Wolfson Foundation - Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities

Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities (Oxford)

You will receive a fully-funded PhD for up to three years. The scholarship covers your full tuition fees and includes an annual living allowance (a grant) at the rate set by the UK Research Council, amounting to approximately 24,000 (£20,780) euros for 2025–26. You will also receive a lump-sum travel allowance. Part-time students may be funded for up to six years at half the rate. The scholarship is awarded by the Wolfson Foundation in conjunction with its partner universities. In Oxford, it is administered in conjunction with Queen’s College and the Humanities Division.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You wish to start a DPhil (as the PhD is known at Oxford) rather than continue one you have already begun.
• Field of study: Your field of research must be history, literature or linguistics.
• Where you study: You are applying to the University of Oxford. The degree programme is also offered in Birmingham, at UCL, in Exeter, Nottingham and York.
• Previous study: You have completed a Master’s degree in a relevant subject area or are about to graduate.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply; however, this is a UK-based scholarship for study in the United Kingdom. Queen’s College requires applicants to be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
• Grades: Selection is based solely on academic performance, so you will need excellent grades.

How to apply

There is no separate application process. Apply for your DPhil programme at Oxford by the deadline (24 October or 14 March, depending on your programme), and you will automatically be considered for this scholarship. Your faculty will put forward candidates, and the Humanities Division panel will make the decision. Successful applicants will be notified by around the end of March.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding is available only for three humanities subjects at a small selection of leading universities, so the pool of applicants is narrower than for open scholarships. However, the scholarships at Oxford are highly sought-after, and selection is based solely on academic merit. If you have an outstanding academic record, a clear research proposal in history, literature or linguistics, and you meet the application deadline, you have a genuine chance of success. It is important to apply by the deadline, as late applications will not be considered.