How an Aerospace Engineer from Spain Secured a Fully Funded Clarendon Scholarship for a DPhil in Engineering and Material Science at the University of Oxford

Hello! I am Antonio, a first year DPhil student at the University of Oxford, in the Department of Engineering Science.

I am from Segovia, a small beautiful city in the centre of Spain, with multitude of monuments and building dating from the Roman era.

I completed both my BSc and MSc in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering in the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), and currently I am pursuing a PhD at the University of Oxford. Here I am working in between the fields of Engineering and Material Science working to understand the dangerous phenomenon of hydrogen embrittlement in the metallic materials used in jet engines.

Clarendon Scholarship Details

I received the Clarendon Scholarship, which is one of the most prestigious scholarships given by the University of Oxford. This scholarship covers all the tuition fees for the four years of this PhD, which go up to 35,000£ per year, and I get about 20,000£ extra each year to cover my living expenses. Therefore, the full amount of this scholarship is about 220,000£.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I was also offered the "La Caixa Foundation" Scholarship, which is the most important scholarship in Spain for graduate students abroad, and it is awarded by the King of Spain.

This scholarship also covers all the tuition fees and my living expenses. I have been able to combine both scholarships in such a way that La Caixa Foundation will cover the first two years of the DPhil while Clarendon will cover the third and fourth years.

Educational Background

I completed both my BSc and MSc in Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering in the Technical University of Madrid, graduating with valedictorian honours and with several recognitions for my academic performance. I was able to get outstanding academic results, with a 9.68/10 in the BSc and a 9.58/10 in the MSc. This has allowed me to have a solid background in the fields of Solid Mechanics, Material Science, Fluid Dynamics and Propulsion.

In the University I was part of the research group GAMOSINOS for three years, analysing the nonlinear behaviour of solid materials.

After years working on the mechanical behaviour of structures, I wanted to get a deeper knowledge of the microscopic behaviour of these materials and how the get their properties from an atomic perspective. This is why I decided to go for the PhD at the University of Oxford. Here I am working in between the fields of Engineering and Material Science working to understand the dangerous phenomenon of hydrogen embrittlement in the metallic materials used in jet engines.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Oxford?

Before applying to the University, I tried to obtain as much information as possible about the Department and the research group in which I was going to be. It is essential to have an idea about the current projects as well as the ones that they want to start in me future and which ones will be available for new PhD students. Moreover, it is also interesting to find some information about your supervisor and the working environment before making sure that you take your final decision.

In the Department of Engineering Science, all candidates have different interviews with the supervisor and other professors where they evaluate your knowledge and you present some of your previous projects to show that you are a worth candidate. You also have to prepare a proposal of the topic that you want to focus during your research and how you plan to achieve your goals.

Once you have secured a place in the university, you have to be able to demonstrate your English level if you are a non-native speaker. For that reason, I took the Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE). I prepared thoroughly for about three weeks, being able to obtain the requirement of the University.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Clarendon Scholarship?

In the University of Oxford there is not a specific application process for the scholarships awarded by the University, so you do not have to find much information by yourself. Once you apply for your position (PhD in my case), you are directly considered for the different scholarships available, and you will be granted with one or the other depending on your previous academic performance and on the different projects that you may have worked before or the papers that you have already published.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Oxford?

The experience that I have had so far as a PhD student in this university has been amazing, being able to work with some of the best experts in the field of materials and hydrogen embrittlement, having access to modern facilities for conducting experiments, and the chance to go to many different seminars throughout the year in which speakers from all over the world give us some insights into the most novel and groundbreaking ideas in engineering.

How Does the University of Oxford Support International Students?

Given the international background of this university, with students from all over the world, it is really easy to find support independently of where you are from. There are many societies for people from any country, and the university itself is also very supportive in case you need some help.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

There is not a specific individual aspect that can make an application to stand out. It is more the combination of all the individual achievements and decisions that you have made during your life what really makes you to have an advantage with respect to the rest of candidates. Based on my experience, the four main things that have made my application to stand out are mainly my academic grades and the broad knowledge about different fields that I have acquired during my BSc and MSc, which show the learning capabilities and dedication. Also, good communicative skill, that are key for convincing that the ideas that you present are worth to be considered. Besides that, having already published a couple of papers in relevant journals can make a difference because this shows that you have experience conducting research. And the most important is the passion that I have about the topic and my willing to learn new things about my field, which is essential for being successful during any PhD.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

It is difficult to change something because every single decision (good or bad) is what dictates where you are now. However, from my experience, I could have emphasized even more how I thought that all my previous knowledge was going to help with each part of the project that I was about to start in the PhD and for which I had already prepared a timeline for the coming years. By doing that, you show your supervisor that you are not only prepared, but that you also know perfectly what you are about to start and how you will face it from the beginning, not wasting time and being focused on your work.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

If you are thinking of applying for one of the most important universities in the world like the University of Oxford, this means that you already have excellent academic grades, and you are an outstanding student. Therefore, if you want to stand out, you have to show to your prospect supervisor that you have something different and special. This has to be your passion about your field and about the project that you are going to begin. This will allow you to push beyond your limits and give the best version of yourself. So do not be shy and show that with your skills and abilities you are the perfect candidate.