Clarendon Scholarships 2026

Overview

The Clarendon Scholarship is one of the University of Oxford’s most prestigious graduate awards, offered through the Clarendon Fund. Each year, approximately 140 Clarendon Scholarships are awarded to outstanding graduate students from all over the world who wish to pursue full-time or part-time Master’s (MSc, MSt, MPhil, MBA, etc.) or DPhil (PhD) courses at Oxford. The scholarship is awarded purely on the basis of academic excellence and potential, and it is open to applicants from any country and any academic discipline.

What makes the Clarendon unique is that there is no separate application process — students are automatically considered for the scholarship when they apply for a graduate programme at Oxford. This means that if you are planning to pursue graduate studies at one of the world’s top universities, the Clarendon Scholarship could be your ticket to a fully funded Oxford education.

What’s Included?

The Clarendon Scholarship is a fully funded award that covers all major costs of studying at Oxford. Successful scholars receive the following benefits:

• Full Tuition and College Fees: All tuition fees and college fees are paid in full for the duration of the course.
• Living Cost Grant: A generous living costs grant is provided (at least £14,296 per year for 2017/2018 — the current year amount is updated annually).
• Community and Network Access: Clarendon scholars gain access to a vibrant community of high-achieving students from around the world, including regular events, seminars, and networking opportunities.
• Additional Support: Scholars may also access other Oxford support funds for fieldwork, maternity/paternity, and unforeseen difficulties.

Eligibility

The Clarendon Scholarship is open to students who meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Open to students from any country worldwide.
• Programme Level: Applicants must be applying for a full-time or part-time Master’s or DPhil programme at the University of Oxford.
• Academic Excellence: Selection is based solely on academic merit and intellectual potential. Only the most academically exceptional applicants are selected.
• Subject: Open to all subjects offered at Oxford — no restrictions on field of study.
• New Students: Applicants must be applying to begin a new course (not continuing students).

How to Apply

One of the key advantages of the Clarendon Scholarship is its seamless application process. There is no separate scholarship application form. Here is how it works:

• Apply for a full-time or part-time graduate course at the University of Oxford through the Oxford graduate admissions portal.
• Make sure to submit your application before the January deadline (there is typically a December deadline for some US applicants).
• You will be automatically considered for the Clarendon Scholarship as part of your graduate application — no extra steps required.
• Your academic department and college will nominate candidates, and the Clarendon Fund trustees make the final selection.
• If selected, you will be notified along with your course offer letter.

Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Application Deadline (US Citizens in USA)	Around October/November each year
Application Deadline (All Other Applicants)	January 31, 2026
Notification of Award	Alongside course offer letters (varies by department)

Contact Information

For more information about the Clarendon Scholarship, please visit the official website. You may also contact the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions office for queries related to your application and scholarship consideration.