University of Oxford - University of Oxford scholarships

What you get

The University of Oxford awards more than 1,100 full or partial scholarships to new postgraduate students (Master’s and PhD candidates) in the 2026–27 academic year. A full scholarship covers your tuition fees and also includes a living costs allowance for the years in which you are required to pay fees. A partial scholarship covers part of your tuition fees or living costs. The Saïd Business School awards its own scholarships for the MBA, the 1+1 MBA, the Executive MBA, PhD programmes and Master’s programmes in Finance and Management. Some of these are reserved for women, Black students, LGBTQ+ students, military veterans or applicants from Africa. Between 2024 and 25, just over 48% of new graduates received full or partial funding from Oxford or another funding body.

Who can apply

• Level: You are applying for a postgraduate programme at Oxford, such as an MBA, another Master’s programme or a PhD. These scholarships are not intended for undergraduate students.
• The Subject: awards cover a wide range of fields. Some of these are linked to the departments of Business, Finance and Economics at the Saïd Business School.
• Grades: Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement and potential, so you’ll need good grades.
• Nationality: There is no universal rule. Many awards are open to participants of any nationality. Some have restrictions regarding country of residence, whilst others are aimed at specific target groups.
• Target groups: Some awards are linked to specific characteristics, such as gender, being a member of the Black or LGBTQ+ community, military service or belonging to an under-represented group.

How to apply

For most scholarships, you do not need to take any further action. Simply submit your application for the Master’s programme by the deadline for your course in December or January, and you will automatically be considered for any scholarship for which you meet the eligibility criteria. For a few scholarships, an additional step is required, such as writing an essay or ticking a box on the application form to indicate your interest in funding. Scholarship decisions are usually announced between the end of February and June.

How realistic are your chances?

Competition for funding at Oxford is fierce, but the university’s size works in your favour. With over 1,100 scholarships and almost half of newly admitted PhD students receiving funding, your chances are better than the university’s reputation might suggest. Scholarships aimed at specific groups, such as women, veterans or applicants from a particular country, have a smaller pool of applicants, so a clear match with the criteria is a real advantage here. Apply as early as possible, as places and scholarships are snapped up quickly during the admissions rounds.