Imagine submitting one application — your normal graduate application to Oxford — and automatically being in the running for one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships in the world. That is exactly how the Clarendon Scholarship works. There is no separate form, no extra essay, no second deadline to miss. Every year, the Clarendon Fund awards more than 200 fully funded scholarships to outstanding graduate students at the University of Oxford, covering course fees in full plus a grant for living expenses.
In short: The Clarendon Scholarship 2027 funds master's and DPhil students from any country, in any subject, at the University of Oxford. You are automatically considered when you apply for graduate study by your course's December 2026 or January 2027 deadline — there is no separate scholarship application.
Quick Overview
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Host Institution: University of Oxford
- Degree Level: Master's and DPhil (PhD)
- Program Duration: Full length of your course (period of fee liability)
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Deadline: Your course's December 2026 or January 2027 graduate deadline (12 noon UK time; exact date varies by course)
Benefits of the Clarendon Scholarship 2027
The funding is comprehensive, and — importantly — it is honest funding with no hidden gaps. Here is what each award covers:
- Full course and college fees — tuition and college fees are paid for the entire period of your fee liability, which usually means the full length of your course.
- A generous living grant — full-time scholars receive an annual grant toward living expenses alongside the fee award, so you are not left covering rent and food out of pocket.
- Support for part-time students too — Clarendon is open to both full-time and part-time DPhil and master's students; part-time scholars receive support adjusted to their mode of study.
- A global scholar community — you join one of Oxford's most active, internationally diverse, multidisciplinary communities: over 700 on-course Clarendon scholars from around 70 countries.
- No strings attached — there is no nationality quota, no field-of-study restriction, and no requirement to return to your home country after graduating.
Eligibility Criteria for the Clarendon Scholarship 2027
- Graduate-level study only — you must be applying for a new full-time or part-time master's or DPhil course at Oxford. Undergraduate applicants are not eligible.
- All subjects welcome — there are no restrictions on nationality, ordinary residence, or field of study. Every eligible course at Oxford counts.
- The December or January deadline is the eligibility line — you must apply for your course by its relevant December or January graduate deadline. Applications submitted for later deadlines (such as March) are not considered for Clarendon, however strong they are.
- Selected on academic merit — scholars are chosen by experts in their fields for outstanding academic merit and potential. It is highly competitive.
- Open to all nationalities — UK, EU, and international students are all considered on the same basis.
How to Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship 2027
There is genuinely no separate scholarship application. Follow these steps:
1. Choose your Oxford graduate course — browse the Oxford graduate course pages and shortlist the master's or DPhil program that fits your goals. 2. Check your course's deadline — every course has its own graduate application deadline, falling in December 2026 or January 2027 (usually 12 noon UK time). This date is the one that matters; find it on your specific course page. 3. Submit your graduate application on time — complete the Oxford online graduate application, including all supporting documents and references, before your course's December or January deadline. 4. Automatic consideration — there is no tick-box or extra section for Clarendon. Every eligible candidate who applies by the funding deadline is automatically considered. 5. Departmental nomination — if your application is academically outstanding, your department may nominate you for Clarendon. A shortlist is drawn up and assessed by Clarendon panels. 6. Wait for the outcome — successful candidates are typically notified around April 2027. If you receive an offer, accept it by the stated date to secure the funding.
Required Documents
Everything is submitted as part of your standard Oxford graduate application. Requirements vary slightly by course, but typically include:
- Academic transcripts from all previous university study
- At least two academic references (three are preferred for many courses)
- A personal statement or research proposal, as required by your course
- A CV, if your course asks for one
- Any course-specific requirements such as written work, a portfolio, or GRE scores
- The graduate application fee (currently £75)
Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Deadline
There is no standalone Clarendon deadline — the deadline is your course's graduate application deadline in December 2026 or January 2027. Most courses set this for early December or early January (12 noon UK time). Miss it and you miss Clarendon for that year entirely, because applications submitted after the funding deadline are not eligible regardless of how strong they are. Start early: references, in particular, take longer than applicants expect, and your application must be complete — form, documents, and references — by the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Clarendon Scholarship really fully funded?
Yes. Clarendon covers your full course and college fees and provides an annual grant for living expenses for the period of your fee liability, which usually means the entire course. For part-time scholars, the support is adjusted to the mode of study. You will still want a small personal buffer for setup costs, but the scholarship genuinely covers the core expenses of studying at Oxford.
Do I need to submit a separate application for Clarendon?
No. This is the best part of Clarendon: you are automatically considered when you apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course by its December or January deadline. There is no extra form, essay, or tick-box.
What is the deadline for the Clarendon Scholarship 2027?
It is the same as your course's graduate application deadline in December 2026 or January 2027 (typically 12 noon UK time). Because each course sets its own date, check your course page on the Oxford website and treat that date as your Clarendon deadline.
Who can apply for the Clarendon Scholarship?
Anyone applying for a new full-time or part-time master's or DPhil at Oxford, in any subject, from any country. There are no nationality, residence, or field-of-study restrictions.
How many Clarendon Scholarships are awarded each year?
More than 200 new scholarships are awarded annually, and there are over 700 Clarendon scholars on course at any time, drawn from around 70 countries.
How competitive is the Clarendon Scholarship?
Very. Scholars are selected purely on outstanding academic merit and potential by subject experts. A first-class or equivalent academic record, strong references, and a compelling research proposal or statement of purpose are the baseline. Think of it as rewarding the very top of Oxford's applicant pool.
Does Clarendon require me to return to my home country after my studies?
No. Unlike some government scholarships, Clarendon carries no return or service obligation. You are free to use your Oxford education however you choose after graduating.
Can part-time students get a Clarendon Scholarship?
Yes. Both full-time and part-time DPhil and master's courses are eligible. The funding is structured around your period of fee liability, so part-time scholars receive support suited to their study pattern.
When will I hear back about a Clarendon offer?
Departments make nominations in the months after the application deadlines, and successful candidates are generally notified around April 2027.
Can I reapply for Clarendon if I am not selected?
Clarendon is tied to a new graduate application, so if you are not selected, you could apply to Oxford again in a future cycle and be considered afresh. But the stronger strategy is to make your first application as strong as possible — particularly your personal statement, research proposal, and references, since those are effectively your scholarship application.
Final Words
Clarendon is one of those rare scholarships that rewards you simply for submitting an outstanding Oxford application on time. No extra paperwork, no hidden criteria — just academic excellence, recognized and fully funded. The catch, if there is one, is the deadline: December 2026 or January 2027 comes faster than you think, and everything must be complete by noon UK time. Start your Oxford application early, choose your referees now, and give your statement the weeks it deserves.
