A full list of available scholarships can be found on the University website. The following scholarships may be of interest if you are considering studying at DSPI.
Clarendon Scholarships
The Clarendon Fund is a major graduate scholarship scheme at the University of Oxford, offering over 100 new scholarships every year. In 2013-14, there were over 330 Clarendon scholars at Oxford from more than 50 different nations. Awards are based on academic excellence and potential across all subject areas, enabling the most distinguished scholars to study at the University of Oxford.
All students that apply by 12 midday UK time on 7 January 2027 are considered for the Clarendon Scholarships.
Economic and Social Research Council Studentships
The ESRC is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on social and economic issues. The University, in collaboration with Brunel University and the Open University, hosts the Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership. This is one of fourteen Doctoral Training Partnerships accredited by the ESRC as part of a Doctoral Training Network.
In order to be considered for a Grand Union DTP ESRC studentship, you will need to select ‘ESRC Grand Union DTP Studentships in Social Sciences' in the Scholarships section of the University's graduate application form. You will also need to complete a Grand Union DTP Application Form and upload it, together with your graduate application form, by 12 midday UK time on 7 January 2027.
Prospective master's students intending on pursuing a DPhil can also apply for ESRC funding.
Candidates interested in undertaking a Master's programme followed by a DPhil may be eligible to apply for an ESRC studentship covering both degrees. Further details can be found on the Grand Union DTP website.
Information about ESRC studentships at Oxford can be found on the Grand Union DTP website. Please ensure you have read all of the guidance available on the website before completing the Grand Union DTP Application Form.
Questions can be directed to the Grand Union DTP Office.
Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships
The Pershing Square Foundation has endowed up to five fully funded scholarships each year for both the MSc and MBA component of the 1+1 programme. These will enable extraordinary individuals to develop and realise their potential over both years of the course, as future global leaders who are committed to addressing world-scale social challenges. For more information, please visit the Saïd Business School website.
St Cross College MPhil Scholarship in the Social Sciences
St Cross may offer a scholarship for college fees to applicants for the MPhil in Comparative Social Policy or Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation. Please visit the St Cross scholarships page for more information.
Oxford-TrygFonden Graduate Scholarship
The Oxford-TrygFonden Graduate Scholarship is available for students ordinarily resident in Denmark studying the MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation.
Weidenfeld Hoffman Scholarship
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme cultivates the leaders of tomorrow. It provides outstanding university graduates and professionals from developing and emerging economies with the opportunity to pursue fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford. This is combined with a comprehensive programme of leadership development, long-term mentoring and networking. Find out more on the University of Oxford website, including how to apply.
Sasakawa Fund Scholarship - Master's or Doctoral degrees
The Sasakawa Fund is pleased to offer scholarships for students who have been accepted by the University to undertake a graduate degree in October 2027 or who are currently undertaking such a course. The scholarships will be awarded to (a) applicants who are Japanese nationals currently on a course or starting a course at Oxford University, or alternatively (b) students from the UK or other countries currently on a course or starting a course at Oxford University which requires some period of study in Japan. Please note that students on the fourth year of a DPhil programme are not eligible to apply.
The awards, of up to £15,000, will be made for one year in the first instance and may be renewed for one or two further years, subject to satisfactory progress and the length of your study. Eligibility for a full or partial Sasakawa Fund Scholarship will take account of any substantial funding from another source. The Sasakawa Fund Scholarship has been established thanks to a generous donation made by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation.
Eligible students must have applied by 12 midday UK time on 7 January 2027 to be considered. A separate Scholarship Application Form needs to be completed, along with supporting documentation. For further information, please refer to the Funding page on the Faculty of Asian and Middle East Studies website.
St Antony's College Scholarships
Swire Scholarships
Swire Scholarships are open to applicants who are permanent residents of Hong Kong SAR and have completed the majority of their formal education in their country/region of permanent residency. Please check back for information about the availability of Swire Scholarships for 2027/2028 entry. For further information in the meantime, please refer to the Swire Scholarships page on the St Antony's website.
Eni-Oxford African Scholarships
St Antony’s has partnered with Eni to offer two fully-funded scholarships each year. To be eligible, applicants must be ordinarily resident in one of the following countries: Angola; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kenya, Mozambique, and Nigeria.
The scholarship is open to an incoming graduate student applying for any one-year master’s course that St Antony’s accepts. There is a wide range of eligible courses across a wide range of disciplines in social sciences and humanities that are offered by St Antony’s College.
The award covers the full cost of the scholar’s university and college fees plus a maintenance grant (around £20,000 per annum at the current level). In addition, one-way flights to and from London will be provided to the scholar at the beginning and at the end of their course.
There is a strong preference for candidates who can demonstrate clear ambitions to use their education to benefit their home country upon graduation.
It is helpful if candidates select St Antony’s College in the ‘College choice’ section of the application form, though this is not compulsory. Students must migrate to St Antony’s College to take up the scholarship if they have been accepted by another Oxford University college.
Candidates should apply through this online form.
The deadline for the submission of the form is 5pm (UK time) on 1 April 2027.
Please note that incomplete and ineligible applications will not be considered for the Eni-Oxford African Scholarships.
To be considered, applicants need to have submitted their graduate application to the University by 12:00 noon UK time on 7 January 2027 and will need to make a separate application.
