OXFORD CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC STUDIES / UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships
full · masters, phd
- ~£15,609 / year (est.)Living-cost grant
- Full course feesFees covered
- Master's and DPhilLevels covered
- ~60 eligible countriesGeographic eligibility
- Awarded on academic meritSelection basis
- Return-home requirementCondition of award
At a glance
full
Funding
€18k
Max amount
Jan 23, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom (residents from Muslim communities)
Country
Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies / University of Oxford
Provider
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) Scholarships support graduate students undertaking study relevant to the Islamic tradition or the Muslim world at the University of Oxford. OCIS has been a Recognised Independent Centre of the university since it was established in 1985, and the scholarships fund full-time master's and DPhil study only. Awards cover full course fees and add an annual living-cost grant of about 15,609 GBP (est.), giving a total of roughly 18,000 EUR per year. Eligibility extends to UK residents from Muslim communities, with preference for financially disadvantaged households, and to nationals resident in around 60 specified Asian and African countries. Applicants must be applying for a new course, meet the English language requirement, intend to return home after graduating, and be awarded on academic merit. The scholarship does not cover certificates, diplomas, part-time courses, or deferred 2026/2027 offers. Applicants submit a graduate application to Oxford by the relevant January 2026 deadline and upload an OCIS supporting statement. Because the grant value, eligible-country list, and course deadlines change each cycle, confirm the exact 2026/2027 figures on the official OCIS page before applying.
What's covered
- Course fees — Complete coverage of the University of Oxford course fees for the duration of the funded master's or DPhil programme.
- Living-cost grant — Annual living-cost grant of about £15,609 (est.) to support accommodation and day-to-day expenses during study.
- OCIS academic community — Affiliation with the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and its global network of academic affiliations and events.
- University of Oxford resources — Access to Oxford's libraries, faculties, and supervision in subjects relevant to the Islamic tradition and the Muslim world.
- Multidisciplinary study — Support for study across disciplines connected to Islam and the Muslim world, drawing on Oxford's wider research environment.
How to apply
You apply for the Oxford graduate course through the university's standard system by the relevant January 2026 deadline and add an OCIS supporting statement to be considered for the scholarship.
- Choose your Oxford course — Select a full-time master's or DPhil at the University of Oxford in a subject relevant to the Islamic tradition or the Muslim world.
- Apply for graduate study — Submit your graduate application to Oxford by the applicable January 2026 deadline through the online application system.
- Complete the course requirements — Provide the course-specific statement of purpose and the required TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic scores for your chosen course.
- Upload the OCIS supporting statement — Include the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies supporting statement as part of your graduate application.
- Secure your course place — Ensure you are offered a place after the January assessment, as only applicants admitted on that deadline are considered for the award.
Eligibility
Eligible applicantsUK residents from Muslim communities (preference for financially disadvantaged households) and nationals resident in specified Asian and African countries.
ProgrammeApplying for a new full-time master's or DPhil at the University of Oxford in a subject derived from or relevant to the Islamic tradition or the Muslim world.
Language and meritProficiency in English to the standard required by the course; awards are made on academic merit.
Return commitmentIntention to return to the country of ordinary residence after successfully completing the course.
The scholarship does not apply to postgraduate certificates or diplomas, part-time courses, or non-matriculated programmes. Candidates holding deferred offers for the 2026/2027 year are not eligible; check the full eligible-country list on the OCIS page.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom (residents from Muslim communities), Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Other specified Asian and African countries
Deadlines
2026/2027 academic year~23 January 2026 (est.)
Selection
Scholarships are awarded on academic merit to applicants who secure a place in their chosen Oxford course after the January assessment round. Applications carried over after January, re-evaluated against later deadlines, or placed on a waiting list are not considered, and the OCIS supporting statement and fit with the Centre's remit inform the final decision.
Verified sources
- Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies - Scholarshipsoxcis.ac.ukofficial
- University of Oxford - Graduate Admissionsox.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS) has been a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford since its establishment in 1985. It promotes the multidisciplinary study of Islam and the Islamic world, serving as a bridge for academic exchange between Western and Islamic traditions of learning through a global network of affiliations.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who funds the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarships?
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They are offered by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford established in 1985.
What does the scholarship cover?
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Full course fees plus an annual living-cost grant of about £15,609 (est.); confirm the current figure on the official OCIS page.
Is the award fully funded?
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Yes, it covers full course fees and a living-cost grant for the duration of the funded course.
Which levels of study are eligible?
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New full-time master's and DPhil courses at the University of Oxford; certificates, diplomas, and part-time courses are excluded.
Who can apply?
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UK residents from Muslim communities, with preference for financially disadvantaged households, and nationals resident in specified Asian and African countries.
What subjects qualify?
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Studies derived from or relevant to the Islamic tradition, or with significance to the Muslim world.
Is there a return-home requirement?
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Yes; applicants must intend to return to their country of ordinary residence after completing the course.
How are scholars selected?
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On academic merit, among applicants who secure a course place after the January assessment round.
Are deferred offers eligible?
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No; candidates holding deferred offers for the 2026/2027 year are not eligible for the scholarship.
How do I apply?
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Submit your Oxford graduate application by the January 2026 deadline and upload the OCIS supporting statement as part of it.
When is the deadline?
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Applications align with the January 2026 Oxford graduate deadline (around 23 January 2026, est.); check the specific course deadline.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies scholarships page and the University of Oxford graduate admissions pages linked in the sources.