Why Clarendon?

Why should you choose Clarendon? If you’ve been offered a Clarendon scholarship, it is because the University believes that you are an outstanding applicant. But what distinguishes Clarendon from other funding schemes? Here are just five of the many reasons.

Clarendon does not only give me financial assistance, but also a social circle. The friends I have made through the scholarship are very dear to my heart, and I can already tell that we will continue to be good friends in the future. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and to the Clarendon Fund for funding my studies at Oxford.

Panarat Anamwathana, DPhil History

1. Fully-funded scholarships

Clarendon offers fully-funded scholarships covering course fees as well as a grant for living expenses for the period of fee liability. We support our scholars by reducing the financial barriers to graduate study,  enabling our scholars to focus on their studies. Furthermore, by offering living expenses, it provides our scholars with the opportunity to live an active life within Oxford and, most importantly, the time to relax and socialise away from their studies.

The Clarendon Scholarship is not only a life-changing opportunity to study at Oxford, but also a chance to form lasting social, academic and professional networks. It was the determining factor of choosing to study at Oxford. Indeed, it would not have been possible for me to study here without the financial support of a scholarship. I can focus on my studies and be more productive, without having to worry about financial issues. More than that, at Oxford, the first event I attended was the welcome reception organised by the Clarendon community. There, I made my first friends here, and one of them has become a very good friend of mine. In short, it opened up a lot of doors for me and I am very grateful for it.

Chia-Man Hung, DPhil Autonomous Intelligent Machines and Systems 

2. Academic calibre

With our sole focus on selecting the best students in their fields of study from across the world, Clarendon scholars are among the best and brightest. For this reason, Clarendon scholarships are highly competitive and coveted by the Oxford graduate community.

3. A diverse community

By removing barriers for selection, the Clarendon community has one of the most diverse populations in Oxford. Clarendon strives to celebrate these differences by admitting students from any discipline, from anywhere in the world. Whether it’s African Studies or Zoology, Afghanistan or Zimbabwe, Clarendon will always support the highest-achieving applicants. This diversity provides great opportunities for interaction and collaboration which enhance our Clarendon community and contribute to the collegiate University more broadly.

4. A vibrant community

Funding isn’t everything that Clarendon offers. Scholars benefit from membership to the lively Clarendon Scholars’ Association, run by the scholars themselves, who strive to enrich their members’ time by fostering a positive and stimulating community.

One of the major impacts of the Clarendon Scholarship on me and my DPhil project is the academic freedom it provides. This freedom has provided me with a platform where I can design my project in a way that I am in control of my experiments and starting material.

Thomas Paul Davis, DPhil Synthesis for Biology and Medicine

Normally, your fellow scholars are the first people you meet when you get to Oxford to begin your studies. The Scholars' Association helps you meet and get to know your fellow scholars as well as providing a platform for sharing ideas, experience, skills, and creating initiatives. To hear what our scholars have to say visit the Scholar Stories page.

5. We aim to be different

Clarendon aims to be different from other funding schemes which just pay your way; by creating a community of the brightest minds, we offer you a graduate experience that will inspire you to excellence. We can’t wait to welcome you to Oxford!