Posted on by Sarah Menz

Ivan Shearer Scholarship for study in Oxford or Cambridge – call for applications for 2025-26

A generous bequest by the late Professor Ivan Shearer AM RFD has enabled the creation of the Ivan Shearer Scholarship to support St Mark’s Collegians to study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

An international law academic and practitioner who developed a high global reputation, Ivan Shearer (1938-2019) was Dean of St Mark’s College from 1968 to 1971, and an Honorary Fellow of the College from 2005.

The first Ivan Shearer Scholarship was awarded in 2022 to Rebecca Keeley (St Mark’s 2012-14) for study in the 2022-23 academic year in Oxford. Ivan Shearer Scholarships have subsequently been awarded to Mark Hautop (St Mark’s 2010-13) and to Katherine Radoslovich (St Mark’s 2008-10) for study in the 2024-25 academic year in Oxford and in Cambridge respectively.

The College now invites applications for the Ivan Shearer Scholarship from members of the College who meet the eligibility criteria and who will be, or expect to be, studying at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the 2025-26 academic year (including from members of the College currently studying at Oxford or Cambridge).

Eligibility

Under the terms of Professor Shearer’s will, the Ivan Shearer Scholarship is open to current and Old Collegians of St Mark’s College, Adelaide, who have resided at St Mark’s for at least one academic year.

Purpose and value

The Scholarship will be paid towards the travel, accommodation, tuition, and/or general living expenses of the Scholar/s to support them to study at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. Any part of the Scholarship used for payment of fees will be paid directly by St Mark’s College to the relevant college in the University of Oxford or Cambridge, or to the relevant university, and any part to be used for travel, accommodation, and general living expenses will be paid to the Scholar/s by St Mark’s College.

The award for the 2025-26 academic year will comprise a single Scholarship with a value up to approximately $35,000 (AUD), or a number of Scholarships totalling not more than that (the value available will be confirmed here early in 2025). In the case of more than one award, the selection committee will allocate funds to Scholars according to assessed merit and need. As tuition and living costs in Oxford or Cambridge will exceed $35,000 per annum, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for other scholarships and sources of financial support.

At the absolute discretion of the College, a Scholarship may be renewed for up to two further academic years subject to satisfactory performance by the Scholar and the Scholar demonstrating need for the renewal of the Scholarship. In exceptional circumstances, the College may give consideration to a further award to enable a doctoral student to complete their doctorate at Oxford or Cambridge; no Scholar should assume that such further funding will be possible.

Criteria for award

The award will be based on:

  • excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service; and
  • demonstrated need for financial support to study at Oxford or Cambridge.

Candidates must have applied to, or been admitted to study at, or be studying at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge at the time of application. (If a candidate is already studying at Oxford or Cambridge, the Scholarship could support them either to move to a new course, or to complete a course for which they are currently enrolled; in either case, financial need would need to be demonstrated.)

The academic standards for admission to Oxford and Cambridge are very high, and the selection committee will offer the Scholarship only to a candidate or candidates who, in its judgement, is/are likely to be admitted to Oxford or Cambridge, and to achieve at a satisfactory standard there.

The Scholarship will only be confirmed upon successful admission to the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, and will not be paid if the Scholar does not take up their place at Oxford or Cambridge. The College may apply other terms if judged appropriate.

Preference will be given to candidates undertaking or intending to undertake a graduate degree.

The Scholarship will not be offered if there is not a sufficiently qualified candidate who is also in need of financial support.

The names of Ivan Shearer Scholars are recorded on an honour board in the Junior Common Room at St Mark’s.

Application process

Applications should comprise a letter of application, addressed to the Head of St Mark’s College, and enclosing:

1. a full curriculum vitae (of up to three pages);

2. a complete transcript or transcripts of all your university study to date;

3. an academic statement (of up to 1000 words) outlining:

    • details of the course of study proposed to be (or being) undertaken at Oxford or Cambridge, and the status of your application for admission to that University and any of its colleges (including, if relevant, second preference for a course);
    • your reasons for undertaking this course; and
    • your likely or intended further study (if any) and career after undertaking this course;

4. a personal statement (of up to 1000 words) outlining your interests, priorities, and motivation, which reflects how you fulfil the criteria of excellence in intellect, character, leadership, and service;

5. a financial support statement (of up to two pages) setting out your need for financial support to study at Oxford or Cambridge. This statement should include:

    • details of other scholarships or sources of financial support applied for or likely to be applied for, and the status of those applications;
    • all anticipated costs associated with undertaking the proposed program of study, including:
        • Course fees / Composition Fee
        • Living costs / maintenance
        • Travel costs to and from the UK
        • Travel insurance
        • Visa and immigration health surcharge
        • Any additional costs you anticipate you will incur;
    • how you anticipate meeting those elements of the costs which would not be covered by the Ivan Shearer Scholarship or other scholarships (for example, by drawing on personal savings or taking out a personal loan).

6. Three written references should be sent directly by the referee to rachel.buxton@stmarkscollege.com.au by the deadline of 5pm, Monday 12 May 2025. At least two of the references should be the references that have already been submitted in support of your application for graduate study at the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. They do not need to be altered in any way for us to consider them as part of your application for the Ivan Shearer Scholarship. Your third reference may also be a reference written in support of your university application or application for another scholarship if you wish.

All application material should be emailed to Dr Rachel Buxton at rachel.buxton@stmarkscollege.com.au by the deadline of 5pm, Monday 12 May 2025.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your referees submit the references by the application deadline, and to remind them as the deadline approaches.

Selection process

Selection will be by a committee appointed by the College, comprising individuals of high academic and/or professional standing.

The committee will interview only short-listed candidates. Interviews may be held either in person or remotely.

It is likely that interviews will be held in the week commencing Monday 2 June 2025.

The award of the Scholarship is at the absolute discretion of the College.

For further information…

Please consult the Head of College, Professor Don Markwell AM.