The Vatican’s Dying Light
The chamber was no longer a place of God.
The moment Gabriel’s body convulsed, the very air seemed to warp, suffocating under an unseen force. The torches on the walls trembled, their flames stuttering like dying breaths.
A black wind slithered through the Vatican halls, whispering through the marble corridors, seeping under locked doors. It carried the stench of rot and sulfur, of something ancient being born.
Outside, the first bells of dawn began to ring.
But the morning would not come.
Not yet.
Gabriel hung limply in the center of the chamber, his wrists raw and bloody from the iron chains biting into his skin.
His breathing had slowed.
But the thing beneath his skin had not.
The priests around him clutched their rosaries, murmuring broken prayers
"Adveniat regnum tuum, fiat voluntas tua—"
"Fiat lux!"
their voices trembling as they took cautious steps backward.
And then
His body lurched.
A sickening crack filled the chamber as his spine arched backward, too far, tendons snapping like rotted rope. His head lolled to the side, his lips twitching into something resembling a smile.
The priests recoiled.
Because his mouth was still closed.
Yet the voice that came next
Did not belong to Gabriel.
"You call this faith?"
The High Inquisitor did not move.
He had seen possessions.
He had seen men lose themselves to the abyss, their bodies twisting under the weight of something profane.
But this
This was different.
Gabriel had not been taken.
He had been claimed.
His flesh had become a womb for something far worse than mere possession.
And it was about to be born.
"Hold him!" the High Inquisitor commanded.
The priests snapped from their paralysis, rushing forward. Chains were pulled taut, relics pressed against Gabriel’s heaving chest
But the moment they touched his skin
The sigils burned
Gabriel screamed.
A noise that was no longer human.
The chains binding him shuddered, rattling violently against the marble floor.
A priest lunged forward pressing a consecrated dagger to Gabriel’s shoulder
But the moment blade met flesh, the priest froze.
His eyes rolled back.
His skin darkened, veins blackening beneath the surface.
He let out a slow, choked gasp
And then his body caved in on itself.
Bone snapping inward. Flesh collapsing, twisting, devoured by something unseen.
A whisper escaped his lips as he fell, his voice still caught in a silent prayer.
And then
There was nothing left.
Only his robes, pooling on the floor.
The priests reeled back in terror.
"God preserve us," someone choked.
But there was no God here.
Not anymore.
The Breaking of Gabriel Cross
Something moved beneath his skin.
Gabriel’s torso convulsed, his ribs pressing outward as if his body were trying to purge something.
The room shook.
A crucifix ripped itself from the wall, crashing onto the marble floor, its silver form melting into black sludge.
Then
A sound.
A wet, peeling rip.
A priest gagged.
Gabriel’s stomach bulged forward, something pressing outward.
The skin split.
And then
Fingers.
Blackened, clawed fingers piercing through the wound, gripping the torn flesh as if trying to pry the body open from within.
Gabriel’s lips twisted into a grotesque grin, even as blood bubbled between his teeth.
"You thought you won."
The Vatican erupted into chaos.
The priests broke into frantic exorcisms, their voices rising in panicked Latin.
The air grew thick, too thick, like the walls were closing in, like reality itself was folding inward.
Gabriel lurched forward, his arms still bound, his body spasming.
The wound on his stomach tore wider.
A priest let out a strangled cry.
Because something was crawling out of him.
A shape not fully formed, shifting, flickering between flesh and shadow.
Malphas.
Being reborn.
And Gabriel’s body was the vessel.
"No! Not yet he’s still in there!"
The High Inquisitor grabbed a relic from the altar a dagger etched with the rites of Saint Peter.
The moment he raised it
Gabriel’s eyes snapped to him.
For one fraction of a second
Gabriel Cross was there.
His gaze pleaded, something human breaking through the abyss.
"Help me."
The High Inquisitor hesitated.
And Malphas seized his moment.
Gabriel’s head snapped backward, mouth opening too wide his teeth lengthening into jagged points.
The torches exploded, the chamber plunged into writhing shadow.
The priests screamed.
And then
Everything collapsed
And in the darkness, something was finally born
How to Apply for the 2025 Oxford Human Rights Law Scholarships
The University of Oxford offers several scholarships and fellowship opportunities in human rights law via its Faculty of Law, especially through the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights. For 2025-26 entry, there are fully funded scholarships for the MSc in International Human Rights Law, summer school grants, student fellowships, and funding for under-represented groups. This guide explains what’s on offer, who is eligible, how to apply, deadlines, and tips to make your application strong.
1. What Scholarships and Funding Options Are Available at Oxford
Here are key human rights law scholarship/funding schemes currently associated with Oxford (2025-26 cycles):
- Hering Foundation Scholarships — Full-funded scholarships for the MSc in International Human Rights Law, for applicants from low- or lower-middle-income countries. Covers course fees + study support grant + summer residences. ([Oxford Law Faculty Funding page](https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/hering-foundation-scholarships)) 0
- Oxford International Human Rights Law Summer School Scholarships — The Bonavero Institute & George Washington University joint programme offering scholarships (£6,500 each) to cover tuition for selected candidates. Three scholarships are available for 2025. 1
- Student Fellowships Programme — Bonavero Institute Student Fellowships for Oxford graduates/final year undergraduates or recent graduates, to gain placement/internship experience in human rights law / public law work. 2
- Graduate Research Residency Programme — Graduate students in human rights law / rule of law / public law can spend time in residence at the Bonavero Institute for up to one year. 2026 residency applications open in October 2025. 3
- Brunsfield ASEAN Human Rights Scholarships — For nationals & residents of certain ASEAN countries applying to the part-time MSc International Human Rights Law. Covers course fees + study support grant. 4
- Commonwealth & External Scholarships — Oxford collaborates with Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and other donors; many graduate courses (including human rights) have external scholarships. Often automatic consideration when you apply by the graduate deadline. 5
2. Eligibility Criteria (Who Can Apply)
While each scholarship has its own sub-conditions, common eligibility requirements include:
- Admission to the MSc in International Human Rights Law (or similar graduate course) at Oxford. 6
- Applicants usually from low-income or lower-middle-income countries for certain scholarship schemes (Hering Foundation, Brunsfield ASEAN). 7
- Academic merit: Strong prior degrees, relevant legal / human rights / public law coursework, or professional experience. 8
- English language proficiency where required. Some programmes require strong English test scores if not previously educated in English. While specific English tests for summer school are listed. 9
- Ability to meet deadlines and to supply supporting materials (transcripts, references, personal statement) in time. 10
- For fellowships / internships: role may require some prior exposure to human rights practice or research. Oxford’s Bonavero Student Fellowships require demonstration of knowledge of human rights, public law etc. 11
3. What the Scholarships and Funding Cover
Depending on the scholarship, benefits typically include:
- Full course tuition fees for MSc programmes (e.g. Hering Foundation Scholarships) plus study support grant and summer residence costs. 12
- For the Summer School: scholarships that cover tuition (£6,500) for selected participants; but note accommodation, meals, travel often not covered fully. 13
- Student Fellowships cover travel, accommodation, living and other reasonable expenses for placements or internships. They are not always full stipends, but can cover substantial parts. 14
- Residency programmes offer space at the Institute, access to resources, scholarly community, and sometimes stipends / research support based on the scheme. 15
- Special additional funding: some scholarships include college allowances, or support grants for study/research support. 16
4. Application Process: Step by Step
- Choose the course and check deadlines — For example, the MSc in International Human Rights Law has a *January deadline* for graduate applications to ensure scholarship consideration. 17
- Prepare required documents — Academic transcripts, references, personal statement; proof of work or volunteer experience in human rights/public law; English proficiency if needed. 18
- Submit graduate application to Oxford — Apply through Oxford’s graduate portal. If you do so by the deadline, you are automatically considered for many scholarships. 19
- Use Oxford’s Fees, Funding & Scholarship Search Tool — To identify which scholarships you meet, especially those requiring additional application. 20
- Apply for specific scholarship schemes if required — Some schemes like Brunsfield ASEAN require no separate application beyond the graduate course; others may ask for extra materials. Confirm from each scheme page. 21
- Track deadlines and follow instructions precisely — Deadlines differ by scheme; e.g. Commonwealth Scholarships deadlines in late November/December. 22
- Submit fellowship/internship applications (if applying for Student Fellowships / Residency) — For Bonavero Fellowships, send required application to bonavero-programmes@law.ox.ac.uk (or as specified) including statement of interest etc. 23
- After submission: follow up / waiting period — Decisions for many scholarships are made between late February and June. Be attentive to any interview requests. 24
5. Important 2025-26 Deadlines
- Graduate application deadline for MSc International Human Rights Law (Oxford) by **January** for scholarship consideration. 25
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission external applications: ~ 11 November to 12 December 2024 for 2025 entry. 26
- Oxford International Human Rights Law Summer School application & scholarship deadlines: approx **1 April 2025** (rolling until places filled) for scholarship applications. 27
- Bonavero Student Fellowships Programme: closing date 13 February 2025 at noon UK time. 28
- Graduate Research Residency Programme: applications open in **October 2025** for 2026 residency. 29
6. Myths vs Facts
- Myth: You must apply separately for every Oxford scholarship.
Fact: Many scholarships for Oxford graduate courses are automatic with your course application; only some require separate forms. 30 - Myth: Only UK or EU students get funding.
Fact: Many schemes specifically target international applicants, especially from low- / lower-middle income countries. Hering Foundation is one example. 31 - Myth: Summer School scholarships cover everything (travel, meals, lodging).
Fact: In many cases, scholarships cover tuition but not all incidental costs. Accommodation / travel may be extra. 32 - Myth: Late applications may be accepted everywhere.
Fact: Late applications are rarely accepted; fellowship schemes often close on strict deadlines. 33
7. Tips to Strengthen Your Application
- Highlight impact: In personal statements, include specific examples of human rights / constitutional law practice or research. Show measurable outcomes where possible.
- Emphasize resilience / challenge: For candidates from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds, showing how you overcame obstacles can make your application stand out.
- Get strong reference letters: Choose referees who can speak to both your academic ability and your human rights commitment.
- Prepare early: Make sure your transcripts, references, and statements are ready well before deadlines; verify English proficiency if needed.
- Research the scheme: Know the specific priorities of a scholarship (eg. Brunsfield, Hering, Commonwealth) so you tailor your statement accordingly.
8. FAQs
Do I need to pay an application fee, and can it be waived?
Yes, MSc course applications typically have a fee (£75). Oxford offers fee waivers for applicants from low-income countries, refugees/displaced persons etc. for certain courses. 34
Is the Summer School programme equivalent to the full MSc?
No. The Summer School is a short residential programme (~26 days) to deepen knowledge in human rights law, but not a full master’s degree. It is separate from the MSc. 35
When will I know if I’ve been awarded a scholarship?
For graduate scholarships, decisions are generally made between February and June; for summer school scholarships, decisions often follow after scholarship-application deadlines (e.g. April for Summer School). 36
Can I apply for more than one Oxford scholarship?
Yes. You can apply for multiple schemes if eligible, but ensure each application meets its requirements. You will only need one course offer to be considered for many scholarships. 37
9. Action Plan: What to Do Now
- Visit the Hering Foundation Scholarships page at Oxford and Bonavero Student Fellowships page to read full calls and criteria. 38
- Create a checklist of documents: transcripts, references, personal statement, proof of experiences.
- Ensure you apply for the graduate course (MSc International Human Rights Law) by January to be automatically considered. 39
- Consider external scholarship options too (Commonwealth, etc.).
- Draft your application essays early and get feedback from people familiar with human rights law.
- Check your eligibility for fee waivers and submit applications early to avoid last-minute pressure.