Oxford Ertegun Graduate Scholarship 2027–2028: Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Opportunities in the UK

Overview

The University of Oxford invites international and domestic graduates to apply for the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities for the 2027–2028 academic year. Established through the generosity of Mica Ertegun, this prestigious programme supports exceptional students pursuing advanced full-time master's and doctoral degrees in humanities-related disciplines. The competitive initiative awards approximately 15 scholarships annually from a pool of more than 1,500 applicants.

In addition to financial backing, recipients gain access to Ertegun House, a dedicated academic and social space designed for writing, research, intellectual exchange, and collaboration. Ertegun House hosts lectures, performances, and gatherings tailored for the scholarship community. Awards are granted for the full duration of fee liability for the approved programme, with multi-year funding subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory academic progress.

Who can apply

The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities and backgrounds, welcoming both international and UK applicants. Candidates must apply to start a new eligible full-time graduate programme at the University of Oxford, meet the academic and admission requirements for their chosen course, and satisfy applicable English-language standards.

Current Oxford students may apply only if they are seeking admission to a new graduate course, as students already enrolled cannot use the award to fund an existing course. Part-time programmes, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, and non-matriculated courses are ineligible. Furthermore, the award cannot be held concurrently with another scholarship, and applicants must apply for a course featured on the official Ertegun eligible-course list.

What you get

The scholarship provides full coverage of course fees for the approved graduate programme and an annual grant toward living expenses. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the living-cost grant is listed at £21,805, with the 2027–2028 rate to be confirmed through official university information channels. Recipients also receive dedicated access to Ertegun House for academic activities, along with opportunities to participate in lectures, performances, and community events.

Requirements

Eligible fields of study include Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Classics, English Language and Literature, Fine Art specifically for the DPhil in Contemporary Art History and Theory, History, Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics, Medieval and Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Theology and Religion. Interdisciplinary programmes such as Celtic Studies, Comparative Literature and Critical Translation, Medieval Studies, Film Aesthetics, Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Digital Scholarship are also included, alongside specific jointly administered courses.

Applicants must select the Ertegun Scholarship in the funding section of the university graduate application form and submit a dedicated Ertegun supporting statement as a PDF. This statement must answer three questions related to the aims and mission of the scholarship programme. Applications submitted without this required supporting document cannot be considered.

How to apply

Candidates must first identify a suitable master's or doctoral programme and verify that it appears on the official Ertegun eligible-course list. Applicants then complete the university graduate application form, providing all required academic and supporting documents for their chosen course. During this process, candidates must select the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarships in the Humanities within the funding section and upload the completed supporting statement. The entire application package must be submitted by the applicable deadline.

Key dates

For the 2027–2028 academic year, applicants must meet the early January 2027 scholarship deadline. The scholarship follows this early January deadline even if an eligible course permits a later application deadline, though specific Oxford School of Global and Area Studies courses operate under separate arrangements.