Purpose of the OCIS Scholarships
The OCIS Scholarships were established by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies to provide transformative support for graduate students whose work is tied to the Muslim world. The idea is to foster research and intellectual engagement that builds bridges between the Islamic tradition and modern scholarship — or addresses challenges in Muslim societies in areas such as theology, history, law, economics, public health, or science.
The Centre itself acts as a meeting point between Western and Islamic traditions of learning, encouraging interdisciplinary exchange and cross‐cultural dialogue. The scholarships are thus intended not just to support individual academic progress, but to strengthen intellectual networks engaged with Islam and Muslim societies globally.
Here’s a quick snapshot:
Program: Scholarship
Coverage: Fully funded (fees + living costs)
Nationality: UK Muslim community or eligible Muslim-majority / Muslim minority countries
Degree Level: Master’s & DPhil
Duration: Entire fee-liability period
University: University of Oxford
Host Country: UK
Deadline: Varies by course (December/January)
Now let’s walk through the eligibility, benefits, fields of study, deadlines, and how to apply — with a conversational tone so you don’t feel lost in the fine print.
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Eligibility
To be considered, you’ll need to check off several requirements. Here’s a breakdown:
Basic Academic / Status Criteria
- You must be applying to start a new full-time Master’s or DPhil course at the University of Oxford (i.e., not a part-time, diploma, certificate, or non-matriculated program).
- Deferred offers or waiting-list applicants are typically not eligible.
- You should demonstrate academic excellence.
- You must show financial need (this will be assessed via your Oxford application).
Nationality / Residency / Community Criteria
You must satisfy one of:
- Be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom and from a Muslim community (preference is given to those from financially disadvantaged households).
- Be a national of, and ordinarily resident in, one of the eligible countries in Asia or Africa (or Muslim minority countries). The list includes — but is not limited to — Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uganda, Yemen, among others.
You also should intend to return to your country of ordinary residence after your course is completed.
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Field / Topic Relevance
Your proposed study — whether in Islamic studies or in a broader field — must either be:
- Derived from or relevant to the Islamic tradition, or
- Of relevance or benefit to the Muslim world more broadly.
If your subject is unrelated to Islam or Muslim societies (for example, wholly technical without any interface to Muslim contexts), eligibility may be weaker.
Benefits
One of the most attractive features of the OCIS Scholarships is how comprehensive the coverage is:
- 100% of Oxford University and College fees (for the period of your fee liability)
- A grant for living costs, which in recent years has been at least ~£19,237 to £20,780 (or similar depending on cost of living)
- Awards are made for the full duration of the fee liability, provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress
- The scholarships may be held in conjunction with other funding sources, though these will be considered in computing the net award value
- Scholars will be expected to submit reports (e.g. after the first term, and annually) on their academic and social contributions
In essence, the program offers you the financial peace of mind to focus fully on your studies, research, and engagement in the OCIS community.
Fields of Study
One of the strengths of the OCIS program is its flexibility: you’re not limited to one narrow discipline. You can apply from almost any field, as long as there is a clear link to Islam or the Muslim world. Possible themes could include:
- Theology / Islamic law / classical Islamic sciences
- History, culture, civilization of Muslim societies
- Economics, development, public policy in Muslim contexts
- Science, health, environment where Muslim societies are impacted
- Arts, literature, languages tied to Muslim cultural heritage
- Education, interfaith dialogue, religious studies in plural settings
Because Oxford has a vast array of graduate courses, successful applicants often align their discipline (say, law, economics, public health, environmental science) with a Muslim context or research question.
Deadlines and Timeline
One tricky part: the OCIS Scholarships do not have a single fixed deadline. Instead, your scholarship application must align with the graduate admission deadline for your chosen Oxford course, which typically falls in December or January (depending on the department).
To be specific:
- You must submit your graduate application to Oxford by the relevant December/January deadline (consult your department’s webpage).
- Within your Oxford application, you tick the box for “Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Scholarship” in the funding options.
- You also need to upload an OCIS Supporting Statement as part of your application.
- Decisions are usually communicated by June.
- Because the scholarship follows the full duration of the fee liability, awards are renewed annually subject to progress.
So, your schedule should be: choose course → check departmental deadline → prepare application + OCIS statement → submit by deadline → await decision.
Application Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Choose and apply for your graduate course at Oxford.
Make sure you meet all the departmental requirements (transcripts, test scores, references). - Within your Oxford application, select the OCIS Scholarship option.
When prompted in the funding section, tick the OCIS box. - Prepare and upload an OCIS Supporting Statement.
This is a separate piece from your main personal statement, focused on why your work is suitable for OCIS support and how it connects with Muslim societies or Islamic studies. - Provide all supporting documents
- Academic transcripts
- CV / resume
- Research proposal (if applicable) or statement of purpose
- References
- Proof of English proficiency (if required)
- Submit before the departmental deadline (December/January).
- After submission, selection proceeds.
OCIS will coordinate decisions alongside Oxford’s admissions. Successful candidates are typically notified by June. - If awarded, maintain your standing.
Continue to do well academically, submit required reports, and remain engaged with OCIS.
Tips & Hazards Worth Knowing
- Timing is key. If you miss your department’s deadline, you forfeit the chance.
- Craft your OCIS statement well. This is your chance to show how your project matters to Muslim societies.
- Don’t assume your field is disqualified. Even STEM or health candidates can apply, if their work has Muslim-world relevance.
- Be transparent about other funding. If you already have awards, OCIS will adjust accordingly.
- Stay in continuous contact. Keep in mind annual renewals depend on your performance.
- Return intention matters. If you can’t convincingly show how your work will benefit your home or ordinary residence, your application weakens.
Final Thoughts
The OCIS Scholarships at Oxford offer more than financial support — they offer a community, a venue for intellectual cross-fertilization, and an opportunity to shape the discourse around Islam and Muslim societies. If your ambitions lie at the intersection of faith, scholarship, and service, this is a rare chance to do it at world-class standards.
Don’t let the procedural details intimidate you. Start early, think deeply about your project, and align your narrative with how your work can contribute to knowledge and society.
If you want, I can build you a customized timeline (for Pakistani applicants, for example) or help you draft that OCIS statement. Let me know — and best of luck with your application.
Official program link: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/fees-funding-and-scholarship-search/oxford-centre-islamic-studies-ocis-scholarships