Reach Oxford Scholarship 2025-2026
- Omran Aburayya
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
If you are a new undergraduate applicant from a low-income or developing country and face financial or political barriers (or lack of suitable educational facilities) that prevent you from studying in your home country, the University of Oxford’s Reach Oxford Scholarship might be your chance. Applications for entry in 2026 are open now, offering full scholarship support for outstanding students who receive an offer to study at Oxford.
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom.
Level of study: Undergraduate
Target group: Students from low-income or developing countries (countries on the DAC list), who cannot study in their own country due to political, financial, or infrastructural constraints; with high academic ability, financial need, social commitment; priority given to those who haven’t previously studied at undergraduate level.
Fields of study: All undergraduate subjects at Oxford except medicine.
Funding & coverage:
– Full tuition fees.
– Grant for living costs.
– One return air fare per year between home country and Oxford.
Duration: 3 or 4 years depending on course length.
Number of awards: Around 2-3 awards per year.
Application deadlines / schedule:
Apply for undergraduate admission via UCAS by 15 October 2025.
If offered a place at Oxford, apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship by 12 noon (UK time) on 4 February 2026.
The selection / decision process typically occurs in March 2026, with notification of outcome by May 2026.
📚 Scholarship Overview
The Reach Oxford Scholarship (formerly Oxford Student Scholarships) is aimed at enabling talented students from eligible developing countries to pursue an undergraduate degree at Oxford, when constraints in their home countries make it impossible. Selected scholars are expected to maintain strong academic performance, contribute socially, and return to their home country after their studies. The scheme is merit‐based, but financial need, declared inability to study in one’s country, and social commitment are major criteria in the selection. Scholars are also expected to submit annual reports on their academic and social progress.
🎁 Scholarship Benefits
Full coverage of course (tuition and college) fees.
Living cost grant to cover accommodation, meals, and day-to-day expenses while in Oxford.
Annual return airfare between home country and Oxford for the duration of the course (once per academic year).
Support upon satisfactory academic progress throughout the duration.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Be from a country that receives Official Development Assistance (ODA) as listed by the OECD DAC.
Admission to Oxford: Must apply for and receive an offer for an undergraduate course through UCAS.
New undergraduate status: Must be a new student (not continuing or repeating undergraduate studies).
Subject eligibility: All subjects offered at Oxford except medicine.
Academic merit: High academic achievement is required.
Financial need & social commitment: Demonstrated inability to finance studies and strong community or social engagement.
Intention to return home: Applicants should plan to return to their country of ordinary residence after finishing the degree.
Application Procedure
Step 1: Apply for the undergraduate course at Oxford via UCAS by 15 October 2025.
Step 2: Once you’ve received an offer from Oxford, submit the Reach Oxford Scholarship application online by 12 noon (UK time) on 4 February 2026.
Step 3: Selection happens in March 2026, with offers communicated by May 2026.
🗂️ Documents:
Proof of nationality and eligibility under DAC list.
Academic transcripts and record.
Supporting statements showing financial need, social commitment, and why you cannot study in your country.
Possibly references (depending on Oxford’s undergraduate application requirements).
Any required personal / motivation statement.
💡 Extra Information & Useful Tips
Competition is high — only 2-3 scholarships are awarded annually. Only applying to Oxford does not guarantee the scholarship.
Not all Oxford colleges participate every year in Reach Oxford. If accepted by a college that does not offer Reach, arrangements can be made to transfer you if successful.
Continuation beyond year 1 depends on maintaining good academic progress.
If you hold a deferred offer, or are applying via Foundation Year programmes, check with Oxford whether you are eligible and when to apply for the scholarship.
