Felix Scholarship (Oxford, Reading and SOAS)

The Felix Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award for students from India and other developing countries at three UK universities: the University of Oxford, the University of Reading and SOAS University of London. It covers 100 percent of tuition, an annual living grant of about GBP 19,000 at Oxford, and one return airfare home.

Around 20 scholarships are awarded each year to first-class graduates who could not otherwise afford UK study, with financial need weighed alongside merit. Note the staggered timeline: Oxford candidates must apply by their course’s December 2026 or January 2027 deadline, while the separate SOAS Felix application runs to early March 2027.

• Primarily for Indian nationals with at least a first-class bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university, applying for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, University of Reading or SOAS University of London.
• A small number of awards (one at Oxford and one at SOAS) go to nationals of other developing countries; SOAS gives priority to candidates from Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq and the Palestinian territories living in their home country.
• You must not already hold a degree from a university outside your home country, and you must not have studied abroad for a year or more.
• Demonstrated financial need is assessed alongside academic merit.
• Candidates need an offer of admission from applications submitted by the university's scholarship-relevant deadline; deferred offers are not eligible.
• Exceptionally at SOAS, an upper-second bachelor's with a first-class master's can be considered, and Felix master's alumni with a SOAS distinction can apply for the PhD route.
• Scholars are expected to return home after their studies; part-time programmes are excluded.

• 100 percent of tuition fees at the international rate for the full fee liability of the course, up to three years for a PhD.
• Annual living grant of about GBP 19,000 at Oxford and about GBP 17,894 at Reading; SOAS confirms its maintenance package on award.
• One economy return airfare between your home country and the UK.
• Around 20 scholarships across the three universities each year, with over 400 scholars supported since the early 1990s.
• Access to the Felix alumni community and the standing of a fully funded UK award on your CV.
• Note: spouse or family costs and pre-sessional English courses are not covered.

• Complete postgraduate admission application to Oxford, Reading or SOAS for your chosen course.
• At Oxford there is no separate Felix form: the graduate application itself, including the nationality and residence section, is the scholarship application.
• At SOAS and Reading, a separate Felix scholarship form is completed after (or alongside) the admission application through the university portal.
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates showing first-class standing.
• References and statement of purpose as required by the course.
• Evidence relevant to financial need, and English test results early where your offer is conditional on them.

• Decide your course and university first, since the process differs: Oxford considers you automatically if you apply by the course's December or January deadline and tick eligibility; SOAS and Reading require a separate Felix application.
• For 2027 entry, submit Oxford course applications by their December 2026 or January 2027 deadlines; SOAS's Felix deadline falls in early March (March 2 in the 2026 cycle); Reading publishes its 2027 dates in late 2026.
• Secure a firm offer as early as possible, clearing any English condition quickly, because shortlisting happens in March and April.
• Shortlisted candidates for the Indian awards are interviewed in India (in person or by video) around April and May.
• Decisions cannot be deferred; if you cannot start in the offered year, the award lapses.
• Strengthen the financial-need and return-home elements of your statement, as the Trust weighs both heavily alongside merit.