Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust (WHT) · United Kingdom
Applications are open for the Weidenfeld Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme 2027 to 2028 at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The programme offers outstanding graduates and early career professionals the opportunity to pursue eligible postgraduate studies at one of the world’s leading universities while developing the leadership skills needed to contribute to public life and long term social progress.
The scholarship is designed primarily for talented applicants from developing and emerging economies who would not otherwise have the financial means to study at Oxford. It combines comprehensive financial support with a structured leadership development programme that encourages scholars to connect their academic studies with practical challenges in their home countries and regions.
Successful applicants receive full coverage of their eligible course fees and a grant towards living expenses. They also participate in leadership training, professional development activities, discussions and networking opportunities throughout the academic year. The programme aims to prepare scholars to take on leadership roles and make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.
The Weidenfeld Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme was established in 2015 through a partnership involving the University of Oxford and the Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust. It forms part of Oxford’s graduate scholarship arrangements and is supported through university funding and donations.
The programme combines academic study with leadership development. Scholars take part in philosophical discussions, business skills training, communication activities and other learning opportunities intended to strengthen their ability to address complex challenges. The Trust also provides mentoring and networking opportunities that can support scholars during their studies and beyond.
A central principle of the programme is that education should contribute to the improvement of public life. Applicants are therefore expected to explain how their proposed field of study connects with their long term professional objectives and how they intend to use their knowledge and skills to contribute to their country of origin or to wider regional and international development.
Selected scholars may receive the following benefits:
• Full payment of eligible university course fees.
• A living cost grant of at least £21,805 at the published 2026 to 2027 rate, subject to the applicable award terms.
• Financial support covering the full duration of the agreed course fee liability.
• Participation in the Weidenfeld Hoffmann Leadership Programme.
• Leadership development through philosophical discussions and professional learning activities.
• Business skills and communication training.
• Mentoring and opportunities to build relationships with experienced professionals and other scholars.
• Access to a supportive community of scholars and a wider professional network.
• Opportunities to strengthen the connection between academic knowledge, career development and public service.
Applicants should review the official award conditions to confirm the financial arrangements that apply to their course and year of study.
The scholarship supports a range of selected graduate programmes at the University of Oxford. Eligible courses include:
• Bachelor of Civil Law.
• Master of Business Administration.
• Magister Juris.
• Master of Public Policy.
• Advanced Computer Science.
• African Studies.
• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
• Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery.
• Comparative Social Policy.
• Criminology and Criminal Justice.
• Diplomatic Studies.
• Economics for Development.
• Education, including Comparative and International Education and Digital and Social Change.
• Energy Systems.
• Environmental Change and Policy.
• Evidence Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation.
• Global Governance and Diplomacy.
• Global Health Science and Epidemiology.
• Migration Studies.
• Social Data Science.
• Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment.
• Water Science, Policy and Management.
This is a selection of eligible programmes rather than a complete list. Applicants should consult the official University of Oxford scholarship page to confirm whether their intended course qualifies for the 2027 to 2028 award.
Applicants must meet the scholarship requirements and the admission requirements of their chosen Oxford course.
• Applicants must be ordinarily resident in one of the countries listed as eligible by the University of Oxford.
• Applicants must be applying to begin a new full time graduate course at Oxford.
• Candidates must receive an offer of admission to an eligible course.
• Applicants should intend to return to their country of ordinary residence after completing their studies.
• Candidates must demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed academic subject and their long term career objectives.
• Applicants must explain how their future professional work could contribute to improving public life in their country of origin or at a wider regional or international level.
• Applicants must submit the scholarship statement alongside their graduate application.
• Applicants holding deferred offers to begin in the 2027 to 2028 academic year are not eligible under the standard scholarship criteria.
• Students already studying at Oxford cannot apply unless they are current Weidenfeld Hoffmann scholars.
The programme particularly seeks outstanding graduates and professionals who can demonstrate academic ability, a commitment to public service and a clear vision for using their education to make a difference. There is no stated age limit for applicants.
Applicants should prepare the following information and documents as required by their Oxford course application:
• Completed University of Oxford graduate application form.
• Completed Weidenfeld Hoffmann Scholarships Statement.
• Academic qualifications and supporting documents required for the selected course.
• Evidence of nationality and ordinary residence in the relevant application sections.
• Information explaining the relationship between the proposed course and long term career objectives.
• A clear explanation of how the applicant intends to contribute to public life and development after graduation.
• Any additional documents required by the specific graduate course.
Applicants should review the relevant course page carefully because admission requirements and supporting documents vary between programmes.
The selection process considers applicants’ academic applications, scholarship statements and, where relevant, interviews. Candidates should demonstrate:
• Strong academic qualifications and suitability for their chosen course.
• A clear understanding of how their proposed studies relate to their career goals.
• A credible commitment to contributing to public life in their home country or wider region.
• A clear intention to return to their country of ordinary residence after completing their studies.
• The ability to explain how their education can support meaningful professional and social contributions.
Shortlisted applicants are expected to participate in an interview, which the university indicates is likely to take place online in April 2027. Scholarship decisions are expected by the end of May 2027.
United Kingdom
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust (WHT)
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