UndergraduateFully Funded

Reach Oxford Scholarship

The Reach Oxford Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for undergraduate students from low-income countries to study at the University of Oxford.

Provider: University of Oxford
Host country: United Kingdom
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Reach Oxford Scholarship is open to African students applying to study in United Kingdom at the Undergraduate level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Undergraduate · applicants for United Kingdom
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Undergraduate
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be from countries that do not have established scholarship schemes for their students to study at Oxford, have exceptional academic merit and financial need, and be applying to an undergraduate course at Oxford.

What the fully funded award covers

Accommodation
Return airfare

About the Reach Oxford Scholarship (2026)

## Overview The Reach Oxford Scholarship is a prestigious and fully funded scholarship opportunity for undergraduate students from low-income countries to pursue their studies at the University of Oxford. This scholarship aims to provide an opportunity for students who, for political or financial reasons, or because equivalent educational facilities do not exist, cannot study for a degree in their own country. The scheme is open to applicants for most undergraduate courses, with the exception of Medicine. The scholarship covers university and college fees, a grant for living costs, and one return airfare per year. ## Benefits The Reach Oxford Scholarship is comprehensive, designed to remove financial barriers for exceptional students. Recipients will receive: * **Full coverage of university and college fees:** This includes tuition and college fees for the duration of your course. * **Grant for living costs:** A generous grant is provided to cover accommodation, food, and other daily expenses. * **Annual return airfare:** One return airfare from your home country to the UK is provided each year. ## Eligibility To be considered for the Reach Oxford Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: * **Nationality:** You must be from a country that does not have established scholarship schemes for its students to study at Oxford. This typically includes low-income countries. * **Academic Merit:** Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic ability and potential. * **Financial Need:** You must be able to demonstrate significant financial need. * **Course Application:** You must be applying for a full-time undergraduate course at the University of Oxford. Please note that Medicine is typically excluded from this scholarship. ## Required Documents While specific details on required documents are usually provided during the application process, prospective applicants should generally prepare the following: * **Academic Transcripts:** Official records of your academic achievements. * **Personal Statement:** A compelling statement outlining your academic interests, aspirations, and reasons for applying to Oxford. * **References/Letters of Recommendation:** Strong letters from teachers or mentors who can attest to your academic abilities and character. * **Proof of Financial Need:** Documentation to support your financial situation. * **Passport/ID:** For identification purposes. ## How to Apply The application process for the Reach Oxford Scholarship is integrated with the standard application process for undergraduate admission to the University of Oxford. Here’s a general outline: 1. **Choose your course:** Select an eligible undergraduate course at the University of Oxford. 2. **Apply to Oxford:** Submit a UCAS application by the October deadline for your chosen course. 3. **Indicate Scholarship Interest:** In the “funding” section of the Oxford application form (which is part of the UCAS application), you must indicate that you are applying for a scholarship and specifically for the Reach Oxford Scholarship. 4. **Submit Supporting Documents:** Ensure all required academic and financial documents are submitted by the specified deadlines. 5. **Await Decision:** Scholarship decisions are usually made in conjunction with admissions decisions. Further detailed instructions and specific forms will be made available on the University of Oxford’s official scholarship pages during the application cycle. ## Key Dates **Application Deadline:** The deadline for the Reach Oxford Scholarship typically aligns with the UCAS application deadline for entry in the following academic year, which is usually **mid-October** for courses starting in October. Specific dates will be confirmed annually on the official University of Oxford admissions website. As the provided page is a 404 error, a precise deadline cannot be given here, but applicants should aim to apply by the standard Oxford undergraduate application deadline. ## Selection Criteria Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a combination of academic merit and financial need. The primary criteria include: * **Academic Excellence:** A strong academic record and the potential for high achievement at Oxford. * **Financial Disadvantage:** Demonstrated significant financial need that would otherwise prevent you from studying at Oxford. * **Country of Origin:** Preference is given to applicants from countries with limited or no established scholarship schemes for study in the UK. ## Tips * **Start Early:** The application process for Oxford and its scholarships is rigorous. Begin preparing your application and all required documents well in advance of the deadline. * **Research Thoroughly:** Understand the specific requirements of your chosen course and the Reach Oxford Scholarship. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria. * **Craft a Strong Personal Statement:** Your personal statement is a crucial part of your application. Highlight your academic passions, relevant experiences, and why you are a strong candidate for Oxford and the scholarship. * **Seek Strong References:** Choose referees who know you well academically and can write detailed, supportive letters. * **Demonstrate Financial Need Clearly:** Provide clear and comprehensive documentation to prove your financial situation. * **Check Official Website:** Always refer to the official University of Oxford admissions and scholarship pages for the most accurate and up-to-date information, including specific deadlines and application procedures for the current academic year. ## Official Source Whilst the direct link provided resulted in a 404 error, the official source of information for the Reach Oxford Scholarship can be found on the University of Oxford's main admissions and funding website. Prospective applicants should navigate to the 'Financial Support for Non-UK Students' section to locate details about this scholarship. Regularly checking the official university website is crucial for the most current information and application guidelines.

What the Fully Funded Reach Oxford Scholarship covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Accommodation
Return airfare

Reach Oxford Scholarship eligibility for United Kingdom applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be from countries that do not have established scholarship schemes for their students to study at Oxford, have exceptional academic merit and financial need, and be applying to an undergraduate course at Oxford.

Documents required for the Reach Oxford Scholarship application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Standardised test scores where required (SAT or ACT for many U.S. universities)
Secondary-school leaving certificate (WAEC, KCSE, NSC, EGSECE or equivalent)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/oxford-support/financial-support-non-uk-students/reach-oxford and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be from countries that do not have established scholarship schemes for their students to study at Oxford, have exceptional academic merit and financial need, and be applying to an undergraduate course at …". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host UK university first via UCAS (undergraduate) or the postgraduate portal. Most UK scholarship sponsors will not assess your funding application without a conditional offer letter.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Book IELTS Academic for UKVI (target 6.5+ for UG/taught Master's, 7.0+ for research). Request sealed PDF transcripts, brief 2–3 referees in writing, and prepare your passport bio page at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/oxford-support/financial-support-non-uk-students/reach-oxford, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, University of Oxford will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.
8
Plan your UK Student visa and arrival
Once funded, accept your university place to trigger your CAS, book a UKVI-approved TB test (£80–£200), then apply for the Student visa (£524 + £776/year IHS). Budget 3–6 weeks of processing and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.

Reach Oxford Scholarship deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Undergraduate level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by University of Oxford, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.

Is the Reach Oxford Scholarship fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

What UK visa do I need for the Reach Oxford Scholarship?+

Most scholarship holders enter the UK on a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). You apply after receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, and must show proof of funds, your scholarship award letter, and a valid TB test certificate (required for most African nationals). Apply at least 3 months before your course start date.

Sources

UK Student visa

What English-language score do UK universities require?+

UK universities typically require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for undergraduate and taught Masters, and 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) for research degrees and competitive programmes. For the Student visa itself, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI unless your degree was taught entirely in English in a majority-English-speaking country.

Can I stay and work in the UK after my scholarship ends?+

Yes — the Graduate Route lets you stay for 2 years after completing an undergraduate or Masters degree (3 years for a PhD) to work or look for work at any skill level, with no sponsorship required. You must apply before your Student visa expires and have completed your course at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

Sources

Graduate visa

UK student guides

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