The Clarendon Scholarship stands as a hallmark of academic excellence and opportunity at the University of Oxford. Established to attract and support outstanding graduate students from across the globe, the scholarship embodies a commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, research innovation, and global collaboration.

Renowned for its rigorous selection process, the Clarendon Scholarship seeks individuals with exceptional academic achievements, research potential, and leadership qualities. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated excellence in their chosen field of study, as well as their potential to contribute to the academic community and society at large.

The Clarendon Scholarship offers recipients the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies across a diverse range of disciplines, including but not limited to the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. Whether aspiring to earn a master’s degree or a doctoral degree, scholars benefit from the world-class faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and vibrant academic environment offered by the University of Oxford.

The application process for the Clarendon Scholarship is highly competitive and typically involves submitting an application for admission to a graduate program at Oxford, followed by a separate application for the scholarship itself. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, research potential, proposed area of study, and personal statement outlining their academic and career aspirations.

Once awarded, Clarendon Scholars receive a comprehensive scholarship package that covers tuition fees, living expenses, and other academic-related costs associated with their studies at Oxford. Additionally, scholars may have access to funding for research projects, conference attendance, and professional development opportunities to further enhance their academic and career prospects.

Beyond financial support, the Clarendon Scholarship offers recipients the opportunity to become part of a diverse and dynamic academic community at Oxford. Scholars have access to a wide range of interdisciplinary research networks, cultural events, and extracurricular activities, providing opportunities for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and personal growth.

Clarendon is one of the largest systems providing around 140 fresh scholarships each year at the University. Clarendon Scholarships are extremely sought-after, competitive and renowned.

High quality and smaller than in many nations, Oxford’s graduate classes facilitate your rapid professional development. Our graduate research strategy emphasizes your capacity to function separately while being backed by an exceptional scholarly society. Most academics of Clarendon are collaborating towards a DPhil (the title of Oxford for a PhD). Scholarships are also granted for two-year (such as MPhil or BPhil) or one-year (such as MSc, MSt, MBA or MFE) degrees.

Clarendon Scholarship Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Masters, PhD
• Institution(s): University of Oxford
• Study in: UK
• Eligible Countries: All world countries.
• Scholarship Value: At least £15,009 annual grant for living costs.
• Courses Offered: Scholarships are tenable in all subject areas and are open to candidates who apply for a new master’s or DPhil course by the January admissions deadline.
• Program Period: Depends on the chosen course.
• Deadline: December or January, 2025

Clarendon Scholarship Scholarship Coverage

Clarendon Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:

• All Clarendon Scholarships cover tuition and college fees in full.
• Scholars on a full-time course receive a generous annual grant for living costs which will be at least £15,009 for 2025-26. Scholars on a part-time course will receive a study support grant, to assist with non-fee costs. Scholars on a part-time course will receive a study support grant, to assist with non-fee costs. In 2025-26, part-time DPhil scholars should expect to receive at least £2,502 and part-time Master’s scholars should expect at least £5,003.
• The scholarships are normally offered for the full period for which you are liable to pay tuition fees to the University, which is usually the same as the length of your course.

Eligibility Criteria for Clarendon Scholarship

To qualify for Clarendon Scholarship, candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements below:

• Required Language: English
• Eligible Countries: All world countries.
• All applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford are eligible.
• All degree-bearing courses at graduate level are eligible.
• Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma courses are not eligible for this scholarship.
• Clarendon supports scholars from across the University, with no preference for any particular subject area.
• Candidates applying to start a new master’s or DPhil course at Oxford are eligible. This includes students who are currently studying for a master’s degree at Oxford but who will be re-applying for a DPhil (you would be eligible for funding for the DPhil).
• Applicants who hold deferred offers to start in 2025-26 are not eligible to be considered for this scholarship.
• Current students who will continue to study for the same degree at Oxford in the next year are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to Apply for Clarendon Scholarship

Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Clarendon Scholarship:

• Apply by the relevant January deadline for your course to be considered for a Clarendon scholarship.
• 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.
• 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 Clarendon Fund Administrator will contact successful applicants and will provide the scholarship offer letter.
• 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 and May, 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 outlining the funding arrangements. Final college placements will also be confirmed alongside partnership awards.
• All successful Clarendon candidates will be contacted via email. The majority of offers are sent out by early April of each year.
• Due to the number of eligible applicants, unsuccessful students will not be contacted. If you have not heard from us by June, please assume that unfortunately you have not been awarded a Clarendon scholarship.
• A few late nominations may take place during the summer period if nominated students withdraw, however this is very rare.

Note

Applications are assessed against the following criteria:

• Academic record.
• Aptitude for the proposed course of study.
• Student motivation.

Conclusion

The Clarendon Scholarship not only recognizes individual excellence but also promotes diversity, inclusion, and international collaboration in academia. By empowering scholars to pursue their academic passions and make meaningful contributions to their fields, the scholarship program continues to uphold Oxford’s tradition of academic excellence and leadership in the global community.

Apply Here