Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Program 2027 UK: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply

If you have ever dreamed of studying at the University of Oxford while actually working on real solutions to the biggest problems facing humanity, the Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme might be the most exciting opportunity you will come across. This is not a standard scholarship that simply pays your tuition and sends you off to attend lectures. It is a programme that places you inside an active research and innovation institute from day one, surrounds you with world-leading scientists, and gives you the financial freedom to focus entirely on your studies and your work. Applications for the 2027 entry are now open, and this guide covers everything you need to know before you apply.

What Is the Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme?

The Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme is a fully funded scholarship offered by the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford, commonly known as EIT. It allows exceptional international students to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford while simultaneously working on cutting-edge innovation projects at EIT during their summer vacations. The programme was launched as part of a transformative strategic alliance between EIT and the University of Oxford, backed by an investment of £130 million announced in December 2024.

The Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford is a research and technology institute with a mission to develop and deploy technology in pursuit of solving humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems. It is based at the Oxford Science Park and is currently constructing a major new campus in Oxford, expected to be completed in 2027. The institute was founded with funding from Larry Ellison, co-founder and chairman of Oracle Corporation, and operates research institutes focused on health, generative biology, food security, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

The Ellison Scholars programme is EIT’s flagship education initiative. Every undergraduate student funded by EIT is an Ellison Scholar. The programme is highly selective and, unlike most scholarships you will encounter, it does not simply fund your degree. It gives you a dual identity as both an Oxford student and an active contributor to EIT’s research and innovation work from the very beginning of your time in Oxford.

The first cohort of Ellison Scholars was announced in March 2025. The inaugural group began their Oxford studies in October 2025 and was welcomed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey. A second cohort of Undergraduate Ellison Scholars was unveiled in April 2026. The programme for the 2027 entry cohort opened for applications on 1 May 2026.

Quick Overview: Key Programme Details at a Glance

About the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford

Before diving into the scholarship details, it helps to understand the organization behind it. The Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford is not a traditional academic institution. It is a research and innovation powerhouse built specifically to tackle what it calls humanity’s most enduring problems. EIT operates through a series of specialist research institutes, each focused on a major global challenge.

The institute’s current research areas include the Generative Biology Institute, the AI and Robotics Institute, the Plant Biology Institute, the Pathogen Program, the Materials and Devices for Life Sciences Institute, and a dedicated Economics program. These are not academic departments running seminars; they are active research environments where scientists, engineers, and technology specialists work on real problems with real stakes.

EIT’s Oxford campus is currently under construction and is expected to include laboratories for robot development, state-of-the-art proteomic analysis and genomic sequencing, laboratories for studying and engineering biology, advanced cloud-controlled greenhouses, and what the institute describes as the world’s largest computer for designing and training artificial neural networks. When the campus is complete, it will provide Ellison Scholars with facilities that most universities in the world cannot match.

In December 2024, EIT and the University of Oxford announced a transformative strategic alliance backed by £130 million in investment. This partnership is the institutional foundation upon which the Ellison Scholars programme sits. It signals a long-term commitment from both EIT and Oxford to developing the next generation of scientific and technological leaders through this joint programme.

What Makes This Programme Different from Other Oxford Scholarships?

Oxford has several prestigious scholarship programmes, including the Rhodes Scholarship, the Clarendon Fund, and the Oxford and Cambridge Society scholarships. The Ellison Scholars programme is distinct from all of them in one critical way: it does not simply fund your degree. It embeds you inside an active research institute and requires you to contribute to EIT’s ongoing innovation work during every summer vacation throughout your undergraduate degree.

Most scholarships, however generous, are financial awards attached to a standard student experience. You attend your lectures, complete your coursework, and happen to be funded while doing so. The Ellison Scholars programme is something fundamentally different. It is designed around a dual identity. You are simultaneously an Oxford student in the fullest sense, enrolled in your chosen course and experiencing all that Oxford has to offer, and an active EIT collaborator, spending your summers working alongside scientists, engineers, and researchers on projects aimed at solving global challenges.

This matters because it means that by the time an Ellison Scholar graduates from Oxford, they have not just a degree but a meaningful portfolio of applied research experience. They have worked inside a cutting-edge institute, collaborated with world-leading experts, and contributed to projects that have real-world consequences. For a student at the start of their career, this combination is extraordinary.

The Four Humane Endeavours: EIT’s Focus Areas

At the heart of the Ellison Scholars programme are what EIT calls its four humane endeavours. These are the broad focus areas within which all EIT research and innovation projects operate, and they define the kind of work Ellison Scholars will be doing during their summer internships. Understanding these four areas is important for anyone applying to the programme, because your application will need to demonstrate alignment with at least one of them.

1. Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology

This area encompasses EIT’s work on cancer treatment, vaccine development, infectious disease, generative biology, and the application of artificial intelligence to medicine and life sciences. EIT’s research in this domain includes collaboration with Oxford on an AI-powered vaccine research program announced in September 2025, and the development of EIT’s own Oxford Clinic. The institute’s Generative Biology Institute, led by Professor Jason Chin, focuses on engineering biology at a fundamental level to create new classes of therapeutics and biotechnologies.

2. Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture

EIT’s Plant Biology Institute focuses on developing impactful and commercially sustainable solutions for improving global food production and planetary health. This includes research into plant science, crop improvement, soil health, and the development of agricultural technologies that can scale globally. EIT has also made investments in companies such as Wild Bioscience to boost global agricultural resilience. Scholars with backgrounds in plant sciences, biology, chemistry, or agricultural science would find strong alignment here.

3. Climate Change and Managing Atmospheric Carbon

This focus area covers EIT’s work on energy systems, carbon management, and climate mitigation technologies. EIT has outlined a £10 billion science investment plan in the UK that includes major commitments to climate and energy innovation. Scholars with backgrounds in physics, chemistry, engineering, economics, or environmental science who are focused on climate solutions would be well placed within this endeavour.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

EIT’s AI and Robotics Institute is developing advanced robotics systems and AI applications across multiple domains, including healthcare, agriculture, and scientific research. The upcoming EIT Oxford campus will include specialized robotics laboratories and, according to EIT’s own descriptions, what will be one of the most powerful computing systems in the world for AI training and development. Students with skills in computer science, machine learning, mathematics, or engineering are particularly encouraged to apply with this focus area in mind.

Eligibility Criteria for the 2027 Programme

The eligibility criteria for the Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme are tied directly to the University of Oxford’s own undergraduate admissions requirements, along with additional selection criteria set by EIT. You need to meet both sets of requirements to be a valid candidate.

University of Oxford Entry Requirements

First, you must have, or be on track to be awarded, a secondary education or high school leaving qualification, diploma, or certificate that is accepted by the University of Oxford. Oxford accepts a wide range of international qualifications, including A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, the US High School Diploma with AP or SAT scores, the French Baccalaureate, the German Abitur, and many other national qualifications. You should consult the Oxford University international qualifications page to confirm that your specific qualification is accepted before applying.

Second, your grades, whether achieved or predicted, must meet the minimum grade requirements for the specific undergraduate course you wish to study at Oxford. Oxford’s grade requirements vary significantly by course, with some of the most competitive courses such as Medicine, Mathematics, and Computer Science requiring the highest possible grades. You must check the requirements for your chosen course specifically, not just a general Oxford threshold.

Third, you must have met, or be on track to meet, the University of Oxford’s English language requirements for your chosen undergraduate course. Oxford accepts several English language tests including IELTS, TOEFL, and others. Students from countries where English is the primary language of instruction in secondary school may be exempt. Again, you should verify the specific requirements for your chosen course.

EIT Selection Criteria

Beyond the Oxford entry requirements, EIT applies its own selection criteria to every Ellison Scholars applicant. These criteria reflect what EIT is actually looking for in the scholars it supports, and they go well beyond academic grades. EIT evaluates applicants on six core qualities:

Alignment: Applicants must demonstrate a deep understanding of and commitment to EIT’s vision and at least one of the four humane endeavours. This alignment must be evidenced through concrete experience and achievements relevant to one or more of EIT’s projects, not just a general interest in science or technology. In practice, this means that reviewers want to see Olympiad medals, published research, hackathon wins, patents, founded ventures, or other tangible evidence that you have already done something measurable in a relevant field.

Excellence: Applicants must be high performers who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to apply knowledge critically and effectively to real-world problems. The programme is not designed for students who simply meet Oxford’s admissions bar; it is designed for those who exceed it in ways that are visible and verifiable.

Innovation: EIT looks for visionary learners who embrace technological advancements with creativity, challenge conventional thinking, and explore innovative solutions to achieve transformative outcomes. If you are a person who approaches problems differently from your peers and has examples to prove it, this criterion is where that comes through.

Collaboration: Scholars must be trusted collaborators who can build strong relationships, foster teamwork, and bring people together toward shared goals. The programme involves working in teams with other scholars and with EIT research staff. The ability to work productively across disciplines and with people from different backgrounds is essential.

Tenacity: EIT looks for tenacious achievers who view setbacks as learning opportunities and demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of challenges. Research and innovation are rarely straightforward, and EIT wants scholars who will persist through difficulty rather than retreat from it.

Integrity: Scholars must be trustworthy people who value honesty, foster openness, and build trust through their commitment to collective success. This reflects EIT’s broader culture, which is built around the idea that scientific progress requires an environment of candor and mutual accountability.

Fields of Study and Preferred Disciplines

One of the genuinely attractive features of the Ellison Scholars programme is that it is open to students applying for any undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford. You are not required to study a specific subject. That said, EIT is particularly interested in students with skills and knowledge in the following fields, though this list is explicitly not exhaustive:

• Computer Science
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Mathematics
• Engineering (all disciplines)
• Biology and Microbiology
• Chemistry
• Medicine
• Plant Sciences
• Robotics
• Economics
• Physics

Strong candidates who believe they have skills and experiences that would benefit one of EIT’s projects are explicitly encouraged to apply even if their field is not on this list. The programme has welcomed applicants from humanities and social science backgrounds where those applicants can demonstrate clear alignment with one of the four humane endeavours.

What the Scholarship Covers: Full Benefits

The Ellison Scholars programme provides a comprehensive financial package that is designed to remove every financial barrier to studying at Oxford and participating fully in EIT’s work. Here is a breakdown of what the scholarship covers.

Full University Course Fees

The scholarship funds all course fees at the University of Oxford for the full duration of the undergraduate degree. Oxford’s international undergraduate fees vary by course but are typically among the highest of any university in the United Kingdom. Having these fees covered in full is the foundational financial benefit of the programme.

Generous Living Stipend

In addition to tuition, Ellison Scholars receive a generous stipend designed to cover travel, accommodation, and living expenses throughout their time in Oxford. The exact stipend amount is not publicly specified on a fixed per-year basis, but EIT describes it as generous and sufficient to cover the cost of living in Oxford comfortably. This is important because Oxford is an expensive city, and a scholarship that only covers fees while leaving scholars to fund their own living costs is not truly full funding.

Paid Summer Internships

During each long vacation (summer) between academic years, Ellison Scholars complete a ten-week internship at EIT. These internships are described as equivalent to paid positions. Scholars work with EIT research teams on existing projects across one or more of the four humane endeavours. This is not an unpaid work experience placement; it is a structured, paid, research and innovation engagement that forms a core part of the programme.

Travel Costs

Costs associated with traveling to Oxford and between Oxford and EIT facilities are covered as part of the scholarship package. For international students, this includes flights and, where applicable, visa-related costs associated with the scholarship.

Conference and Event Support

Scholars have support available for participation in relevant academic and professional conferences, giving them the opportunity to present their work and build their professional networks within the global research and innovation community.

Technology and Equipment

Scholars receive access to a personal computer and technology setup as part of the programme’s support package, ensuring they have the tools they need to participate fully in both their academic work and their EIT internship projects.

Healthcare

Scholars have access to healthcare facilities as part of the programme’s support structure. For international students coming to the UK for the first time, knowing that healthcare access is covered as part of the scholarship removes one significant source of uncertainty.

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Ellison Scholars gain access to EIT’s facilities throughout their time in the programme. As the new Oxford campus reaches completion in 2027, this will include specialized robotics labs, genomic sequencing and proteomic analysis laboratories, cloud-controlled agricultural research greenhouses, and advanced AI computing infrastructure. These are research facilities that most universities in the world simply do not have.

Welcome Retreat and Community Events

At the beginning of the academic year, Ellison Scholars attend a dedicated Welcome Retreat, an exclusive residential gathering that brings the scholar cohort together before the term begins. The retreat includes expert talks and Q and A sessions with leaders from EIT and beyond, goal-setting workshops, and activities designed to build the strong peer relationships that will sustain scholars throughout their time in the programme. This is followed by year-round events including leadership and innovation programming, expert talks, networking opportunities, and social activities.

The Application Timeline: Step by Step

The application process for the 2027 Ellison Scholars cohort follows a structured multi-stage timeline. Understanding this timeline is essential because the scholarship application process and the separate Oxford admissions process run concurrently but independently, and confusing the two is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.

Stage 1: Application Window (May to July 2026)

The application window for the 2027 cohort opened on 1 May 2026 and closes on 31 July 2026. During this period, candidates submit their application directly to the Ellison Scholars programme through EIT’s online application portal. This is separate from the University of Oxford’s undergraduate admissions process (UCAS), which runs on its own timeline.

In your Ellison Scholars application, you will need to demonstrate your eligibility by confirming that you meet Oxford’s entry requirements for your chosen course, and you will need to address EIT’s selection criteria, particularly your alignment with at least one of the four humane endeavours. You will need to create an account on the application portal, fill in your personal and contact information, provide your education details, upload a copy of your passport or national ID, upload a passport-sized photograph, and submit the required supporting documents and written responses.

Stage 2: Semi-Finalist Selection (September to October 2026)

After the application window closes, EIT reviews all submitted applications and selects semi-finalists. Semi-finalists are notified during September and October 2026. Being selected as a semi-finalist means that EIT believes you have the potential to become an Ellison Scholar, but your status is still conditional on gaining admission to the University of Oxford.

At this stage, semi-finalists are required to apply separately to the University of Oxford through the standard UCAS application process. The Oxford application deadline for undergraduate entry is typically in October each year, which means semi-finalists who are notified in September will need to submit their Oxford application very quickly after receiving the EIT semi-finalist notification. This is why it is important to have already researched your chosen Oxford course, prepared your personal statement, and arranged your references before you hear back from EIT.

Stage 3: Finalists Identified (January to February 2027)

University of Oxford admissions decisions are typically communicated to UCAS applicants in January. Semi-finalists who receive an offer of admission from the University of Oxford automatically progress to the Ellison Scholars finalist stage. EIT then conducts its final selection process among the pool of finalists. This final selection involves evaluation by EIT faculty, which may include interviews or additional assessment.

Stage 4: Scholars Announced (March to April 2027)

Ellison Scholars for the 2027 cohort are selected, onboarded, and officially announced between March and April 2027. Successful scholars receive support from EIT’s Education and Scholarships team as they prepare for their arrival in Oxford.

Stage 5: Scholars Begin Their Studies (October 2027)

Ellison Scholars begin their first academic year at the University of Oxford in October 2027, simultaneously beginning their engagement with EIT Oxford. Their first summer internship at EIT takes place the following summer, between their first and second years at Oxford.

How to Apply: A Practical Guide

Here is a practical breakdown of what you need to do to submit a strong application for the Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme 2027.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before anything else, use EIT’s eligibility checker on the Ellison Scholars undergraduate page. The checker walks you through four questions related to your school-leaving qualification, your grades for your chosen Oxford course, your English language qualification, and whether you meet EIT’s selection criteria. This is not a formality; it is worth doing carefully because applying when you do not meet the eligibility requirements is a waste of your time and the reviewers’ time.

After confirming your eligibility, you can start your application directly through the Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programme page on the EIT website.

Step 2: Research Your Chosen Oxford Course

Decide which undergraduate course at Oxford you want to study. You can apply for any course offered by Oxford, but your choice should reflect a genuine interest and academic strength that aligns with at least one of EIT’s four humane endeavours. Check the specific grade requirements for your chosen course on the Oxford undergraduate course listing pages, and confirm that your current or predicted grades meet those requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application Materials

Gather and prepare all required documents. These will typically include a copy of your passport or national identity document, a passport-sized photograph, your academic transcripts and certificates, evidence of your English language proficiency if required, a detailed curriculum vitae or resume, and written responses addressing EIT’s selection criteria. In particular, you will need to articulate your alignment with one or more of EIT’s four humane endeavours through concrete evidence of relevant experience, achievement, or contribution.

Step 4: Submit Your Ellison Scholars Application

Create an account on the EIT online application portal and submit your Ellison Scholars application before the 31 July 2026 deadline. Make sure every section is completed accurately. Pay particular attention to the sections where you describe your alignment with EIT’s mission and your relevant experience and achievements. Vague or generic answers will not distinguish your application from the many others EIT receives.

Step 5: Prepare Your Oxford Application in Parallel

While you are preparing your Ellison Scholars application, you should also be preparing your University of Oxford application through UCAS. The two processes are separate but their timelines are closely linked. If you are selected as a semi-finalist in September or October 2026, you will need to submit your Oxford application through UCAS very quickly afterward. Having your Oxford personal statement, references, and other materials ready before you hear back from EIT puts you in a much stronger position.

For additional guidance on the application process, EIT also offers online information sessions through its student portal. You can register for one of these webinars through the EIT student information session registration page. These sessions allow you to meet the programme team and ask questions directly before submitting your application.

Tips for a Competitive Application

The Ellison Scholars programme is extremely competitive. Here are honest, practical tips to help you make your application as strong as it can be.

• Do something measurable before you apply. EIT is very explicit that it is not looking for students who simply meet Oxford’s admission bar. Olympiad medals, published research, hackathon wins, patents, and founded ventures carry real weight. If you have not yet done something concrete in a relevant field, consider whether you can take on a research project, enter a competition, or contribute to an open-source technical project before the application deadline.
• Be specific about your humane endeavour alignment. Reviewers will read dozens of applications from students who say they care about climate change or AI. What they want to see is a student who has already done something about it. Name the specific EIT research area that resonates most with your background, explain why, and give concrete examples of what you have already done in that space.
• Do not wait until the last minute. The deadline is 31 July 2026. Submitting early means you can get feedback if there are technical issues with your account or uploaded documents, and it signals to reviewers that you are organized and serious.
• Register for an EIT information session. These webinars give you direct access to the programme team and allow you to ask specific questions about what reviewers are looking for. They are free and you can register through the EIT student portal.
• Prepare your Oxford UCAS application at the same time as your Ellison Scholars application. Do not treat them as sequential tasks. The UCAS October deadline is very close to when semi-finalist notifications go out, and leaving your Oxford application to the last moment because you are waiting to hear from EIT puts you at unnecessary risk.
• Be genuine. EIT is building a community of scholars who share curiosity, ambition, and a commitment to working on real problems. The programme team will notice if your application reads like a strategy document designed to check boxes rather than a genuine expression of who you are and what you care about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ellison Scholars Programme open to students from all countries?

Yes. EIT explicitly states that the programme looks for candidates from around the world. There is no citizenship or residency restriction on applications. Students from any country who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply.

Can I apply for any undergraduate course at Oxford?

Yes. Ellison Scholars can pursue any undergraduate degree offered at the University of Oxford. However, you must meet the specific grade and qualification requirements for the course you choose. EIT is particularly interested in students with skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields, but strong candidates from other disciplines who demonstrate alignment with one of the four humane endeavours are also encouraged to apply.

Do I need to apply to Oxford separately?

Yes. The Ellison Scholars application and the University of Oxford undergraduate application (through UCAS) are two entirely separate processes. If you are selected as a semi-finalist by EIT, you will then need to submit a UCAS application to Oxford. Both applications are required, and gaining an Ellison Scholar semi-finalist status does not guarantee you an Oxford admission offer. Equally, gaining an Oxford offer does not automatically make you an Ellison Scholar. You need to succeed in both processes.

Is there a separate application fee for the Ellison Scholars programme?

No application fee is required for the Ellison Scholars programme itself. The standard UCAS application fee applies to your University of Oxford application, as it does for all UCAS applicants.

What happens if I receive an offer from another university before hearing back from EIT?

If you are a semi-finalist who receives an offer from another institution before receiving your EIT final decision, you should contact the EIT Education and Scholarships team directly at scholars@eit.org to discuss your situation and timeline.

What is the Oxford English language requirement?

Oxford accepts IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0, with no component below 6.5, for most courses. TOEFL and other English language qualifications may also be accepted. Applicants from countries where English is the language of instruction in secondary education may be exempt. Check the specific requirements for your chosen course on the Oxford admissions website.

How do I contact the Ellison Scholars team?

You can contact the Ellison Scholars programme team directly at scholars@eit.org or by phone at +44 1865 649520. For general EIT enquiries, the address is oxford@eit.org.

Final Thoughts

The Ellison Undergraduate Scholars Programme is one of the most ambitious undergraduate scholarship programmes in the world right now. It is not simply generous; it is genuinely different in what it asks of scholars and what it gives them in return. The combination of a fully funded Oxford degree, paid summer research internships at a cutting-edge technology institute, access to world-leading scientists and facilities, and membership of a global community of exceptional peers is a package that is difficult to match anywhere.

If you are a student who has already taken your curiosity about science, technology, or global challenges and turned it into something concrete, this programme was designed for you. The application window is open until 31 July 2026 for October 2027 entry. That gives you time to prepare a thoughtful, evidence-based application, get your Oxford materials in order, and put your best case forward.

To begin your application and check your eligibility using the official programme eligibility checker, visit the Ellison Scholars Undergraduate Programme page on the official EIT website. Once you confirm you meet the eligibility criteria, you can start your application directly through the Ellison Scholars online application portal.

For more information about the programme, the four humane endeavours, life as an Ellison Scholar, and the broader EIT education initiative, explore the EIT Education and Scholarships overview page. Good luck.