Clarendon Scholarships at Oxford University: Fully Funded Master’s & PhD Scholarships. The Clarendon Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded postgraduate scholarships available at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is designed to support academically outstanding students from around the world who want to pursue a new Master’s or DPhil (PhD) degree at Oxford.

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The scholarship is particularly attractive because it covers course fees in full and provides a grant for living expenses. There are also no restrictions based on nationality, ordinary residence, or academic subject. This makes Clarendon an excellent opportunity for international students, including applicants from Pakistan and other countries outside the UK.

The Clarendon Fund was established in 2001 and has grown into Oxford’s largest scholarship scheme. Oxford states that there are around 700 Clarendon scholars currently studying at the University, representing approximately 70 countries, and the programme offers more than 200 new fully funded scholarships each year.

For students planning to apply for the academic year, one of the most important things to understand is the deadline. There is no separate Clarendon scholarship deadline or scholarship form. Instead, eligible applicants are automatically considered when they submit their Oxford graduate application by the December or January funding deadline applicable to their chosen course. Apply for More Fully Funded Scholarships Here.

Clarendon Scholarships – Summary

Category	Details
Scholarship name	Clarendon Scholarship
University	University of Oxford
Country	United Kingdom
Degree level	Master’s and DPhil/PhD
Funding	Fully funded
Tuition fees	Covered in full
Living grant	Provided
Nationality	All nationalities eligible
Subject areas	All academic subjects
Study mode	Eligible full-time and part-time Master’s and DPhil courses
Separate scholarship application	No
2027–28 deadline	December or January, depending on the Oxford course
Selection basis	Academic excellence and potential
IELTS	Depends on the selected Oxford course
GPA	No single universal GPA; outstanding academic record expected
Application portal	University of Oxford Graduate Admissions
Official website	University of Oxford – Clarendon Fund

What Is the Clarendon Scholarship?

The Clarendon Scholarship is a graduate scholarship programme at the University of Oxford. It supports exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and strong future potential.

Unlike some scholarships where students must complete a separate funding application, Clarendon has a much simpler application process. Students apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course, and if they submit their application by the relevant funding deadline, they are automatically considered for Clarendon.

Clarendon is open across Oxford’s academic disciplines. Successful scholars can study subjects ranging from engineering and computer science to economics, law, social sciences, humanities, medicine-related fields, and natural sciences, provided their chosen course is eligible.

The scholarship is highly competitive because Oxford aims to select the strongest candidates from around the world.

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Clarendon Scholarship Benefits

One of the biggest reasons students apply for Clarendon is its comprehensive financial support.

1. Full Tuition Fee Coverage

Clarendon scholarships cover course fees in full for eligible scholars. This applies to both Home and Overseas fee-status students.

For international students, this is particularly valuable because international postgraduate tuition fees at Oxford can be substantial.

2. Living Expenses Grant

Full-time Clarendon scholars also receive an annual grant for living expenses.

The academic year, Oxford states that scholars receive at least £20,780 in living support. The amount is linked to the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate and can change in future years.

Therefore, applicants should check the official Oxford website for the amount applicable to their year of study.

3. Support Throughout the Period of Fee Liability

Clarendon scholarships are normally provided for the period during which the scholar is liable to pay course fees, subject to the conditions of the scholarship.

4. International Academic Community

Clarendon is not only a financial award. Scholars become part of a large international community of Oxford graduate students.

The programme provides opportunities to build academic, social and professional relationships with scholars from different disciplines and countries.

5. No Nationality Restrictions

There are no restrictions based on nationality or ordinary residence. Students from around the world can be considered if they meet the academic and course requirements.

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Who Can Apply for Clarendon Scholarships?

Clarendon is intended for students applying for a new eligible graduate course at Oxford.

Applicants must generally:

Apply for a new Master’s or DPhil course at Oxford.
Meet the academic requirements of their selected course.
Submit their Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.
Demonstrate outstanding academic ability.
Demonstrate strong future academic potential.
Show motivation for their proposed course.
Meet any English-language requirements of their chosen Oxford programme.
Meet any additional requirements of the individual department.

Clarendon has no nationality restriction and supports students from all academic disciplines.

Degree Levels Covered

Master’s Scholarships

Clarendon supports eligible Master’s programmes at Oxford.

Examples can include:

MSc
MSt
MPhil
MBA
MFE
Other eligible graduate Master’s degrees

The exact eligibility depends on the Oxford course.

DPhil/PhD Scholarships

Clarendon also supports eligible DPhil programmes.

A DPhil is Oxford’s term for a doctoral degree and is equivalent to a PhD at many other universities.

A significant proportion of Clarendon scholars pursue DPhil study.

Are Bachelor’s Students Eligible?

No.

Clarendon is a graduate scholarship. It is designed for Master’s and DPhil/PhD-level study rather than undergraduate Bachelor’s programmes.

Students looking for fully funded Bachelor’s scholarships at Oxford should explore other Oxford or external scholarship opportunities.

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Academic Eligibility Requirements

Academic excellence is one of the most important selection factors.

Oxford states that an excellent academic record is essential and that the majority of successful Clarendon scholars usually have at least a first-class honours degree or equivalent. Oxford gives a GPA of around 3.7/4.0 or higher as an example, while noting that many successful applicants achieve higher scores.

However, there is no single universal GPA cutoff that guarantees a Clarendon Scholarship.

Selection may also consider:

Individual grades
Academic awards
University prizes
Position within the graduating class
Research publications
Master’s-level performance
Academic references
Research potential

An exceptional Master’s degree can sometimes compensate for a less exceptional first degree, depending on the circumstances and discipline.

Future Academic Potential

Academic achievement alone is not the only factor.

Oxford also evaluates the applicant’s future academic potential and aptitude.

For research degrees, this can include:

Quality of research proposal
Research experience
Academic references
Previous research work
Publications
Intellectual ability
Potential contribution to the field

Students applying for a DPhil should therefore pay particular attention to their research proposal and academic references.

Student Motivation

Clarendon also considers the applicant’s motivation.

Your application should clearly explain:

Why you want to study the selected programme.
Why Oxford is appropriate for your academic goals.
What you hope to achieve through the degree.
Your long-term academic or professional objectives.
How your previous education has prepared you for the programme.

Oxford states that motivation is assessed using evidence from the application, personal statement and referees’ reports.

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IELTS and English Language Requirements

There is no separate Clarendon IELTS requirement.

Instead, applicants must satisfy the English-language requirements of their chosen Oxford graduate course.

Depending on the programme, Oxford may accept tests such as:

IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
Other accepted qualifications or exemptions

The exact score depends on the selected course.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that one IELTS score applies to every Clarendon scholarship. Always check the English-language requirements on your specific Oxford course page.

Required Documents

There is an important difference between the Clarendon Scholarship and many other scholarships.
You do not need to submit separate Clarendon scholarship documents or a separate scholarship application. Oxford automatically considers eligible graduate applicants who apply by the relevant deadline.
However, you still need to submit the documents required for your Oxford graduate application.
These may include:
1. Academic Transcripts
Provide official or acceptable academic records showing your previous university performance.
2. Degree Certificates
You may need evidence of your completed bachelor’s or other relevant qualification.
3. CV/Resume
Your CV should highlight:
Academic achievements
Research
Publications
Internships
Professional experience
Awards
Relevant skills
4. Personal Statement
A strong personal statement can demonstrate your motivation and suitability for the selected programme.
5. Research Proposal
Applicants for research programmes such as DPhil may need a research proposal.
6. Academic References
Strong academic recommendations are important because Clarendon considers references as part of the assessment of academic potential.
7. English-Language Evidence
Submit IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted qualification if required by your Oxford course.
8. Additional Course Documents
Some departments may require writing samples, portfolios, GRE scores or other materials.
The exact document list varies by Oxford programme.

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How to Apply for Clarendon Scholarship

The application process is straightforward because there is no separate scholarship application.
Step 1: Choose an Oxford Graduate Course
Visit Oxford’s graduate course listings and find a Master’s or DPhil programme that matches your academic background and career goals.
Step 2: Check Course Requirements
Review:
Academic requirements
English-language requirements
Required documents
Research requirements
Application deadline
Step 3: Prepare Your Application
Prepare your:
Academic transcripts
CV
Personal statement
References
Research proposal, if required
English-language test results
Other programme-specific documents
Step 4: Submit Your Oxford Application
Submit your graduate application through Oxford’s official graduate admissions system.
Step 5: Apply by the Funding Deadline
This is the most important step for Clarendon.
Oxford states that students must apply by the December or January admissions deadline relevant to their course to be automatically considered for Clarendon.
There is no separate Clarendon application form.
Step 6: Departmental Assessment
Your academic department evaluates your graduate application.
The department determines:
Whether you are academically suitable for admission.
Whether you should be nominated for Clarendon funding.
Step 7: Divisional Selection
Departmental nominations are reviewed by the relevant Oxford academic division.
The strongest candidates are shortlisted for Clarendon.
Step 8: Scholarship Decision
Successful candidates are normally contacted by email.
Oxford states that most initial Clarendon scholarship offers are sent by the end of April, although exact timelines can vary.

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Clarendon Scholarship Deadline

There is not one universal Clarendon deadline.

Instead, the deadline depends on the graduate course you are applying for.

For the scholarships intake, applicants should expect the relevant Clarendon funding deadline to fall in December or January, depending on the programme.

Oxford explicitly advises applicants to check their individual graduate course page for the applicable December or January deadline.

Important

Do not wait for a separate Clarendon application to open.

There is no additional scholarship form.

Your Oxford graduate course application is also your Clarendon scholarship application, provided you submit it by the relevant funding deadline.

How Competitive Is the Clarendon Scholarship?

Clarendon is highly competitive.

Oxford selects candidates based on academic excellence and future potential, with experts in the relevant academic fields participating in the selection process.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements therefore does not guarantee a scholarship.

To become competitive, applicants should aim to demonstrate:

Excellent grades
Strong academic references
Relevant research experience
High-quality research proposal, where applicable
Academic awards
Publications or scholarly work, where relevant
Clear motivation
Strong fit with the selected Oxford programme

Tips to Increase Your Chances

Maintain Excellent Academic Results
A high GPA or first-class equivalent academic record is one of the strongest elements of a Clarendon application.
Choose the Right Oxford Programme
Your academic background should make sense for the programme you choose.
Develop Research Experience
For DPhil applicants, research experience can make your application stronger.
Write a Strong Personal Statement
Your statement should be specific rather than generic. Explain your academic interests, goals and reasons for choosing Oxford.
Prepare Strong References
Ask professors or academic supervisors who know your work well.
Create a Strong Research Proposal
For research degrees, demonstrate:
A clear research question
Knowledge of the field
Research methodology
Originality
Academic significance
Apply Before the Deadline
Late applications will not be considered for Clarendon if they miss the relevant funding deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarendon Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. Clarendon scholarships cover eligible course fees in full and provide a living-cost grant for eligible full-time scholars.
How much does Clarendon pay for living expenses?
For 2025–26, Oxford states that full-time Clarendon scholars receive at least £20,780 per year. The amount can change for future academic years, so 2027–28 applicants should check Oxford’s latest information.
Who can apply for Clarendon?
Students from all nationalities can be considered for Clarendon if they apply for an eligible new Master’s or DPhil course and meet the scholarship’s selection criteria.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. There is no nationality restriction, so Pakistani students can be considered provided they meet the Oxford course and scholarship requirements.
Is Clarendon available for Bachelor’s degrees?
No. Clarendon is for eligible Master’s and DPhil/PhD-level graduate courses.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
No. You are automatically considered if you submit your eligible Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January funding deadline.
What is the Clarendon deadline?
The deadline depends on your chosen Oxford graduate course. It will generally be the December or January funding deadline applicable to that course. Applicants should check their specific course page for the exact date.
What GPA do I need?
Oxford does not publish one universal GPA cutoff for Clarendon. It says an excellent academic record is essential and that most successful scholars typically have at least a first-class equivalent degree. Oxford gives approximately 3.7/4.0 as an example, while noting that successful applicants often achieve higher.
Is IELTS required for Clarendon?
Clarendon itself does not have one separate IELTS requirement. English-language requirements are determined by the Oxford course you apply for.
Can current Oxford students apply?
Students who are currently studying at Oxford and continuing on the same degree are not eligible for a new Clarendon award. However, current Oxford Master’s students applying for a new DPhil or a second eligible Master’s may be considered.
Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?
Yes. Having a previous Master’s degree does not automatically prevent you from applying. Eligibility depends on the new Oxford course and scholarship conditions.
When are Clarendon decisions announced?
Oxford states that most initial Clarendon offers are sent by the end of April, while unsuccessful applicants are generally not contacted. If an applicant has not heard by mid-June, Oxford advises assuming that they have not been awarded the scholarship.
Does Clarendon cover accommodation?
Clarendon provides a living-cost grant rather than a separate guaranteed accommodation payment. Scholars can use their living support toward accommodation and other living expenses.

Official Clarendon Scholarship Website

For the latest eligibility requirements, deadlines, funding information and application instructions, applicants should use the official University of Oxford website:

Official Clarendon Fund: University of Oxford – Clarendon Fund

Official Applicant Information: Oxford Clarendon Scholarship – Information for Applicants

Oxford confirms that Clarendon scholarships are fully funded, have no nationality or subject restrictions, and automatically consider eligible applicants who submit their graduate applications by the relevant December or January deadline.

Conclusion

The Clarendon Scholarship at the University of Oxford is an outstanding opportunity for international students seeking fully funded Master’s or DPhil/PhD study in the UK. The scholarship covers eligible course fees in full and provides a substantial grant for living expenses, allowing successful students to focus on their studies without the usual financial burden of Oxford graduate education.

One of the biggest advantages of Clarendon is its simple application process. There is no separate scholarship form. Students simply need to submit a strong application for an eligible Oxford graduate programme by the relevant December or January funding deadline. Eligible applicants are then automatically considered for Clarendon.

Prospective applicants should begin preparing early. Because the exact deadline varies according to the chosen Oxford course, students should check the official course page carefully and submit their complete application before the stated funding deadline.

The competition is extremely strong, so applicants should focus on academic excellence, strong references, clear motivation, research potential, and a well-prepared graduate application. More Scholarships? Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training Scholarships

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