The Clarendon Scholarship 2027 is one of the University of Oxford’s largest fully funded graduate scholarship programmes for outstanding Master’s and DPhil students.
More than 200 new Clarendon Scholarships are normally offered each year. The scholarship is open to applicants from all countries and academic fields, and there is no separate Clarendon application form. If you apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course by its relevant December 2026 or January 2027 funding deadline, you are automatically considered.
The scholarship covers full Oxford course fees and provides financial support toward living expenses. Full-time Clarendon scholars receive an annual living grant of at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
Students looking for similar opportunities can also explore Scholarship Central’s fully funded scholarships and UK scholarships.
Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Clarendon Fund Scholarship |
| University | University of Oxford |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Academic Year | 2027/28 |
| Degree Level | Master’s and DPhil (PhD) |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Number of Awards | Over 200 new scholarships annually |
| Eligible Nationalities | All nationalities |
| Subject Restrictions | None |
| Full-Time Study | Eligible |
| Part-Time Study | Eligible for qualifying courses |
| Separate Scholarship Application | No |
| Scholarship Deadline | Relevant December 2026 or January 2027 course deadline |
| Selection | Academic merit and future potential |
| Application | Through Oxford graduate admissions |
Oxford reported more than 230 new Clarendon scholars in 2025/26, with around 700 Clarendon scholars studying at Oxford overall.
What Is the Clarendon Scholarship?
The Clarendon Fund is the University of Oxford’s major graduate scholarship programme.
It was established in 2001 and has supported more than 3,500 scholars from around the world. Oxford marked the programme’s 25th anniversary during the 2025/26 academic year.
Clarendon’s purpose is straightforward: to support academically outstanding graduate students and allow them to study at Oxford regardless of nationality or field of study.
Unlike scholarships that require a separate competition, essay or scholarship portal, Clarendon is integrated into Oxford’s graduate admissions process.
You first apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course. Oxford departments assess your application for admission and, in parallel, identify outstanding candidates for Clarendon consideration.
Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Financial Benefits
The Clarendon Scholarship provides substantial funding for graduate study at Oxford.
Full Course Fees
Clarendon covers Oxford course fees in full.
This applies to both:
- Home fee-status students
- Overseas/international fee-status students
International students therefore do not receive a reduced version of the scholarship simply because their tuition fees are higher.
Living Expenses
Students studying full-time receive an annual grant for living expenses of at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
Oxford currently states that Clarendon scholars received at least £20,780 for 2025/26.
Important: £20,780 should not be described as the confirmed Clarendon Scholarship 2027/28 stipend.
Oxford has not yet published the final 2027/28 Clarendon living grant on its applicant page. The amount is linked to the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate and may therefore change for the 2027/28 academic year.
Part-Time Students
Students on eligible part-time courses receive a study-support grant to help with non-fee expenses.
Depending on the course and its duration, the grant may equal one-sixth, one-third or one-half of the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. Exact funding is stated in the scholar’s award letter.
Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Eligibility
One major advantage of Clarendon is its broad eligibility.
| Requirement | Clarendon Rule |
|---|---|
| Nationality | All nationalities accepted |
| Country of residence | No restriction |
| Study level | New Master’s or DPhil |
| Academic field | All subject areas |
| Full-time courses | Eligible |
| Part-time courses | Eligible where applicable |
| International students | Eligible |
| Current Oxford Master’s student applying for DPhil | Eligible |
| Current Oxford student applying for a second Master’s | Eligible |
| Continuing the same Oxford degree | Not eligible |
| Applicant holding a deferred graduate offer | Not eligible |
Oxford confirms that there are no nationality or ordinary-residence restrictions for Clarendon.
International applicants searching specifically for UK funding should also check Scholarship Central’s UK Scholarships directory.
Which Degrees Are Eligible?
Clarendon is available across Oxford’s academic divisions.
Eligible programmes include full-time and qualifying part-time Master’s and DPhil programmes.
Oxford’s own Clarendon information notes that scholars pursue programmes ranging from one-year degrees such as MSc, MSt, MBA and MFE programmes to two-year degrees such as MPhil and BPhil, as well as DPhil programmes.
Applicants interested primarily in doctoral funding can browse additional PhD scholarships on Scholarship Central.
You should always check the current requirements and funding deadline on the official Oxford Graduate Admissions page before submitting an application.
Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Deadline
There is no single Clarendon Scholarship deadline for every applicant.
This is one of the most important points to understand.
To be considered for Clarendon, you must submit your Oxford graduate application by the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 deadline for your chosen course.
Different Oxford courses can have different application deadlines.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on websites claiming that every Clarendon applicant has one fixed date such as “31 January 2027.”
Oxford states that almost all graduate courses have a December or January funding deadline, and the specific deadline is displayed on the individual course page.
Important Deadline Rule
Applying after the scholarship-eligible December or January deadline may still allow admission to some courses that remain open, but it normally means you will not be considered for Clarendon and most other Oxford scholarships.
Applicants should therefore check their chosen course early rather than waiting until January.
Do You Need a Separate Clarendon Application?
No.
There is no separate Clarendon Scholarship application form.
Oxford also does not require additional documents specifically for Clarendon.
Your Oxford graduate-course application is used for both admission assessment and Clarendon consideration.
This means you should put significant effort into the academic quality of your normal Oxford application because Clarendon selectors use information already contained in it.
How to Apply for the Clarendon Scholarship 2027
- Choose an eligible Oxford graduate course. Search Oxford’s graduate programmes and check the entry requirements, documents and funding deadline for your chosen Master’s or DPhil.
- Prepare your Oxford application carefully. Your academic record, references, statement, research proposal and other course-specific documents may contribute to both admission and scholarship assessment.
- Submit before the scholarship-eligible deadline. Complete your application by the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 deadline for your course.
- Do not submit a separate Clarendon application. Eligible applications are automatically considered.
- Wait for the scholarship selection process. Departments nominate strong applicants, academic divisions review those nominations, and successful Clarendon candidates are contacted directly.
Use Oxford’s official graduate application guide for current application instructions.
Documents Required
Clarendon itself does not require a separate document package.
Instead, you must submit all documents required for your chosen Oxford graduate programme.
These can include academic transcripts, references, a statement of purpose or personal statement, CV, research proposal, written work and other programme-specific materials.
Not every course requires every document, so applicants should follow the requirements displayed on their individual Oxford course page.
Your references and research materials can be particularly important because Oxford states that Clarendon selection considers evidence of future academic potential and research aptitude.
Clarendon Scholarship Selection Criteria
Clarendon is primarily an academic excellence scholarship.
Oxford identifies three broad areas used in assessment.
1. Outstanding Academic Record
An excellent academic record is essential.
Oxford states that the majority of successful Clarendon scholars normally have at least a first-class honours degree or equivalent.
Oxford gives approximately 3.7 out of 4.0 as an example GPA level while noting that many successful Clarendon scholars achieve higher results.
However, 3.7 is not presented as a universal automatic cutoff.
Academic expectations can vary by discipline and applicant pool. Oxford also notes that an exceptional Master’s record can help compensate for a more moderate undergraduate performance.
Selectors may consider individual grades, academic prizes, class ranking and publications where relevant.
2. Future Academic Potential
Oxford considers whether an applicant appears capable of making a significant academic contribution in their proposed area.
For research applicants, this can involve assessing references and the research proposal for evidence of research aptitude and future potential.
3. Motivation
Applicants must demonstrate convincing commitment to their proposed course.
Oxford may assess motivation through the applicant’s statement and referee reports.
How Competitive Is the Clarendon Scholarship?
Clarendon is highly competitive.
Oxford awards over 200 new scholarships annually, but applications are considered from eligible graduate candidates across the University and around the world.
Oxford does not publish a simple official Clarendon acceptance rate on its current scholarship pages.
For this reason, applicants should be cautious with websites claiming a specific Clarendon acceptance percentage without providing matching official applicant and award statistics.
The strongest approach is to focus on the criteria Oxford actually publishes: academic excellence, future academic potential, research aptitude where applicable and motivation.
How Clarendon Scholars Are Selected
After an applicant submits an Oxford course application, academics in the relevant department first assess the candidate’s academic quality and suitability for admission.
At the same time, departments identify candidates they want to nominate for Clarendon.
Oxford’s academic divisions then review these nominations, normally during February or March, and shortlist candidates based on academic merit and future potential.
Successful applicants initially receive a Clarendon scholarship offer known as a CB1.
After the applicant accepts, Oxford may match the scholar with appropriate partnership funding. Once the complete funding arrangement has been established, the scholar receives a funding breakdown known as a CB2.
Applicants do not need to separately apply for these partnership arrangements.
When Are Clarendon Scholarship 2027 Results Announced?
Oxford states that successful Clarendon applicants are contacted by email.
Most initial Clarendon offers are sent by the end of April each year.
Unsuccessful applicants are generally not contacted individually.
If you have received no Clarendon notification by mid-June, Oxford advises applicants to assume they have not received the scholarship. A small number of later offers may occasionally become available if previously selected scholars withdraw.
Oxford graduate admission decisions themselves are generally issued around 8–10 weeks after the relevant application deadline, although scholarship decisions can follow separately.
Clarendon Scholarship Duration
Clarendon funding is normally provided for the student’s period of fee liability.
This generally corresponds to the period during which Oxford course fees must be paid.
In some circumstances, an academic division may provide living support beyond the standard fee-liability period. However, Oxford states that continuation charges after the normal fee-liability period are not covered by Clarendon.
The exact scholarship duration is stated in each recipient’s scholarship offer.
Is IELTS Required for Clarendon Scholarship 2027?
Clarendon does not have a separate IELTS requirement.
Instead, applicants must satisfy the English-language requirement of their Oxford graduate course.
Oxford graduate programmes normally specify either a Standard or Higher English-language level. Accepted evidence can include IELTS Academic, Cambridge English and the Oxford Test of English Advanced, subject to Oxford’s current rules.
You can also submit an Oxford graduate application before providing an English-language test result. If admitted, meeting the required English level may become a condition of your offer.
Oxford also permits English-language test waivers in certain circumstances, including some applicants who recently completed qualifying degree-level study taught and assessed entirely in English.
Always check the official Oxford English-language requirements because rules and accepted tests can change.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes.
Clarendon has no nationality restriction.
Students from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, China, the United States, European countries and other regions can compete under the same scholarship framework.
Oxford’s 2025/26 Clarendon scholar list, for example, includes scholars from a wide range of countries, including Pakistan.
Can I Apply With a 3.5 GPA?
Oxford does not publish a universal Clarendon minimum GPA that automatically determines eligibility.
However, Clarendon is extremely academically competitive.
Oxford states that most successful candidates normally have the equivalent of a first-class degree and uses 3.7/4.0 as an example of the level commonly seen among successful scholars.
A GPA below that example does not automatically establish whether you are eligible or ineligible because academic systems, degree classifications and disciplinary expectations differ.
Oxford specifically notes that an outstanding Master’s record can sometimes compensate for more moderate undergraduate performance.
Applicants should therefore compare their qualifications with both their individual course entry requirements and Clarendon’s academic selection criteria.
Can Current Oxford Students Apply?
Yes, in some situations.
A student currently completing an Oxford Master’s degree can be considered if they are applying for:
- a new DPhil; or
- a second Master’s programme.
However, a current student simply continuing the same degree into the next academic year is not eligible for a new Clarendon award.
Applicants holding a deferred graduate offer are also not eligible for Clarendon consideration.
Does Clarendon Cover an Oxford MBA?
Clarendon funding can be awarded to eligible Master’s programmes, and Oxford specifically lists the MBA among the types of one-year graduate degrees previously supported by Clarendon.
MBA applicants should still check the current Saïd Business School admissions and scholarship deadlines because its admissions structure differs from many other Oxford departments.
Students particularly interested in Oxford business education should also compare the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027, which funds selected candidates pursuing Oxford’s 1+1 MBA programme.
Clarendon vs Rhodes Scholarship
Both Clarendon and Rhodes can provide substantial funding for graduate study at Oxford, but their selection systems are different.
Clarendon is automatically considered through the Oxford graduate application and focuses primarily on outstanding academic merit and potential.
The Rhodes Scholarship has its own application and selection process and considers additional criteria beyond academic achievement.
Students considering Oxford should therefore review both opportunities rather than assuming that applying for one automatically enters them into the other.
Read the complete Rhodes Scholarship 2027 guide.
Other Fully Funded UK Scholarships
Applicants targeting the United Kingdom should not rely on a single scholarship.
Other major opportunities include the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 at the University of Cambridge and the Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 for eligible one-year Master’s programmes across the UK.
You can also browse Scholarship Central’s fully funded UK scholarships to compare additional opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Clarendon Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Yes. For full-time scholars, Clarendon covers course fees in full and provides an annual living-cost grant. Part-time scholars receive full eligible course-fee support plus a study-support grant structured differently from the full-time living stipend.
What is the Clarendon Scholarship 2027 deadline?
There is no single deadline for everyone. You must apply by the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 funding deadline shown on your Oxford graduate course page.
Do I need a separate Clarendon application?
No. Applying for an eligible Oxford graduate programme by its scholarship deadline automatically places you under consideration for Clarendon.
How many Clarendon Scholarships are available?
Oxford says Clarendon offers over 200 new fully funded scholarships each year. More than 230 awards were provided for the 2025/26 cohort.
Is Clarendon available for Master’s students?
Yes. Eligible Master’s applicants can be considered alongside DPhil applicants.
Is Clarendon available for PhD students?
Yes. Oxford calls its PhD degree a DPhil, and DPhil applicants across academic disciplines can be considered.
Can Pakistani students apply for Clarendon Scholarship 2027?
Yes. There are no nationality restrictions. Pakistani applicants are eligible provided they apply for an eligible Oxford graduate programme by its relevant scholarship deadline.
What GPA is required for Clarendon?
Oxford does not publish one universal minimum Clarendon GPA. It says most successful scholars have at least first-class-equivalent academic results and gives around 3.7/4.0 as an example while noting that many successful scholars have higher scores.
When will Clarendon Scholarship 2027 results be announced?
Most successful applicants should receive initial Clarendon offers by the end of April 2027. Applicants who have heard nothing by mid-June should generally assume they were unsuccessful.
Final Advice
The Clarendon Scholarship 2027 is an excellent funding opportunity for applicants seeking a fully funded Master’s or DPhil at the University of Oxford.
Its biggest advantage is simplicity: there is no separate scholarship application.
However, automatic consideration should not be confused with easy selection. Clarendon is awarded to academically exceptional applicants, and Oxford evaluates academic achievement, future potential, research aptitude where relevant and motivation.
The most important step is therefore to choose your Oxford course carefully, understand its entry requirements and submit a strong, complete application before the relevant December 2026 or January 2027 funding deadline.
Before applying, verify the latest information through the official Clarendon Fund page and Oxford’s Graduate Admissions portal.
For more opportunities, browse fully funded scholarships for international students on Scholarship Central.