University of Oxford - Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarship

What you get

You will receive 100% of your Oxford course fees paid plus a living-cost grant of at least £20,780 (about 24,000 EUR) per year. This funding applies for the entire period during which you are required to pay tuition fees for your agreed degree programme. The funding comes from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), which awards up to five scholarships for postgraduate students each year. If you already receive other funding, this will be taken into account and may result in a reduction in the amount of this grant.

Who can apply

• Degree: You are starting a new full-time Master’s degree or a DPhil (PhD) programme at the University of Oxford. Postgraduate certificates, diplomas, part-time programmes and courses for non-matriculated students are not included.
• Field of study: Your topic relates to Islamic tradition or the Muslim world. Any specialist area is possible within this framework.
• Where you live and come from: Either you live in the UK and are a member of a Muslim community, or you are a national of one of the approximately 60 countries listed in Asia and Africa (for example, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey, Bangladesh or Iran) and live there.
• Return plan: You plan to return to your home country once you have completed your studies.
• Grades and need: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of your academic results and financial need. If you live in the UK, priority is given to applicants from low-income households.

How to apply

On the University of Oxford postgraduate application form, tick the box for the OCIS scholarship and upload the OCIS supporting statement along with your application. Submit your application by the deadline set for your chosen course in December or January. Late applications or those placed on the waiting list will not be considered, and you must also secure a place on the relevant programme. Decisions will be sent out by June.

How realistic are your chances?

This scholarship is highly targeted. You must meet specific residency criteria, choose a subject related to the Muslim world, and secure a place at the University of Oxford – which is in itself a highly competitive undertaking. With a maximum of five scholarships awarded each year, the pool of applicants is small but strong. If you clearly meet the criteria regarding residence and field of study, have excellent grades and can demonstrate financial need, your chances are good. Apply by the application deadline for your degree programme – do not leave it until later.