Imagine studying at Oxford without paying course fees. The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme can make that happen. It covers your full course fees, gives you a living grant of at least £21,805, and adds a year of leadership training. Applications for 2027–28 entry are open now, and the deadline is close. This guide covers the money, the rules, the dates, and the exact steps. If you want to compare other awards first, see our list of 12 fully funded scholarships and internships for 2026–2027.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Provider | Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and University of Oxford |
| Level | Taught Master’s-level courses (no DPhil) |
| Course fees | 100% covered |
| Living grant | At least £21,805 |
| Leadership Programme | Paid in full, about 200 hours |
| Eligible courses | 40 |
| Deadline | 6 January 2027 is widely cited, but it depends on your course (December or January) |
| Interviews | Likely online, April 2027 |
| Results | By the end of May 2027 |
| Programme start | Mid-September 2027 |
| Age limit | None |
What Is the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship?
Oxford launched the programme in 2015 to mark Lord Weidenfeld’s 95th birthday. Oxford pays about 40% of the funding, and supporters of the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust pay the other 60%.
This is more than a money award. You join a community of scholars from around the world, get long-term mentoring, and train to contribute to public life back home.
What You Get
- Full course fees: Most eligible courses last one year, and the Trust says awards normally cover 9–12 months of fees.
- Living grant: At least £21,805. Use this figure, because older articles still show £20,780.
- Leadership Programme: About 200 hours of training, discussions, and cultural activities, running from mid-September to early July.
- Mentoring and networking: You meet professionals, academics, and fellow scholars who can support your career for years.
The programme includes workshops on ethical leadership, a Business Challenge where you build and pitch a venture idea, and training in negotiation, debating, and communication.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone living in an eligible country can apply, whatever continent they come from. Oxford keeps an official list that includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Turkey, and Ukraine. Check the list before you start, because it can change.
You must also:
- Apply for a new, full-time eligible Oxford graduate course starting in 2027–28.
- Meet the academic and English-language requirements of that course.
- Plan to return to your country of ordinary residence after your studies.
- Show how your course links to your career goals and your future contribution to public life.
There is no age limit, and you do not need work experience. Even so, the Trust says most scholars are early-career professionals with five or more years of employment.
Who cannot apply: current Oxford students (unless already Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholars), holders of deferred offers for 2027–28, and DPhil applicants.
Eligible Courses
Oxford lists 40 courses. A few examples:
- MBA (Saïd Business School)
- Master of Public Policy (MPP)
- BCL and MJur (law)
- MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology
- MSc Energy Systems
- MSc Water Science, Policy and Management
- MSc Economics for Development
- MSc Social Data Science
- MSc African Studies
- MSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies
If your course is not on the official list, the scholarship will not fund it. Other UK universities offer similar support, such as the Imperial College London scholarships worth £15,000 a year and the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships.
Deadlines and Timeline
Oxford has no single deadline for this scholarship. You must meet the December or January funding deadline for your course. Many guides cite 6 January 2027, but some courses differ. One guide reports 8 January 2027 for the Saïd MBA. Today is 9 November 2026, so you have under two months at most. Oxford also advises submitting at least two weeks early.
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Oxford 2027–28 applications | Open now |
| Funding deadline | December 2026 or January 2027, noon UK time, depending on your course |
| Interviews (shortlisted only) | Likely April 2027, online |
| Decisions | By the end of May 2027 |
| Leadership Programme starts | Mid-September 2027 |
How to Apply, Step by Step
There is no separate scholarship portal. You apply through Oxford’s graduate application.
- Check your country against Oxford’s eligible list.
- Pick an eligible course and read its page for entry requirements, documents, and the exact funding deadline.
- Download the 2027/28 Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement from Oxford’s scholarship page.
- Start your Oxford graduate application and gather your transcripts, references, CV, and any written work the course asks for.
- Select “Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme” in the scholarship section of the form. Skip this and you will not be considered.
- Upload the completed Statement with your application.
- Submit everything before your course’s funding deadline. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
How to Write a Strong Statement
Selectors care about the link between your course, your career, and your impact on public life. “Oxford will boost my career” will not cut it.
Use this flow: problem, action, result, lesson, plan. Imagine a nurse in Kano who noticed low vaccination rates, organised a community drive, and reached 4,000 children. She then explains what she learned and why Oxford’s global health course is her next step. That kind of concrete story works.
Do not simply repeat your Oxford personal statement. Add new evidence and show your plan for public impact. If you are unsure of the difference between the two, here is what a statement of purpose is and how to write one.
Rules That Catch People Out
- The waiting-list rule: Oxford says applications held over to the March round, or placed on a waiting list, cannot stay in the scholarship competition. You need an offer from the December or January round.
- College transfer: Some colleges partner with the scholarship, so Oxford may move you to a partner college.
- Early arrival: The Leadership Programme starts in mid-September, before normal teaching begins.
- Interview consistency: Expect questions on your course, your leadership experience, and challenges in your country. Keep your story consistent across your application, Statement, and interview.
What Is Not Covered
The standard award does not list flights, visa fees, or family costs as benefits, so budget for them. Our tips on finding affordable universities abroad can help you plan. UK rules also now stop most taught Master’s students from bringing dependants, with limited exceptions. Check current UK visa guidance before you plan family travel.
Partnership Routes
The Trust also partners with the Oxford Pakistan Programme and with Chevening. For the Chevening route, you must apply through both processes and list Oxford as your first-choice university in the Chevening application. Chevening’s own conditions apply.
Looking for fully funded study in the UK beyond Oxford? Read about the Martingale Foundation Scholarships. Already holding an offer? See what to do after receiving a university admission offer.
Official Links
Always rely on the official pages for the latest dates and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship fully funded?
Yes, for the core award. It pays 100% of your course fees, gives you a living grant of at least £21,805, and covers your place on the Leadership Programme. Flights and visa fees are not listed.
Can I apply without work experience?
Yes. The Trust says you do not need previous job experience, and there is no age limit. Still, most scholars are early-career professionals with five or more years of work behind them, so strong leadership evidence helps.
Can PhD students apply?
No. The core scheme supports a limited set of Master’s-level courses and does not fund DPhil applications. If you want doctoral funding at Oxford, look at options such as the Clarendon Scholarship instead.
What happens if Oxford puts my application on a waiting list?
You lose scholarship eligibility. Oxford says applications held over to the March round, or placed on a waiting list, cannot stay in the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann competition. Aim to apply early and submit a complete application.
When will I hear back?
Oxford expects decisions by the end of May 2027. If you have heard nothing by then, assume your application was unsuccessful. Unsuccessful applicants are not normally contacted individually, and feedback is not provided.
About the Author
Damilare Abogunrin
Content Writer | FundedAbroad.com
Damilare Abogunrin writes about international career opportunities, scholarships, internships and visa-related jobs. Through his work at FundedAbroad.com, he helps readers discover opportunities abroad, understand application requirements and find official application channels.
He focuses on making opportunity listings clear, practical and easy to understand, so readers can assess eligibility and prepare stronger applications. He encourages applicants to verify job details and immigration requirements directly with employers and official sources.