Clarendon Scholarship United Kingdom 2027: Oxford Fees and Living Grant
The Clarendon Scholarship 2027 is the University of Oxford’s largest graduate scholarship scheme. It is open to applicants of any nationality who apply for a new Master’s or DPhil course. There is no separate scholarship form: you are considered automatically if you apply to your course by its December or January deadline. Oxford says it offers over 200 new scholarships a year and describes them as highly competitive. Course deadlines for 2027 entry run from late 2026 to late January 2027, so check your own course page first.
Scholarship Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Degree level | New Master’s and DPhil courses in any subject |
| Funding | Course fees in full plus a living grant for full-time scholars. Part-time scholars receive a study support grant. Visa and health cover costs are not listed. |
| Eligible nationalities | All. Oxford says there are no restrictions on nationality or country of residence. |
| Deadlines (2027 entry) | Set by your course. Examples: 2 December 2026, 6 January 2027, 7 January 2027 and 27 January 2027, all at 12:00 midday UK time. |
| Intake | Autumn 2027 (course start dates range from late September to early October 2027) |
| Language requirement | Standard or higher level, set by each course. Example: IELTS Academic 7.0 overall (standard) or 7.5 overall (higher). |
| Official link | https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon |
Benefits and Funding
Oxford describes Clarendon awards as fully funded. We use a stricter test: a scholarship is fully funded only if it covers tuition, a living allowance and health insurance. The Clarendon pages do not list health cover or visa costs, so we describe the benefits exactly instead.
What is covered
- Course fees in full, for Home and Overseas students.
- For full-time scholars, a living grant. The page gives at least £20,780 for 2025-26, which it links to the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. The 2027 figure is not published on the pages we checked.
- For part-time scholars, a study support grant of a sixth, a third or a half of the UKRI rate, depending on the course.
- Funding for the period of fee liability of your course. Offer letters state the exact length.
Some divisions add extra living-expense funding beyond the fee-liability period, but continuation charges are not covered.
What is not covered or not stated
- Visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Not confirmed: check your offer documents.
- Costs for family members.
- Continuation charges after your fee-liability period.
Oxford also says it expects to offer over 1,200 full or partial graduate scholarships in total for 2027-28. Clarendon is part of that group.
Eligibility Criteria
Course. You must apply for a new Master’s or DPhil course. Current Oxford Master’s students can apply for a DPhil or a second Master’s. Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are not listed as eligible.
Deadline. You must apply by the December or January deadline that applies to your course. The scholarship pages give no single date.
Nationality and subject. There are no restrictions on nationality, ordinary residence or field of study.
Academic record. Oxford says it usually looks for at least a first-class degree or equivalent, such as a GPA of 3.7 out of 4. An exceptional Master’s can offset a moderate first degree.
Potential and motivation. Departments assess your potential through references and research proposals, and they look for commitment to the course in your personal statement.
Who is not eligible. Holders of a deferred graduate offer are not eligible. Neither are current students who are continuing the same degree at Oxford next year.
Age and work experience. The scholarship pages set no age limit or work-experience rule. Your course may. Not confirmed: check your course page.
Who should not apply. This route will not help if you cannot meet your course deadline or if your course is not a Master’s or DPhil.
Required Documents
You do not submit extra documents for Clarendon. Oxford says there is no separate application and no additional documents. You provide what your course asks for in the graduate application.
- [ ] Completed graduate application form
- [ ] Transcripts and degree certificates
- [ ] Referee details, with references submitted on time
- [ ] Personal statement
- [ ] Research proposal or written work, if your course asks for it
- [ ] CV, if your course asks for it
- [ ] English language test result, if you need one
Not confirmed: your course page lists the exact documents and deadlines.
How to Apply
- Find your course. Search the graduate courses on the Oxford website and read the course page.
- Note the deadline and English level. Course pages show the upcoming 2027-28 deadline and whether the English level is standard or higher.
- Apply to the course. Use the graduate application form. Oxford recommends submitting at least two weeks before a January deadline if you want funding consideration.
- Do nothing extra for the Clarendon Scholarship. All applicants to eligible courses are considered.
- Wait for your course decision. Academics in your field assess your application. The department makes the final decision on your place.
- Wait for funding news. Departments nominate candidates, and divisions meet in February or March to shortlist. Initial offers are usually sent by the end of April.
- Check your offer. If you receive one, the funding details arrive in your offer paperwork.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Confirm your deadline early. Course pages show different dates. A DPhil in Computer Science lists 2 December 2026, a DPhil in Biology lists 6 January 2027, and a DPhil in Law lists 27 January 2027.
- Submit before the last day. Oxford suggests finishing at least two weeks early if funding deadlines matter to you.
- Show research potential. The Clarendon Scholarship assesses potential through references and proposals. Write a proposal with a clear question and method that fits your department.
- Contact supervisors where the department encourages it. The Department of Chemistry strongly encourages informal contact before a research degree application.
- Order transcripts and brief referees early. Faculty pages advise contacting referees and ordering transcripts well ahead of the deadline.
- Do not apply with a deferred offer. Deferred offer holders are not eligible for this year’s Clarendon.
- Book your English test in good time. Make sure your test is less than two years old at your course start date, and check which level your course needs.
- Check other Oxford scholarships. Some require a tick box or an extra form. Clarendon does not.
Language Requirement
Each course requires either the standard or the higher English level. The course page states which.
- IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each part for standard level; 7.5 overall with at least 7.0 in each part for higher level.
- TOEFL iBT: 100 overall for standard level, with minimum part scores. Oxford will not accept TOEFL tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and the Oxford Test of English Advanced, are also accepted at set scores.
Oxford does not accept the TOEFL Essentials test or “MyBest” scores. Your test must be less than two years old at the start of your course. Some applicants with substantial professional experience in English may not need a test. Check the official page for the exact conditions.
Visa, Health Cover and Work Rights
Clarendon pages do not describe visa or health cover. Read the official UK guidance at https://www.gov.uk/student-visa.
Work. Under the Immigration Rules, a full-time student at degree level or above with a sponsor that has a track record of compliance can work up to 20 hours per week in term time, and full time outside term time. Part-time postgraduate study does not allow work.
Dependants. A GOV.UK evaluation says only international students on postgraduate research courses, and some on government-funded scholarships, can now bring dependants. Plan family costs separately from the scholarship.
Part-time scholars. Clarendon offers a study support grant for part-time courses. Not confirmed: how this works for applicants who need a Student visa. Ask Oxford before you plan.
Career and Post-Study Options
An Oxford Master’s or DPhil can lead to research, teaching and industry roles, but the scholarship does not promise a job or visa. UK rules can change.
According to the April 2026 guidance for Skilled Worker sponsors, a PhD student may switch to the Skilled Worker route if they have completed at least 12 months of the PhD in the UK. Other conditions apply. Not confirmed: check GOV.UK for the Graduate route and current rules.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing your course deadline or using another course’s date.
- Waiting until the final day to submit.
- Looking for a separate Clarendon form. There is not one.
- Applying with a deferred offer and expecting to be considered.
- Using a TOEFL test taken after 21 January 2026.
- Assuming visa and health surcharge costs are covered.
- Waiting for a rejection email. Oxford does not contact unsuccessful applicants.
- Paying anyone who promises to “secure” a Clarendon place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Clarendon application form? No. If you apply to an eligible course by its December or January deadline, you are considered automatically.
Which nationalities can apply? All. Oxford says there are no restrictions on nationality or country of residence.
How many scholarships are there? The Clarendon page says over 200 new scholarships each year. The About page says over 230 in 2025/26.
When will I know? Initial offers are usually sent by the end of April. If you have not heard by mid-June, Oxford says you have not been awarded a scholarship.
Does it cover living costs? Full-time scholars receive a living grant of at least £20,780 for 2025-26. The 2027 amount is not published on the pages we checked.
Can part-time students receive it? Yes. Part-time scholars receive course fees and a study support grant. One applicant page lists only full-time courses, so confirm with Oxford.
Do I need to take IELTS? It depends on your course and background. Some applicants are exempt. The scholarship does not waive the course’s English requirement.
Can I apply while holding a deferred offer? No. Holders of a deferred graduate offer are not eligible.
Scam Warning
Scholarships do not charge application or “processing” fees. Clarendon has no separate application, so any message asking you to pay for a Clarendon scholarship is suspicious. Not confirmed: check the Oxford graduate application page for any course application fee. Use only official ox.ac.uk pages, and be careful with emails that ask for payment or passwords.
Final Words
The Clarendon Scholarship 2027 can pay course fees and living costs for a small number of strong graduate applicants from any country. Find your course deadline, apply early, and put your effort into a clear research case and strong references.
Apply only through the official University of Oxford website.
Disclaimer
We are not the scholarship provider. Please confirm all details on the official website.
Sources
All pages were checked on 31 October 2026.
- Clarendon Fund (official page): https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon
- Clarendon information for applicants: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon/applicants
- About the Clarendon Fund: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon/about
- Oxford graduate scholarships: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/scholarships
- A-Z of scholarships: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/fees-funding-and-scholarship-search/scholarships-a-z-listing
- English language proficiency: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/application-guide/qualifications-experience-languages-funding/english-language-proficiency
- DPhil in Computer Science: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-computer-science
- DPhil in Biology: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-biology
- DPhil in Law: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/dphil-law
- MSc in Advanced Computer Science: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/msc-advanced-computer-science
- Department of Chemistry, information for applicants: https://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/information-for-postgraduate-applicants
- Faculty of Classics, how to apply: https://www.classics.ox.ac.uk/how-apply-graduate
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Student, GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-student
- Student route evaluation (wave 2), GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/student-route-evaluation-wave-2/student-route-evaluation-wave-2
- Sponsor a Skilled Worker (April 2026), GOV.UK: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69d4c7d4d6a236570a263e41/Sponsor-a-Skilled-Worker-04-26-v1.0.pdf
- Student visa, GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
