Self fund at Oxford, or accept full-funding at lower-ranked uni?

I've been accepted into a DPhil course at Oxford, but as it's now the later half of April and I've not heard about funding I'm assuming I won't be offered any. I have recently been offered full funding with maintenance at a lower-ranking university, which has excellent research facilities for my field of study but it's quite isolated...literally at least 4 hours away from the nearest cities by public transport. Although I live in the UK I'm an international student so fees are high and access to funding is very limited. I've always dreamed of going to Oxford, and having an 'Oxon' attached to a credential seems professionally advantageous, but it seems foolish to turn down full funding and pay over 100K for a doctorate. I'm dreading the thought of turning down an offer to Oxford and living in the middle of nowhere for three years, but funding is funding. I wondered what other's would do in a similar situation? When it's all said and done how much does the institution matter when it comes to future career prospects?

I've been accepted into a DPhil course at Oxford, but as it's now the later half of April and I've not heard about funding I'm assuming I won't be offered any. I have recently been offered full funding with maintenance at a lower-ranking university, which has excellent research facilities for my field of study but it's quite isolated...literally at least 4 hours away from the nearest cities by public transport. Although I live in the UK I'm an international student so fees are high and access to funding is very limited. I've always dreamed of going to Oxford, and having an 'Oxon' attached to a credential seems professionally advantageous, but it seems foolish to turn down full funding and pay over 100K for a doctorate. I'm dreading the thought of turning down an offer to Oxford and living in the middle of nowhere for three years, but funding is funding. I wondered what other's would do in a similar situation? When it's all said and done how much does the institution matter when it comes to future career prospects?

From your description, I assume Aberystwyth. Aber plays in the big league in politics and international relations. You will come to no harm with an Aber doctorate in any of those.

Do you have wealthy family willing to pay?

Nope, but I might be able to get a loan for the full amount. It's a massive amount of debt, but it is Oxford.

I would absolutely follow the money! It is true that Oxford carries a level of prestige that few universities are able to match, but when it comes to academic work, if your institution is of a good caliber (which Aberystwyth certainly is) you'll be able to produce good work and will be well-regarded. Do not underestimate the personal prestige and connections of your supervisors, either! Not all the experts on everything are at Oxford.

I don't think over £100000 in debt is worth Oxford's reputation. Aberystwyth wants you enough that they're willing to pay for it. Oxford is happy to let you come – if you can pay for it. As somebody else said, if you're not independently wealthy, it's a polite rejection.

I get that Oxford is known worldwide and Aberystwyth isn't, but particularly if you want an academic career Oxford's name alone is not worth it. Postgraduate research fellowships and later faculty postings are often more concerned with your research, and with the funding you can attract. For example, take this listing from Exeter for a lecturing position. They want 'a strong record in attracting research funding, or demonstrable potential to attract such funding'. You'll have that at Aberystwyth, not at Oxford. If Aberystwyth is doing good work in your field, historians at other universities will know and will recognise your qualification and achievement.

I am an international student too so I understand the difficulty of finding funding. You got the funding: take it!

P.S. On the other hand, while you're out of the big competitions like Ertegun and Clarendon, it might be worth waiting to see if you have any chances at college funding, for example. Some of those are not announced until the summer! Don't self-fund, but think carefully about turning down the offer.