This scholarship programme will increase the number of women from low and middle-income countries taking up offers for postgraduate science courses at Oxford. The programme has been made possible by a generous donation from the Optiver Foundation.
The programme, which will provide support for up to 30 taught master’s students over a period of five years, has been made possible by a generous donation from the Optiver Foundation. The next Optiver Foundation Scholars will begin their studies at Oxford in October 2026, and will be the fourth cohort of the scholarship scheme. Scholars will join the Departments of Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Science, or the Mathematical Institute, and will receive full financial support to cover their course fees, as well as a grant for living costs.
Benefits
Scholars will receive full financial support to cover their course fees, as well as a grant for living costs.
Scholarships Courses
Advanced Computer Science
Energy Systems (Engineering Science)
Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
Mathematical Sciences
Mathematical and Theoretical Physics
Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science
Quantum Technologies
Statistics
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Requirements
Applicant must be a female
Applicant should come from a low or middle-income countries
Must be applying to any of the eligible courses listed
Students currently at Oxford are not eligible to apply.
This scholarship is not open to applications from candidates who hold deferred offers to start in 2026-27.
Eligible Courses
MSc Energy Systems (Engineering Science)
MSc Advanced Computer Science
MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics
MSc Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
MSc Mathematical Sciences
MSc Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science
MSc in Quantum Technologies
MSc Statistical Science
MSc Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Selection Process
What happens after you apply?
Applicants who have completed the additional application form, who meet the eligibility criteria, and who receive an offer from an eligible course will be assessed for the scholarship by a panel of academic staff, based on academic merit and potential.
Successful candidates will be contacted with a scholarship offer.
If you are offered, and accept, a scholarship, this means your funding is now secure as long as you meet the conditions of your offer of a place to study at Oxford.
All successful applicants will be contacted by email and the majority of offers are sent out in May.
Method of Application
Click Here to Apply
To be considered for this scholarship, submit your application for graduate study first by the relevant November, December, or January deadline for your course, and tick the relevant box on the graduate application form.
If you meet the advertised eligibility criteria, we will ask you to complete an additional scholarship application form to ask about your socio-economic situation and to assess for potential disadvantage and under-representation.
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: January 28, 2026.