The University of Oxford Undergraduate Scholarships 2026 offer valuable financial support for international students starting an undergraduate degree in October 2026. These scholarships help cover tuition fees, living costs, and related expenses, though availability, coverage, and eligibility vary by scheme. Most are competitive and based on academic merit and financial need. Note that while some (such as the Reach Oxford Scholarship) provide full coverage, others are partial, and not all are “fully funded” in every case.
These opportunities are open to international (overseas) students who have already received an offer to study at Oxford. Applications are managed through a unified process for several schemes.
Key Scholarships for International Students (2026 Entry)
Here are some prominent options for international/overseas applicants:
- Reach Oxford Scholarship: Targeted at students from low-income/developing countries (as defined by the OECD DAC list, including many in Africa, Asia, Latin America, etc.) who cannot study in their home country due to financial, political, or educational reasons. Coverage: Full course fees, a grant for living costs, and one return airfare per year. Number of awards: Around 2–3 per year. Subjects: All except Medicine. Duration: 3 or 4 years (depending on course length).
- Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Scholarship: For eligible students meeting specific criteria (details on the official page).
- Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship: For students demonstrating exceptional academic merit who face financial barriers.
- Palgrave Brown Scholarship: (and Palgrave Brown UK variant) Partial awards; successful applicants must cover remaining costs.
- Other schemes: (e.g., Ahmet Ertegun Memorial Scholarship, Hill Foundation for second degrees) vary in focus and coverage—check official pages for full details.
Most scholarships are not automatically “full tuition waiver plus living stipends” for all; coverage depends on the specific award and your circumstances. Oxford’s main generous packages (e.g., Crankstart) are primarily for UK students.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered, you must:
- Hold an official offer from the University of Oxford for an undergraduate course starting in October 2026.
- Be enrolling in your first undergraduate degree (some schemes allow second degrees, e.g., Hill Foundation).
- Meet the academic standards and any specific criteria for the chosen scholarship(s) (e.g., nationality/residence for Reach Oxford).
- Demonstrate financial need (where required) by providing household income details for the assessment period (typically 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025).
- Align your details (nationality, residence) with your UCAS application.
Medicine applicants are ineligible for some schemes (e.g., Reach Oxford).
Benefits
Benefits vary by scholarship but may include:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage.
- Grants towards living and maintenance costs.
- Additional support (e.g., travel allowances in some cases).
- Multi-year funding for the standard course duration (usually 3–4 years).
- Some awards allow combining with other funding sources.
Living costs in Oxford are estimated at £1,405–£2,105 per month for 2026–27.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
- Secure an offer from Oxford — First, apply for your undergraduate course via UCAS by the relevant deadline (typically 15 October 2025 for 2026 entry). You must receive and accept an offer to study at Oxford starting October 2026.
- Review official information — Read the guidance notes and scholarship details on the University of Oxford website (visit www.ox.ac.uk/scholarships or the undergraduate fees and funding section). Check eligibility for each scheme carefully.
- Complete the Scholarship Registration Form — Access the link in the ‘Status’ section of the relevant scholarship webpages or related documents. This initial form checks your eligibility. Submit it early to allow time for processing.
- Receive and submit the Scholarship Application Form — If eligible, you will be emailed the full online Scholarship Application Form. Complete it in one session (it cannot be saved midway—draft answers offline if needed). Include:
- Selection of the scholarship(s) you wish to be considered for (tick boxes).
- Accurate household financial details (income, etc., for the required period).
- Supporting statements on financial need and academic merit.
- Any additional statements (required for schemes like Reach Oxford or OCIS).
- Submit both forms by the deadline — Both the Registration and Application Forms must be submitted by 12 noon (UK time) on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
- Await outcomes — You will receive an email confirmation and later notification of results (typically in April 2026 for many schemes). Use a valid email address and update any changes promptly.