The Berrow Foundation Scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Up to five Berrow Foundation Scholarships are awarded annually to Swiss nationals, domiciled in Switzerland, who are graduates from the universities of Berne, Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne, Neuchâtel or the EPFL, and who wish to undertake post-graduate study in any field (e.g. DPhil, MSc, MLitt, MSt, MPhil, MJur, BPhil) as members of Lincoln College, Oxford. Candidates should either currently be members of one of these institutions, or not be more than five years beyond graduation from the first degree from one of them. The Scholarships can only be held at Lincoln College. Candidates should not currently be studying for an award at Oxford.

Scholarships are offered in particular on the following conditions:

(i) That the Scholar follows a course of graduate study at Lincoln College in the University of Oxford and is expected to contribute actively to College life in the University.

(ii) That the Scholar is normally expected to spend the whole period of the award in Britain.

(iii) Candidates for Scholarships must have a high standard of written and spoken English before submitting their application.

(iv) A Scholar may not take paid employment during the Scholarship period without the consent of The Berrow Foundation.

(v) The right is reserved to terminate a Scholarship at any time for reasons of unsatisfactory conduct, for breaches of the conditions of the Scholarship, or for failure to make satisfactory progress.

(vi) The Scholar is required, in Trinity Term of each academic year in residence, to submit an annual report to the Foundation Board on his/her academic progress and extra-curricular activities.

(vii) Scholars are expected to acknowledge the support of The Berrow Foundation in their publications and public profiles.

Candidates will be assessed not only on their academic achievements, but also on their qualities of truth, courage, devotion to duty, unselfishness and fellowship.

Value and duration

The Berrow Foundation Scholarships cover the Oxford University combined course fee that includes all the University and College fees. It also gives a generous living allowance equivalent to that offered to Rhodes Scholars (2025/26: £20,400 per annum). No contribution can be made to the cost of bench fees, apparatus, etc.

The Berrow Foundation Scholarships are tenable for up to three academic years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Application process

Applications must be submitted via our online Application Form.

Candidates should apply for a Berrow Foundation Scholarship (Scholarship Application) BEFORE applying for their proposed course at the University of Oxford. Shortlisted candidates are then interviewed in English in Geneva, after which the successful candidates selected to receive a Berrow Foundation Scholarship are required to apply for their chosen course via the University of Oxford’s graduate application form (University Application).

Please check the relevant course website for the appropriate deadline. Admissions information and online application forms for graduate student entry are available on the Oxford University website.

When applying for their chosen course (University Application), candidates must state Lincoln College as their preferred College choice. Should any candidate wish to apply for a course that is not currently associated with Lincoln College, please contact the College for advice (admissions@lincoln.ox.ac.uk). General queries should be directed to The Berrow Foundation: info@berrowfoundation.ch

Candidates must include with their Scholarship Application Form two pieces of written work. To the extent possible these should be the same or form part of the pieces of written work to be submitted as part of the University Application.

Candidates must arrange for two referees to send references directly to The Berrow Foundation by the closing date. The address to which referees should send their letters of reference is info@berrowfoundation.ch.

The closing date, EXCEPTIONALLY FOR 2025, for receipt of applications for the Scholarships is 15 October 2025 for entry in October 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will then be contacted by email in October 2025 for interview in Geneva in late November.

(Please note: the annual dates from 2026 will be for applications to be received by 15 September and the shortlisted candidates interviewed in the following November.)

The Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarships

Eligibility criteria

Up to two Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarships are awarded annually to Swiss nationals, domiciled in Switzerland, who are graduates from ANY Swiss university, including the EPFL and the ETHZ, and who wish to undertake post-graduate study in the medical, chemical or biochemical sciences (e.g. DPhil or MSc) as members of Lincoln College, Oxford. Candidates should either currently be members of one of these institutions, or not be more than five years beyond graduation from the first degree, except for candidates in medicine, for whom the five years limit dates from obtaining the Federal Diploma in medicine. The Scholarships can only be held at Lincoln College. Candidates should not currently be studying for an award at Oxford.

Prospective candidates should note that research which involves the use of human embryos or their creation, including by cloning, or the use of embryonic stem cells will NOT be funded by The Berrow Foundation.

The Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarships are offered on the same conditions as The Berrow Foundation Scholarships (please see above).

Value and duration

The Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarships cover the Oxford University combined course fee that includes all the University and College fees. It also gives a generous living allowance equivalent to that offered to Rhodes Scholars (2025/26: £20,400 per annum). No contribution can be made to the cost of bench fees, apparatus, etc. However, additional funds of £1,500 each are available for travel to conferences for presentation of a paper or poster. This amount is reassessed every five years.

These Scholarships are tenable for up to three academic years, subject to satisfactory progress. If a fourth year is required in order to complete the DPhil degree these Scholars may apply to The Berrow Foundation for additional funding to cover their extra fees, and for a contribution to living expenses.

Application process

Applications must be submitted via our online Application Form.

The application process for The Berrow Foundation Lord Florey Scholarships is the same as for The Berrow Foundation Scholarships (please see above).