Top 10 Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students in 2024

27 min read

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. 

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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. 

The University of Oxford is providing more than 1,000 scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students for the 2024-2025 academic year. More than 100 foreign scholarships are offered to Indian students, including the GREAT and Chevening fellowships.

Take a Quick Glance Over the Oxford Scholarships:

Number of Scholarships1000+
Types of Scholarships– Merit-based scholarships
– Need-based scholarships
– Student-specific scholarships
– Subject-specific scholarships 
Rewarded to Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD
Common Benefits – Covers tuition fees (Fully funded or partially funded)
– Living allowance
– Airfare
– Medical Insurance
– Travel and other allowances
Top Oxford ScholarshipsInternal Scholarships:
– Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
– Felix Scholarships
– Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship
– Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships
– Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme

External Scholarships:
– Rotary Scholarships
– Rhodes Scholarships
– Chevening Scholarships
– Charles Wallace Trust Scholarships
– J.N. Tata Endowment awards

The university provides numerous scholarships and other funding options through colleges, departments and divisions. In addition, there are other external scholarships available for international students applying for the University of Oxford. 

Keep reading to track all the Oxford University scholarships for Indian students. 

Why are Scholarships Required for Oxford University?

Did you know that Oxford University was built in the 11th century, making it the second oldest university in the world?

oxford university scholarships

According to the official data, Oxford University is home to more than 46% of international students. This will enable you to study in a multicultural environment with increased cultural inclusiveness and integrity. 

Despite its popularity, it is not an easy task to get into Oxford. Even if you get enrolled, the cost of completing a course on campus is considerably high. Recognising the need to support and nurture talented students, the university is providing several financial aids. 

In addition to scholarships and grants, studying at Oxford is beneficial for various reasons. Let us look at a few to get an idea of why availing of an Oxford scholarship is recommended. 

Check out the top reasons: 

Recognition and Prestige:

  • According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, Oxford ranks as the third-best university in the world and is the first university in the English-speaking world. It is also one of the prestigious Russel Group universities in the UK.
  • Owing to its great fame and quality, completing a degree from the university is a good addition to your profile. 

Global Networking:

  • Getting into a renowned and prestigious university like Oxford will allow you to study under expert trainers and with students across the world.
  • This will widen your academic and professional networking

Top-notch Facilities: 

  • The university has excellent faculty and extensive resources, which include libraries, labs, and research centres. 
  • The research quality and facilities maintained by the University of Oxford is exemplary. 

Overall Development: 

  • The refined learning environment of the university improves your creative capabilities and problem-solving skills. This will also open up new platforms for you to develop your skills
  • The quality classes and on-field experience will further enhance your overall growth. 

Rich History and Vibrant Culture:

  • Students can attend excellent lectures, exhibitions, and events that fuse modern concepts with traditional customs and immerse themselves in the rich cultural diversity of the campus.
  • They can also visit well-known locations like Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library.

Opportunities:

  • Regardless of a person’s career path—academic, commercial, public service, or research—the connections, information, and abilities they acquire at Oxford will be invaluable to them in the future. 
  • Graduates from Oxford who innovate in many fields go on to become leaders and have a significant impact on their communities. 

Financial Relief and Reduced Burden:

  • The University of Oxford provides over 1000 fully funded and partial scholarships for its students. 
  • Being an international student, you can apply for numerous financial aid and funding programs arranged by the university and other external bodies on the campus.

Also Read: Why Study in The UK: Top 5 Benefits for Indian Students

Types of Oxford University Scholarships 

Oxford University is renowned for its multicultural campus life. Students from more than 160 countries and territories are studying on the campus, with Indians being the largest international student group among them. Today, approximately 500 Indian students are on campus, and a considerable number of them are studying under a scholarship. 

The University of Oxford provides numerous kinds of scholarships, including Merit-based scholarships, Need-based scholarships, Student-specific scholarships, Subject-specific scholarships, University-specific scholarships, and Unusual scholarships. 

Most of the Oxford scholarships do not need a separate application process. Once you apply for a program, your profile is directly considered for these scholarship schemes. At the same time, a few scholarships need a separate application process with application deadlines. 

For your convenience, we are dividing the given scholarships into two categories based on their source of funding. 

  • Internal Scholarships: Internal scholarships are the scholarships provided by the university. All the scholarships provided by the University of Oxford and its various departments or divisions are classified under the Oxford Internal Scholarships. 
  • External Scholarships: External scholarships are those financial aid that are funded by external sources such as NGOs, business associations or alumni. 

Under each of these scholarships, we have different levels. Both these scholarships can be available for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. 

Let us look at each of them separately. 

Also Read: Universities in UK Without Application Fee 2024 [Updated]

Fun Facts on Oxford: Did you know that Oxford is the filming location for many Harry Potter movies?

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Top 5 Internal Scholarships for Oxford

The Oxford Internal Scholarships are scholarships provided by the university for its students. Numerous fully and partially funded scholarships are provided to assist international students in funding their expenses while studying on campus. 

The eligibility, document requirements and application process vary across each scholarship scheme. 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are one of the most popular scholarships for Oxford. The University of Oxford finances it in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).

Every year, the scholarship is awarded to 5 to 10 postgraduate students who have excellent academic histories. The scholarship covers the complete tuition fees and also allocates a living allowance. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Funded ByThe University of Oxford and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC)
Category Merit and financial status-based
Number of Awards5-10
Benefits – Covers complete tuition fee
– Living allowance of £16,164 (INR 14 lakhs) annually
– Airfares from your home country
– Clothing allowance
– Study travel and thesis grants
Level Master’s 
Application Timeline 16th  November 2023 – 14th December 2023

Eligibility Criteria:

1. To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, you need to be a citizen of one of the Commonwealth countries specified by the CSC. They are:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bangladesh
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Cameroon
  • Dominica
  • Eswatini
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Montserrat
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Rwanda
  • Samoa
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Helena
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Tanzania
  • The Gambia
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu
  • Zambia

2. The scholarship applies only to specific courses in the university. The eligible courses vary every year, depending on the focus of the CSC project. 

The programs eligible for 2024 entry candidates are

  • MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology
  • MSt Diplomatic Studies
  • MSc Economics for Development
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • MSc Water Science, Policy and Management

3. The scholarship is available only for students who have not studied or worked in a high-income country for at least a year. 

4. The scholarship applicant should be available to pursue their academic study in the UK at the beginning of the academic year in September 2024.

5. The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard or a lower second-class degree and a postgraduate qualification relevant to the field of study. 

6. The scholarship is available for students who cannot afford to study in the UK without financial support. 

7. You need to be a full-time student to be eligible for the living grant that is provided with the scholarship scheme. 

Additional Information

  • The scholarship is available for the full duration of the fee liability for the applied course. 
  • You can apply for the scholarship through the official website of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
  • Before applying for the scholarship, you must complete the application process for your preferred course of study. 
  • The application process should be completed by 4 pm (GMT) on the given deadline. 
  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2024/25 academic year are now closed.
  • The 2023 application timeline was between November and December. The application timeline for the upcoming 2024 academic year can fall around the previous timeline. 
  • The results are expected to be announced between June and July 2024

Felix Scholarships

The Felix Scholarship is another popular scholarship established in the year of 1991. It is available for outstanding Indian students and students from other low-income countries to study at the University of Oxford. 

The funder of the scholarship chooses to remain anonymous. The scholarship is administered by three partner universities with the help of the Felix Trustees and their agents in London. The partner universities are: 

  • University of Oxford
  • SOAS University of London
  • University of Reading

The scholarship is available to Master’s students applying to the above universities. The funding applies to all the programs

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByThe University of Oxford, SOAS University of London, and University of Reading, along with the Felix Trustees and agents
Category Merit and financial status-based
Number of AwardsUpto 6
Benefits – Covers complete course fees
– Living grant of £17,800 (INR 16 lakhs) every year
– One-way airfare (from India to the UK)
Level Full-time Master’s and Full-time DPhil courses
Application Timeline December/January (varies depending on your course)

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The applicant must be looking for a full-time course in either Masters or DPhil level of study.
  • The applicant must be someone who cannot afford to study at Oxford without the help of financial aid
  • You should be a citizen or an ordinarily resident of India
  • You must have a first-class undergraduate degree (for master’s applicants) or master’s degree (for DPhil applicants) from an Indian university
  • You must not possess a degree from outside the country unless under the Felix Scholarship. 

Restrictions:

  • Students who already have completed a course at the same level are not eligible for the scholarship. For example, if you already have a master’s in any subject, you cannot apply for a Felix Scholarship for a Master’s.  

Additional Information: 

  • The scholarship is available for all the full-time master’s and DPhil courses in the three universities. 
  • The scholarship is provided for Indian students. In addition, every year, a non-Indian student from a low-income country also qualifies for the scholarship. 
  • The award is provided for the full duration of your course liability for the course you applied for. 
  • The scholarship does not have a separate application process. The application you made for the given three universities is directly considered for the scholarship.
  • So, the application timeline for the scholarship is the same as the December/January deadline for your course. 
  • The results will be announced by the end of May 2024

Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship is a scholarship provided by the university exclusively for its Indian students. 

The scholarship is established by Oxford University and its Somerville College, with the generous support of the Indian government’s Radhakrishnan Fund. 

The scholarship aims to foster studies relevant to the centre’s aim of developing interdisciplinary studies and understanding developmental challenges faced by India. It also intends to promote candidates with great entrepreneurial and leadership potential of the candidate. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered and Funded ByUniversity of Oxford, Somerville College, and the Government of India
Category Merit-based
Number of Awards1
Benefits – Covers course fee
– Grants living allowances
Level DPhil
Application Timeline Same as the University application timeline for your course

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The applicant must be a citizen or a permanent resident of India
  • International students who previously studied at an Indian higher education institution can also apply for the scholarship
  • While applying for the DPhil course, your proposed research area should be relevant to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development’s agenda of interdisciplinary research on sustainable development and India. The core areas of research are:
  1. Sustainable cities
  2. Climate change and clean energy
  3. Healthcare innovation
  4. Environmental sustainability and food and water security
  5. Law, governance and human rights

In addition, independent proposals on any India-related theme that fits into the overall aim of the centre can also be considered. 

Additional Information: 

  • The award is allocated for the complete duration of the fee liability of your program.
  • The scholarship is only available for students at Somerville College, University of Oxford
  • However, all the students who applied for the Oxford University are considered for the scholarship, irrespective of the college they are applying for. On selection, the student will be transferred to Somerville College. 
  • There is no separate application process for the scholarship. Students applying for the Oxford graduate programs are directly considered for the scholarship. 
  • All candidates who applied for the 2023 cycle and fulfilled the residency criteria will receive an online form via mail. This is to confirm their interest in the scholarship scheme and to ensure that their area of study aligns with the program’s intentions. The mail will be by the end of February 2024
  • Shortlisting of the students takes place in April 2024
  • Students shortlisted for the scholarship will have to attend an interview via Microsoft Teams
  • The expected date of the interview is in late April/early May 2024.

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme was established in 2015 by multiple donors to mark the 95th birthday of Lord Weidenfeld. The scholarship is now funded 40 % by the University and 60% by the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, including Fondation Hoffmann.  

The scholarship aims to assist international students with high calibre to pursue their graduate programs in Oxford under fully covered financial assistance. 

A unique factor of this scholarship is its leadership program. It aims at a comprehensive and long-term mentoring of the student. Once selected, you will be given a one-year training with study discussions, learning business skills, and receive communication training as well. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByUniversity of Oxford and Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust
Category Merit and achievement-based 
Number of AwardsNA
Benefits – Covers full course fees
– Grants a living cost of at least £18,622 (INR 16-17 lakhs)  per annum
Level Bachelor’s and Master’s 
Application Timeline Same as the University application timeline for your course

Eligibility Criteria:

  • To apply for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme, you must be an ordinary resident of one of the countries listed by the university’s scholarship portal. In addition to India, other countries that are eligible for the scholarship include China, Bangladesh and Nepal. 
  • You should not be receiving any other scholarships at the time. 
  • The scholarship is available only for one bachelor’s and 41 master’s courses in the university. The courses are 
  1. BCL Bachelor of Civil Law
  2. MBA Master of Business Administration
  3. MJur Magister Juris
  4. MPP Master of Public Policy
  5. MSc Advanced Computer Science
  6. MSc African Studies
  7. MSt Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
  8. MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Management
  9. MSc Education (Comparative and International Education)
  10. MSc Education (Digital and Social Change)
  11. MSc Education (Higher Education)
  12. MSc Energy Systems
  13. MSc Environmental Change and Management
  14. MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
  15. MSc Financial Economics
  16. MSc Comparative Social Policy
  17. MSc Contemporary Chinese Studies
  18. MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
  19. MSt Diplomatic Studies
  20. MSc Economics for Development
  21. MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy
  22. MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology
  23. MSc International Health and Tropical Medicine
  24. MSt Islamic Studies and History
  25. MSt Jewish Studies
  26. MSt Japanese Studies
  27. MSt Korean Studies
  28. MSc Latin American Studies
  29. MSc Law and Finance
  30. MSt Slavonic Studies
  31. MSc Social Data Science
  32. MSc Social Science of the Internet
  33. MSc Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment
  34. MSc Water Science, Policy and Management
  35. MSt Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
  36. MSc Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
  37. MSc Migration Studies
  38. MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies
  39. MSc Modern South Asian Studies
  40. MSc Nature, Society and Environmental Governance
  41. MSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies
  42. MSc Russian and East European Studies

Restrictions:

  • Students who are currently pursuing a course at Oxford University are not eligible to apply for the scholarship. However, it is permitted if they are already receiving the same scholarship.

Additional Information: 

  • The scholarship does not have a separate application process. Choose the scholarship, while applying for your graduate course for the December or January deadline for your course. 
  • If shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview round. The interview dates for the 2023 applicants are likely to be in April 2024.
  • The final decisions for the 2023 application cycle are expected to be declared by the end of May 2024.
  • On applying for the scholarship, you should be able to explain how your area of study is connected to your longer-term career goals and what your objectives are in contributing to your own country or in general. Since the scholarship also provides a leadership program, you should be able to demonstrate your leadership skills as well. 
  • On filling out your graduate application form, you have to fill out and upload a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement. The template will be available from the university’s scholarship page. 
  • The Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust has partnership awards with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation, Hualan Education Group and Chevening. So, students applying for the Weidenfeld Hoffmann scholarship will be directly considered for the Louis Dreyfus and Hualan Education Group partnership awards
  • The Louis Dreyfus Foundation award also provides a work placement with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation after completing your master’s programme at Oxford. 

Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships

The Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships are provided by Oxford University and are supported by its alumni. The scholarship is to ensure that meritorious students get opportunities to study at the university and perform groundbreaking works for the future. 

The scholarship applies only to the University College of Oxford University. Every year 13 scholarships are awarded. 

The scholarship covers your course fees and also allocates living allowances. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByOxford University and alumni
Category Merit and financial status-based 
Number of Awards13
Benefits – Covers full course fees
– Grants a living allowance
Level Master’s 
Application Timeline Same as the University application timeline for your course

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The scholarship is only available for full-time courses at Oxford University. 
  • The scholarship is only available for students applying for the following areas of study
  1. Earth Sciences
  2. Bioscience
  3. Future Propulsion and Power
  4. Inorganic Chemistry for Future Manufacturing
  5. Synthesis for Biology and Medicine
  6. Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning
  7. Mathematics of Random Systems
  8. Medical Sciences
  9. Neurosciences
  10. Oncology
  11. Politics and/or International Relations
  12. Theoretical Physics.

Additional Information: 

  • The scholarship does not have a separate application process. Eligible students who applied for the above-mentioned programs are considered for the scholarship. 
  • Although the scholarship applies to the University College of Oxford, all eligible applicants who applied for the given programs are considered for the scholarship.
  • On selection, applicants will be transferred to the University College. 
  • The final results of the 2023 application cycle are expected to be declared by the end of May 2024.
  • The award is provided for the complete duration of fee liability for your applied course. 

Also Read: Study in the UK: Colleges, Eligibility & Scholarships for Courses in the UK

Top 5 External Scholarships for Oxford

Apart from the top internal scholarships mentioned above, students applying for Oxford University can be eligible for numerous other external scholarships. 

External bodies fund the external scholarships. This includes other non-profit organisations (NGOs), business associations, social circles and other bodies. 

The eligibility criteria, number of awards, document requirements and other specifications can vary across each scholarship scheme. 

Some of the popular external scholarships for Oxford University are given below. 

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. 

Several of the Rotary fellows today work as government leaders in NGOs, education and research institutions, peacekeeping, multilateral organisations, law enforcement and consulting agencies and international organisations such as the United Nations (UC) and the World Bank.

The award is generally funded partially by the home Rotary district of the student and partially by the central Rotary Foundation funds. 

Every year, the Rotary Foundation distributes almost 50 fellowships for postgraduate degrees and 80 fellowships for certificate studies at the premier universities of the world, including Oxford. The general duration of the scholarship is 1-4 years

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByRotary Foundation
Category Merit-based 
Number of Awards130+
Benefits – Tuition and fees
– Room and board
– Round-trip transportation
– Internship and field-study expenses
Level Bachelor’s, Master’s and Certificate Programs
Application DeadlineFebruary 2024

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The scholarship is available only for students who are planning to study in one of the six focus areas of the Rotary. They are:
  1. Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
  2. Literacy and basic education
  3. Economic and community development
  4. Maternal and child health
  5. Disease prevention and treatment
  6. Water and sanitation
  •  The scholarship is only awarded to students who intend to study in a different country of their origin
  • Before applying for the Rotary scholarships, you must secure admission to a foreign university program. 

Restrictions:

  • The family members of Rotarians are not allowed to apply for the Rotary Scholarships. 
  • Active members or employees of the Rotary Club, Rotary International or other Rotary entities are not allowed to apply for the scholarships. 

Additional Information: 

  • One of the major attractions of the Rotary scholarships is that, while receiving it you can still avail of other financial aids. 
  • Each Rotary District has its application process and deadlines. Refer to the official website of the Rotary District where you plan to study for details. 
  • The Rotary Peace Fellowship application for the 2024-2025 academic year is now closed. However, the 2025-26 applications will open in February 2024.

The Rhodes Scholarships for India

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most popular scholarships for Oxford, established in the year of 1902.  It is a fully funded scholarship awarded to students at Oxford. The Rhodes Trust finances the scholarship. 

The Rhodes Trust and the Second Century Founder, John McCall MacBain O.C, administer the Rhodes Scholarships for India.

Quick Fact: Did you know that the first Indian to receive the Rhodes Scholarship for India was in 1947? Since then, 200 Indians have received the award. 

The national secretaries of the respective countries monitor the selection process of the scholarship. India’s national secretary of the Rhodes Scholarship program is Dr Dhvani Mehta

The scholarship is provided for a duration of 2 or more years, depending on your program. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByRhodes Trust
Category Merit-based 
Number of Awards
Benefits – Application fee
– Course fee
–  Allowance of £19,092 (INR 17 lakhs) per annum (£1,591
or INR 1.4 lakhs per month)
– Student visa fees
– International Health Surcharge (IHS)
– Covers two economy-class flight ticket fares (to and from
the UK at the beginning and end of your studies in Oxford)
– On arrival, you receive an allowance for settling in
– If you are already studying in Oxford, then the trust
will cover the fee for visa renewal and further
application for IHS
Level Bachelor’s, Master’s and MPhil/BPhil/DPhil
Application OpeningJune 2024

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The scholarship is only available for full-time master’s students at Oxford. 
  • You should be an Indian citizen
  • You should have completed at least 4-10 years of study in India
  • You should have an undergraduate degree from an Indian university by July 2024
  • The minimum score requirements vary according to the program you apply for
  • You must be aged between 18 and 23 as of 1st October 2023.  

Additional Information: 

  • The applications for the 2024 cycle have been closed. The applications for the 2025 academic session are likely to begin in June 2024
  • Applicants with a first-class honours degree have higher chances of getting selected for the program.

Chevening Scholarships 

The Chevening is one popular scholarship for Oxford. It is a fully-funded scholarship provided by the government of the UK for its international students. It is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations. 

The Chevening alumni consist of over 55,000 members across the world who excel in their academic and professional fields. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByThe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organisations
Category Merit-based 
Number of AwardsNA
Benefits – Fully funded tuition fees
Level Master’s 
Application TimelineSeptember 2023 – November 2023 
(for the 2024-25 cycle, the 2025-26 application dates
are yet to be announced)

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The scholarship is only available for full-time master’s course
  • It applies only to the one-year master’s degrees
  • Be a citizen or hold refugee status in one of the Chevening-eligible countries or territories. This includes India as well. 
  • You must have completed your undergraduate degree by the time of application with a score equivalent to an  upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK
  • You must have a minimum of two years of work experience
  • You must receive your unconditional offer letter by the deadline to receive the scholarship offer letter 

Restrictions: 

  • You are not eligible to apply for the Chevening scholarship if you hold British or dual British citizenship
  • You cannot apply if you hold refugee status in a non-Chevening eligible country
  • You cannot apply if you are an employee, ex-employee (within the last 2 years), or a relative of an employee of the UK Government. However, this does not apply to Chevening Partner organisations. 
  • You cannot apply if you have studied in the UK before with any UK Government-funded scholarship.

Additional Information: 

  • You can apply for the scholarship before receiving your offer letter. However, you should be able to receive your offer letter by the time the scholarship results are announced. 
  • If you receive a Chevening scholarship, you should return to your homeland for at least two years after completing your course. 
  • You can apply for a second master’s degree under the scholarship, provided that you can explain your intentions for the same. You should explain how this benefits yourself, your home country and society in general.
  • The applications for 2024-2025 Chevening Scholarships are now closed.
  • The application process for the Chevening takes up to 8 months in total
  • The 2024 application process is between September 2023 and November 2023. You can expect the 2025-26 applications around the same time of the year. The 2024-25 application timeline is given below. 
  • The assessment takes place between November and December. 
  • The applicants for the 2024-25 cycle will be shortlisted by mid-February 2024
  • The shortlisted candidates will be instructed to upload their relevant documents by 20 February 2024. 
  • The shortlisted candidates are expected to give their interviews between 26 February and 26 April 2024
  • The final results will be announced by June 2024
  • The deadline to receive the offer letter is 11 July 2024
  • Your program will begin by September/October 2024

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships

The Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships are funded by the four Charles Wallace Trusts in the UK, established in 1981. It came into action through generous donations from Sir Charles Wallace, who was a British businessman and entrepreneur who came to India. 

The trust provides financial assistance for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma. The Charles Wallace India Trust awards students who study in the field of arts, heritage conservation or humanities in the UK. 

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. They are:

  • CWIT long-term grants 
  • CWIT short research grants
  • Grants towards the final year of Doctoral study in the UK
  • Artists residencies
  • Museology
  • Visiting fellows

However, among the above aids, only the CWIT Long-term grant is available for a Master’s degree at Oxford or any other UK university. The other grants are for short-term research courses and training programs. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByCharles Wallace India Trust
Category Merit-based 
Number of AwardsNA
Benefits – Course fees in the UK
– Living costs
– GBP 600 (INR 63, 000) for international travel
Level Master’s 
Application Deadline14 January 2024 

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The applicant should be an Indian citizen living in the country
  • You should be aged between 28 and 38
  • The CWIT scholarships are only available for students who plan to pursue a full-time master’s in the UK
  • Before applying for the scholarship, the student must have secured admission to the university
  • You should have a first degree, diploma or professional qualification in your area of specialisation
  • You should not have received a CWIT grant within the last five years
  • The scholarship is only available to students planning a master’s in the field of arts or Heritage conservation. The eligible areas are below.

Arts

  1. Visual Arts
  2. Performance, e.g. Dance, Drama, Music, Directing
  3. Film – including Script Writing and Direction
  4. Photography
  5. Design (but not Architecture)
  6. Curating
  7. Art History

Heritage Conservation

  1. Conservation architecture
  2. Management of heritage projects or sites
  3. Conservation of materials such as timber, stone, metal (including metal structures, armour and artefacts), paintings, photographs and film
  4. Conservation of landscape
  5. Management of museums and collections
  6. Engineering, concerning the conservation of heritage buildings and structures

Additional Information: 

  • The scholarship fund is only available for one year. 
  • CWIT does not support two-year courses.
  • The CWIT prioritises applicants with relevant working experience
  • The shortlisted candidates will have a virtual interview round to be held in February/March 2024.
  • The 2024-2025 application began on 1 October 2023, and the last date to apply is 14 January 2024, 23:59hrs (GMT).
  • The interview results are expected to be announced in early to mid-April 2024.

Also Read: Top Scholarships To Study Abroad After 12th

J.N. Tata Endowment awards 

The J.N. Tata Endowment Awards are established by Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata in the year 1892. So far, the Tata Group has awarded 5,700 scholarships to Indian students. The scholarships are for Master’s, PhD and Post-doctoral fellowships across all fields 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. 

Check out the Highlights: 

Administered ByTata Group
Category Merit-based 
Number of AwardsNA
Benefits – INR 1-10 lakhs (varies across candidates)
– A criteria-based travel grant
– A gift award
Level Master’s, Ph.D. and Post-doctoral fellowships
Application Timeline11th January till 15th March 2024

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The applicant should be an Indian citizen
  • You should not be older than 45 years. If applying for the 2024-25 academic session, then your age should not be over 45 as of June 30, 2024
  • You should have completed an undergraduate (for master’s applicants) or postgraduate degree (for PhD applicants) from a recognised Indian university with a minimum of 60% marks
  • The course to which you are applying should be recognised as a graduate program

Restrictions:

  • Students who are taking an online course or distance learning programs are not eligible to apply  
  • Candidates who are planning to pursue their further studies in India are not allowed to apply
  • If you are planning to pursue a diploma course of at least 1-year duration, and your educational qualification is only higher secondary level, then you are not eligible for the scholarship 

Additional Information: 

  • Application forms for the J N Tata Endowment Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 program are open now. The application timeline is from 11th January to 15th March 2024
  • Applicants shortlisted after the preliminary screening will be invited to attend an online test. It is expected to be held on 1st April, 2024.
  • If shortlisted from the online test round, you will get to attend an interview round with your subject experts. The interview is expected to be held between April to June 2024.
  • If selected, you will receive a mail informing the same by the first week of July 2024
  • Applicants who were rejected or failed to accept the same scholarship in the previous years are also eligible to apply for the scholarship
  • Applicants who are at the end of their first year or the beginning of their final year of study can also apply for the scholarship scheme. 
  • Candidates who are waiting for their final year results can also apply
  • Candidates who did not receive an offer letter during the time of the scholarship application can also apply. However, they should mail the offer letter as soon as they receive it to jnte@tatatruts.org, quoting their reference number. 
  • Previous J N Tata scholars can also apply for a new scholarship scheme, provided that they have fully repaid their existing loan scholarship.

Also Read:

Winding Up

Always aim for the best. While planning to study in a foreign university, learn from a campus where Oscar Wilde, Percy Shelly, Lewis Carrol, and T.S Elliot graduated. Give yourself one of the greatest academic achievements. Not only academics, but life can be so filmy at Oxford, with its ancient architecture, war-time paintings, and historical sites. 

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. 

If you are planning to apply for an Oxford scholarship, then here are a few points to keep in mind. 

Three Tips for Scholarship Hunt:

  • Early Bird Catches the Prey: If you plan to pursue a scholarship scheme, then start your process as early as possible. Do not wait until the application process opens. Start your research early, gather your documents and make sure every document is accurate. 
  • Compete with Confidence: Scholarships in general, and Oxford scholarships in particular, are extremely competitive. Make sure you build your profile attractive and competitive. Make it stand out from the crowd.
  • Bag Your Scholarships Early: Try to secure a scholarship before reaching the campus. Financial aid for on-course students is comparatively lower in number. So, find an appropriate program and apply earlier.  

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

  • Q. What are the eligibility criteria for Oxford University scholarships?

    A. 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)

  • Q. What visa do I need to study at Oxford University?

    A. Indian students accepted to study at Oxford University must apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa. This visa allows students to study full-time in the UK. You will need a valid CAS from Oxford to apply for the visa, the necessary funds to cover your annual tuition fees and living expenses, and the English language requirements.

  • Q. How much does it cost for an Indian student to live in Oxford?

    A. The cost of living in Oxford can vary depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choices. Indian students can expect to spend between INR 9 lakhs and INR 17 lakhs per year on living expenses. It includes accommodation, food, transportation, utilities, and personal expenses. Researching and budgeting is essential to ensure you have enough funds to cover your living costs in Oxford.

  • Q. What is the application process for Oxford University scholarships?

    A. The application process for Oxford University scholarships involves several steps. Firstly, you need to apply for admission to the university and have a firm offer of a place. Then, you can search for Oxford University scholarships you are eligible for and identify the specific application requirements for each scholarship. Most scholarships require a completed application form, academic transcripts, reference letters, LoRs, resumes, CVs and personal statements (SOPs).

  • Q. What are the different types of scholarships available at Oxford University?

    A. Oxford University offers various scholarships, including academic, research, subject-specific, and scholarships for specific countries or regions. Some scholarships are fully funded, covering tuition fees and living expenses, while others may be partially funded. The university also offers scholarships for postgraduate research opportunities. Exploring the Oxford University website and scholarship databases is advisable to find the Oxford University scholarships that suit your specific circumstances and field of study.

  • Q. What academic background do I need to apply for Oxford University Scholarships?

    A. The eligibility criteria for Oxford University Scholarships can vary; some may require applicants to have specific academic backgrounds or qualifications. However, scholarships are also available for a wide range of academic disciplines. It is essential to thoroughly research the scholarship requirements and consult The Oxford University scholarship provider or the university’s admissions office to ensure you meet the necessary academic criteria for your desired scholarship.

  • Q. Can Indian students apply for Oxford University Scholarships?

    A. Yes, as an Indian student, you can apply for Oxford University Scholarships. The university provides a variety of scholarships tailored for Indian students, encompassing opportunities for those from specific countries or regions. Explore these options to support your academic journey at Oxford. Indian students must meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, which typically include academic excellence and financial need.

  • Q. Are there scholarships available for undergraduate students at Oxford University?

    A. Yes, Oxford University scholarships are available for undergraduate students. This includes the Rhodes Scholarship and Rotary Scholarships. Scholarships may be available for specific courses, subject areas, or students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The university also offers scholarships based on nationality or ethnicity.

  • Q. Can I apply for multiple scholarships at Oxford University?

    A. It is essential to carefully review each scholarship’s eligibility criteria, as some scholarships may have restrictions regarding simultaneous applications. Be sure to allocate enough time and effort to complete each scholarship application meticulously, as applications for different scholarships may have distinct requirements or essay prompts.

  • Q. Are there any scholarships exclusively for postgraduate students at Oxford University?

    A. There are numerous scholarships specifically tailored for postgraduate students at Oxford University. Postgraduate students should explore the scholarships offered by their chosen academic department and scholarships administered by the university’s central scholarships office. Some of them are

    – Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
    – Felix Scholarships
    – Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship
    – Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme

  • Q. Are there scholarships available for mature students at Oxford University?

    A. Yes, Oxford University scholarships are available for mature students. These scholarships aim to support individuals who may have taken a break from education or are returning to study later in life. Such scholarships may provide mature students with financial assistance, academic support, or specialised resources. Some of them are

    – Rhodes Scholarships
    – Chevening Scholarships
    – Charles Wallace Trust Scholarships
    – J.N. Tata Endowment awards

  • Q. Are there any scholarships at Oxford University for students from developing countries? 

    A. Yes, Oxford University provides scholarships for citizens of developing countries. These scholarships promote education and enable talented individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to study at the university. Some scholarships are country-specific, while others are region-specific. The eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits vary depending on the scholarship. Some of them are

    – Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
    – Charles Wallace Trust Scholarships
    – Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships
    – Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme

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Saket Kohli

An International Higher Ed professional with 7+ years of experience studying, working, and living across three geographies, currently on a mission to share his journey as an International Student.

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