Ellison Scholars FAQs

The Ellison Scholars programme covers both undergraduate and graduate (doctoral) studies at the University of Oxford. There is a separate application and selection process for the undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

Interested candidates should read through the selection criteria and eligibility pages carefully before applying.

The scholarship covers:

• Tuition fees for the duration of the undergraduate or graduate course;
• A generous academic scholarship stipend to cover living costs in Oxford;
• The equivalent of paid internships for work on innovation projects;
• Travel and conference costs;
• Personal technology set up;
• Arrival in Oxford costs – including flights, visa charges and access to healthcare.

The scholarship is funded by the generosity of Larry Ellison, Chief Technology Officer of Oracle and Founder of the Ellison Institute of Technology.

The Ellison Scholars programme selects approximately twenty Scholars each year, undergraduates and graduates.

The Ellison Scholars programme currently funds study at the University of Oxford only.

The University of Oxford is made up of colleges where students live, socialise and have tutorials. Ellison Scholar candidates, if invited by the Ellison Scholars team to apply to the University of Oxford, can apply to any college which offers their chosen course. The Scholars team is on hand to assist applicants at this stage of the selection process.

Given the selective nature of this opportunity, we recommend applicants explore other options alongside their application to this programme.

In addition to completing a degree at the University of Oxford, Ellison Scholars and EIT Graduate Students will have year-round involvement in an EIT project. For undergraduate Ellison Scholars, there will be a particular focus on the project during the long summer vacations – like an internship. Graduate students will work year-round on the innovation projects as their doctoral research.

The Ellison Scholars programme also offers cutting-edge programming designed to upskill Scholars and to enable them to chart a bespoke self-development course.

There will be various opportunities for students to get involved in college and university life through the many and varied clubs and societies.

Undergraduate Ellison Scholars prospective applicants must confirm they meet both the eligibility and selection criteria before applying. They should start by using the eligibility checker on our website, and, if eligible, proceed to the online application form. Applications must be submitted online by the specified deadline, as late submissions will not be considered.

More information on the graduate scholarships will be published in May 2025.

Undergraduate Ellison Scholars applicants can apply to any full-time undergraduate courses at the University of Oxford. This includes three-year bachelor’s degrees (e.g. BA), four-year integrated master’s degrees (e.g. MChem or MMath), the four-year graduate entry medicine degree, and the full six-year undergraduate medicine degree. Applicants should note that they will need to provide a strong rationale for how they intend to use their course to support their work on their chosen EIT project.

For more information on courses offered by the University of Oxford, please check the University’s website.

Graduate scholarship applicants must apply to the full-time doctoral (DPhil/PhD) course which is associated with their chosen EIT project; the list of projects and courses will be updated on our website ahead of applications opening. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their chosen University of Oxford course, research proposal and expertise align with their chosen EIT project.

For more information on courses offered by the University of Oxford, please check the University’s website. Please note the Ellison Scholars programme does not cover courses offered by the Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) or the Department of Continuing Education.

Yes — we envision that many applicants will be applying with predicted qualifications and grades, rather than their final qualifications and grades. Please read through the eligibility and selection criteria on our website carefully before applying.

Yes — we envision that many applicants will be applying with predicted qualifications and grades, rather than their final qualifications and grades. More information on the eligibility and selection criteria will be published will be published in May 2025.

Undergraduate Ellison Scholars applicants who are shortlisted as undergraduate semi-finalists must apply by the University’s deadline of 15 October 2025. Please refer to the University of Oxford’s website to learn more about their undergraduate admissions process. Please note that admission to the University of Oxford is a separate and independent process. Applicants who are not selected as undergraduate semi-finalists are welcome to apply to the University of Oxford but will not be considered for the Ellison Scholars programme.

More information on the application routes will be published in May 2025.

The selection for undergraduate Ellison Scholars programme is a multi-stage process designed to recognise and support exceptional talent. Applicants will go through the following steps:

Step 1: Submit an online application to the Ellison Scholars programme between 1 May and 31 July 2025.

Step 2: Applications are reviewed to identify semi-finalists who best meet the programme’s eligibility and selection criteria.

Step 3: Semi-finalists are invited to apply for their chosen course at the University of Oxford. It is important to note that University of Oxford’s admissions process is a separate and independent process.

Step 4: Finalists, i.e. those with offers from the University of Oxford participate in the final selection process by the EIT Faculty.

More information on the application routes will be published in May 2025.

We will be sharing updates after each stage of the selection process, but the final stage of the undergraduate Ellison Scholars selection process is planned to take place in February 2026 and so successful applicants will find out the outcome of their application in March/April 2026. Those selected as Ellison Scholars will be supported through the process from selection through to arrival in Oxford and beyond – the team is here to help!

EIT, as a highly dynamic organisation, will be at the forefront of innovation; EIT’s research and innovation portfolio will therefore be constantly evolving. Ellison Scholars will be applying to work on a specific project within a humane endeavour, and for funding to study on a chosen course at the University of Oxford. Applicants are advised to select the EIT project that interests them the most and for which they have the most relevant skills; the application form will ask applicants to expand on their motivation and relevant experience.

Yes, EIT Graduate Students will work full-time on an EIT project that will also constitute their doctoral research. Students will work with EIT-affiliated academics on their chosen project, offering a unique opportunity to integrate research and innovation with real-world applications. More information on the EIT projects and supervisors will be published in May 2025.

The Ellison Scholars programme is a multi-year commitment, allowing Scholars to get the most out of their time at EIT and allowing them to contribute more meaningfully to the innovation projects. Starting at the University of Oxford as an Ellison Scholar is the optimal route.

Applicants who have University of Oxford offers to start in October 2026 are eligible to apply. Applicants who have already started their course at the University of Oxford or will start their course in October 2025 are not eligible to apply. Given the selective nature of the scholarship programme, we would not recommend that anyone defers entry to the University in order to apply for this programme.

Yes, applicants who have University of Oxford offers to start in October 2026 are eligible to apply to the programme. Given the selective nature of the scholarship programme, we would not recommend that anyone defers entry to the University in order to apply for this programme.

EIT Graduate Students will be supervised by an academic lead at EIT, who will be responsible for overseeing the research aspects of their project. Students will also have an academic supervisor at the University of Oxford, who may, in some cases, be the same person. Depending on the project or course requirements, a co-supervisor at Oxford may also be assigned.  More information on the EIT projects and supervisors will be published in May 2025.

This depends on the University of Oxford’s entry requirements for the individual doctoral course. Applicants must check the University’s graduate course list for the individual requirements for their courses. Applicants can also find more information about the international qualifications accepted by Oxford here.

The Ellison Scholars programme covers full–time doctoral (DPhil/PhD) courses at the University of Oxford. Applicants who want to pursue a part–time doctoral course are welcome to email the team at scholars@eit.org to provide a rationale and to discuss options with the team.

Please note the Ellison Scholars programme does not cover courses offered by the Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) or the Department of Continuing Education.

No, you do not need institutional nomination to apply to the graduate scholarships.

The application and selection process for the EIT CDT programme is managed by the University of Oxford’s admission team. For more information, please visit the EIT CDT website.

Please check the eligibility and selection criteria on the EIT CDT website.

The programme is highly competitive, with only 20 places available each year for UK or international students. The CDT is fully funded by EIT Oxford; CDT students will receive funding for course fees and cost of living.

Yes, you can apply to both programmes. Please read through the eligibility and selection criteria carefully before applying.

More information on the graduate scholarships will be published in May 2025.

For more information on the EIT CDT in Fundamentals of AI programme, please visit the EIT CDT website and the admission process on the University of Oxford’s website.

The application and selection process for the EIT CDT programme is managed by the University of Oxford’s admission team. For more information on the programme, please visit the EIT CDT website and the admission process on the University of Oxford’s website.

Students on the EIT CDT in Fundamentals of AI programme will be expected to conduct foundational research in AI and machine learning that has the potential to drive transformative change across EIT's four humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in the era of AI. There will be opportunities to work with project teams at EIT, which can be discussed with the CDT team at the University and with EIT.

Our Outreach team is eager to connect with organisations that can help identify eligible students for the scholarship. We’d recommend registering to attend an information session and reading our webpages to learn more.

Please do also email us at scholars@eit.org and we will connect you to a member of the outreach team.

Absolutely! We have plenty of resources to help spread the word, including social media templates, posters, digital signage, and an email/newsletter blurb.

You can download our resources here.

Missing something that would help you spread the word? Let us know!

We would love your help in sharing this incredible opportunity! Please pass it along to your network and students, and encourage strong candidates to sign up for our applicant newsletter to stay updated on the programme and future application cycles. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our organisational newsletter. There’s a dedicated version just for organisations, featuring tailored updates on the scholarship and EIT that we think you’d find useful and interesting. If you think you would have sufficient interest within your network, subject to availability, we may be able to offer bespoke information sessions. Email us at scholars@eit.org to enquire.