Funding Timeline - Taught Programmes

While the majority of the University awards are distributed automatically, based on the graduate applications materials, some sources of funding, such as Research Council awards (ESRC) and certain University-managed scholarships, require a separate application. Full details, including eligibility criteria and deadlines, can be found on the respective funding bodies’ websites:

• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - for Criminology
• University of Oxford

Please note that these applications must be submitted before or at the same time as your application to the programme, and late submissions will not be considered.

With your offer, you will receive a link to the Means Assessment Form, where you will be asked to provide information on your household composition, income of your household members, your own income, the funds you have already secured towards your studies in Oxford and the funding you have applied for, but which is not yet confirmed, including other scholarships.

Normally, you will have from two to three weeks to complete the form.

This information will be used not only for the Non-Full Funding Bursaries, but also for the scholarships where the financial need is one of the criteria. 

Funding decisions are typically released throughout April and May, depending on the timelines of the individual scholarship schemes. Some awards are confirmed earlier in the cycle, while others - particularly those involving coordination between the Faculty, Colleges, and external partners - may take longer to finalise.

If you applied for a scholarship that required a separate application (such as the Faculty's need-based bursaries), you can normally expect to receive a direct communication regarding the outcome.

For other awards, where all eligible candidates are considered automatically, only successful candidates are contacted.

While most funding outcomes are communicated by the end of May, a small number of decisions may be finalised in June and July.

These typically arise from the re-distribution of funding, such as when offers are declined or additional resources become available. In such cases, offers may be made to candidates on reserve or waiting lists.

If you have not received a funding decision by the end of May, there is still a possibility of being contacted later in the cycle, although these opportunities are limited and subject to availability.