Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 in the UK: Fully Funded Study at the University of Oxford

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If you are an Arab student who dreams of studying at a world-class university such as the University of Oxford, but financial constraints stand in your way, then the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 for undergraduate studies is one of the top opportunities you should place at the forefront of your options. This scholarship is designed for students coming from low- and middle-income countries who do not have the means to study abroad, and offers them a real chance to obtain top-level education in the UK with full funding for tuition fees, living costs, and travel tickets.

The scholarship does not only provide full financial support, but also opens the door for you to integrate into a distinguished academic environment, build an international network, and develop personal and academic skills that will be reflected directly in your professional future and your opportunities in the job market both in your home country and abroad.

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What is the Reach Oxford Scholarship?

The Reach Oxford Scholarship is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship offered by the University of Oxford to a limited number of academically outstanding students from countries that receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) according to the list of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

It was previously known as “Oxford Student Scholarships” and aims to support students who:

Possess very high academic abilities
Face real financial difficulties
Do not have institutions or educational conditions in their countries equivalent to what the University of Oxford offers
Plan to return to their home countries after graduation to contribute to the development of their communities.

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Why study at the University of Oxford and in the UK through this scholarship?

Oxford’s global standing

The University of Oxford is one of the oldest and strongest universities in the world in terms of academic reputation and quality of scientific research.
It is usually ranked among the top positions in global rankings (QS / Times Higher Education).
A bachelor’s degree from Oxford represents an exceptional strength in your CV, whether you continue to postgraduate studies or head directly into the job market.

Advantages of studying in the UK

A strict and well-organized educational system based on research, discussion, and analysis.
The possibility of benefiting from facilities and resources: huge libraries, advanced laboratories, and world-class research centers.
The language of instruction is English, which increases your job prospects later in global companies and international organizations.

Why the Reach Oxford Scholarship in particular?

Full funding covering tuition, living costs, and travel, which almost completely removes the financial burden from the student.
The number of scholarships is limited (about 2–3 scholarships per year), which makes it highly selective and very strong in value, and enhances the prestige of the title “Reach Oxford Scholar”.

Funding details: What does the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 cover?

According to the official website of the University of Oxford, the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 covers the following:

Full tuition fees: Full coverage of the undergraduate program fees and college fees throughout the duration of study (3–4 years, depending on the course).
Living costs grant: An annual grant to help cover accommodation, food, transportation, and basic daily expenses in the city of Oxford.
Annual flight ticket: One round-trip flight ticket each year between the student’s country and the United Kingdom, which significantly reduces the burden of international travel.
Duration of the scholarship: The scholarship usually extends for 3 or 4 years, depending on the length of the bachelor’s program you choose.

The University of Oxford is one of the most prestigious global universities that offers fully funded scholarships to international students through the Reach Oxford Scholarship.

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Available fields of study under the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026

The Reach Oxford Scholarship covers almost all undergraduate majors at the University of Oxford, with the exception of Medicine.

This means you can apply for the scholarship if you have an offer of admission to any bachelor’s program in Oxford’s Course Listing, such as:

Science and engineering fields

Engineering in its various branches
Computer Science
Mathematics and Mathematics with Statistics or Philosophy
Chemistry
Earth Sciences (Geology)
Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences, and others.

Humanities and social sciences

History
Geography
Philosophy
Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)
Modern Languages
Oriental Studies
Theology and Religion.

Business and economics

Economics and Management
Pathways that combine History and Economics, or Politics and Economics.

Arts and literature

English Language and Literature
Fine Art
Music.

The official list of courses is always updated on the “A-Z of courses” page on the university’s website and should be checked before choosing your final program.

The University of Oxford offers the Reach Oxford Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity for outstanding international students.

Eligibility criteria for the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026

Nationality and country

The applicant must be a citizen of a country listed among those that receive Official Development Assistance (ODA) according to the DAC list of the OECD.
The list includes a large number of Arab, Asian, and African countries such as: Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Algeria, and other developing countries.

Study level and program

The scholarship is intended for new undergraduates who will be joining the first year at the University of Oxford.
It is not usually awarded to students who have already begun an undergraduate program at another university and then wish to transfer.

Academic excellence

The applicant must have an outstanding academic record in secondary school or its equivalent (such as the International Baccalaureate or national certificates with very high grades).
The focus is on the highest level of excellence, as competition for the scholarship seats is intense and the number of scholarships annually is small (about 2–3 scholarships only).

Financial need

Proving financial need.

The applicant may be required to provide documents demonstrating that they or their family cannot afford the costs of study and living in the UK without a scholarship (such as income statements, bank statements, or other official documents).

Intention to return home

Among the points the scholarship focuses on:

The student’s intention to return to their home country after graduation to contribute to its development,
Commitment to the local community, and the ability to create a positive impact in fields such as education, health, economy, or other sectors.

English language

In most cases, you will be required to prove a strong level of English through tests such as:

IELTS Academic, or TOEFL iBT, or other approved tests.

You must check the language requirements for the program you have chosen, as some programs require higher scores than others.

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Application timeline for the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026

According to the official website of the University of Oxford, the basic timeline for the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 is:

14 January 2026 (approximately):
Opening of the online application for the Reach Oxford Scholarship for students who have obtained/will obtain an offer from the university.
4 February 2026 – 12:00 noon UK time:
Deadline for submitting the scholarship application and all required forms.
March 2026:
The university reviews the scholarship applications and selects the final candidates.
May 2026:
Applicants are notified of the outcome of their applications, whether they received the scholarship or were not selected.

It is extremely important to adhere to all deadlines, as any delay past the final date leads to automatic rejection of the application.

How to apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026 (step by step)

Step 1: Choose your course and review the admission requirements

Go to the A-Z of courses page on the University of Oxford website and review the available undergraduate programs.
Choose the major that suits your interests and abilities (for example: Engineering, Economics, PPE, Computer Science, Oriental Studies, etc.).
Carefully read:
- Academic admission requirements
- Required subjects
- Language requirements
- Any additional tests (such as specific admission tests for some subjects).

Step 2: Apply to the University of Oxford through UCAS

Create an account on the UCAS system well before the deadline.
Prepare your academic information (secondary school grades, subjects, predicted grades if any).
Write a strong Personal Statement explaining:
- Why you chose this subject,
- How you developed your academic interest,
- What makes you stand out from others.
Enter the University of Oxford code and the program you chose according to UCAS instructions.

You will not be able to apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship if you do not first obtain an offer of admission from the university.

Step 3: Pass admission tests and interviews (if any)

Some courses require admission tests, such as:
- The TSA for certain programs
- Or tests specific to Mathematics or Law.
You may be invited to an interview with faculty members at the college or department.
Your performance in these tests and interviews is an essential part of the assessment of your academic file.

Step 4: Receive an offer from the University of Oxford

After reviewing your application and the results of tests and interviews, you may receive:

A Conditional Offer linked to achieving certain grades in secondary school, or
An Unconditional Offer if you have already completed your studies and the conditions are met.

Step 5: Register to apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship

After you receive an offer of admission, you can access the scholarships portal at the University of Oxford.
This usually requires:
- Filling out a Scholarship Registration Form,
- Then the actual Scholarship Application Form, within the timeframe announced in January–February 2026.

Step 6: Complete the scholarship application form and upload documents

The Reach Oxford Scholarship application usually includes:

A personal statement specifically for the scholarship, different from your UCAS statement, explaining:
- Your financial circumstances
- The challenges you face in your country
- Your motivation to serve your community after graduation
- And why you believe this scholarship will make a difference in your life.
An official transcript for secondary school (and additional files if you have other programs).
Recommendation letters from teachers or a school principal who know your academic abilities and character.
Evidence of financial need (income certificates, tax documents, or other records).
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent results) if required by the program.

Step 7: Submit the application before the deadline

Make sure to:

Review all fields in the scholarship form
Upload documents in the required format (usually PDF)
Submit the application before 4 February 2026 – 12:00 noon UK time.

Step 8: Wait for the result and prepare for next steps

Applications are assessed in March 2026, and successful candidates are notified in May 2026.
If you receive the scholarship, you will complete the remaining procedures for obtaining the Student Visa and arranging travel and accommodation.

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Required documents and tips for a strong application file

Main required documents

A valid passport.
Official personal photographs according to the specifications.
Secondary school transcripts (with certified English translation if necessary).
Other certificates (if any) such as: courses, academic awards, competitions.
Academic recommendation letters.
Proofs of financial ability or inability (family income, bank accounts, etc.).
A scholarship-specific letter or personal statement.
The result of an approved English language test.

Tips to increase your chances of acceptance

Focus on academic excellence: Show top grades in subjects directly related to your future major.
Highlight community value: Clearly demonstrate how you will return to your country after graduation and how you plan to contribute to developing a specific sector (education, health, technology, policy, etc.).
Clarify genuine financial need: Avoid exaggeration, and be realistic and honest in explaining your family situation.
Show long-term commitment: Oxford prefers students who have a clear vision for the future, not just a desire to travel or obtain a famous university title.
Ensure strong English: Use high-level English in your UCAS application and scholarship statement and have them carefully proofread before submission.

Frequently asked questions about the Reach Oxford Scholarship 2026

Q1: Is the scholarship really fully funded?

Yes, the Reach Oxford Scholarship covers full tuition fees, an annual grant for living costs, and one round-trip flight ticket each year for the duration of the program (3–4 years) according to the official conditions.

Q2: How many students receive the scholarship each year?

About 2–3 scholarships are awarded per year only, which makes it one of the most competitive scholarships at the University of Oxford for international students from low-income countries.

Q3: Can medical students apply for the Reach Oxford Scholarship?

No, the scholarship does not cover Medicine programs, but it does cover most other undergraduate majors in the University of Oxford’s course list.

Q4: Can I apply if I am currently studying at another university?

The scholarship is intended for new students who will join the first year directly at the University of Oxford, and is not designed for transfers from one university to another.

Q5: What if I do not receive the scholarship despite having an offer from Oxford?

You may be able to benefit from other forms of financial support (scholarships, loans, internal assistance programs) if available and appropriate in your case, but the University of Oxford clarifies that its resources are limited and it cannot fund all international students.

Therefore, it is important to also search for other external parallel scholarships (governmental or private) alongside your application for the Reach Oxford Scholarship.