About the Clarendon Fund

The Clarendon Fund derives its name from its close relationship with Oxford University Press (OUP) and in honour of an act of philanthropy by the Earl of Clarendon. During the 17th century, Edward Hyde, later the Earl of Clarendon and also the Chancellor for the University of Oxford from 1660-1667, presented his hugely successful work on the English Civil War entitled The History of the Great Rebellion and Civil Wars in England.

In recognition of the Earl’s affection for the University, the royalties from his publication were bequeathed to the University for the construction of the Clarendon Building on Broad Street. A prominent sight within Oxford, the Clarendon Building initially housed OUP until its relocation in the 1820s. The building was originally constructed in the neoclassical style, from 1711-15, on the designs of Nicolas Hawksmoor, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren. In recognition, the Earl of Clarendon was also commemorated in statue on the building, by the leading English sculptor of his time, Francis Bird.

The Clarendon Fund logo draws on the history and traditions of Oxford and OUP. The emblem depicts the prominent pediments and statues of the Muses from the rooftop of the Clarendon Building. Historic links are also represented in the Clarendon font, which is one of the Fell typefaces procured by Doctor John Fell in around 1670-72 and subsequently bequeathed to OUP.

In memory of his generous gift, the Fund embodies the Earl’s aim to promote education and learning at Oxford.

Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford. Surplus income from OUP is transferred back to the University which provides the primary support, the 'core' funding, for the Clarendon Fund. £10.7m in core funding was allocated for the 2025-26 Clarendon cohort.

As the largest university press in the world, OUP can trace its rich history back to 1478, just two years after William Caxton established the first printing press in England. Since that time, OUP has continued to promote the dissemination of knowledge and education across the world. Through their broad range of published content, OUP spreads knowledge, enhances understanding and inspires a love of learning across the globe. Clarendon is just one aspect of the continuing activities of the Press. Many Clarendon scholars are connected to OUP even before they arrive in Oxford. From children’s fiction to the renowned Oxford English Dictionary, widely regarded as the most comprehensive record in the world, OUP reaches a world-wide audience.

Thanks to their generous gift to the Fund, OUP has enabled Clarendon scholars the freedom to pursue their academic and educational interests, an act of enduring value to the University.

The Clarendon Fund’s purpose is simple: to assist academically outstanding graduate students through their studies at the University of Oxford.

Originally established to support Overseas students, the Clarendon Fund first welcomed scholars to Oxford in 2001. The scheme was expanded in 2012 to include students from the UK and EU, therefore providing funding for all fee statuses. Throughout this period, the Fund’s aim has remained unchanged: to assist academically outstanding graduate students through their studies at the University of Oxford.

Clarendon scholarships are competitive, prestigious and highly sought-after. Like all fully-funded Oxford scholarships, Clarendon covers course fees and provides a grant for living expenses. This funding helps reduce the financial barriers that may stand in the way of the best students, from across the world, coming to study at Oxford.

Clarendon aims to offer an increasing number of new scholarships each year – with over 230 in 2025/26. Currently, there are about 700 on-course scholars at Oxford, making Clarendon the University’s largest scholarship scheme. There are no quotas by nationality or degree. Every student who submits an application for a degree-bearing graduate course by the relevant December or January funding deadline for their course will automatically be considered. The majority of Clarendon scholars are working towards a DPhil, Oxford’s name for a PhD. Scholarships are also awarded for two-year graduate degrees, such as the MPhil or BPhil, and one-year degrees, such as the MSc, MSt, MBA or MFE.

To ensure the scholarship remains true to its purpose, the Fund is overseen by the Clarendon Fund Steering Group, consisting of representatives from across the University. The Steering Group acts as board of management and is designed to ensure the Fund's effective running and to provide consistency across the academic divisions and Oxford Lifelong Learning.

When selecting Clarendon scholars, the University has only one goal in mind: to choose the best students worldwide, as decided by experts in each student’s field. Future potential is an essential part of the Oxford process. Oxford believes that by selecting and nurturing the brightest and best minds, it will pave the way for future leaders in any given field. Clarendon scholars are increasingly taking on leadership roles and applying their knowledge and skills to the wider environment outside Oxford.

Furthermore, the selection process means that the Clarendon community is composed of students from across the University. This diversity provides great opportunities for interdisciplinary interaction amongst the scholars. It also means that Oxford can attract and retain the highest achieving applicants, helping the University to maintain its position as a world-leading, research-intensive academic institution.

Alongside the core funding from OUP, Clarendon receives a great deal of support from partners including many of Oxford’s colleges, academic divisions and departments, University trust funds and external entities. Known as Partnership Awards, this collaboration allows costs to be spread between multiple sources enabling additional fully-funded scholarships to be awarded.

For the 2025-26 cohort Clarendon collaborated with approximately 240 partnership awards providing an additional £9.3m to support new scholars and raising the overall Clarendon funding to approximately £20m. Every year, the majority of Clarendon scholars are funded by Clarendon and one or more of our partners. In the 2025-26 cohort just over half of scholars received College Partnership Awards worth over £4.7m.

After acceptance of a Clarendon scholarship, the process of creating tailored funding packages begins. The Clarendon Admin Team will review and match new scholars with suitable partnership awards depending on eligibility requirements. No further information will be required of candidates in order to be considered for these awards. Some scholars may need to transfer colleges in order to take up a partnership award, however this will be handled by the Clarendon Admin Team in liaison with the colleges. Scholars are informed when they are being transferred college; it is not optional.

During the period between receiving an initial Clarendon funding letter and receiving the details of your funding package, the scholarship is secure and we guarantee that the total value of the award will not decrease as a result of the inclusion of any partnership awards. The majority of scholars will receive some form of partnership funding and most will have a funding package unique to them. Awards comprising partnership funding are also co-named, to recognise the partner's contribution. Once the funding package is confirmed, applicants will be sent a Clarendon funding breakdown letter (aka a 'CB2') outlining the funding arrangements.