📢 Fully Funded Master's at Oxford | Up to 6 Scholarships Available | Women from Eligible Countries Only | Full Course Fees + Living Costs Grant | STEM Subjects Only | 4th Cohort Starting October 2026
📋 About the Optiver Foundation Scholarships
The Optiver Foundation Scholarships at the University of Oxford is a fully-funded Master's scholarship programme designed to increase the number of women from low and middle-income countries pursuing postgraduate science courses at one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Funded by a generous donation from the Optiver Foundation, this programme will support up to 30 taught Master's students over five years. The next cohort — the fourth since the scheme began — will start their studies at Oxford in October 2026, with up to 6 scholarships available for this intake.
Scholars will join one of six world-class departments: Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Science, or the Mathematical Institute. Beyond full financial support, the scholarship includes tailored induction activities, mentoring, and on-course support to ensure scholars thrive at Oxford.
🔬 Eligible Courses & Departments
The scholarship covers taught Master's courses in the following STEM departments:
📝 Note: Biomedical and life sciences courses are not covered by this scholarship. Only the departments listed above are eligible.
👩 Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for the Optiver Foundation Scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Gender: Must be female — the sex on your application form must match your identity documents (passport or visa). Transgender people may obtain a passport or visa in a binary sex other than their legal sex.
- Residency: Must be ordinarily resident in an eligible low or middle-income country. Check the official Oxford scholarship page for the complete country list.
- Course: Must be applying to start an eligible taught Master's course at Oxford in October 2026 in one of the six eligible departments.
- Current Oxford Students: Students already studying at Oxford are not eligible to apply.
- Deferred Offers: Candidates holding deferred offers to start in 2026-27 are not eligible.
🎁 Scholarship Benefits — What You Get
- Full Course Fees: Complete coverage of all tuition and college fees for the duration of your Master's programme
- Living Costs Grant: A grant to cover living expenses while studying at Oxford
- Tailored Induction: Special welcome and orientation activities designed for Optiver scholars
- Mentorship: Dedicated mentoring throughout your studies
- On-Course Support: Additional academic and pastoral support to ensure you succeed
- Oxford College Membership: Full access to one of Oxford's historic colleges and its facilities
📝 How to Apply — Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose Your Course
Select an eligible taught Master's programme from one of the six eligible departments: Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Science, or the Mathematical Institute.
Step 2: Submit Your Graduate Application
Apply for graduate study at Oxford by the relevant November, December, or January deadline for your chosen course. On the application form, tick the box indicating you wish to be considered for scholarships.
Step 3: Complete the Additional Scholarship Form
If you meet the eligibility criteria, Oxford will invite you to complete an additional scholarship application form about your socio-economic background. This helps assess potential disadvantage and under-representation.
Step 4: Receive Your Course Offer
Your course application is assessed independently. You must receive an offer of admission from an eligible course to be considered for the scholarship.
Step 5: Scholarship Assessment
A panel of academic staff assesses eligible candidates based on academic merit and potential. Successful candidates are contacted with a scholarship offer — the majority in May 2026.
Step 6: Accept & Secure Your Funding
Once you accept the scholarship, your funding is secure as long as you meet the conditions of your course offer.
🌍 Why This Scholarship Matters
The Optiver Foundation Scholarship Programme is not just about funding — it addresses two critical gaps in global higher education:
- Gender Gap in STEM: Despite progress, women remain under-represented in postgraduate STEM courses — both internationally and at Oxford. This scholarship directly targets this imbalance.
- Financial Barriers: Talented students from low and middle-income countries are often prevented from pursuing postgraduate study at top universities due to cost. This scholarship removes that barrier entirely.
- Socio-Economic Assessment Pilot: Oxford is using this programme to develop a new way of assessing the socio-economic background of international applicants — ensuring funding reaches those who need it most.
💡 Tips for a Strong Application
- Apply Early: Course deadlines vary — some close as early as November. Check your specific course deadline and don't miss it.
- Tick the Scholarship Box: On the graduate application form, make sure you tick the box indicating interest in scholarships — without this, you won't be considered.
- Complete the Additional Form Thoroughly: The socio-economic questionnaire is a key part of the assessment — fill it out honestly and completely.
- Strong Academic Record: Selection is based on academic merit and potential — ensure your application highlights your achievements clearly.
- Check Eligible Countries: Visit the official Oxford page to confirm your country of residence is on the eligible list before applying.
⚠️ Important Points to Remember
- Up to 6 Scholarships Only: Competition is intense — only up to 6 scholarships are available for the 2026 intake.
- Women Only: This scholarship is exclusively for female applicants from eligible countries.
- STEM Only: Only courses in Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and Mathematics are eligible — biomedical sciences are excluded.
- No Deferred Offers: If you hold a deferred offer for 2026-27, you cannot apply for this scholarship.
- Current Oxford Students Excluded: If you're already studying at Oxford, you are not eligible.
- Results in May: The majority of scholarship offers are sent out in May 2026 — plan accordingly.
📢 Ready to pursue a fully-funded Master's at one of the world's most prestigious universities? Start your Oxford graduate application now and tick the scholarship box. The Optiver Foundation Scholarship could be your gateway to a world-class STEM education!
🎓 Official Optiver Foundation Scholarships Page