Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership

Programme
About the Programme
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme cultivates the leaders of
tomorrow by providing outstanding university graduates and professionals mainly from
developing and emerging economies with the opportunity to pursue fully funded graduate studies
at the University of Oxford, combined with a comprehensive programme of leadership
development, long-term mentoring, and networking.

The Leadership Programme is a unique part of our 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, a grant for living costs (of at least £19,237), and a
contribution towards pre-arrival costs such as Visas and travel. Awards are made to cover the full
duration of your course.

Eligibility
You must be applying to start a new full-time graduate course at Oxford and your course must be
on the list of courses we support, and only at taught master’s level (MSc/MA).

Please see the complete list of eligible courses and countries here.

You must also be ordinarily resident in one of the eligible countries listed.

The aim of the programme is to equip our graduates with knowledge, skills, and networks that
will help them contribute to public life in their countries and regions of origin. The Trust
understands that in certain exceptional circumstances it may not be possible for scholars to
return to their home countries immediately after completing their course.
You should 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.

The above qualities will be assessed during the selection process, including the use of your
graduate application form, your Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement, and, if shortlisted,
your interview.

The Hope Scholarships & Leadership Programme

Started in 2023, the Hope Scholarships & Leadership Programme supports refugees and those
who have been displaced due to conflict, persecution, or other serious human rights violations or
deprivations, whether within or outside their country. This scholarship will be subject to the same
eligibility criteria as the Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership
Programme.

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 via the
graduate admissions portal 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. This can be found here.

For more information on how to apply, please see here.

Further questions
Please see below for our FAQ. The University of Oxford also has extensive information on
frequently asked questions.

Scholars Countries Degrees

446 Supported
95 Represented
80 Awarded
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for graduate study at the University of Oxford?

Please refer to the university's Graduate Admissions website. You can learn more about the
graduate courses offered by the university here. You can also search for courses by departments
and divisions by clicking here.

Which courses does the programme support?

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme is only for select taught
Master’s programme at the University of Oxford that are listed on this website. Please note that
we do not support programmes (such as the DPhil) other than the ones listed on this website at
this time.

Is there any specific advice for international applicants?

Yes, the University of Oxford has a dedicated website for International Applicants. If you have any
questions about international qualifications, please refer to this website. You can also write to
your prospective departments if you have further questions.

What if I have questions about eligibility for a course?

In the first instance, please check the “Entry requirements” for your course page. If you have
further questions, please reach out to your department administrator as they will be best placed
to ascertain your eligibility.

Does Oxford have any English language requirements?

Yes, you must demonstrate that you meet Oxford’s English language requirements. You can use
the university’s English language proficiency self-evaluation tool for guidance. If you believe you
might be entitled to a waiver, please see this website for more details.

How much is Oxford’s graduate application fee, and can I apply for a waiver?

The university application fee is currently set at £75 for taught master’s programmes. Residents of
low-income countries and refugees and displaced persons can apply for a waiver in the online
form. Please refer to Application Fee Waivers for more details.

What does ‘fully funded’ cover?

If selected, we will pay your tuition fee and college fee. You will also receive a termly stipend
paid directly into your bank account for the duration of your course (9 months or 12 months),
including any summer projects or dissertations. The annual stipend is currently set at £19, 237.

What if I have any VISA related queries?

Please refer to this website for any VISA related queries: Visas and Immigration. For detailed
information on applying for a student visa in the UK, please click here.

Do I have to select an Oxford college at the time of application?

As a graduate student, you are not required to select a college at the time of application, but
should you choose to, you can refer to the guide here. We also have longstanding partnerships
with select colleges at Oxford and you can learn more about that here.

Can I apply for more than one course?

Yes, you can apply for up to two taught master’s programmes. See this website for more details
on application fee.

Do you have any guidance on references?

Please refer to “Entry requirements” on your course page. The university maintains this website
for guidance on references.

What are the deadlines for 2025-2026 intake?

Your course page should have all necessary information on deadlines for your course.

Can my spouse, partner, or dependant/s accompany me to the UK?

Unfortunately, as per UK government rules, you cannot bring your partner and/or dependants to
the UK on your visa if you are reading for a taught master’s programme. As the Weidenfeld-
Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme is only for taught master’s at Oxford, we are
unable to support these VISAs for your partners and/or dependants. However, if you hold funding
from a government body and are selected as a WHT scholar participating only in the Leadership
Programme (no scholarship), you may be eligible to bring your partner and/or dependants. For
further information, please click here.

Do you cover pre-arrival costs such as VISA?

If selected, we will contribute towards your pre-arrival costs such as VISA and travel.

Am I eligible if I hold a deferred offer from the university?

If you hold a deferred offer from the university and WHT, you do not need to re-apply to us, but
you will be subject to a re-interview. If you hold a deferred offer from the university or a deferred
offer from the university and another funding body, you will have to re-apply to the university,
that is, complete a new application including an application to the WHT to be eligible for our
scholarship.

I have further questions regarding graduate study at Oxford.

You can contact Graduate Admissions here.