Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027 at Oxford | Fully Funded

Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027 at Oxford | Fully Funded UK Scholarship

The Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027 offers an outstanding opportunity for eligible Swiss graduates to pursue postgraduate studies at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, UK, with comprehensive financial support. The scholarship covers the Oxford combined course fee, including University and College fees, and provides a generous annual living allowance.

For the October 2027 intake, applications must be submitted by 28 August 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in Geneva on 30 October 2026. Importantly, applicants must apply to the Berrow Foundation before applying to Oxford, making the application process different from many other Oxford scholarships.

Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027 - Key Details

What Is the Berrow Foundation Scholarship?

The Berrow Foundation Scholarships are postgraduate awards associated with Lincoln College at the University of Oxford. They are designed for outstanding Swiss candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, personal integrity, leadership potential and a commitment to contributing positively to society.

The general scholarship supports postgraduate study across virtually all academic disciplines available at Oxford. Eligible programmes can include DPhil, MSc, MLitt, MSt, MPhil, MJur and BPhil, subject to Oxford's admission requirements.

A separate Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarship is available for postgraduate study in medicine, chemistry, biochemistry and related fields.

Financial Benefits

The scholarship provides substantial financial support to successful candidates.

Full Course Fee Coverage

The award covers the Oxford combined course fee, which includes University and College fees.

Living Allowance

Scholars receive a living allowance set at the Rhodes Scholarship rate. For the 2025/26 academic year, this was £20,400 per year. The exact allowance applicable during the scholar's period of study may differ.

Up to Three Years of Funding

The scholarship is normally tenable for up to three academic years, depending on the degree and scholarship conditions.

Additional Considerations

The scholarship does not cover bench fees or apparatus costs, which may be relevant to laboratory-based research programmes. Applicants should check these costs with their prospective Oxford department.

Who Can Apply?

The eligibility requirements are quite specific. This scholarship is not open to applicants from all nationalities.

Applicants generally must:

• Be a Swiss national.
• Be domiciled in Switzerland.
• Be a current student or recent graduate of one of the qualifying institutions.
• Be applying for an eligible postgraduate degree at Oxford.
• Be within five years of completing their first degree, unless covered by the specific current-student provision.
• Demonstrate a high standard of written and spoken English.
• Be prepared to attend the interview in Geneva if shortlisted.

Eligible Universities

One of the most important requirements is the applicant's university background.

Candidates must be current members or recent graduates of one of these six institutions:

1. University of Berne
2. University of Fribourg
3. University of Geneva
4. University of Lausanne
5. University of Neuchâtel
6. EPFL

Graduates of other Swiss universities are not eligible for this particular scholarship.

Candidates should therefore check this requirement before spending time preparing an application.

Fields of Study

The general Berrow Foundation Scholarship does not restrict applicants to one particular academic field. Eligible postgraduate study can include a broad range of Oxford graduate programmes.

Potential areas include:

• Economics
• Business
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Law
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Education
• Politics
• International Relations
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Medicine-related disciplines
• Research programmes

The exact eligibility depends on the Oxford graduate course selected.

For applicants interested specifically in medicine, chemistry, biochemistry or related medical sciences, the Lord Florey Scholarships may be particularly relevant.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare their documents well before the deadline.

The Foundation application requires:

• Completed Berrow Foundation application form.
• Two samples of written work.
• Two referee letters.
• Evidence of Swiss nationality.
• Evidence of Swiss domicile.
• Academic records.
• Information demonstrating eligibility.
• Details of the intended Oxford postgraduate programme.

The two referee letters must be sent directly to the Berrow Foundation, rather than being submitted through Oxford.

Applicants should contact their referees early to ensure that the references reach the Foundation before the closing date.

How to Apply for the Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027?

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

First confirm that you are a Swiss national domiciled in Switzerland and that you are associated with one of the six eligible institutions.

Step 2: Select an Oxford Graduate Programme

Identify a suitable postgraduate course at Oxford and review its individual admission requirements.

Step 3: Prepare the Foundation Application

Complete the Berrow Foundation Scholarship application form and prepare the required supporting information.

Step 4: Prepare Two Written Works

Applicants must provide two pieces of written work. These should demonstrate strong academic ability and analytical thinking.

Step 5: Arrange Two References

Ask two suitable referees to send their reference letters directly to the Foundation before the deadline.

Step 6: Submit the Foundation Application

The Berrow Foundation application must be submitted first.

Step 7: Attend the Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in Geneva. For the 2027 entry cycle, interviews are scheduled for 30 October 2026.

Step 8: Apply to Oxford Separately

Receiving the scholarship does not automatically guarantee admission to Oxford. Candidates must complete the separate Oxford graduate application process and meet the admission requirements of their chosen course.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027–28 is:

28 August 2026

The scholarship is for students entering Oxford in October 2027. Shortlisted applicants are expected to be contacted in September 2026, followed by interviews in Geneva on 30 October 2026.

Applicants should not wait until the final day because references and written documents must also be arranged.

Important Note for International Students

The Berrow Foundation Scholarship is not a general scholarship for international students. It is specifically targeted at eligible Swiss nationals who meet the nationality, domicile and university requirements.

Therefore, students from Pakistan and other countries cannot apply for this particular award unless they meet all of the Foundation's specific eligibility conditions.

International students seeking fully funded postgraduate study at Oxford should explore other Oxford scholarships with broader nationality requirements.

Why Apply for the Berrow Foundation Scholarship?

For eligible candidates, this scholarship offers several major advantages:

• Study at the prestigious University of Oxford.
• Membership of Lincoln College.
• Coverage of University and College fees.
• Generous annual living allowance.
• Funding for up to three academic years.
• Opportunity to pursue a wide range of postgraduate subjects.
• International academic and professional exposure.
• Membership of a strong scholar community.
• Opportunity to participate in Oxford's academic and extracurricular environment.

The Berrow Foundation also expects scholars to participate actively in college and university life and demonstrate qualities including integrity, fellowship and commitment to society.

Final Thoughts

The Berrow Foundation Scholarship 2027 at the University of Oxford is a highly competitive, fully funded postgraduate opportunity for eligible Swiss students and recent graduates. It provides coverage of Oxford's combined University and College fees together with a substantial living allowance, with awards available for up to three academic years.

However, the scholarship has strict eligibility requirements. Applicants must be Swiss nationals domiciled in Switzerland and must be current students or recent graduates of one of six specified institutions. The application process is also unusual because candidates must apply to the Foundation before submitting their Oxford application.

Eligible candidates should begin preparing their application, written work and referee letters as soon as possible. The deadline for October 2027 entry is 28 August 2026.

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