Oxford Australia Scholarships

About this scholarship

The Oxford Australia Scholarships Fund was established to support academically outstanding Australian graduates to study at Oxford University.

The first scholarships were created through the Australian National University in conjunction with the Campaign for Oxford in 1993, with donations from Australian Oxford alumni and a major benefaction from the late Mr James Fairfax AC. Since 1998, the James Fairfax Oxford Australia Scholarships Fund has awarded scholarships to more than 100 Australian graduates.

In addition to the James Fairfax Fund, there are funds linked to several Oxford Colleges, providing College-associated scholarships thanks to generous donations from Australian alumni and College support. The most recent fund, the John and Ailsa White Oxford Australia Scholarship, was endowed by the family of the late Professor John White, who founded and managed the program for its first 30 years with assistance from Ailsa White. Some Oxford Australia Scholarships are offered in conjunction with Oxford University's Clarendon Scholarships.

The pool of Oxford Australia Scholarships includes:

Brasenose – Clarendon OAS
James Fairfax OAS
James Fairfax – Clarendon OAS
John and Ailsa White OAS
Lincoln College OAS
Ian Wilson – Guy White & Magdalen College OAS
University College Old Members OAS

Oxford Australia Scholarships Available in 2026

For entry to Oxford University in the 2026–27 academic year:

Ian Wilson, Guy White and Magdalen College Oxford Australia Scholarship – limited to those accepted at Magdalen College, with preference given to BCL candidates
James Fairfax Oxford Australia Scholarship – available to members of any College
University College Oxford Australia Scholarship – limited to those accepted at University College

The value of a scholarship is normally between AUD $5,500 and $11,000 per annum, for the duration of the course and up to a maximum of three years.

SUMMARY

SCHOLARSHIP TYPE

Prestigious

VALUE

Variable, up to $11,000 per annum

Student types
Domestic
Student levels
Master Degree, Postgraduate coursework, Postgraduate research
Selection bases
Academic merit

Field of study

Any Discipline

Eligibility

Candidates must:

be Australian citizens normally resident in Australia;
hold a Bachelor degree with First Class Honours, or the equivalent, from a recognised Australian university;
not currently be, or previously have, enrolled in or completed a degree at a university outside Australia (exchange semesters abroad are excluded from this criterion);
have submitted an application to Oxford University for 2026-27 academic year admission;
before any offer of a Scholarship is confirmed, have been accepted by Oxford University for their proposed course and, for College-linked scholarships, by that College.

Additional information

The value of a Scholarship is normally limited to between AUD$5,500 and $11,000 pa, for the duration of the course and a maximum of 3 years.

Applicants for an Oxford Australia Scholarship for 2026 must apply:

To Oxford University and the relevant College for College-linked scholarships, following Oxford University processes and timelines: Oxford Graduate Admissions; and
To the Oxford Australia Scholarship Fund, via the application form provided on this page.

Complete the online application form and arrange for three references, at least two of which must be academic.

* Submit your application here: Application Form

* References must be submitted directly by your referees via: Reference Submission.

Referees may use the same letter provided to Oxford University for your 2026-27 admission.

Applications open 5 January 2026 and close 23 February 2026 at 23:59 AEDT. Both your application and all references must be received by the deadline.

Advice of outcomes

You will be advised of the outcome of your application in the second half of April 2026. Any offer of a Scholarship will be conditional on an offer or admission to Oxford University and, for College-linked Scholarships, to that College. The Oxford Australia Scholarships Committee reserves the right to not offer any particular Scholarship.

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For any questions, please refer to the FAQ.

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