Did you know that Stephen Hawking graduated from the University of Oxford? While dreaming about studying at a foreign university, Oxford is one good place you always aspire to.
The prestigious Oxford University has an exceptional reputation untainted for centuries and remains one of the top three preferred choices in the United Kingdom.
The University of Oxford is one of the oldest universities in the world and was established between 1096 and 1167. The university has a rich legacy with exceptionally notable alumni of 28 UK Prime Ministers and 50 Nobel Prize winners. It is also a Russel group university.
Although Oxford is a dream for most international students, many hesitate to apply due to its higher tuition and other fees. However, this is not a reason to hold back your dreams.
This guide brings together the top Oxford University scholarships for Indian students, providing more than 1,000 scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students for the 2026-2027 academic year. More than 100 foreign scholarships are offered to Indian students, including the GREAT and Chevening fellowships.
Key Highlights: Oxford Scholarships for Indian Students
Number of Scholarships: 1,000+
Types of Scholarships:
- Merit-based
- Need-based
- Subject-specific
- Student-specific
Levels Covered:
- Undergraduate (including Oxford University scholarships for Indian students after 12th)
- Master’s
- DPhil (PhD)
Common Benefits:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage
- Living allowance
- Airfare and travel grants
- Health insurance and visa-related costs
Types of Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students
Oxford scholarships among Indian students are generally of 2 types depending on the source of funding:
- Internal Scholarships
These are supported either by the University of Oxford, its colleges, or academic departments. Internal scholarships are not only very competitive but are usually paid in full tuition and living expenses. The process of selection is normally automatic upon application of an eligible course.
- External Scholarships
Governments, trusts, foundations and global organisations fund external scholarships. Although these do not have to be at standalone institutes in Oxford but have to be funded, otherwise a degree can be funded there provided the eligibility criteria are met.
Both of them have undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholarships.
Top Internal Oxford Scholarships for Indian Students
Internal scholarships form the backbone of funding support at Oxford and are particularly relevant for students seeking long-term, fully funded study.
1. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Among the most notorious scholarship programs at Oxford University is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship which provides Indian students studying at the university with postgraduate study. The scholarship is given on an annual basis to 5 or 10 postgraduate students who have a good academic background. The scholarship is a full-time one which includes the full tuition fee and a living allowance.
Funded by: University of Oxford and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
Level: Master’s
Awards: 5-10 annually
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance of approx. £16,164 (INR 14 lakhs) per year
- Return airfare
- Study travel and thesis grants
Who should apply:
Strong academic Indian students with financial need who are resisting development-related master development programmes.
The scholarship is subject-specific in nature and the subject programmes usually cover Public Policy, Global Health, Economics for Development among others. The deadlines of the applications coincide with the December course deadlines, and the results will be announced in mid-year.
2. Felix Scholarship
Another well-known grant that was created in 1991 is the Felix grant. The University of Oxford offers admission to exceptional Indian students as well as students from other low-income nations.
Administered by: University of Oxford in partnership with Felix Trustees
Level: Full-time Master’s and DPhil
Awards: Up to 6 per year at Oxford
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance of approx. £17,800(INR 16 lakhs) per year
- One-way airfare from India to the UK
Who should apply:
Indian students with first-class academic records who have not previously studied outside India and require full financial support.
There is no separate application for the Felix Scholarship; eligible candidates are automatically considered based on their course application.
3. Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship is exclusively targeted at Indian doctoral students whose research focuses on India-related developmental challenges.
Funded by: University of Oxford, Somerville College, and the Government of India
Level: DPhil
Awards: 1 per year
Benefits:
- Full course fees
- Living allowance
Who should apply:
Indian students proposing research aligned with sustainable development, climate change, healthcare innovation, governance, or related interdisciplinary themes.
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and successful applicants are transferred to Somerville College regardless of their initial college choice.
4. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
In honour of Lord Weidenfeld’s 95th birthday, many contributors created the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Program in 2015. The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, which includes Fondation Hoffmann, now provides 60% of the scholarship’s funding, with the University providing 40%.
The scholarship aims to assist international students with high calibre to pursue their graduate programs in Oxford under fully covered financial assistance.
Funded by: University of Oxford and Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust
Level: Selected Bachelor’s and Master’s courses
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance of at least £18,622(INR 16-17 lakhs) per year
- Leadership training and mentoring
Who should apply:
High-achieving Indian students with strong leadership potential and a clear vision of contributing to society after graduation.
Eligible courses are limited, primarily within public policy, economics, law, sustainability, and social sciences.
5. Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships
Oxford University and its alumni finance the Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships. The purpose of the scholarship is to guarantee that deserving students have the chance to attend college and carry out innovative projects for the future.
Administered by: University of Oxford and alumni donors
Level: Master’s
Awards: 13 annually
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
Who should apply:
Students applying to specific science, medical, mathematics, and policy-related disciplines who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need.
Top External Scholarships Applicable to Oxford University
Students applying to Oxford University may be eligible for a variety of other external scholarships in addition to the top internal awards listed above. The external scholarships are funded by other organisations. This encompasses various business alliances, social circles, and non-profit organisations (NGOs).
1. Rhodes Scholarship for India
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious fully funded scholarships in the world.
Administered by: Rhodes Trust
Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and DPhil
Awards: 5 per year for India
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance of approx. £19,092(INR 17 lakhs) per year
- Airfare, visa costs, and health surcharge
Who should apply:
Indian students aged 18-23 with exceptional academic, leadership, and service credentials.
2. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening scholarship is a UK government-funded scholarship that supports future global leaders. The Chevening alumni consist of over 55,000 members across the world who excel in their academic and professional fields.
Administered by: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Level: One-year Master’s
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Living expenses and travel costs
Who should apply:
Indian professionals with at least two years of work experience and strong leadership potential.
3. Rotary Scholarships
The Rotary Scholarships are one of the largest privately funded scholarships in the world, financed by the Rotary Foundation within Rotary International. Started in 2002, the scholarships have trained over 1,700 students who now work across 140 countries.
Administered by: Rotary Foundation
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Certificate programmes
Benefits:
- Tuition, living costs, travel, and field-study expenses
Who should apply:
Students committed to Rotary’s focus areas such as peace, health, education, and community development.
4. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships
These Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships support Indian students in arts, heritage conservation, and humanities. The trust provides financial assistance for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. The financial aid available for students planning to study in the UK includes fully-funded awards, visiting fellowships, grants for research and professional visits and grants for doctoral study.
Level: Master’s (selected fields)
Benefits:
- Tuition support
- Living expenses
- Travel grant
Who should apply:
Indian students aged 28-38 pursuing specialised arts or heritage-related master’s programmes.
5. J.N. Tata Endowment Awards
Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata founded the J.N. Tata Endowment Awards in 1892. 5,700 Indian students have received scholarships from the Tata Group thus far. The scholarships are available for post-doctoral, doctorate, and master’s degrees in any field of study.
Some of the distinguished J N Tata Scholars are Mr K. R. Narayanan, the former Indian president of India and Mr. Rahul Mehrotra. The scholarship is awarded to various areas of study, including Architecture, Arts and Design and Engineering.
Level: Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral
Benefits:
- Loan scholarships ranging from INR 1-10 lakhs
- Travel grants and gift awards
Who should apply:
Meritorious Indian students who have secured admission to recognised programmes at Oxford.
Conclusion
If you set your goal for Oxford, availing of an Oxford Scholarship can be a life-changing experience for you with enduring impacts. In addition to assisting students, they facilitate global friendship-building, study project participation, and education on the environmental significance of history and culture.
Indian students who choose scholarship programmes at Oxford University invest in a knowledge-driven future and a desire to improve the world. The scholarship equips India’s next generation of innovators, leaders, and thinkers with the skills necessary to create a more connected and better future. If you are planning for your Oxford study-abroad plan, then start your journey today with the right mentor.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
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What are the eligibility criteria for Oxford University scholarships?
The eligibility criteria for Oxford University scholarships vary depending on the specific scholarship. However, general criteria are academic merit, financial needs, and potential for contribution to the university and society. Most scholarships also ask for language proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) and entrance tests (GRE or GMAT)
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Are there Oxford University scholarships for Indian students after 12th?
Sure. The Rhodes Scholarship, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships (for certain bachelor’s courses), and college-specific undergraduate bursaries are among the possibilities available to Indian students who apply to Oxford University immediately after Class 12. Early academic preparation and a solid overall reputation are crucial because Oxford’s undergraduate scholarships are scarce and extremely competitive.
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Are there scholarships available for undergraduate students at Oxford University?
Yes, undergraduate students can apply for Oxford University scholarships. The Rotary and Rhodes scholarships fall under this category. Certain courses, topic areas, or students from underprivileged backgrounds may be eligible for scholarships. Additionally, the university offers scholarships according to ethnicity or nationality.
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Can I apply for multiple scholarships at Oxford University?
Examining each scholarship’s qualifying requirements in detail is crucial because some may have limitations on concurrent applications. Applications for various scholarships may have different requirements or essay topics, so be sure to set aside enough time and effort to carefully complete each one.
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Can Indian students apply for Oxford University Scholarships?
You can apply for Oxford University Scholarships if you’re an Indian student. The institution offers a range of scholarships designed specifically for Indian students, including options for students from particular nations or areas. Examine these choices to aid with your Oxford academic endeavours. Indian students must fulfil the requirements for the scholarship, which usually include financial need and academic achievement.
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What academic background do I need to apply for Oxford University Scholarships?
Oxford University Scholarships feature a variety of qualifying requirements, some of which may call for candidates to possess particular educational backgrounds or credentials. Scholarships, however, are also offered for a variety of academic fields. To make sure you meet the academic requirements for your preferred scholarship, it is crucial to carefully study the requirements and speak with the Oxford University scholarship provider or the university’s admissions office.
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What is the application process for Oxford University scholarships?
There are multiple steps in the Oxford University scholarship application process. First, you must apply to the university and receive a firm offer of admission. After that, you can look for Oxford University scholarships for which you qualify and determine each scholarship’s particular application requirements. A full application, academic transcripts, reference letters, LoRs, resumes, CVs, and personal statements (SOPs) are typically needed for scholarships.
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How much does it cost for an Indian student to live in Oxford?
Depending on your lifestyle and housing preferences, Oxford’s cost of living can change. Indian students should budget between INR 9 lakhs and INR 17 lakhs annually for living expenses. It covers lodging, food, utilities, transportation, and personal costs. To make sure you have enough money to pay for your living expenses at Oxford, research and planning are crucial.
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What visa do I need to study at Oxford University?
Indian students who are granted admission to Oxford University are required to apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa. Students can study full-time in the UK with this visa. To apply for the visa, you must have a current Oxford CAS, the money needed to pay for your yearly living expenses and tuition, and the English language proficiency standards.
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