Applications are currently open for the University of Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme for the 2027/2028 academic year. The programme provides outstanding graduates and early-career professionals, mainly from developing and emerging economies, with an opportunity to undertake eligible graduate studies at Oxford fully funded.
The scholarship is designed particularly for individuals who would otherwise be unable to finance their studies at the University of Oxford. In addition to full academic funding, recipients participate in a comprehensive Leadership Programme incorporating leadership development, professional training, mentoring and networking.
SUMMARY
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): University of Oxford/Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust
- Host Institution(s): University of Oxford, UK
- Scholarship Worth: 100% Course Fees + At Least £21,805 Living Grant
- Number of Awards: Around 30 Scholars Supported Annually
- Study Level: Eligible Master’s Programmes
- Nationality: Applicants from Eligible Countries
Also Check: AfOX Graduate Scholarships for Studies at Oxford
Scholarship Overview
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme combines fully funded graduate study at Oxford with an intensive leadership development programme.
The scholarship primarily targets talented graduates and early-career professionals from low- and middle-income countries who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and a commitment to contributing to public life in their countries or regions.
An important component of the award is the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Leadership Programme, through which scholars participate in professional training, philosophical discussions, communication training, business skills development, mentoring and other activities designed to prepare them for leadership roles.
The programme supports a specified selection of eligible Master’s courses at Oxford rather than every postgraduate programme at the University.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the University of Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships 2027/2028, applicants must:
- Be applying to start a new full-time graduate course at the University of Oxford.
- Apply for one of the Master’s courses eligible for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships.
- Be ordinarily resident in one of the countries eligible for the scholarship.
- Intend to return to their country or region of ordinary residence after completing their studies.
- Demonstrate a clear connection between their chosen field of study and their longer-term career objectives.
- Explain how their professional work can contribute to the improvement of public life in their country of origin or at a wider regional or international level.
- Meet the academic and admission requirements of their chosen Oxford course.
Candidates holding a deferred offer to start in 2027/28 are not eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Students already studying at Oxford are also generally ineligible unless they are already Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholars.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholars receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:
- 100% of University of Oxford course fees.
- A grant for living costs of at least £21,805.
- Funding for the full duration of the recipient’s fee liability for the agreed course.
- Full participation in the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Leadership Programme.
- Professional and leadership development activities.
- Long-term mentoring.
- Networking opportunities within the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann community.
The Leadership Programme complements the recipient’s academic studies with approximately 200 hours of professional training, discussions and cultural activities throughout the academic year.
Also Check:
Eligible Courses
The scholarship is available for a defined selection of full-time Master’s courses offered by the University of Oxford.
Because not every Oxford graduate programme is eligible, applicants should check the current Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholarship page and confirm that their intended course appears on the University’s list of eligible programmes before applying.
Applicants can also explore the University’s graduate courses and then verify their chosen programme against the scholarship’s current eligible-course list.
Selection Criteria
Candidates are assessed using information provided in their Oxford graduate application, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement and, for shortlisted applicants, an interview.
Selection particularly considers:
- Academic excellence and potential.
- Leadership qualities and potential.
- The applicant’s career objectives.
- The relationship between the proposed course and those career objectives.
- The applicant’s commitment to contributing to public life in their country, region or internationally.
- The strength of the applicant’s responses in the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement.
Shortlisted candidates for the 2027/28 scholarships are expected to participate in an online interview in April 2027.
How to Apply
The scholarship application is completed alongside the applicant’s University of Oxford graduate application.
Interested applicants should:
- Select an eligible full-time Master’s course at Oxford and check the specific admission requirements and application deadline for that programme.
- Complete the University’s graduate application for the chosen course.
- In the University of Oxford Scholarships section of the graduate application, select the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme.
- Complete the required Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement, providing the information requested about your career objectives, leadership potential and intended contribution to public life.
- Upload the completed scholarship statement together with your graduate application and all documents required for admission.
- Submit the complete application by the December or January deadline applicable to your chosen course.
- If shortlisted for the scholarship, participate in the selection interview, which is expected to take place online in April 2027.
Applicants must be successful in securing an offer for an eligible Oxford course after consideration under the relevant December or January application deadline to remain eligible for scholarship consideration.
Applications held over for reconsideration against the March deadline or placed on a course waiting list are not eligible for the scholarship.
Application Documents
Applicants must submit the documents required for admission to their chosen Oxford Master’s programme together with the scholarship-specific document.
These include:
- University of Oxford graduate application.
- Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement 2027/28.
- Academic transcripts.
- References required for the chosen graduate course.
- CV/résumé where required by the course.
- English language evidence where applicable.
- Any other supporting documents specified for the selected Master’s programme.
Applicants should consult the individual course page for the exact academic application requirements.
Application Deadline: December 2026 or January 2027 (depending on the chosen course.)
