Oxford University Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme

Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust provides fully-funded scholarships to outstanding graduates to pursue graduate study at the University of Oxford. 

This scholarship is part of the Oxford Graduate Scholarships, which were established through a ground-breaking matched funding initiative to create fully-funded scholarships for graduate students of the highest calibre from across the world. The University contributes 40% of the funds for these scholarships, together with 60% from generous donations provided by supporters of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, including Fondation Hoffmann. 

The Leadership Programme is a unique part of these scholarships, and over the course of a year scholars take part in philosophical discussions, learn business skills and receive communication training within a supportive community. More information on this can be found on the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust website. 

The scholarship will cover 100% of course fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £20,780). Awards are made to cover the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.

Eligibility

The scholarship is mainly for candidates from developing and emerging economies, and who would not otherwise be able to support themselves to study at Oxford.  

To be considered for the scholarship you must meet all of the criteria below. These will be assessed during the selection process, including using your graduate application form, your Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement and (if relevant) your interview.

• You must be applying to start a new full-time graduate course at Oxford.
• You should be intending to return to your country of ordinary residence once your course is completed.
• You must be able to demonstrate a connection between your subject of study and your longer-term career objectives, explaining how you see your professional work contributing to the improvement of public life in your country of origin or at a wider regional or international level.
• This scholarship is not open to applications from candidates who hold deferred offers to start in 2026-27.
• Students currently at Oxford are not eligible to apply unless they are already Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholars.
• You must also be offered a place to study on an eligible course, as well as being ordinarily resident in one of the eligible countries.

Eligible courses

• BCL Bachelor of Civil Law
• MBA Master of Business Administration
• MJur Magister Juris
• MPP Master of Public Policy
• MSc Advanced Computer Science
• MSc African Studies
• MSt Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
• MSc Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery
• MSc Comparative Social Policy
• MSc Contemporary Chinese Studies
• MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice
• MSt Diplomatic Studies
• MSc Economics for Development
• MSc Education (Comparative and International Education)
• MSc Education (Digital and Social Change)
• MSc Education (Higher Education)
• MSc Energy Systems
• MSc Environmental Change and Policy
• MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
• MSc Financial Economics
• MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy
• MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology
• MSc Health Service Improvement and Evaluation
• MSt Islamic Studies and History
• MSt Jewish Studies
• MSt Japanese Studies
• MSt Korean Studies
• MSc Latin American Studies
• MSc Law and Finance
• MSc Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing
• MSc Migration Studies
• MSc Modern Middle Eastern Studies
• MSc Modern South Asian Studies
• MSc Nature, Society and Environmental Governance
• MSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies
• MSc Russian and East European Studies
• MSt Slavonic Studies
• MSc Social Data Science
• MSc Social Science of the Internet
• MSc Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment
• MSc Water Science, Policy and Management
• MSt Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Check the link to see the list of countries eligible for this scholarship.

How to apply

In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must select the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme in the University of Oxford Scholarships section of the University's graduate application form and submit your application for graduate study by the relevant December or January deadline for your course. See the relevant course page for the deadline applicable to your course.  

You must also complete a Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement and upload it, together with your graduate application form, by the deadline.

They will use the details you insert in the ‘Nationality and ordinary residence’ section of the graduate application form to assess your country of ordinary residence. For a definition of ordinary residency and further details on how to complete this section of the graduate application form, please see the Nationality and Ordinary residence sections of the graduate application form and the advice contained with the Application Guide.

To be eligible for consideration for this scholarship, applicants must be successful in being offered a place on their course after consideration of applications received by the relevant December or January deadline for the course. Course applications which are held over after the December or January deadline to be re-evaluated against applications received by the March deadline or course applications which have been put on a waiting list are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

If you are shortlisted for the scholarship, you will be required to participate in an interview, which is likely to be held online in April 2026.

FAQs

Can I apply for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme?

The Scholarships and Leadership Programme supports graduates and early career professionals from developing and emerging economies. Check to see which countries and courses are eligible on the University of Oxford website here. 

How do I apply for the Scholarships and Leadership Programme?

You must select the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme in the University of Oxford Scholarships section of the University's graduate application form by the relevant January (or earlier) deadline for your course. You must submit your Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust application form at the same time via the University of Oxford website. 

Which courses are covered by the Scholarships?

The Scholarships fund a limited number of 1-year master-level courses. The Scholarships do not support applications for Doctorates (DPhil). A full list of eligible courses can be found here. The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust supports those individuals who intend to return to their home country or region and to work to make a difference in their chosen field. 

Which universities can I apply for?

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust provides Scholarships to the University of Oxford only. Applicants must be offered a place on an eligible course by the University of Oxford before being considered for a Scholarship. 

What are the English language requirements?

All courses are taught in English and you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Full details of the English language requirements of the University of Oxford can be found here. Please note applicants must have passed their required English language test to be accepted onto the Programme.

What is the Leadership Programme?

The Leadership Programme is a complementary element of the WHT Scholarships providing c 160 hours of professional training, discussions and cultural activities throughout the academic year to prepare Scholars - intellectually, professionally and practically - to take on leading positions in their chosen careers. More details about the Leadership Programme can be found here. 

What will be covered by my Scholarship?

The Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann scholarship is fully funded and covers 100% of course fees, a grant for living costs or ‘stipend’ (of at least £18,622 for 2024/25) and the full cost of your individual Leadership Programme place. Other scholarship partners (like Chevening) may offer a different support package with separate conditions.  NB Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course (9-12 months) and for the length of the Leadership Programme (from a date in mid-September to early July). 

I have been accepted as a WHT Scholar. Where can I find more information about my Scholarship?

Your scholarship award letter contains detailed information about your scholarship, and contact details for colleagues in Student Fees and Funding who can advise on queries.

Is there an age limit on the applicants?

No, they don’t have an age limit. Typical WHT scholars are early career professionals.

More information about the scholarship programme can be found in the link provided below.