University of Oxford Ertegun Graduate Scholarship 2027/2028

Oxford is at the forefront of humanities research internationally, and attracts outstanding academics, researchers and students from across the globe. Graduate students have the opportunity to undertake their studies and research in a stimulating, challenging and highly rewarding intellectual environment. 

The Humanities Division offers taught graduate and research degrees in a wide range of subjects. Some of these subjects are relatively new and many cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Others are areas of academic research that have long been recognised as of central importance, and they include some that few other universities are still able to support. In every case our objective is to sustain and to teach the highest standards of scholarship.

Oxford is immensely proud to be able to offer the Ertegun Scholarships in the Humanities. The University has one goal in mind when selecting Ertegun Scholars: to choose the very best students who will realise Mica Ertegun’s Mission and one day become leaders in their chosen fields.

These are highly competitive scholarships with over 1,500 applicants for a maximum of around 15 awards each year, with an average 1.5% success rate for Masters candidates and 1.3% for Doctoral candidates.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 1, 2027
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorUniversity Of Oxford
• City to studyOxford
• School to studyUniversity Of Oxford
• Course to studyMedieval Studies , Music , Philosophy , Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. , Classics, including Classical Archaeology. , English Language and Literature. , Fine Art (DPhil in Contemporary Art History and Theory only). , History, including History of Art and History of Architecture. , Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics. , Medieval and Modern Languages, covering most European languages and their literature. , Theology and Religion. , Celtic Studies. , Comparative Literature and Critical Translation. , Film Aesthetics. , Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. , Digital Scholarship.
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

1. Full payment of university tuition fees.

2. Annual living-cost grant.

3. Access to dedicated study and research facilities at Ertegun House.

4. Academic mentorship and guidance.

5. Invitations to exclusive lectures, seminars, concerts and cultural activities.

6. Membership of the Ertegun Scholars community.

Annual stipend: £21,805 for the 2026–2027 academic year. The 2027–2028 rate has not yet been confirmed.

Requirements

Applicants for the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme must meet the following requirements:

1. Eligible Fields of Study

Applicants must apply for a graduate course administered by the University of Oxford's Humanities Division, within one of the following faculties or disciplines:

1. Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

2. Classics, including Classical Archaeology.

3. English Language and Literature.

4. Fine Art (DPhil in Contemporary Art History and Theory only).

5. History, including History of Art and History of Architecture.

6. Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics.

7. Medieval and Modern Languages, covering most European languages and their literature.

8. Music.

9. Philosophy.

10. Theology and Religion.

11. Celtic Studies.

12. Comparative Literature and Critical Translation.

13. Medieval Studies.

14. Film Aesthetics.

15. Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

16. Digital Scholarship.

Important: Only courses on the university's official list of eligible courses qualify. If your chosen course is not listed, you cannot apply for this scholarship.

View the official list of eligible courses.

2. Academic and Admission Requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their chosen Oxford graduate course.

• They must meet the university's English-language requirements where applicable.

• Only eligible full-time graduate courses are considered.

3. Additional Conditions

• The scholarship is for students starting a new full-time graduate programme.

• Applicants already enrolled in a graduate programme at Oxford cannot apply for funding for the second or third year of their existing course.

• The scholarship cannot be held alongside another award or scholarship.

• Only courses administered by Oxford's Humanities Division and its faculties are eligible, with specific exceptions for certain jointly administered courses included on the official eligible-course list.

Selection Process

Ertegun Scholars are selected in a highly competitive process by an Ertegun Scholarships Selection Committee made up of the Head of Oxford’s Humanities Division and one representative from each of the eligible faculties, acting in consultation with the Board of Ertegun Overseers.

Shortlisted candidates will initially be identified by faculties, before being nominated to the Selection Committee for its consideration. As part of that initial process, they will be interviewed by a Faculty representative (usually via videoconference or telephone).  The interview will provide them with an opportunity to expand on the topics covered in their supporting statement.

All successful candidates will be notified by email. If you do not hear from us, then your application to this scheme has been unsuccessful. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to contact unsuccessful applicants individually or provide feedback on applications.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, visit University of Oxford scholarship webpage.