Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford - Departmental bursaries

Benefit

You will receive a discount on your tuition fees, calculated as a percentage of the course fees. The amount of this discount depends on your course: up to 80% for Bachelor’s degree programmes and certificate programmes in English Literature and History, up to 100% of the annual fee for the Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education, and up to 50% for all other eligible degree programmes. There is an annual cap: approximately 3,000 euros (2,520 GBP) in the years 2025–26 and approximately 3,150 euros (2,670 GBP) in the years 2026–27. The money is applied directly towards your tuition fees. It is not paid out to you. The funding is valid for one year at a time, so for multi-year degree programmes you will need to submit a new application each year. The programme is administered by the University of Oxford’s Continuing Education Department and funded by donors.

Eligibility

• Where you live: You live in the United Kingdom, or you are an Irish national living in the United Kingdom or Ireland, or you have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Residency Scheme.
• Financial need: You are in receipt of at least one UK benefit for low-income earners, such as Universal Credit, housing benefit, income support, income-related unemployment benefit, income-related employment and support allowance, pension credit or care allowance.
• Your course: You have a place (new or existing) on a recognised part-time degree programme: a Bachelor’s Certificate or Diploma, an Advanced Diploma, or a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. Bachelor’s, Master’s and DPhil programmes are not included.
• Subject: Any subject from a recognised degree programme is eligible. Theological studies are excluded from certificates and diplomas awarded at the undergraduate level.

How to apply

Download the application form and email it, together with your supporting documents, to the student support officer. Applications for 2026-27 are now open. Places will be allocated in the order in which applications are received, subject to funding being available; once funding has been exhausted, a waiting list may be established.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is aimed at a very limited target group: you must be in receipt of a UK social security benefit for low-income earners and be enrolled on one of the eligible part-time degree programmes, meaning that very few people meet the criteria. Funds are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis until the fund is exhausted; therefore, applying early is the most important factor in your favour. If you clearly meet the eligibility criteria regarding residence, benefits and course of study, and apply immediately once the application period opens, your chances are good.