To be considered for a Thatcher Scholarship, applicants must first be accepted onto a course by the University of Oxford through the usual admissions process (undergraduate admissions or graduate admissions) or a current undergraduate. The scholarships are tenable at Somerville College only.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit in order to:

  • Foster academic excellence;
  • Support individuals who have a determination to succeed;
  • Equip scholars to excel in their chosen field.

The Thatcher Scholarships cover 100% of course fees and provide a generous grant towards living expenses and travel to Oxford, enabling Thatcher Scholars to graduate free from debt.

Thatcher Scholarships for Undergraduates

Applicants may be considered for these scholarships once they have been offered a place to study at Oxford at Somerville College. For entry in 2023/24, the following scholarships are available:

The Lee Kuan Yew – Thatcher Scholarship

Thatcher Scholarships for current undergraduates

Thatcher Scholarships for Graduate Applicants

Applicants will be considered for these scholarship once they have been offered a place to study at Oxford. All eligible applicants will be considered for this scholarship, regardless of which college (if any) is stated as the preference on the graduate application form. However, successful applicants will be transferred to Somerville in order to take up the scholarship. For entry in 2020/21, the following scholarships are available:

The Oxford Thatcher Graduate Scholarships

The Oxford Qatar Thatcher Graduate Scholarships

Selection

The selection timetable for the scholarships varies for graduates and undergraduates, and for undergraduates will also depend on fee status. Undergraduate scholarships for students with UK fee status will be awarded after their first public examinations. In order to be invited to apply for these scholarships, a student must achieve a distinction in their FPEs and be nominated by their tutor.