The Optiver Foundation Scholarship Programme will support up to 30 master’s students in STEM fields at Oxford over five years, providing full tuition, living costs, mentoring, and tailored support. Starting with the fourth cohort in October 2026, the scheme especially targets women from low- to middle-income countries to address financial and participation barriers in STEM. A new pilot will also assess applicants’ socio-economic backgrounds to ensure funding reaches those most in need, helping Oxford foster a more diverse community of future researchers and scientific leaders.

Basic Information about the Scholarship

The Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded scholarship program offered by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It is specifically designed to support talented women from low- and middle-income countries who are pursuing master’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at Oxford. The scholarship covers full tuition fees and provides a generous living subsidy. The 2026 cohort will be the fourth group to receive this scholarship, which supports up to 30 taught master’s students over five years. The application deadline varies by program but generally falls between November 2025 and January 2026. Successful applicants will commence their studies in October 2026.

University/Institution Details

The scholarship is provided by the University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. Located in Oxford, England, Oxford University is renowned globally for its academic excellence and leadership in research. It ranks as the best university in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 and fourth according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Study Areas (Available Program Names)

Eligible master’s degree programs under the scholarship are offered in the Departments of Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering Science, and the Mathematical Institute. Some of the available advanced courses include:

MSc Energy Systems (Engineering Science)
MSc Advanced Computer Science
MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics
MSc Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
MSc Mathematical Sciences
MSc Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science
MSc in Quantum Technologies
MSc Statistical Science
MSc Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia And Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Dem. Rep.
Congo, Rep.
Cote D’ivoire
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt, Arab Rep.
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Gambia, The
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran, Islamic Rep.
Iraq
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea, Dem. People’s Rep.
Kosovo
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao PDR
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia, Fed. Sts.
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Rwanda
Samoa
Sao Tome And Principe
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
St. Lucia
St. Vincent And The Grenadines
Sudan
Suriname
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela, RB
Vietnam
West Bank And Gaza
Yemen, Rep.
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship Benefits

The Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship provides comprehensive benefits including:

Full coverage of tuition fees at Oxford University
A generous living grant to support monthly expenses
Access to tailored induction activities and orientation programs
Dedicated mentoring and ongoing academic support throughout the master’s program
Opportunities for networking, career development, and academic growth within a supportive community.

Benefits Not Included

The scholarship primarily covers tuition and living expenses but does not explicitly cover:

Travel costs to and from the UK
Visa application fees
Health insurance fees
Additional personal expenses beyond the monthly living grant
Applicants may need to budget for these separately [inferred from typical scholarship coverage details].

Eligibility Criteria for Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Must identify as female on official documents such as passports or visas
Must be ordinarily resident in a low- or middle-income country as classified by the scholarship (countries include India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, Vietnam, and over 100 others)
Must apply for one of the eligible master’s courses listed above, starting in October 2026 at the University of Oxford
Not currently enrolled at Oxford University or holding deferred offers from Oxford
Demonstrate strong academic merit and potential, along with eligibility based on socio-economic background through an additional scholarship assessment form.
Students currently at Oxford are not eligible to apply.
This scholarship is not open to applications from candidates who hold deferred offers to start in 2026-27.

Required Documents for Application

Applicants should prepare the following documents for their scholarship application:

Valid identification documents showing female gender (passport, visa)
Academic transcripts and certificates from previous studies
Letters of recommendation supporting the academic and personal qualities of the applicant
Personal statement or statement of purpose related to academic goals and motivation for study
Additional socio-economic questionnaire provided as part of the scholarship application form
Evidence meeting the admission requirements for the chosen master’s program at Oxford University.

Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship Application Process (Step-by-Step Guide)

Check Eligibility: Verify that you meet all criteria, including gender, residency, and course selection.
Apply for Graduate Study: Submit your application to the relevant master’s program at Oxford via the university’s graduate admissions portal before the program-specific deadlines (usually November 2025, December 2025, or January 2026).
Indicate Scholarship Interest: Tick the box for the Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship on your graduate admission application.
Complete Additional Scholarship Form: Qualified applicants will receive and must complete a socio-economic background form as part of the scholarship application.
Await Assessment: Applications will be reviewed based on academic excellence and financial need.
Receive Offer: Successful applicants will receive their scholarship offers by May 2026.
Accept Offer and Prepare for Study: Upon acceptance, arrange for visa, accommodation, and travel for the October 2026 start date.

Tips for a Successful Application

Ensure your application is complete and submitted before the relevant deadline.
Provide accurate and honest information about your socio-economic background in the scholarship form.
Highlight academic achievements and leadership potential in your personal statement.
Secure strong letters of recommendation emphasizing both academic and personal qualities.
Familiarize yourself with the scholarship goals and align your application to emphasize your potential impact in STEM fields.
Follow all application instructions meticulously and submit any required documents on time.

Monthly Living Expenses for International Students (In USD)

The living grant provided by the scholarship aims to cover typical monthly expenses for international students in Oxford, which can average:

Accommodation: $900 – $1,500
Food: $300 – $450
Transport: $50 – $100
Miscellaneous (books, clothing, personal costs): $200 – $300
Total estimated monthly living cost: Approximately $1,450 – $2,350 [average estimates converted to USD for international context, based on UK student living costs].

Why Choose This Scholarship? (Top 5 Reasons)

Fully Funded Opportunity: Covers both tuition fees and living expenses, relieving financial burdens entirely.
Prestigious University: Study at Oxford, widely ranked among the top universities worldwide, enhancing career opportunities.
Supportive Community: Access to mentoring, academic support, and tailored induction programs designed for women in STEM.
Promotes Gender and Socio-economic Diversity: Specifically targets talented women from low- and middle-income countries, fostering inclusion.
Wide Range of STEM Fields: Offers scholarships across advanced STEM disciplines, encouraging expertise in critical global industries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is eligible to apply for the Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship?
A1: Female applicants from low- and middle-income countries applying for specific STEM master’s programs at Oxford starting in October 2026 are eligible. Applicants must not be current Oxford students or hold deferred offers.

Q2: Does the scholarship cover travel or visa costs?
A2: No, the scholarship covers tuition fees and a living stipend but does not include travel or visa application costs.

Q3: What is the application deadline?
A3: Deadlines vary depending on the master’s course but generally fall between November 2025 and January 2026.

Q4: Can male students apply for this scholarship?
A4: No, this scholarship is exclusively for female applicants.

Q5: How competitive is the scholarship?
A5: The scholarship is highly competitive, with selection based on academic merit, socio-economic need, and potential contribution to the STEM field.

Official Link:

This comprehensive guide aims to provide all essential details regarding the Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship 2026 for international applicants, offering one of the most inclusive STEM master’s scholarship opportunities globally. Ensure timely application submissions and alignment with eligibility criteria for the best chance of success.

Oxford Optiver Foundation Scholarship 2026 in the UK