Graduate students in Front Quad at Merton College - © Helen Messenger - www.helenmessengerphotography.com

Graduate Study: Graduate Scholarships for 2023-24 entry

  • Merton already has a higher than average number of scholarships available to enable graduate students to study at Oxford and increasing the funds available from our own resources and the generous gifts of donors is a priority for the College. Our interim goal is to offer one per subject area per year.
  • Our scholarships are generally made in partnership with the University and NONE of them requires a separate college-specific application.
  • The applications of all eligible candidates will automatically be considered on the basis of the University application form for graduate study, regardless of whether or not you state Merton College as your preferred college on your graduate application form, which should be submitted by the January deadline (unless otherwise stated).
  • If you are offered a scholarship at Merton College you will also be offered a place at Merton College in order to take up the award; this will take the place of any earlier college offer you may have received.
  • The schedule of scholarships offered changes each year. Details of 2024 Scholarships will be published in August/September 2023.
  • The University website has a Fees, Funding and Scholarships search tool designed to assist graduates looking for funding sources.
  • The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding is an external resource from GradFunding which provides a database of alternative funding opportunities (for example, from charities and trusts) and advice about how to apply for them. The University has subscribed to the guide: Current Oxford students can use their University email address to access the guide; Applicants who do not yet have a University email account can use this online request form to get a PIN to access the guide.
Eleven Merton College scholarships in partnership with the University
  • Offered – Two in Archaeology, one each in Biochemistry, Chemistry, International Development/Area Studies, Mathematics, Physics; three linked to AHRC DTP2 funding; and one further award in Humanities.
  • Eligibility – Home/Overseas applicants for subjects the College normally considers.
  • Value - Course fee and a grant for living expenses at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
  • Duration – Up to four years (depending on period of fee liability).
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline.
One Merton-ODID Scholarship in partnership with the University
  • Eligibility – Home/Overseas applicants.
  • Value – Course fee and a grant for living expenses at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
  • Duration – Up to four years (depending on period of fee liability).
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline.
One Oxford-Roger Highfield Scholarship in History in partnership with the University
  • Eligibility – Home/Overseas applicants for History subjects which the College normally considers.
  • Value – Course fee and a grant for living expenses at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
  • Duration – Up to four years (depending on period of fee liability).
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline.
One Oxford-Christopher Duggan Scholarship in Modern History in partnership with the University
  • Eligibility – Home/Overseas applicants for Modern History subjects which the College normally considers.
  • Value – Course fee and a grant for living expenses at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
  • Duration – Up to four years (depending on period of fee liability).
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline.
One Black Academic Futures Graduate Scholarship
  • Merton College will be supporting scholarship provision for the Black Academic Futures scheme as a funding partner.
One Barnett Bequest award for any Law course which the College normally considers in partnership with the Faculty of Law
  • Offered - annually.
  • Eligibility – UK applicants.
  • Value – £5,000 from Merton College and £5,000 from the Faculty of Law.
  • Duration – one year.
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline. Eligible candidates will be identified to the College by the department and the College will make its decision in late May based on the University application form.
One Barton Scholarship for the BCL in partnership with the Faculty of Law
  • Offered - annually.
  • Eligibility – British.
  • Value – £5,000 from Merton College and £5,000 from the Faculty of Law.
  • Duration – one year.
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline. Eligible candidates will be identified to the College by the department and the College will make its decision in late May based on the University application form.
Two Merton Lawyers' BCL Scholarships in partnership with the Faculty of Law
  • Offered - annually.
  • Eligibility – Home/Overseas applicants for the BCL or MJur.
  • Value – £5,000 from Merton College and £5,000 from the Faculty of Law.
  • Duration – one year.
  • Application – Via University application form for graduate study by the January application deadline. Eligible candidates will be identified to the College by the department and the College will make its decision in late May based on the University application form.