Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students 2024-25

Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students 2024: With Oxford University offering multiple levels of study programmes such as undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral in subject areas such as medicine, arts, social sciences, etc., students holding brilliant academic records from different parts of the world apply for admission. Classes are taken by world-class scholars and students are exposed to critical thinking and cutting-edge research. Many of Oxford University's alumni are Nobel Prize recipients and have made it big in different professional fields.

Studying in any of the Russell Group universities is a matter of pride and contentment for students all across the world, with Oxford University being among the top three choices. Recognised as one of the world’s best academic institutes, the University of Oxford has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. Various global university ranking platforms have adjudged it among the top position holders, especially in terms of graduate outcome, placement, and expert faculty. The Times Higher Education (THE) has been ranking Oxford University as the world’s best from 2017-2024.

Although the student population at Oxford University is made up of 46% of overseas students (official data), admission to any of the programmes over there is very competitive. Even if students do get selected, their financial constraint holds them back from paying the university’s enormous tuition fee. Considering the importance of giving a chance to extraordinary talent and outstanding minds at Oxford, the university offers various scholarships in collaboration with various organisations/bodies. The article lists all the available Oxford University Scholarships for Indian students, eligibility details, and other important details that would help you apply for the same.

Interested in pursuing a PhD in the UK? Learn all about PhD Scholarships in the UK here

Why are Scholarships Required for Oxford University?

The high quality of education at Oxford University comes at a high price, i.e., a high tuition fee. This is why the university offers different kinds of scholarships to international students, including the Indian lot, for pursuing their course of interest at one of the world’s most renowned universities. This financial assistance may cover your tuition fee, travelling expenses, living expenses, etc. Some of the prominent Oxford University scholarships for Indian students are described below.

Oxford & Cambridge Society of India Scholarships

Part-cost financial assistance and scholarships are offered for UG, Graduate, second UG, and research degrees in any of the available subjects at the university. These scholarships are awarded irrespective of a student’s gender, nationality, race, religion, disability, etc. A student’s academic performance, which has to be outstanding, is taken into consideration while filtering his/her candidature for the scholarship. Apart from this, he/she should have leadership qualities and should be promising enough to enhance others’ lives, especially in India. The date of registration of the OCSI scholarships has been closed for the year 2023-24. The registration for 2024 will be opened soon.

Courses considered for scholarships:

• Undergraduate programme and second Bachelor’s degree
• Master’s courses (both taught and research-centric) of different time periods
• 1-year PG programmes (MBA, LLM, MPhil, CASM, PGCE, etc.
• PhD Research

For the academic session 2023-2024, the following three scholarships have been made available by the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India:

• OCSI Anita Banerji Memorial Scholarship: Worth Rs 2,00,000
• OCSI Nirmal Luthra Memorial Scholarship: Worth Rs 4,00,000
• OCSI K.K. Luthra Memorial Scholarship: Worth Rs 2,50,000

Commonwealth Scholarships

One of the UK's primary scholarships, the Commonwealth Scholarships is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This scholarship is available for individuals belonging to low and middle-income Commonwealth nations who would otherwise be not able to pursue their higher education without the support of a financial aid. With the help of these, talented students learn skills and understanding which are crucial for sustainable development. The following scholarships are offered to Indians under these:

• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
• Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low and middle-income nations)

Selection will be made on the basis of the candidate’s academic merit, the study plan’s quality, and the benefit which his/her home country gets from the earned degree. The scholarship includes full tuition fee coverage, your airfare to move to and from the UK and a stipend (living allowance) of £1,236 monthly.

Check: Stanford University Scholarships for Indian Students

OICSD Scholarships

These scholarships are offered to graduate students at the Master’s degree or DPhil degree level who are working on India’s difficult challenges related to sustainable development. The selection and shortlisting of candidates for the OICSD scholarships will begin in April 2024. The following scholarships are offered to Indian students under this:

• Oxford Indira Gandhi Scholarship: Applicable to those who hold an offer letter for a DPhil related to the Oxford India Centre’s core research. This covers the entire tuition fee and provides a grant for living.
• Oxford Indira Gandhi Radhakrishnan Scholarship: Offered to those with Indian nationality who have obtained admission into the MSc in Modern South Asian Studies. This covers the entire tuition fee and provides a grant for living.
• Oxford Mary de Zouche Scholarship: Available for Indian students who have obtained admission into certain graduate-taught courses. This covers the entire tuition fee and provides a grant for living.
• Savitribai Phule Scholarship: Available for Indian students who have obtained admission into certain graduate-taught courses. This covers the entire tuition fee and provides a grant for living.

Please note that candidates do not need to send a separate application for the aforementioned scholarships. They will be automatically considered for these when they submit their applications for graduate study.

Chevening Scholarships

With the help of Chevening Scholarships, individuals from across the world can study a one-year master’s programme in the United Kingdom. These fully-funded scholarships will cover the tuition fee, flight expenses, and accommodation). Students who win these scholarships will study and stay in the UK for one year and will grow academically as well as professionally. The Chevening Scholarships are awarded irrespective of one’s religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, etc. The only means to filter your candidature is your application’s impact which should support your motivation to study in the UK and your future goals. The applications for Chevening Scholarships are closed for the year 2024-25. 

The work experience requirement (minimum 2 years) is a must for this scholarship. The following type of work experience is considered:

• Voluntary work
• Full-time/part-time work
• Paid/unpaid internships

GREAT Scholarships India

GREAT Scholarships are for all those Indian students who hold an undergraduate degree and intend to pursue further studies in the United Kingdom. A total of 25 postgraduate scholarships are available for the year 2023-2024, across multiple subjects. The financial assistance provided for a one-year PG course’s tuition fee is a minimum of £10,000.

Those interested in applying should visit the official website of the universities and follow the scholarship link. Those selected will be intimated by the university authorities. Once the registration is complete, scholarships will be issued by individual institutes.

Rhodes Scholarships for India

The Rhodes Scholarships for students all around the world covers the entire tuition fees, is full-time and awarded for postgraduate programs. There are 5 Rhodes Scholarships available in India. The Rhodes Scholarships are provided to eligibole students with an aim of studying at the University of Oxford. The eligibility criteria, selection criteria and application procedure of the Rhodes Scholarships are place-based and depend on the constituency you are applying for. This year. the applications for the Rhodes Scholarships will begin in June 2024. Since their first grant in India in 1947, the Rhodes Scholarships have been provided to over 200 Indian  students till date. The other key highlights of Rhodes Scholarships are given below.

• Awarded for most full-time postgraduate degrees offered at Oxford University.
• Covers complete tuition fees.
• Provides annual stipend to cover all the living costs (including accommodation) for students. For 2023, the annual stipend provided was £19,092, around INR 20 lakhs (or £1,591 per month); however, the amount of stipend for the year 2024-25 has not been declared yet. 

Clarendon Scholarship

Once the students apply before the December or January deadline relevant to their course, they get considered for the Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford University automatically and need not apply for it separately. The Clarendon Scholarship at Oxford University covers complete tuition fees and other expenses of students such as their living and accommodation expenses. The key highlights of this scholarship is given below.

• Available for all part-time, full-time D.Phil and master's courses. 
• Stipend offered to full-time scholars in 2023 was £18,622.

Application Timeline for Oxford University Scholarships 2025-26

The timeline for the Oxford University scholarships for the academic year 2025-26 are given below. 

Eligibility Criteria for Oxford Scholarships 2025-26

The eligibility criteria for each Oxford University scholarship are mentioned along with itself on the scholarship page. However, the University of Oxford has defined some general eligibility guidelines for students joining the graduate courses. The graduate scholarships at Oxford University are awarded on an academic merit basis and need not be applied for separately. Therefore, students do not need to submit separate applications and documents for the same. The candidates will be offered a scholarship based on the graduate application and the information it provides, given that they are eligible for the scholarship. A graduate course applicant will be considered for a graduate scholarship at the University of Oxford if:

•  They are applying to start a new graduate program. Please note that scholarship eligibility typically does not extend to postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or postgraduate certificate (PGCert) courses.
• They submit their course application by the relevant December or January admissions deadline.
• They are subsequently offered a place after the admissions committee has reviewed the applications received by the deadline.
• Their applications are not placed on a waiting list or held back after the December or January deadline to be re-evaluated against applications received by the March admissions deadline.
• They meet all the specified eligibility criteria for the scholarship scheme(s).

Choosing the Right Oxford University Scholarships for Indian Students

With a diverse range of Oxford scholarships available, selecting the most suitable option can feel overwhelming. Here's some guidance to help you navigate through the process of selecting the best Oxford University scholarship for you:

1. Assess your eligibility

• Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship, including academic requirements, financial need, specific course applicability, and any other relevant factors.
• Ensure you meet all the stipulated eligibility criteria before applying.

2. Align with your academic goals

• Consider the specific area of study you are pursuing at Oxford University. Some scholarships at Oxford University are exclusively offered for certain programs or research fields.
• Choose Oxford scholarships that align with your academic aspirations and long-term career goals.

3. Evaluate the scholarship benefits

• Compare the financial coverage offered by each Oxford scholarship, including tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and additional benefits like research funding or mentorship opportunities.
• Choose an Oxford University scholarship that adequately addresses your financial needs and supports your academic pursuits.

4. Consider the application process and deadlines

• Research the application requirements and deadlines for each scholarship. Gather necessary documents well in advance to ensure timely submission.
• Pay close attention to specific application procedures, essays, or additional materials required for each scholarship.

5. Utilise available resources:

• Explore the official websites of Oxford University and scholarship providers for detailed information and application details.
• Seek guidance from university advisors, scholarship committees, or relevant organizations for further assistance.

Read More: List of Oxford University Notable Alumni

This was all about the Oxford University Scholarships for Indian students. If studying abroad is your dream then, you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.