Oxford pays your tuition, covers your
living costs and trains you to lead. Applications for the 2027-28 intake are
now open.
Picture this: a place at the University
of Oxford, one of the most famous universities on Earth, with your course
fees fully paid, a living grant in your bank account and a year of leadership
training that connects you to a global network of changemakers.
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That is exactly what the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann
Scholarships and Leadership Programme offers. Applications for 2027-28
are open, and this guide shows you everything you need to know.
What Is the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann
Scholarship?
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and
Leadership Programme develops tomorrow’s leaders. It gives outstanding
graduates and professionals, mainly from low- and middle-income countries,
the chance to complete a fully funded, full-time, one-year graduate degree
at Oxford. The degree is combined with leadership development, long-term
mentoring and networking.
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The numbers show how global it is:
- 511 scholars supported
- 102 countries represented
- 80+ degrees awarded
Quick Facts at a Glance
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Scholarship |
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann
Scholarships and Leadership Programme |
|
University |
University
of Oxford, United Kingdom |
|
Level |
Taught
master’s (MSc/MA) only, on the list of supported courses |
|
Intake |
2027-28 |
|
Funding |
Fully
funded |
|
Duration |
Full
length of your course (9 or 12 months) plus the Leadership Programme |
|
Deadline |
December
or January, depending on your course (check your course page) |
|
Official
website |
whtrust.org |
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
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- 100% of course fees: tuition and
college fee paid in full
- Living costs grant of at least £21,805: paid termly into your bank account for the whole course,
including summer projects and dissertations
- £2,000 towards pre-arrival costs
such as visas and travel
- The Leadership Programme, included
at no extra cost
The Leadership Programme: The Secret
Ingredient
This is what sets the scholarship apart.
The Leadership Programme is a compulsory part of the award and includes up
to 200 hours of:
- Personal skills development
- Business and entrepreneurship training
- Foundations for ethical leadership
- Philosophical discussions
- Communication training
- Networking within a supportive global community
It starts before your course begins,
so you will travel to Oxford up to a few weeks early, and it will likely finish
after your course ends. Your stipend is expected to cover costs for this period
too.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility
You must:
- Apply to start a new full-time graduate course at Oxford
- Choose a taught master’s (MSc/MA) that appears on the
Trust’s list of supported courses. Research degrees such as the MPhil and
DPhil are not supported
- Be ordinarily resident in one of the eligible countries.
If you are, or have been, a refugee or displaced person, you may
apply even if your country is not on the list
- Show a clear link between your subject of study and your
long-term career goals
- Explain how your work will improve public life in your
country, region or beyond
The Trust expects scholars to use their
skills for their countries and regions of origin, but it understands that in
exceptional circumstances an immediate return may not be possible.
You must also meet Oxford’s own entry
requirements and English language requirements for your course.
Special Scholarships and Partnerships
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Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening
The Trust partners with Chevening,
the UK Foreign Office scholarship. To be considered, apply for admission at
Oxford, choose “Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme” in
the scholarship section and complete the Trust’s application form. Chevening
has its own guidelines too.
Oxford-Pakistan Programme
Since 2026-27, the Trust has partnered with
the Oxford Pakistan Programme to offer a scholarship with the same
benefits as the regular award. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in
Pakistan, and they must also submit a statement of intent to the Oxford
Pakistan Programme through its website.
New Scholarship for Afghan Women Leaders
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A new annual scholarship is open to Afghan
women of first- or second-generation descent. It is funded by a US$2.5
million donation from Shabana Basij-Rasikh, a 2019-20
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann alumna, and will be endowed permanently. Afghan descent
applicants who hold a valid passport from another country are also eligible.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Pick your course. Check that it is
on the Trust’s list of supported taught master’s programmes. You can apply
for up to two
- Check your deadline. It is in December
or January, depending on the course. Find it on your course page.
- Apply to Oxford through the
University’s graduate admissions portal.
- In the “University of Oxford Scholarships” section,
select “Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme.”
- Complete the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships form and upload it with your graduate application before the
deadline.
- If you are a Pakistan-resident applicant, also submit
your statement of intent to the Oxford Pakistan Programme.
Application fee: Oxford’s fee for taught master’s programmes is £75.
Residents of low-income countries, refugees and displaced persons can request a
fee waiver in the online form.
Selection Process
Selectors assess your graduate application
form, your Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships form and, if you are shortlisted,
your interview. They look for leadership potential, academic strength
and a clear plan to contribute to public life.
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Important Things to Know Before You
Apply
- Colleges: Scholars are placed at
one of eight partner colleges: Keble, Lincoln, Mansfield, St Antony’s,
St Edmund Hall, St John’s, Trinity and Worcester. You do not choose a
college at the application stage.
- Partners and dependants: Under UK
rules, you cannot bring a partner or dependants on a visa for a
taught master’s programme.
- UK visa brake: The UK currently
applies a visa brake to student visa applications made outside the
UK by nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan. The UK
Government says it is not permanent and will be reviewed in September
2027. It is based on the main nationality you give on your
application.
- Deferrals: Only possible in
exceptional circumstances for applicants who already hold both an Oxford
offer and a scholarship.
Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out
- Start early. Oxford applications
need references, transcripts and strong written statements.
- Connect the dots. Show how your
chosen course leads to your career goals and to change in your community.
- Be specific. Name the problems you
want to solve and the steps you will take.
- Check your English proficiency against
Oxford’s requirements and book any test early.
- Read your course page carefully for
entry requirements, reference guidance and deadlines.
Why This Scholarship Is Worth Applying
For
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- Fully funded study at one of the
world’s top universities
- A living grant so you can focus on your studies
- Leadership training most master’s
students never receive
- A global network of scholars and alumni from 100+
countries
- A launchpad for careers in policy, development,
business, research and public service
Need Help? Contact Details
- Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust: info@whtrust.org
- Website: www.whtrust.org
- Oxford Graduate Admissions: via the
University of Oxford graduate admissions website
Every year, hundreds of talented people
from around the world turn an ambitious plan into an Oxford degree and a
leadership network. The next scholar could be you. Choose your course,
read your deadline and start your application now.
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Always confirm deadlines, eligible
countries, supported courses and requirements on the official
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and University of Oxford websites before applying.
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