About This Opportunity

The Clarendon Fund is one of Oxford University's most prestigious scholarship programmes, offering fully funded awards to outstanding graduate students of any nationality. The fund is endowed by Oxford University Press and supports scholars across all disciplines — from humanities and social sciences to STEM — based purely on academic excellence and potential. Notably, there is no separate Clarendon application: simply applying to an Oxford graduate course automatically enters you for Clarendon consideration.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applying for a full-time Master's or DPhil (PhD) programme at the University of Oxford
  • Open to all nationalities — Ghanaian and African applicants are eligible and have received Clarendon awards
  • Academic excellence is the primary criterion — it is awarded to the strongest applicants across Oxford's graduate admissions pool
  • No separate scholarship application required — your Oxford graduate application IS your Clarendon application if you are nominated by your department

What You Get / Benefits

  • Full tuition fees for the entire duration of your Oxford graduate programme
  • A generous annual living stipend (amount updated annually — check ox.ac.uk/clarendon for the current figure)
  • Recognition as part of Oxford's most distinguished graduate scholar community
  • Access to Clarendon's programme of events, networking, and leadership development activities

How to Apply

  • Apply to your chosen Master's or DPhil programme at Oxford through the University's standard graduate applications portal
  • Tick the box indicating you wish to be considered for Oxford scholarships (which includes Clarendon) — no separate application form exists
  • Ensure you submit your Oxford application before January for most courses (exact course deadlines vary — check your specific programme)
  • If your department nominates you as a strong candidate, you will be automatically considered for the Clarendon Fund alongside other Oxford funding
  • Outcomes are communicated alongside your Oxford admissions decision

    • Tips

    • The Clarendon is awarded to the top applicants in Oxford's graduate admissions pool — the most important thing you can do is make your Oxford application as strong as possible, not focus on the Clarendon as a separate exercise.
    • Apply before January (preferably by the earliest December deadline for your course) — Oxford graduate courses often have multiple funding deadlines and early applicants get maximum scholarship consideration.
    • Pair your Oxford application with strong references from academics who can speak specifically and credibly to your research potential — this is the single biggest differentiator in Oxford's competitive applicant pool.

    ⏰ Deadline: Typically December–January (varies by course) — check your specific Oxford course deadline at ox.ac.uk and aim for the earliest round for maximum scholarship consideration.