Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025

For the 2024-25 academic year, the University of Oxford plans to offer over 1,000 full or partial scholarships to new graduate students. These scholarships, aimed at supporting academic excellence and potential, may cover course fees entirely or partially and/or offer a living cost grant during your study period.

At Oxford University, most scholarships don't require a separate application; candidates are automatically considered upon submitting their admission application by the December or January deadlines. Scholarship awards, covering a range of support, are typically announced from late February to June following admission confirmation.

Beyond the initial scholarships offered by the University of Oxford, international students may qualify for additional in-course scholarships from their specific Faculties. Furthermore, doctoral and research-oriented master's students might receive a stipend from their thesis advisors. International students need to note that the range of Oxford scholarships varies greatly in terms of benefits, eligibility, and application procedures, depending on the student's academic level.

Types of Oxford University Scholarships 

The scholarship in Oxford offers a diverse array of scholarship options, such as academic merit, financial need, specific criteria based on fields of study, affiliations with the university, and other unique categories.

The scholarships are organized into two groups based on their funding source, making it easier for applicants to understand and explore the available options:

Internal Scholarships:

Provided by the University of Oxford and its departments, encompassing all financial aid originating within the university. For most scholarship in Oxford University, there's no need for a separate application; applying for admission automatically considers you for these awards.

External Scholarships:

Funded by other organizations, such as NGOs, business associations, or alumni. These scholarship in Oxford require a distinct application process which might differ based on the academic levels, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Oxford Internal Scholarships 

The scholarships to study at Oxford are awarded by the university to support students financially. These Oxford scholarship are provided to international students to afford their expenses while pursuing studies. This initiative also makes the university more diverse and encourages a multicultural society.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships:

The University of Oxford, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), offers Commonwealth Shared Scholarships. These are open to applicants who are citizens of or have been granted refugee status by, one of the developing Commonwealth countries.

Eligibility Criteria:

To qualify for these awards, applicants must:

• 
  To apply for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, you should be a citizen or granted a refugee in one of the following countries: 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.
• 
  Applicants must apply for specific courses, which change year based on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's current focus. For 2025, students applying for the following courses can apply:

  • 
    Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • 
    MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology
  • 
    MSt Diplomatic Studies
• 
  Be ready to begin academic studies in the UK before the start of the academic year in September 2025.
• 
  By September 2025, applicants must have a first degree with at least upper second-class (2:1) honors, or a lower second-class degree plus an appropriate postgraduate qualification.
• 
  Not have studied or worked for more than one (academic) year in a high-income nation.
• 
  Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship, 
• 
  Has submitted all the asked documents in the asked format such as Statement of Purpose(SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR), and more.

Benefits:

• 
  Up to 100% tuition fee
• 
  Monthly stipend of GBP 16,164 (INR 18.2 Lakhs)
• 
  Travel expenses 
• 
  Clothing allowance

Application Process:

• 
  Applicants can apply through the official Commonwealth Scholarship portal.
• 
  To secure the scholarship in Oxford, the applicant must secure admission to the eligible course in the University of Oxford.
• 
  Applicants must submit their academic scores, personal statements, and other supporting documents in the requested format.
• 
  The application process should be completed by 4 pm (GMT) on 12th Dec, 2024. 
• 
  The Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for the 2025 academic year are now closed.
• 
  The scholarship decisions are announced between April and June.

Felix Scholarships:

The Felix Scholarship permits outstanding Indian students to pursue graduate studies in any topic at the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

Eligibility Criteria:

The eligibility criteria for the Oxford Scholarship for Indian students:

• 
  Be a national of India.
• 
  Should have a first-class undergraduate or master's degree from an Indian university.
• 
  Applicant shouldn't have a degree from a university outside of India (exceptions apply only when the applicant receives the scholarship).
• 
  Plan to return to India after completion.

Benefits:

• 
  Full tuition fees 
• 
  Grant for the cost of living (about GBP 18,300)
• 
  One return trip from India to the UK

Application Process:

• 
  Applicants must be submitted through the Oxford University Graduate Scholarships Portal. 
• 
  Admission should have secured admission to an eligible graduate program at the University of Oxford.
• 
  Applicants must submit academic transcripts, an SOP, LOR, and proof of funds.
• 
  Scholarship winners are announced between April and June.

Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship:

This Oxford Scholarship for Indian students, or those who have previously attended an Indian higher education institution. Applicants must be applying for a DPhil course with a research thesis in the relevant fields of study. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of India.
• 
  International students who have previously enrolled at an Indian higher education institution may also apply for the grant.
• 
  When applying for the DPhil program, your suggested research topic should be relevant to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development's objective of a multidisciplinary study on sustainable development in India. The core topics of inquiry include:
• 
  Sustainable cities
• 
  Climate Change and Clean Energy
• 
  Healthcare Innovation
• 
  Environmental sustainability, food, and water security
• 
  Law, Governance, and Human Rights

Benefits:

• 
  Full tuition fee 
• 
  Grant for cost of living

Application Process:

• 
  Applications must be submitted through the official Oxford University admissions portal.
• 
  Admission should have secured admission to the DPhil program at the University of Oxford.
• 
  Applicants must submit academic transcripts and other necessary documents.
• 
  Applicants may be invited to attend an interview virtually upon shortlisting.

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme:

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme was founded in 2015 by some contributors to commemorate Lord Weidenfeld's 95th birthday. The University presently funds 40% of the scholarship, with the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, including Fondation Hoffmann, funding the remaining 60%. The scholarship intends to support high-achieving international students in pursuing graduate programs at Oxford with complete financial aid.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  To apply for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme, you must be a regular resident of one of the countries listed on the university's scholarship portal. In addition, India, China, Bangladesh, and Nepal are all eligible for the scholarship.
• 
  You should not be getting any other scholarships at this time.
• 
  The scholarship is only available for one bachelor's and 41 master's courses at the university.

Benefits:

• 
  Full tuition price 
• 
  Grant for cost of living (about GBP 19,237). 

Additional Information:

• 
  Applicants should select the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship for graduate courses before the December or January deadline.
• 
  Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement is required for the application process.
• 
  Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, which usually takes place in April.
• 
  Results are expected to be announced by the end of May.

Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships:

The Oxford-Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships are provided by Oxford University and supported by its alumni. This scholarship offers opportunities to meritorious students to study at the university and contribute in their respective fields. Every year 13 scholarships to outstanding students.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  The scholarship is only applicable to full-time courses at Oxford University.
• 
  Eligible courses for the Oxford Radcliffe Graduate Scholarships are: Earth Sciences, Bioscience, Future Propulsion and Power, Synthesis for Biology and Medicine, Modern Statistics and Statistical Machine Learning, Mathematics of Random Systems, Medical Sciences, Neurosciences, Oncology, Politics and/or International Relations, and Theoretical Physics.

Benefits:

• 
  Course fees 
• 
  Stipend for living expenses

Additional Information:

• 
  Applicants eligible for the scholarships are considered automatically upon admission.
• 
  The results will be announced at the end of May 2025.

Oxford External Scholarships

Aside from the top internal Oxford scholarship mentioned above, students applying to Oxford University may be eligible for several other external scholarships. External bodies support external scholarships. This comprises non-profit organizations (NGOs), commercial groups, social circles, and other entities.

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

Rotary Scholarships:

Rotary Scholarships are one of the world's largest privately funded scholarships, provided by the Rotary Foundation inside Rotary International. Since 2002, the scholarships have trained approximately 1,700 students, who now work in 140 countries.

Several Rotary fellows now serve as government leaders in NGOs, education and research institutions, peacekeeping, multilateral organizations, law enforcement and consulting agencies, and international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  Applicants should have a 3-year gap between the academic degree and the intended fellowship program.
• 
  Should showcase a strong commitment towards peace and development, leadership potential, and compatibility with Rotary’s fellowship objectives.
• 
  Rotary Peace Fellowships cannot be used for doctoral studies

Benefits:

• 
  Covers tuition fees
• 
  Provides a living stipend
• 
  Covers transportation expenses
• 
  Includes funding for internship or field-study expenses

Additional Information:

• 
  The application starts from February 2025 for the 2026-27 academic year.
• 
  Required to apply through the Peace Centre located at the university.
• 
  Results will be announced in November 2025.

The Rhodes Scholarship for India:

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of Oxford's most popular awards, established in 1902. It is a fully financed scholarship in Oxford. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• 
  The academic documents providing 4-10 years of formal education in India are required.
• 
  By July 2025, applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree and should have gained admission to the University of Oxford.
• 
  Applicant must be 18 to 23 years old. 
• 
  Strong academic record set by the Rhodes Trust.

Benefits:

• 
  Full-funded 
• 
  Living Expenses GBP 19,092 (about GBP 1,591) 
• 
  Covers economy-class airfare to and from the UK. 

Application Process:

• 
  Check your eligibility criteria for the scholarship based on the course.
• 
  Provide your Personal Statement, Academic Statement, and Reference Statement.
• 
  Upon shortlisting, you have to attend an interview. 
• 
  Track results and upon approval complete the formalities.

Chevening Scholarships

Offered in over 150 countries, usually for one-year master's programs. They enable tomorrow's prospective leaders to form strong relationships with the UK and with one another in a global network.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  This award is only available for full-time master's courses.
• 
  It only pertains to the one-year master's degree.
• 
  Be a citizen or refugee in one of Chevening's qualified nations or territories. This encompasses India as well.
• 
  You must have finished your undergraduate degree by the time of admission with a score comparable to an upper second-class 2:1 honors degree in the United Kingdom.
• 
  You must have at least two years of job experience.
• 
  To get the scholarship offer letter, you must have received your unconditional offer letter by the deadline.

Benefits:

• 
  Up to 100% tuition fee waiver 
• 
  Monthly stipend 
• 
  Travel expenses

Application Process:

• 
  Check your eligibility criteria for the scholarship based on the course.
• 
  Provide your Personal Statement, Academic Statement, and Reference Statement.
• 
  Upon shortlisting, you have to attend an interview. 
• 
  Track results and upon approval complete the formalities.

Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships:

The Charles Wallace India Trust (CWIT) Scholarships are supported by the four Charles Wallace Trusts in the United Kingdom, which were established in 1981. It was founded with considerable donations from Sir Charles Wallace, a British industrialist and entrepreneur who moved to India.

The trust provides Scholarships to study at Oxford to students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The Charles Wallace India Trust provides awards to students studying arts, historical conservation, or humanities in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  The candidate should be an Indian citizen living within the country.
• 
  Your age should be between 28 and 38.
• 
  CWIT scholarships are only available to students who want to pursue a full-time master's degree in the UK. 
• 
  The Field of Studies covered by the CWIT in Arts & Heritage Conservation:

  • 
    Visual Arts
  • 
    Performance, e.g. Dance, Drama, Music, Directing
  • 
    Film - including Script Writing and Direction
  • 
    Photography
  • 
    Design (but not Architecture)
  • 
    Curating
  • 
    Art History
  • 
    Conservation architecture
  • 
    Management of heritage projects or sites
  • 
    Conservation of materials
  • 
    Management of museums and collections
  • 
    Engineering, concerning buildings and structures
• 
  Before applying for the scholarship, the student must have been admitted to the university.
• 
  You should have a first degree, diploma, or professional certificate in your field of specialty.
• 
  You shouldn't have earned a CWIT grant in the last five years.
• 
  The award is exclusively open to students who have some significant work experience.

Benefits: 

• 
  Fund one year of education
• 
  Visiting fellowships in mutually agreed-on topics at certain universities
• 
  Grants for research and professional visits
• 
  Attendance at the Scottish Universities Summer School

Application Process:

• 
  Apply for the CWIT scholarship through CWIT's official portal.
• 
  Upload the requested documents along with SOP (2000 words max.).
• 
  Shortlisted candidates will have a virtual interview around February/ March 2025.
• 
  Results are usually announced in April every year.

J.N. Tata Endowment Awards:

Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Tata created the J.N. Tata Endowment Awards in 1892. The scholarship is awarded to students studying Architecture, Arts and Design, and Engineering. The scholarship in Oxford covers Master's, PhD, and post-doctoral fellowships in various disciplines of study.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
• 
  Shouldn't be older than 45. If you are applying for the 2025-26 academic session, your age should not exceed 45 as of June 30, 2025.
• 
  Applicant should have completed an undergraduate (for master's applicants) or postgraduate degree (for PhD applicants) from a reputable Indian university with a minimum of 60% marks.
• 
  The course should be regarded as a graduate program.

Benefits: 

• 
  Oxford University scholarships for Indian students.
• 
  Loan scholarship amounts fluctuate, with recent offerings ranging from INR 1 lakh to INR 10 lakhs, and not all candidates may be eligible for the full amount.

Application Information:

• 
  The application form for Spring 2026 is open from January to March 2025.
• 
  Shortlisted candidates based on submitted applications will be invited for an online test held around April 2025.
• 
  Upon successful completion of the online test round, selected applicants will attend an interview held between April to June 2025.
• 
  If selected, you will receive an email by the first week of July 2025.

GD Scholarships:

GyanDhan Financial Insititute launched a scholarship program in 2018 to help students financially afford their higher education. This scholarship is open for students aspiring to pursue post-graduation in India or Abroad.

Eligibility Criteria:

• 
  Applicant should have a minimum of 50% in their graduation. 
• 
  An SOP, GMAT, or standard test results are required while filling out the application.

Benefits: 

• 
  Award INR 1 Lakh one-time reward.
• 
  Helps in getting direct communication with the industry experts. 

Application Information:

• 
  The application starts from June 2025 to August 2025.
• 
  After the first profile listing you have to attend a virtual interview.
• 
  Results are announced around Nov-Dec 2025 for the 2026 academic year.

How to Improve Your Scholarship Application?

Winning a prestigious scholarship in Oxford University requires a perfect application that highlights your strengths, academic achievements, leadership qualities, and future aspirations. Two documents that play a key role in the application are:

Strong Personal Statement:

A personal statement is not all about academic background instead it should be about you. It should explain your story, experiences, leadership roles, and achievements that align with your study plans. Also, ensure clarity, originality, and strong proofreading to make a lasting impression.

Letters of Recommendation (LORs):

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) can enhance your scholarship application. Choose recommenders who know your work well and can highlight your leadership, academic achievements, and suitability for the scholarship. But, it should have a balance of weaknesses and strengths. 

Timeline:

Oxford Scholarship requires a roadmap so you can apply early and don't miss any opportunity. Thus, start researching your options around 6-12 months before your study period to understand eligibility and required documents. Create a checklist and prepare all the documents. To make the application process more efficient, set a personal deadline a week before submission.

Conclusion 

Indian students can use various scholarship in Oxford and invest in a future of knowledge and a commitment to making the world a better place. The scholarship provides India's next generation of innovators, leaders, and thinkers with the skills needed to build a more connected and better future. If you are considering an Oxford study-abroad program, begin your adventure with the correct mentor.

If you have set your sights on Oxford, obtaining scholarships to study at Oxford can be a life-changing experience with long-term implications. In addition to supporting students, they promote worldwide friendships, study project participation, and education about the environmental impact of history and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions