Scholarships
For the 2026-27 academic year, the University expects to be able to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships for new students. There are also a range of external scholarships and funding available.
View of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter from Radcliffe Humanities. Credit: Ved Patel / Graduate Photography Competition
Oxford scholarships
Scholarships are usually awarded on the basis of academic excellence and potential, and will cover some or all of your course fees and/or provide a grant for living costs for your period of fee liability. The eligibility criteria for different scholarships vary, with some being open to the majority of new graduate students and others restricted by particular characteristics, for example by degree subject or country of ordinary residence. The University also offers a number of scholarships for applicants from under-represented groups. Some scholarship schemes offer additional benefits like events to support scholars, or membership of a scholar community or leadership programme.
How do I apply?
For the majority of Oxford scholarships, all you need to do is submit your graduate application by the December or January deadline for your course. There’s no separate scholarship application process or extra supporting documentation required for funding. Based on the information supplied in your graduate application, you will be automatically considered for scholarships where you meet the eligibility criteria with most scholarships using academic merit and/or potential as the basis on which award decisions are made. For more information please see the Standard scholarship selection terms.
To help identify those scholarships that require an additional application, use the Fees, funding and scholarships search and look at individual college websites.
The vast majority of college scholarships do not require you to select that particular college as your preference on the graduate application form. They will consider all eligible applicants who apply by the relevant deadline. If you are selected for a college scholarship, we will move your place to the relevant college.
When are scholarships awarded?
Most Oxford scholarships are awarded between late February and June. The approximate date by which decisions are expected to be made will normally be given in the scholarship information available from the A-Z of Scholarships.
A scholarship may be awarded either at the same time or after you are offered a place by your department. It may be awarded either before or after you have been offered a college place.
External scholarships
A summary of external scholarships and search facilities is provided below. These are managed by organisations external to Oxford, therefore various application processes and closing dates will apply. If you have any questions, please contact the relevant organisation directly.
Top tips for your funding search
Don't delay! Start your search as early as possible. Many schemes will make their awards between February and April, so do not wait for an offer from your course before starting your search.
Look for funding from outside the University as well as within. Whilst the University offers a large number of scholarships for new students, not everyone will receive an offer of funding. For the best chance of funding success make sure to look at all the opportunities that you are eligible for, including those from external organisations and charities.
Think about funding for future years. If your course is more than one year, plan carefully as to how you will fund future years. Funding for on course students is very limited and many schemes are only open to new students, so make sure you have a plan in place to fund your whole course and your living costs before you start your studies!
Do not rely on being able to earn your way through your studies. Full-time courses at the University leave little time to take on paid work and part-time students need to ensure that their work does not impact their studies. Our Employment page has further information on our policies for working whilst studying.
