All About the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships

The Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships are fully funded, highly competitive awards offered by the University of Oxford. They are made possible through a generous bequest from David Richards, an alumnus and Foundation Fellow of Wadham College.

Among the many prestigious scholarship opportunities at the University of Oxford, the Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarships stand out as a remarkable, fully-funded award open to graduate students worldwide - including those from India.

The Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship award that is tenable exclusively at Wadham College, University of Oxford. This scholarship came into existence by receiving support from the Oxford University and the generous bequest of David Richard, who was also the foundation fellow and a distinguished alumnus of this college.

There are only 4 Oxford Richards Scholarships awarded each year for students coming in for full-time or part-time master’s and D.Phil courses in limited fields only, but mostly in Chemistry, History or environmental sciences. 

Read this article to learn more about the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships. 

About David Richards and His Contribution towards the Wadham College

The Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarships were established through the bequest of David Richards (1939-2015). David Richards studied at the Oxford University starting from 1961. Later, David Richards went on becoming a distinguished alumnus and got honoured with a Foundation Fellow of Wadham College - which is one of the highest recognitions the Wadham College can bestow upon its members.

David Richards’ generous posthumous gift to the University reflects his deep desire to enable future generations of brilliant students to receive the same transformative education that he did at the University of Oxford. According to Wadham College, the Richards family bequest contributes 60% of the funds for these scholarships, with the remaining 40% being contributed by the University of Oxford - considered as a remarkable act of philanthropic partnership.

Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships Highlights

Check out some of the features of the Oxford-Richards Scholarships below.

What does the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarship Cover?

The Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship and here is all that it covers - 

1. Full course fees: The scholarship covers 100% of course fees for the agreed program - whether at the home or international fees rate.

2. Living costs: The award winners may receive a grant for living costs aligned with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) minimum doctoral stipend rates - for the entire duration of the course.

3. College Membership at Wadham College: This comes as a result when the scholars are transferred to Wadham College to take up their award, regardless of their original college preference.

List of Eligible Courses Under Oxford Richards Scholarship

For the 2026-27 academic year, the Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarships are available to applicants to full-time or part-time Master's or DPhil courses offered by specific departments including - 

1. The Department of Chemistry: For graduate courses in Chemistry including - 

• MSc by Research in Chemistry

• DPhil in Chemistry

2. Faculty of History: Various history courses covered by Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships are - 

• MPhil in History

• DPhil in History

• Other specialist master’s programs in history

3. Environmental Sciences (MPLS Division): With a particular preference for students working in climate research, the scholarship is awarded to applicants in these courses of Environmental Sciences - 

• Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics (AOPP)

• MSc in Environmental Change and Management

• MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery

• DPhil programmes in Environmental Sciences

What is the Eligibility Criteria of Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships for Indian Students?

The Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarship is not restricted by nationality and below are the points of eligibility criteria.

1. Your course must be within the range accepted by Wadham College. So, you must apply for an eligible graduate course at the University of Oxford (Master's or DPhil) within the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of History or environmental sciences courses in the MPLS Division.

2. You must submit your graduate application by the December or January funding deadline. Applications submitted after this deadline are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

3. You must not hold a deferred offer to start in 2026-27 from a previous admissions cycle.

4. You must prove your proficiency in English either via means of IELTS (with at least an overall score of 7.5 and 7.0 in each individual component) or TOEFL iBT (with a minimum score of 110, with at least 22 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 24 in Speaking and 25 in Writing).

• Note:- Students who completed their previous undergraduate degree at an institution where the medium of instruction was English may request a waiver. However, this will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships Application Process

During the application period, all applicants are considered for this award, irrespective of the college they chose. On winning the scholarship, they would be moved or transferred to Wadham College of Oxford University so that they can avail it. Here are some steps you must follow to apply for the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarship - 

1. Identify an eligible graduate programme within the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of History, or an environmental sciences field in the MPLS Division. And confirm it is accepted by Wadham College

2. Apply through the Oxford graduate admissions portal at the University's official website. Ensure all sections are completed. Attach these documents with your application - 

• SOP

• Research Proposal

• Academic References

• Academic Transcripts

• English Test Scores

3. Submit your application by the December or January deadline applicable to your specific course.

4. Once you apply by the relevant deadline, you are automatically considered for the Oxford-Richards Graduate Scholarship alongside all other eligible applicants. You do not need to tick a box, write an additional essay, or submit a supplementary form specifically for this award.

5. If you are selected, you will be transferred to Wadham College regardless of your original college preference as this is a standard condition of the award.

Note:- Selection is expected to take place between April and June 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by the Student Fees and Funding team.

Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships Application Timeline

Below is a tentative upcoming timeline for the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships which all students must follow if they’re looking up for the award.

This was all about the Oxford Richards Graduate Scholarships. If you have any doubts, feel free to drop your queries in the comments below.