University of Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded

The University of Oxford is offering up to six Optiver Foundation Scholarships for eligible women starting selected master’s programmes in October 2027. The award supports applicants ordinarily resident in listed low and middle-income countries. It covers course fees and provides a living-cost grant. Applicants must follow their course’s relevant November, December or January application deadline.

Scholarship summary

• University: Oxford.
• Level: Selected taught master’s courses.
• Start date: October 2027.
• Number of awards: Up to six.
• Funding: Full course fees and living-cost support.
• Deadline: The relevant course funding deadline.

Eligibility and course choice

Applicants must meet the programme’s sex, ordinary residence and course criteria. Current Oxford students and applicants holding deferred offers are excluded. Eligible subjects include selected courses in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry and engineering. Check the complete course and country lists on Oxford’s page.

How to apply

Submit the graduate application by the relevant deadline and tick the scholarship box. Eligible applicants are asked for an additional form about socioeconomic circumstances. Selection also depends on receiving a relevant course offer. Read the official instructions carefully.

Match the course to your background

Begin by comparing the eligible courses with your previous study. Identify the knowledge you already have and the areas where you want deeper training. Look at module descriptions and required subject preparation. A scholarship is useful only if the course is a suitable next step, so give the academic fit as much attention as the funding.

For example, an applicant interested in advanced computing should check the expected foundation in mathematics and computer science. Someone considering a chemistry course should compare their laboratory and theoretical preparation with the course requirements. These examples explain how to assess fit; the university decides whether an individual qualification meets its standard.

Check the right deadline

Do not use a general university deadline without checking the specific course page. Record the date that applies to scholarship consideration and work backwards from it. Include time for references and documents. If the course has more than one application round, make sure the round you choose meets the scholarship instructions.

Keep course admission tasks and scholarship tasks in one checklist. Mark which steps you have completed and which depend on someone else. If you receive an additional form, note its instructions and return date immediately. A clear record reduces the chance that you complete admission requirements but miss a funding step.

Describe your academic interests

Explain what you want to study and why. Use a project, module or independent investigation that helped shape your interests. Describe the question you worked on and what it taught you. If it led to a new question, explain that connection. This gives your application a clear academic direction.

Avoid filling the statement with claims about the university’s reputation. Explain the features of the course that matter for your development. You could discuss particular subject areas, the depth of training or the type of final project, provided the information is accurate. Make it clear what you hope to do with those opportunities.

Show evidence of your preparation

Choose examples that demonstrate the skills needed for your selected course. A technical project can show analysis, experimentation or problem-solving. Explain your own contribution, the method and the result. If the project was coursework, say so. If it was independent work, describe it accurately without presenting it as professional experience.

Where possible, show how you evaluated your work. A model result, experiment or mathematical argument becomes more useful evidence when you explain how you checked it. Discuss limitations honestly. Recognising where a result is uncertain can demonstrate stronger judgement than presenting every project as a complete success.

Prepare the socioeconomic information

Read each financial or background question carefully. Use the definitions provided rather than assuming they match those used by another scholarship. Gather documents for the requested period and keep notes on how you calculated any figures. The goal is to give a clear and accurate account of your circumstances.

If your situation is unusual, explain the relevant facts in simple language and seek guidance where needed. Avoid comparing yourself with other applicants whose circumstances you do not know. Focus on the information requested about you. Do not omit financial support because you think it could weaken your application; answer the questions honestly.

Choose references with care

Ask referees who know your academic work and can discuss your readiness for the course. Give them the course title, deadline and a brief account of your plans. Remind them of relevant work they assessed or supervised. This helps them provide a useful assessment rather than a general statement of good character.

Check submission instructions and provide accurate contact details. Give referees enough time and monitor the application checklist for outstanding items. A polite reminder can be useful when a deadline is approaching. Keep the message factual and include the date and the action required.

Think about your next steps

Explain how the master’s fits your wider direction. You may want to move into research, strengthen technical practice or explore a field before deciding on doctoral study. Whatever your goal, describe the skills you need and how the course would help you gain them. Avoid promising a career outcome that no degree can guarantee.

Consider a practical way to use your learning. This could involve applying an analytical method, contributing to a research group or developing a specialist project. Use a plan that fits your interests and background. It is reasonable for a long-term goal to remain broad if the immediate steps are clear.

Review the application before sending

Read the statement alongside your CV and qualification records. Make sure dates, grades and project descriptions agree. Check the required length and file format. Remove repeated sentences and explain unfamiliar terms. A reader should understand why you are prepared for the course and what you want to learn without having to search for the main point.

Save the application confirmation and monitor the email address you supplied. Keep any later offer conditions in a separate checklist. If you receive a scholarship offer, read the terms and deadlines before accepting it. Ask the university about any condition you do not understand.