separate application. You are automatically considered when you submit your University of Oxford graduate application by the relevant funding deadline (December 2 or January 8, depending on your course).

How much does the Clarendon Scholarship pay for living costs?

For full-time scholars, at least £15,009 per year (2025-26 rate). Part-time DPhil scholars receive at least £2,502 per year, and part-time Master's scholars at least £5,003 per year.

How many Clarendon Scholarships are awarded each year?

About 140 new Clarendon Scholarships each year across all four academic divisions at Oxford: Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematical Physical and Life Sciences, and Medical Sciences.

Can international students receive the Clarendon Scholarship?

The Clarendon Scholarship has no nationality restrictions. Applicants from every country are eligible. International students receive the same scholarship value as UK students, including full course fees.

Does the Clarendon Scholarship cover fees for international students?

The Clarendon covers course fees in full for all scholars, including the higher overseas fee rate charged to international students.

Can I get the Clarendon Scholarship for an MBA at Oxford?

The Clarendon Fund covers programmes across all Oxford departments, including the MBA at the Said Business School. Competition is extremely strong, and only the top applicants in each programme are selected.

When will I find out if I received a Clarendon Scholarship?

Most initial offers (known as CB1s) go out by the end of April. Some additional offers may follow. If you have not received a notification by mid-June, assume you were not awarded the scholarship.

How is the Clarendon Scholarship different from the Rhodes Scholarship?

The Clarendon requires no separate application: you are automatically considered when applying to Oxford by the funding deadline. The Rhodes Scholarship requires a separate application through the Rhodes Trust and evaluates leadership, character, and service alongside academics. The Clarendon selects purely on academic merit through the Oxford admissions process.

Can I hold the Clarendon Scholarship alongside other Oxford funding?

Many Clarendon awards are co-funded with Oxford colleges, departments, or external partners. Holding a Clarendon alongside other Oxford funding is common, and the combined package may offer enhanced benefits.

Is the Clarendon Scholarship available for part-time students?

Part-time students are eligible but receive a reduced living costs grant: at least £2,502 per year for DPhil and at least £5,003 per year for Master's. Course fees are still covered in full.

Related Scholarships

• Rhodes Scholarship 2026
• Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026
• Chevening Scholarship 2026
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2026