Clarendon Fund Scholarships Selection Process 2026
How Candidates are Selected
Clarendon Scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit and potential. There is no separate application process for the Clarendon Fund Scholarship; all eligible graduate applicants who apply to a degree-bearing course at Oxford by the relevant December or January deadline are automatically considered. Selection is highly competitive and involves several stages: 1. **Departmental Review**: Your course application is first considered by academics in your proposed field of study, who assess its academic quality and suitability. 2. **Scholarship Nomination**: Academics within your department then nominate deserving candidates to their respective academic division for a Clarendon scholarship based on selection criteria. 3. **Divisional Allocation**: Academic divisions and the Department for Continuing Education review these nominations (typically in February or March) and shortlist top-ranked candidates for Clarendon. 4. **Selection Criteria**: The assessment focuses on three main areas: outstanding academic record (evidenced by transcripts, awards, overall position in cohort, publications), future potential and aptitude for the proposed course (assessed through references and research proposals), and student motivation (evaluated via personal statement and referees' reports). 5. **Notification**: Successful candidates are typically contacted via email with a scholarship offer letter (CB1) by the end of April, with a few late nominations possible into the summer. Unsuccessful applicants are not individually notified.
Verification Flow
Institute Nodal Officer Verification
Your college/school checks your bonafide status, fees paid, and marks cards against the database.
District Welfare Officer / State Board Sanction
The state/central department approves the budget release for verified records based on category quotas.
Fund Disbursement via DBT
The bank issues direct fund credits to Aadhaar-seeded accounts using treasury payment systems.
FAQs for Clarendon Fund Scholarships
Q.Do I need to submit a separate application for the Clarendon Fund Scholarship?
No, you do not need to submit a separate application. All eligible graduate applicants who apply for a full-time or part-time Master's or DPhil course at the University of Oxford by the relevant December or January deadline are automatically considered for the Clarendon Scholarship.
Q.What does the Clarendon Fund Scholarship cover?
The Clarendon Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship. It covers all University and college fees in full, and provides a generous annual grant for living expenses. For full-time scholars, this grant is at least £20,780 for the 2025-26 academic year. Part-time scholars receive a study support grant for non-fee costs.
Q.What are the key eligibility criteria for the Clarendon Fund Scholarship?
The scholarship is open to academically outstanding graduate students of all nationalities who are applying for a new full-time or part-time Master's or DPhil course at Oxford. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent academic record, typically a first-class honours degree or equivalent (e.g., GPA of 3.7/4.0 or higher), and apply by the specific course deadline in December or January.
Q.How competitive is the Clarendon Fund Scholarship?
The Clarendon Scholarship is highly competitive and prestigious, attracting outstanding applicants from around the world. Selection is based purely on academic merit and potential, with only a limited number of scholarships (over 200 new scholarships annually) awarded each year.