Closing Date: December 2026/January 2027
Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarships 2027–28: Fully Funded Scholarships at Oxford University
Are you planning to pursue a fully funded master’s or DPhil at one of the world’s leading universities? The Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarships 2027–28 offer outstanding graduate applicants the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford with full coverage of course fees and a generous annual living-cost grant.
Clarendon is one of Oxford’s largest graduate scholarship programmes, supporting more than 200 new scholars each year. The scholarship is open to applicants from all nationalities and academic disciplines, making it a highly competitive opportunity for students from Africa and around the world.
What Are the Oxford Clarendon Scholarships?
The Clarendon Fund was established in 2001 to support academically outstanding graduate students at Oxford. Over the years, it has grown into a major international scholarship programme with a community of around 700 scholars currently studying at Oxford.
For the 2027–28 academic year, Clarendon will continue to support exceptional students pursuing eligible graduate degrees at Oxford.
The scholarship is particularly attractive because successful applicants receive funding that covers their course fees in full, regardless of whether they have Home or Overseas fee status. Full-time scholars also receive an annual grant to help cover their living expenses.
What Does the Clarendon Scholarship Cover?
The Oxford Clarendon Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for eligible full-time scholars.
The funding package includes:
- 100% coverage of course fees
- Annual living-cost grant
- Funding for the period of fee liability of the course
- Membership of the Clarendon scholarly community
- Opportunities to connect with scholars from different countries and disciplines
- Access to Clarendon academic, social and professional activities
For the 2025–26 academic year, full-time Clarendon scholars receive at least £20,780 per year for living expenses. The amount is linked to the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate and may change for future academic years.
Clarendon funding therefore goes beyond simply paying tuition. The living-cost grant is intended to help scholars meet the costs of living and studying in Oxford.
Who Can Apply for the Oxford Clarendon Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to applicants from any country or nationality. There are also no restrictions based on ordinary country of residence.
Applicants can apply in any academic subject offered at Oxford, making Clarendon relevant to students interested in areas ranging from engineering and energy to economics, public policy, medicine, law, environmental studies, social sciences and the humanities.
To be considered, you must:
- Be applying for a new eligible Master’s or DPhil course at Oxford
- Meet the academic and admission requirements for your chosen course
- Submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline
- Demonstrate outstanding academic ability and potential
Both full-time Master’s and DPhil programmes are eligible. Some part-time Master’s and DPhil programmes are also eligible under Clarendon, although the funding structure differs for part-time study.
No Separate Scholarship Application
One of the biggest advantages of the Oxford Clarendon Fund is its straightforward application process.
You do not need to submit a separate scholarship application.
Instead, applicants are automatically considered for Clarendon if they submit their complete application for an eligible graduate course by the relevant December or January funding deadline.
This means applicants should focus on preparing a strong Oxford graduate application, including their academic qualifications, personal statement, references and any other documents required by their chosen course.
How Are Clarendon Scholars Selected?
Clarendon scholarships are extremely competitive. Oxford states that scholars are selected primarily on the basis of outstanding academic merit and potential.
The selection process considers factors such as:
Excellent Academic Record
A strong academic record is essential. Oxford notes that the majority of successful Clarendon scholars typically have at least a first-class honours degree or equivalent.
Motivation for the Proposed Course
Applicants should demonstrate a clear commitment to their chosen programme and explain why the course is important to their academic and professional goals.
Future Potential
Clarendon also considers the applicant’s potential to contribute to their field of study and the wider academic community.
Because there is no nationality quota or subject restriction, applicants compete internationally across a very broad pool of highly qualified candidates.
Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarships 2027–28 Deadline
There is no single Clarendon scholarship deadline for every applicant.
Instead, applicants must submit their Oxford graduate application by the December or January deadline applicable to their chosen course.
The exact deadline can therefore vary depending on the Oxford programme you are applying for.
If you are interested in Clarendon funding, it is important to check your specific Oxford graduate course page well in advance and apply by its funding deadline. Applying after the relevant December or January deadline means you will not be considered for Clarendon.
Why Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
Winning a Clarendon Scholarship provides more than financial support.
Scholars become part of an international community of researchers and graduate students at Oxford. The Clarendon Scholars’ Association organises academic, cultural, social and professional activities, creating opportunities for scholars to build connections beyond their individual departments.
The current Clarendon community includes scholars from around 70 different countries, creating a highly international environment for collaboration and networking.
For ambitious students hoping to build careers in research, government, international development, business, academia, science, technology or policy, studying at Oxford through Clarendon can provide an exceptional platform.
How to Apply for the Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarship
There is no separate Clarendon application form.
Applicants should:
- Choose an eligible Oxford Master’s or DPhil programme.
- Review the academic and application requirements for that course.
- Prepare a strong graduate application.
- Submit the application by the relevant December or January funding deadline.
- Indicate any other Oxford funding for which you wish to be considered where the application form requires it.
- Wait for the academic and scholarship selection process.
Successful Clarendon candidates are normally contacted from April onwards, with most initial scholarship offers sent by the end of April.
Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarships 2027–28
The Oxford Clarendon Fund Scholarships represent one of the most prestigious fully funded graduate study opportunities available in the UK.
With full course-fee coverage, a substantial living-cost grant, no nationality restrictions and opportunities to join an international Oxford scholar community, Clarendon is particularly attractive to outstanding students who would otherwise find the cost of studying at Oxford difficult to afford.
If Oxford is on your list of target universities for graduate study, Clarendon should be considered alongside the admission application from the beginning. The key is not to wait for a separate scholarship call: your Oxford graduate application is also your route into Clarendon consideration, provided you meet the relevant December or January deadline.
