UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD / WEIDENFELD-HOFFMANN TRUST
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
full · masters
- 100%Course fees covered
- ~£18,000 (est.)Annual living grant
- ~30 (est.)Scholars per year
- 1–2 yearsFull course duration
- Leadership ProgrammeSeminars, mentoring & retreat
- University of OxfordHost university
At a glance
full
Funding
from €21k
Max amount
Jan 9, 2027
Deadline
Eligible developing and transition-economy countries (see the official list, which is revised each cycle)
Country
University of Oxford / Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust
Provider
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme is a fully funded award from the University of Oxford and the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust for students from developing and transition economies. Each year around ~30 (est.) scholars receive 100% of their course fees plus an annual grant for living costs of about ~£18,000 (est.) for the full length of an eligible one- or two-year master’s degree at Oxford. What separates the award from ordinary funding is its compulsory Leadership Programme: across the academic year scholars attend seminars, skills workshops, one-to-one mentoring and an annual retreat designed to prepare them for public-service roles back home. The Trust prioritises applicants who can show a concrete record of leadership and a clear intention to return to their region after Oxford. Applicants apply through the standard Oxford graduate route by the January deadline and are judged on academic record, leadership potential and commitment to their home country. Exact figures and the eligible-country list change each cycle, so confirm them on the official page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition and college fees — 100% of the university and college fees for the eligible master’s course.
- Living grant — An annual grant for living costs of ~£18,000 (est.), paid across the course.
- Leadership Programme — A structured year of seminars, skills sessions, mentoring and an annual residential retreat.
- Networking and alumni access — Membership of a global network of Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholars and alumni.
- Duration of award — Funding for the full one or two years of the course, not a single year only.
How to apply
There is no separate scholarship form for most applicants — you apply for your Oxford course and flag the scholarship, then complete the additional leadership questions.
- Choose an eligible course — Pick a one- or two-year master’s at Oxford that appears on the eligible-courses list.
- Submit your Oxford application — Apply through Oxford’s graduate admissions system by the January deadline for your course.
- Select the scholarship — Tick the funding box for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship in the funding section of the application.
- Complete the leadership statement — Answer the additional questions on leadership, motivation and your plans to return home.
- Attend interview if shortlisted — Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (often remotely) before final selection.
Eligibility
NationalityCitizen of and ordinarily resident in an eligible country (the list is published each cycle and spans Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia).
ProgrammeMust apply to an eligible one- or two-year master’s course at Oxford by the January deadline.
LeadershipDemonstrated leadership potential and a clear commitment to using your degree to improve public life at home.
Academic meritA strong academic record meeting the Oxford course’s admission requirements.
EnglishMeets Oxford’s English-language requirement for the chosen course.
A small number of Oxford courses are excluded, and the eligible-country list is updated annually. Always check the current list and excluded courses before applying.
Eligible countries
Eligible developing and transition-economy countries (see the official list, which is revised each cycle)
Deadlines
Autumn entry~9 January 2026 (est.)
Selection
Candidates are assessed on academic merit, the strength of their leadership record and the credibility of their plan to return home and contribute to public life. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed before the Trust makes final awards.
Verified sources
- Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trustwhtrust.orgofficial
- University of Oxford — Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarshipsox.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, working with the University of Oxford, supports outstanding graduates from developing and transition economies and runs a leadership programme aimed at building a network of public-spirited leaders worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Is the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It covers 100% of course and college fees plus an annual living grant of ~£18,000 (est.) for the full duration of the course.
Which degree levels are eligible?
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Eligible one- or two-year taught master’s courses at Oxford. It does not fund doctoral (DPhil) study.
Who can apply?
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Nationals of, and residents in, eligible developing and transition-economy countries who plan to return home after their studies.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
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Around ~30 (est.) per cycle, though the number varies. Check the official page for the current figure.
Is there a separate application form?
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For most courses you apply to Oxford, tick the scholarship box and answer the extra leadership questions — there is no wholly separate portal.
What is the application deadline?
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The Oxford January graduate deadline, around ~9 January 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date for your course.
What makes this award different from other Oxford funding?
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The compulsory Leadership Programme — a year of seminars, mentoring and a retreat — alongside the financial support.
Do I need to return to my home country?
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A genuine commitment to return and contribute to public life at home is central to selection.
Are all Oxford courses covered?
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Most eligible master’s courses are, but a few are excluded each cycle. Check the eligible-courses list before applying.
Is there an interview?
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Yes, shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed, often remotely, before final decisions.
Does it cover two-year master’s programmes?
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Yes — funding runs for the full one or two years of an eligible course.
Where do I confirm the current eligible-country list and figures?
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On the official Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and Oxford pages linked in the sources, which are updated each cycle.