A.B. Duke Scholars Program

A.B. Duke Scholars are self-motivated students with outstanding academic and world-changing potential, driven by a sense of discovery and a commitment to engage and meet the challenges faced by society at large. The summer before their sophomore year, A.B. Duke Scholars are offered the opportunity to study at Oxford University at no cost — a distinctive signature of this program. Today, the program continues to attract intellectually talented, creative, and curious students to Duke, and its alumni ledger includes Marshall and Rhodes Scholars as well as Pulitzer Prize winners.

Full tuition, room, and board covered for four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate study at Duke

One year may optionally be spent abroad on a university-approved program

A funded six-week summer study program at the University of Oxford, England, offered at no cost the summer before sophomore year

Additional enrichment funding available for research and other educational programs (note: per third-party guidance, this merit scholarship funding specifically cannot be used to cover Oxford summer costs — that portion is separately funded)

Estimated total value in the range of $350,000+ over four years at current Duke tuition rates

Access to a Faculty Director and the broader OUSF community of merit scholars

Must be an incoming first-year student applying to Duke as an undergraduate (awarded at time of admission; no first-time awards are made to upperclassmen)

Must have high academic qualifications as determined by the A.B. Duke Selection Committee

No stated geographic restriction (unlike the B.N. Duke, which is limited to North/South Carolina students) — open to applicants nationally and internationally

Selection emphasizes intellectual accomplishment and exceptional potential for academic leadership, generally reflected in a rigorous academic record and standout, distinctive essays