The University of Oxford is one of the world’s oldest and most respected universities. Studying there is expensive, but several major scholarships are open to Indian students, and some are reserved specifically for them.
This guide explains the main Oxford scholarships for students from India: the Rhodes Scholarship, Felix Scholarships, Chevening and Oxford’s own graduate funding. It also covers how Oxford’s funding application works and tips for a strong application.
Last checked: November 2026. Confirm every detail on Oxford’s and each scholarship’s official website.
Rhodes Scholarships for India
The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international graduate scholarship in the world. It funds postgraduate study at Oxford, including fees and a stipend. In 2024, the Rhodes Trust announced a sixth Rhodes Scholarship for India, increasing the number of places available to Indian applicants.
- For outstanding young people with academic excellence, leadership and a commitment to service.
- Applications usually open in the summer and close in late summer or early autumn for study starting the next year.
- Check the eligibility rules on the official Rhodes Scholarships for India page.
Felix Scholarships
Felix Scholarships support outstanding students from India and other developing countries who want to study a postgraduate course at Oxford and could not otherwise afford it. They cover fees and living costs. See Oxford’s official Felix Scholarships page for current eligibility.
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening, funded by the UK government, offers one-year master’s degrees at UK universities, including Oxford, for future leaders with work experience. India has one of the largest Chevening programmes. The UK government announces each year’s call; see the GOV.UK Chevening announcement.
Oxford’s Own Graduate Funding
- Clarendon Fund: Oxford’s flagship graduate scholarship, awarded on academic excellence across all subjects.
- College and department scholarships: many are awarded automatically when you apply for a course by the relevant deadline.
- Doctoral funding: research councils and departments fund many DPhil students.
How Oxford Funding Applications Work
- Apply for your graduate course by the January (or earlier) funding deadline for your course.
- For most Oxford scholarships, applying for the course is enough to be considered.
- External scholarships such as Rhodes and Chevening need their own separate applications.
Tips for Indian Applicants
- Choose the right course: funding is competitive, so a strong fit matters.
- Apply early: meet the earliest funding deadline.
- Write a focused statement that links your past work, the course and your future plans.
- Get strong references from people who know your work well.
- Apply to several scholarships at once.
Undergraduate Study at Oxford
Funding for international undergraduates at Oxford is very limited. Most of the scholarships above are for postgraduate study.
Read More
See our guides to UK scholarships for international students, international scholarships for Indian students and fully funded scholarships for Indian students.
Final Thoughts
Indian students have strong routes to Oxford through Rhodes, Felix, Chevening and Oxford’s own funds. Apply for your course early, prepare separate applications for external awards, and present a clear, focused case.
