The Wolfson Foundation seeks to support excellence and has provided longstanding support for Higher Education and the Humanities. The Foundation is particularly concerned about the funding situation for Humanities students and the potential impact of increased undergraduate debt on the ability of students to progress to postgraduate studies.

The Foundation has addressed these concerns by creating the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities. The Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding Humanities students who demonstrate the potential to make an impact in their chosen field (history, literature and languages).

In line with the Foundation’s policy of backing excellence, the Scholarships are offered at a carefully selected group of nine universities that have strengths across the three disciplines, of which the University of Oxford is one. Oxford has been awarded three scholarships and is providing matched funding to enable a total of six scholarships to be awarded for the 2014-15 academic year.

The Wolfson Foundation was instrumental in the establishment of Wolfson College. To reflect this relationship, at least three of the new scholars will join Wolfson College.

Quick facts

• Nationality: All
• Level of study: DPhil courses
• Subjects: History, literature and languages
• Value: 100% of university and college fees and a grant for living expenses (approx. £15,000)
• Duration: Period of fee liability
• Number of awards: 6
• Closing date: 24 January 2014

Am I eligible?
You should be applying to start a new DPhil course at Oxford. The Scholarships are available in three disciplines that align closely with the Foundation’s interests: history, literature and languages. Please ensure that you meet the selection criteria for your course (see the Course Guide for more information).

Students should have an outstanding academic record, usually a first class Honours degree at undergraduate level and a Master’s degree from a recognised university in a cognate field of study to their proposed doctoral research.

Wolfson Scholarships are awarded solely on academic merit and are open to candidates of all nationalities.

This Scholarship is not open to candidates applying for part-time courses or to students with deferred entry.

What does it cover?
100% of university and college fees, a grant for living costs (£15,000 per year) and a grant to help with research and training costs. The continuation of your scholarship each year is subject to an annual renewal process based upon satisfactory academic progress.

How do I apply?
In order to be considered for this scholarship, you must submit your application for graduate study by 24 January 2014. There is no additional application process for this scholarship; all eligible candidates who apply to Oxford by the deadline will be considered.

If you do not apply as detailed above by the deadline, you will not be considered for this scholarship.

Additional points to note when applying for this scholarship:
If, following the assessment of the January deadline applications, your department places your application on a waiting list or decides to re-evaluate it against the applications received for the next deadline (14 March 2014), then you will no longer be eligible for this scholarship.

If you are accepted onto a different course from the one you originally applied for, you should contact us as soon as you are notified of the change in order to ensure that your application for a scholarship is maintained on the new course. However, please note that such a change of course may mean that you are no longer eligible for this scholarship.

How will I know if I have been successful?
Decisions are expected to be made around May 2014. Successful candidates will be notified via email and will receive an award letter. This webpage will be updated as soon as successful candidates have been notified.

Further information
If you have any questions about this scholarship which are not answered above, please email us through the Ask a Question facility, selecting the Funding category.

• Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities, University of Sheffield, UK
• MPhil Scholarship in Humanities and Social Sciences, St Cross College, University of Oxford, UK
• Paula Soans O’Brian Scholarship in the Arts and Humanities, St Cross College, University of Oxford, UK
• Wolfson Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship in Humanities, University of Edinburgh, UK
• Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies Scholarship, Oxford Brookes University, UK
• Imam Bukhari & Imam Tirmizi Visiting Research Fellowships, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, UK
• Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship in Humanities, University of Oxford, UK
• Master in Humanities / Medical Humanities Bursaries, University of Leicester, UK
• 100 Scholarships from University of Oxford, UK
• Laces Trust Scholarship in Philosophy / Ethics, St Cross College, University of Oxford, UK

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.