Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities - Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities

Ertegun Graduate Scholarship in the Humanities

You will receive your full course fees paid as well as an annual living allowance of approximately 24,000 EUR (20,780 GBP for 2025–26). This covers the cost of living for a single student in Oxford. This funding applies for the entire duration of your studies. For multi-year degree programmes, it will be renewed each year, provided your academic performance is satisfactory. You will also be provided with your own desk at Ertegun House, a halls of residence for humanities students, as well as access to lectures, seminars, concerts and cultural events. The programme is administered by the University of Oxford. It is funded by a donation from Mica Ertegun, the largest single donation towards scholarships in the humanities in Oxford’s history.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are applying for a full-time postgraduate programme at Oxford: a Master’s degree (MSt, MPhil, MSc, BPhil) or a PhD (DPhil).
• Field of study: Your degree subject is in the humanities, for example history, literature, philosophy, religion, music, art history, classical philology, languages or linguistics. Only degree programmes listed on the University of Oxford’s official list of eligible degree programmes are eligible. Part-time degree programmes are not eligible.
• Fresh start: You are starting a new degree programme. If you are already studying at Oxford, you cannot receive this funding for a subsequent academic year of a degree programme you have already started.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities, including students from the UK.
• No double funding: This scholarship cannot be combined with other grants.
• Admission: You must also meet the entry requirements for your degree programme, including the English language requirements.

How to apply

You should apply via the University of Oxford’s postgraduate application portal at the same time as you apply for your programme. In the ‘Funding’ section, tick the box for the Ertegun Scholarship and upload a separate personal statement as a PDF file. The application deadline is in early January (7 January for the start of studies in 2026). A different application deadline applies to some programmes in the field of Global and Area Studies. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a faculty representative – usually via video call – before a panel makes a decision.

How realistic are your chances?

This is one of the most highly competitive scholarships at Oxford: every year, over 1,500 people apply for around 15 scholarships, which equates to a success rate of just under 1.5 per cent. Even if your chosen humanities specialism is a perfect match, the chances are very slim; you should therefore regard it as an ambitious goal rather than a reliable plan. Outstanding academic achievements and a personal statement that demonstrates a genuine connection to the degree programme will give you the best chance of success.