Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students: Fees, Deadlines & Tips 2026-27

Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students: Fees, Deadlines & Tips 2026-27

Oxford, EnglandLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1096established year
20298enrollment
Public
8.3/10
Jasmine Grover's profile photo

Jasmine Grover

Study Abroad Expert | Updated on - Jan 8, 2026

Oxford University, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, offers a wide range of scholarships to attract talented international students, including those from India. With no quotas for international admissions, scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and specific eligibility criteria.

Oxford University Fee and Living Costs 2026–27

These scholarships can significantly ease the financial burden by helping cover tuition fees –

Level Fees (GBP) Fees (INR)
Undergraduate £37,380 – £62,820 ₹45L – ₹76L
Postgraduate £26,000 – £70,000 ₹31L – ₹84L

They also help with living costs, which range from £15,000–£18,000 per year (₹18–21 lakh).

Check in detail: Oxford University Popular Courses & Fees

For Indian students, strong academic records—typically 90%+ in Class XII or a first-class bachelor’s degree—are essential, and only CBSE or CISCE qualifications are generally accepted for undergraduate admission. Key scholarships offered include the Reach Oxford Scholarship, Clarendon Fund, Weidenfeld‑Hoffmann Scholarships, and college-specific awards.


Top Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students

Some of the most popular scholarships at the University of Oxford include:

Scholarship Level Eligibility (Key Points for Indians) Deadline (2027 Entry) Value Notes
Rhodes Scholarship PG Indian citizen/resident, 19-25 yrs, first-class degree, leadership Sept 2026 Full (~£70k/yr) 5-6 awards/yr; essays + interviews
Felix Scholarships PG Indian national, <30 yrs, first-class, financial need Jan 2027 (with course) + Feb form Full Up to 6 awards/yr; low-income priority
Clarendon Fund PG Outstanding academics (first-class equiv.) Automatic (Dec 2026/Jan 2027 course app) Full 200+ awards/yr; no separate app
Oxford-Indira Gandhi PG Indian nationals; sustainable dev. fields Automatic (Jan 2027 course app) Full 1-2 awards/yr; research-focused
Reach Oxford UG Low-income (incl. India); excellence + need UCAS Oct 15, 2026; form Feb 2027 Full 3-4 awards/yr; rare for UG internationals
Chevening PG 2+ yrs work exp., leadership Nov 2026 Full UK govt; several for Indians
OCSI Scholarships UG/PG Indian residents; strong academics May 2027 Partial (£5k–£10k) External; small awards

Additional Notes on Table:

  • Deadlines are for 2027 entry (October 2027 start); always confirm on official sites as dates may shift slightly.
  • Most PG scholarships are automatic if you apply to your course by the January funding deadline.
  • UG scholarships are rare for internationals; Reach Oxford is one of the few full options.
  • College-specific and external scholarships (e.g., Inlaks, Aditya Birla) can supplement.

Check Oxford University Admission Deadlines & Application Process


Oxford University Scholarship Application Tips for Indian Students

Applying to Oxford is a multi-step process. Timing is as important as your grades.

  • The "January Rule": For postgraduates, the most important deadline is the January funding deadline for your course. Applying by this date automatically enters you into the pool for 1,000+ scholarships, including Clarendon and Felix.
  • Rhodes Specifics: The Rhodes Scholarship is unique because you apply before you apply to the University.
  • English Proficiency: Most courses require the "Higher Level" (IELTS 7.5 total, with 7.0 in each band). If you studied in a school where English was the medium of instruction, you may request a waiver, though this is not always granted.
  • Academic References: Choose referees who can speak to your originality and potential for research, not just your ability to score well in exams.
  • Admission Tests: For undergraduates, focus on admissions tests (e.g., MAT, PAT); for graduates, GRE/GMAT may help.

Oxford University Scholarship Success Rates for Indian Students

The official university website prominently features these scholarships, emphasising accessibility for internationals. However, the reality is competitive but achievable:

Oxford awards scholarships to over 1,000 students yearly, with internationals comprising 65% of graduates.

  • For Indians specifically, data shows consistent recipients—e.g., 5-6 Rhodes Scholars annually (250 total since 1947), up to 6 Felix awards, and several Clarendon spots.
  • 5 Indians for Rhodes 2025 (fields like law, philosophy) and 6 for 2026 (law, chemistry, etc.), proving that awards are granted to diverse backgrounds.
  • Success rates are low (e.g., Rhodes: ~1-2% of applicants), but official stats confirm Indians regularly succeed, often from non-elite institutions if profiles are exceptional.

Reddit threads reveal mixed but encouraging experiences. Users stress that scholarships are "hard but attainable" for middle-class Indians, with success stories like low-GPA admits via strong essays/interviews. One poster shared securing Rhodes after self-applying despite a gap year, emphasizing leadership over grades. Challenges include limited undergraduate funding (e.g., no Medicine scholarships for internationals), but many note Felix/Rhodes as "life-changers" for graduates. Apply early, as competition is fierce.

FAQs

Ques. Can Indian students get a full scholarship at Oxford?

Ans. Yes. Several scholarships offer "full funding," which covers 100% of course fees and a grant for living costs (around £19,000). The most prominent for Indians are the Rhodes Scholarship, the Felix Scholarship, and the Clarendon Fund.

Ques. Does Oxford offer scholarships for undergraduate Indian students?

Ans. Undergraduate scholarships are highly competitive and limited. The Reach Oxford Scholarship is the primary option for students from low-income backgrounds in India. Note that it does not cover Medicine. Most other undergraduate funding is "partial" or college-specific.

Ques. What is the minimum IELTS score for Oxford scholarships?

Ans. Most Oxford courses and scholarships require a "Higher Level" proficiency. This typically means an IELTS Academic score of 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each component. Some undergraduate courses may accept a "Standard" level of 7.0, but for scholarship competitiveness, 7.5+ is recommended.

Ques. Is there a separate application for the Clarendon Scholarship?

Ans. No. Most postgraduate applicants are automatically considered for the Clarendon Fund if they apply for their course by the relevant December or January deadline. There is no separate scholarship form to fill out.

University of Oxford Scholarships: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 11 Reviews

International students face limited scholarship opportunities in the UK, with most financial aid options like bursaries and need-based support being available for UK citizens. Merit scholarships are scarce, and the one previously available for IMO Gold Medallists has been discontinued. International students may have better chances securing scholarships from their home countries, such as the Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education, which provides £15,300 per year plus additional expenses.

Some university scholarships, like the Clarendon and Rhodes Scholarships, are available, but competition is high. While student finance options exist, they primarily benefit UK students, though loans may be accessible for international students at institutions like Oxford.

...Read More
 By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

Scholarships offered

Felix Scholarships


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $18,300
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: 428

Oxford and Cambridge Society of India (OCSI) Scholarships


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: Variable Amount
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Bachelor
  • Number of Scholarships: 1

Rhodes Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $23,174
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Master
  • Number of Scholarships: 100

Clarendon Scholarships


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: Variable Amount
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Doctorate
  • Number of Scholarships: 200

Reach Oxford Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: Variable Amount
  • Type: College-Specific
  • Level of Study: Bachelor
  • Number of Scholarships: 3

VueVille Future Technology Scholarship


  • International Student Eligible: Yes
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Type: Merit-Based
  • Level of Study: Bachelor
  • Number of Scholarships: 1
Show More

Reviews


StreamDegree TypeStudent StatusNationalityBatchCourse
Sort By :
Newest First

Arts (2)
Mathematics (1)
International Business (1)
Literature (1)
Sciences (1)
English (1)
Computer Science (1)
Course (1)
Information (1)
Laboratory (1)
Mixture (1)
Oxford (1)

11 Reviews Found

Scholarship

  • I have not received a scholarship, but a few of my batchmates have received external scholarships, college scholarships and their own national government-based scholarships.
  • I am not sure about how many students receive scholarships each year on average, but I believe it is a minority rather than the majority (ranging from 5-10 students out of 30 students). These students typically receive full scholarships, including cost-of-living expenses.

  • I have found private accommodation as my college accommodation was more expensive. I found my accommodation on the Spareroom website.
  • The monthly rent is around 750GBP, including all utility bills. I suggest that students be proactive on various platforms like Facebook groups, Rightmove, and Spareroom to look at accommodations and have virtual viewings if possible.
  • Feel free to ask prospective landlords all the questions that you want to. My accommodation is nearly 1km from my college. Most Indian students stay in Cowley Road.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 6/10
extracurricular: 8/10

S
9.0 /10

Scholarship

  • One can be eligible for university scholarships as well as scholarships from your country including Inlaks Shivdasani, Rhodes Scholarship, etc. You may also be selected for the Clarendon Scholarships by your department.

  • I received several smaller amounts of bursaries and was a finalist for the Inlaks Shivdasani scholarship although I could not win it. Some of my batchmates were Rhodes scholars, Clarendon scholars etc.

  • On average it can be difficult especially for international students to get scholarships however the percentage varies every year.

  • Once we are admitted to the university, we are also given a college. I was part of Keble College where the graduate assistant reached out to me to let me know of the accommodation choices available to me.

  • The monthly rent of my apartment was about 666 GBP, including all amenities and electricity covered. The structure was 1B1 in an apartment where 7 other people also resided and the only common sharing area was the kitchen.

  • I would say I had a very smooth journey when it came to securing the accommodation because the management is very efficient and gets back with a reply in a day or two.

  • My recommendation for future students would be to start the process of finding accommodation early on or as soon as you get an acceptance letter. That way you can always secure a spot for yourself within campus which will be cheaper and convenient than of-campus facilities.

  • My accommodation was about a 10 minutes walk from my department and an hour's distance by bus from my research institute.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 4/10
extracurricular: 10/10

SH
8.7 /10

Scholarship

  • I did not receive any scholarships, but there are scholarships and student finance options available. However, student finance usually covers students from the UK itself.
  • One of my batchmates received a student finance which was basically a loan for one year at Oxford.
  • When it comes to international students, they are more likely to secure a scholarship from the home government as the scholarship options for international students for the particular course are bleak.

  • I used Airbnb to find my accommodation. Even though hostel options were available as an option, they were filled up pretty quickly. No one from my course found a place in the hostel.
  • Initially, we thought of renting an apartment but later decided to take our individual housing. My rent for 15 days was somewhere between 50 to 60 thousand but my peers' rent was upto one lake twelve thousand for fifteen days.
  • My accommodation journey was pretty smooth as I was staying with a Nepali family, and I used to travel by bus and it would not take more than 15 minutes.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 6/10

AK
9.0 /10

Scholarship

  • There are no scholarships or financial aid available for any international students in the UK.
  • The only bursaries and need-based financial aid is available for UK citizens.
  • There are no merit scholarships and the only one that used to exist for IMO Gold Medallists was removed this year. Hence it is important to be able to cover all your expenses on your own.
     

  • All accommodation is on-campus although you can rent your own apartment and live outside (more expensive than the cheap accommodation provided by the university)
  • The rent is about 30 pounds per night so it comes out to 5500 pounds per year.
  • The food, rent and living facilities provided (laundry, kitchens, etc) come at a great subsidized cost and there are enough people around to help you in case of assistance.
  • I would recommend future students to stay on-campus especially if they are not from the country because it is much cheaper and much easier to manage.
  • My accommodation is right opposite the library and most Indian students live nearby to me in similar rooms.
     

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 6/10

Scholarship

No

The terms are fast-paced and highly academic. Even though sometimes the academic load can get high, it was always manageable for me. The problem sheets favor quality over quantity. As for other social activities, there are lots of opportunities to join clubs and societies, little social events in your college and also your subject department. Lots of talks and workshops. We have formal dinners every now and then where you dress up. The exams are also traditionally taken and you must wear formal clothing.

academic: 8/10
faculty: 7/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 5/10
placement: 7/10

AB
7.5 /10

Scholarship

nope

Admin is not really great, it is not very systematic. But otherwise you meet a lot of smart people. I never thought I would enjoy going for debates but we have many debates at the Oxford Union where esteemed speakers from around the world come to exchange thoughts and ideas. The formal dinners let you explore the different colleges across Oxford University. There is almost no medical help available unless it is fatal so carry medicines/bandages etc.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 9/10

Y
8.3 /10

The candidates need to pass IELTS with a minimum score of 7 and minimum 100 in TOEFL. You apply through UCAS, as for any other university. The full information is contained in the University's Undergraduate Prospectus.To become a student at Oxford you need to be accepted by a particular college, though you apply through a central admissions system. If you don't know which college to name as your preference you can make an open application: details of this are also in the undergraduate prospectus. Candidates are shortlisted for interview on the basis of their academic record and promise, as detailed in the selection criteria. Interviews take place in December. 

academic: 8/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 8/10

FS
8.0 /10

Scholarship

No, I didn't receive any scholarship.

I chose Oxford University for obvious reasons as it is top-ranked, and I needed foreign accreditation to progress in my teaching career. Plus, it was a distance learning program so I was able to study while I worked. It also had a residential module which gave me an opportunity to meet my peers from all over the world. Also, since the ratio of instructors to students is very low. Only 13 fellows were admitted each year, making it easy for professors to give individual attention to each student.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 10/10

UN
8.2 /10

Scholarship

No

Oxford is best for my chosen course. It is one of the only courses in the world that lets students gain practical experience in micromanipulation, in vitro maturation and embryo biopsy.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 9/10

UP
8.3 /10

Scholarship

Yes, I got scholarship from Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education which is 15,300 pounds/ year + tuition fee + visa + transport + seminar and conferences + thesis + paper publication and research fee.

Because University of Oxford is one of the best university in the world, always top 10 in almost all university ranking website and Oxford also has a lot to offer to students

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 10/10

Comments


No Comments To Show
Videos
Write A Review & Earn Upto 20 USD*

Refer & Earn 5 USD For Every Approved Review

Cash Rewarded

$1500

Reviews Collected

3k+ Reviews

interested in this College ?

Get free counselling
Important Dates