Are you considering studying in the UK? Great news! The Clarendon Scholarship is now accepting applications. This prestigious scholarship for the academic year 2025-2026 is offered by the University of Oxford and covers full tuition fees, along with a minimum annual grant of £15,009 for living expenses. It’s available for both master’s and PhD studies, supporting around 140 new scholars annually.
The Clarendon Scholarship is highly competitive and widely respected. It provides an excellent opportunity to join Oxford’s vibrant academic community, known for its high-quality graduate programs that foster independent research and professional growth. Whether pursuing a DPhil (PhD) or shorter programs like MPhil, MSc, MBA, or MFE, Clarendon Scholars benefit from a supportive scholarly environment and world-class faculty.

Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, suitability for their chosen course of study, and their motivation to excel. Explore more about how you can apply and embark on your academic journey at one of the world’s leading universities.
Also see Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2025
Clarendon Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD
- Institution(s): University of Oxford
- Study in: UK
- 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 (annual) (Course Admission deadlines)
Scholarship Coverage
The Clarendon Scholarship offers valuable benefits to its recipients:
- Full Coverage of Tuition and College Fees: All Clarendon Scholarships cover tuition fees and college fees entirely, ensuring scholars can focus on their studies without financial worries.
- Generous Annual Living Cost Grant: Full-time scholars receive a substantial annual grant for living expenses, which will be at least £15,009 for the academic year 2025-26. This support helps cover living expenses while pursuing studies at the University of Oxford.
- Support for Part-Time Scholars: Part-time DPhil scholars can expect a study support grant of at least £2,502, and part-time Master’s scholars can expect at least £5,003 for non-fee costs in the academic year 2025-26.
- Duration of Scholarship: The scholarships typically cover the entire duration for which scholars are liable to pay tuition fees to the University, which usually corresponds to the length of their course. This provides consistent financial support throughout their academic journey at Oxford.
Eligibility Criteria for the Clarendon Scholarship
To be eligible for the Clarendon Scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Language Requirement: Proficiency in English is mandatory.
- Nationality: Candidates from all countries worldwide are eligible to apply.
- Course Eligibility: All applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford are eligible. This includes all degree-bearing courses at the graduate level. However, Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma courses are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Subject Preference: Clarendon Scholarships do not favor any particular subject area; they support scholars across all disciplines at Oxford.
- Course Stage: Candidates applying to start a new master’s or DPhil (PhD) course at Oxford are eligible. This also includes current master’s students at Oxford who plan to apply for a DPhil course.
- Deferred Offers: Applicants with deferred offers to start their studies in the academic year 2025-26 are not eligible for consideration.
- Continuing Students: Current students who will continue studying for the same degree at Oxford in the next academic year are not eligible for the Clarendon Scholarship.
How To Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship
To apply for the Clarendon Scholarship, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Application Deadline: Submit your application for your desired course by the relevant January deadline to be considered for a Clarendon scholarship.
- Academic Assessment: Academics in your proposed field of study will review your application for academic quality and suitability for the course.
- Graduate Place Decision: The department will make a final decision on your admission to the graduate program and notify you of the outcome within the specified timeline.
- Scholarship Nomination: Simultaneously, academics within your department will nominate candidates for the Clarendon scholarship based on selection criteria.
- Divisional Review: Each academic division, including the Department for Continuing Education, convenes in February or March to review departmental nominations.
- Selection Criteria: Nominations are evaluated based on academic merit and future potential. The top-ranked nominees within each division are shortlisted for the Clarendon Scholarship.
- Scholarship Offer: Successful nominees will receive a scholarship offer letter from the Clarendon Fund Administrator once the shortlist is confirmed.
- Acceptance and Funding: Accepting the Clarendon scholarship secures your funding, provided you meet the conditions of your offer to study at Oxford.
- Partner Awards: In April and May, Clarendon Partnership Awards are matched to scholars based on award requirements. Additional information is not required from Clarendon offer holders.
- Funding Confirmation: Each scholar receives a funding breakdown letter outlining their unique funding package. Final college placements are also confirmed alongside partnership awards.
- Notification: Successful candidates will receive email notifications. Offers are typically sent out by early April. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications, unsuccessful candidates may not receive notification unless contacted by June.
- Late Nominations: In rare cases, late nominations may occur during the summer if originally nominated students withdraw.
Website
To know more about the Clarendon Scholarship, please visit the official website below;
FAQs About the Clarendon Scholarship
Who is eligible to apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
Eligibility is open to all applicants for graduate study at the University of Oxford, regardless of nationality. All degree-bearing courses at the graduate level are eligible, except for Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma courses.
What does the Clarendon Scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a generous annual grant for living expenses, ensuring scholars can focus on their studies without financial concerns.
How are Clarendon Scholarship recipients selected?
Recipients are selected based on academic merit and future potential as evaluated by academics within their department and the University’s academic divisions.
When will I know if I have been awarded the Clarendon Scholarship?
Successful applicants are notified by email, with most offers sent out by early April. If you do not receive an offer by June, unfortunately, you have not been awarded the scholarship.
Can current Oxford students apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
Current students continuing to study the same degree in the next academic year are not eligible. However, those progressing to a new master’s or DPhil course can apply, including current master’s students re-applying for a DPhil.
Is there a possibility to defer the Clarendon Scholarship?
No, the scholarship cannot be deferred. Applicants with deferred offers for their course starting in 2025-26 are not eligible for consideration.