Felix Scholarship
The Felix Scholarship was established in 1991 to support outstanding postgraduate students from India and other developing Commonwealth countries — Sri Lanka is explicitly on the list. Tenable at the University of Oxford, it covers full tuition, college fees, and a generous annual stipend, with a strong preference for candidates who plan to return home and contribute professionally. Around 25 new Felix Scholars are selected each year across the partner universities (Oxford, Reading, SOAS).
University of Oxford
External Organization-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Stipend
£18,180/year (2025-26 rate)
Duration
Full course (1-3 years)
Tuition
100% University + College fees
Eligibility
South Asian (Sri Lanka inc.) nationals
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
South Asian Nationality
Open to nationals of India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, or other developing Commonwealth countries who have not previously studied outside their home region.
First-Class Bachelor's
A first-class Bachelor's degree (or equivalent — strong upper-second / first from a Sri Lankan university) is the academic floor. Most successful candidates also have a Master's or substantial research output.
Demonstrable Financial Need
Felix is explicitly need-based — applicants must show that without the award they could not self-fund Oxford. A short financial declaration is part of the application.
Return-Home Commitment
Awardees are expected to return to their home country / region after Oxford to use their training. There is no formal bond, but assessors weight this heavily during interviews.
No Prior Western Study
Candidates who have already studied or worked for an extended period in the UK, US, EU, Australia, or other developed economies are typically not considered.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to an eligible Oxford course
Submit your Oxford graduate application by the January gathered field deadline (most arts/social sciences and many sciences). Felix funds taught Master's, MPhil, and DPhil candidates — check the Felix-eligible course list before applying.
Tick the Felix Scholarship box
On the Oxford application's funding section, select Felix Scholarship and complete the additional financial-need declaration. No separate Felix application form is required.
Department + Felix Trust review
Your chosen department first ranks you academically. Strong nominees are forwarded to the Felix Trust, which screens for nationality, need, and return-home commitment.
Interview & final decision
Shortlisted Felix candidates are interviewed (typically online for Sri Lankan applicants) between February and April. Final offers come through April-May for the October start.
Why Felix at Oxford?
Oxford is consistently ranked in the world's top 5 universities. Felix Scholars become part of a tight South Asian alumni network with regular London / Delhi gatherings, mentoring, and reunion events organised by the Felix Trust.
~25
New Scholars / Year (all unis)
#3
QS World Ranking 2026
Since 1991
Programme Running
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
