About the Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional academic merit but may be prevented from studying at Oxford due to financial constraints. One award is available each year and covers both course fees and a living cost grant for the duration of the degree. This highly competitive award is designed for new students pursuing three or four-year courses in Humanities at the University of Oxford. Scholars are selected based on outstanding academic achievement and significant financial need.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful candidates will receive:
- Full coverage of course tuition fees for the entire degree.
- Annual grant towards living expenses, helping cover accommodation and day-to-day costs while studying at Oxford.
- Award duration: Matches the length of your undergraduate course (3 or 4 years).
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be ordinarily resident in one of the eligible countries across Asia and the Pacific region (including India, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and others as specified by Oxford).
- Have applied for and received an offer of admission to an undergraduate course at Oxford.
- Be applying for a new undergraduate degree programme (current students are not eligible).
- Demonstrate financial need, showing that they would be unable to take up the Oxford offer without scholarship support.
- Meet all academic requirements for their chosen course.
Applicants must submit a separate scholarship application in addition to their Oxford admission application.
Application Process
Applications for the Simon and June Li Scholarship follow the Oxford undergraduate scholarship timeline:
- The scholarship application typically opens in January each year.
- The deadline for 2026 entry was 4 February 2026. Applications for 2027 entry will be announced on the official Oxford scholarship page in January 2027.
- The selection process for the Simon and June Li scholarship continues through April. Shortlisted candidates are informed of the outcome by late May.
Note: You must hold an offer to study at Oxford before applying. Only one undergraduate scholarship application is considered per applicant.
Selection Criteria
Selection for the Simon and June Li Scholarship is based on a combination of:
- Academic Excellence: Candidates must demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, strong intellectual ability, and readiness for rigorous study at Oxford.
- Financial Need: Applicants must provide evidence that financial constraints would otherwise prevent them from studying at Oxford.
- Potential and Commitment: The selection committee may also consider an applicant’s broader potential, commitment to their chosen field, and likelihood of contributing meaningfully to academic and community life at Oxford.
The scholarship is highly competitive, and only a limited number of awards are made each year.
Fields of Study
The scholarship supports students enrolling in any three- or four-year undergraduate course within the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford.
Eligible fields generally include (but are not limited to):
- English Language & Literature
- History
- Philosophy
- Theology & Religion
- Modern Languages
- Classics
- Asian & Middle Eastern Studies
- Archaeology
Applicants should verify that their course falls under Oxford’s Humanities Division before applying.
Tips for a Strong Application
Given the competitiveness of this award, applicants should approach the scholarship application strategically:
- Demonstrate Academic Distinction: Highlight academic achievements, awards, research experience, or intellectual pursuits that reflect your readiness for Oxford’s academic rigour.
- Clearly Explain Financial Need: Provide transparent and well-documented information about your financial circumstances. Be specific about how the scholarship would make your education possible.
- Show Intellectual Curiosity: Convey passion for your chosen humanities subject. Strong applicants often demonstrate independent reading, research, or relevant extracurricular engagement.
- Align with Oxford’s Values: Illustrate how you will contribute to Oxford’s academic community and how the opportunity will help you create impact in your home country or globally.
- Follow Instructions Carefully: Ensure all required documents are submitted before the deadline and that your responses are clear, concise, and compelling.
Conclusion
The Simon and June Li Undergraduate Scholarship represents a life-changing opportunity for outstanding students from Asia and the Pacific to pursue a humanities education at the University of Oxford. By covering full tuition and living costs, the scholarship ensures that financial limitations do not stand in the way of academic excellence.
For ambitious students with exceptional academic records and demonstrated financial need, this scholarship can open the door to one of the most prestigious academic environments in the world. Contact our team at Uscholars for more information and scholarship guidance.