Clarendon Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Grad Program in Oxford

The University of Oxford has confirmed that its Clarendon Fund Scholarships are open for the 2026-27 intake, offering full tuition, full college fees, and a generous living stipend for graduate students in every subject. Over 200 new scholarships will be awarded this cycle with no nationality or field restrictions. If you are planning a Master’s or DPhil at Oxford and apply by the course deadline, you are automatically considered for the scholarship.

What Exactly Does Oxford Pay For?

• Full tuition fees covered for the entire duration of fee liability.
• Full college fees covered for the length of your course.
• An annual living costs grant for full-time scholars, set at a minimum of the UKRI doctoral stipend rate (at least 15,009 GBP for the 2025-26 cohort).
• A study support grant for part-time DPhil scholars (at least 2,502 GBP in 2025-26) and part-time Master’s scholars (at least 5,003 GBP in 2025-26).
• Funding duration that matches your full period of fee liability.
• Some divisions may extend funding beyond fee liability at their discretion.

Who Can Actually Apply?

• You must be applying for a new full-time or part-time Master’s or DPhil course at the University of Oxford.
• You must submit your graduate application by the December or January admissions deadline relevant to your chosen course.
• All nationalities and all countries of ordinary residence are eligible.
• All degree-bearing graduate courses across the four academic divisions and the Department for Continuing Education qualify.
• Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma courses are not eligible.
• Current Oxford students continuing the same degree into the next academic year are not eligible.
• You must meet Oxford’s standard English language proficiency requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent).
• Selection is based on academic record, aptitude for the proposed course, and motivation.

So How Does This Actually Work?

The application process runs alongside your regular Oxford graduate application. You start by applying to your chosen graduate course through Oxford’s standard admissions system before the December 2026 or January 2027 deadline. That single application is your scholarship application. Academics in your proposed field of study review your application for both admission and scholarship potential simultaneously. Your department decides whether to offer you a graduate place and identifies its strongest candidates for Clarendon funding based on the selection criteria.

Each of Oxford’s academic divisions and the Department for Continuing Education convenes in February or March to review departmental nominations. The highest-ranked candidates from each division are shortlisted for a Clarendon award. Successful applicants receive a formal scholarship offer letter, known internally as a CB1. Accepting that CB1 secures your funding, provided you meet the conditions of your offer to study at Oxford.

From April through the summer months, the fund assembles bespoke funding packages for each scholar. Once your personalised package is finalised, you receive a funding breakdown letter called a CB2, detailing your financial arrangements and confirming your college placement. Most initial offers go out by the end of April.

When Does the Door Close?

The Clarendon Fund does not set its own deadline — your deadline is your course deadline. For the 2026-27 intake, applicants must submit their Oxford graduate application by either December 2026 or January 2027, depending on the specific admissions timeline for their chosen programme. Applications submitted after the funding deadline will not be considered for Clarendon.