The Ertegun Scholarship at Oxford University for 2027–2028 offers outstanding graduate students an opportunity to pursue eligible humanities courses in the United Kingdom with full tuition fee coverage and a grant for living expenses. Students from all nationalities, including international students from Nigeria and other countries, are welcome to apply.
The Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme supports talented students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in the humanities at the University of Oxford. Successful applicants also gain access to Ertegun House, a dedicated academic and research community in Oxford.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, eligible applicants should prepare to meet Oxford’s early January graduate application deadlines. Depending on the course, the relevant deadline may be 5 January or 7 January 2027. Applicants must verify the exact deadline for their chosen programme.
Ertegun Scholarship Oxford 2027: Overview
- Scholarship name: Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities
- Host institution: University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Study level: Master’s and doctoral programmes
- Study destination: United Kingdom
- Entry year: 2027–2028
- Eligible applicants: Students from all countries
- Funding: Full course fees and an annual living-cost grant
- Study mode: Full-time graduate study
- Application deadline: Early January 2027, depending on the course
- Additional benefit: Access to Ertegun House
- Official scholarship website: https://www.ertegun.ox.ac.uk/
What Is the Ertegun Scholarship at Oxford?
The Ertegun Scholarship is a competitive graduate funding programme established to support outstanding students in the humanities at the University of Oxford.
The programme aims to help scholars develop their academic interests, conduct research and contribute to their chosen fields. It welcomes applicants from different countries and backgrounds who demonstrate strong academic potential and a commitment to the humanities.
Unlike some Oxford funding opportunities, the Ertegun Scholarship requires applicants to submit a specific supporting statement alongside their graduate course application.
Because the programme is highly competitive, prospective applicants should begin preparing their academic documents and scholarship statement well before the deadline.
Benefits of the Ertegun Scholarship 2027
The Ertegun Scholarship provides financial and academic support to successful candidates.
1. Full Tuition Fee Coverage
Successful scholars receive funding to cover their course fees for the agreed eligible programme. This can significantly reduce the financial burden of pursuing a graduate degree at Oxford.
2. Annual Living-Cost Grant
The scholarship also provides an annual grant to help cover living expenses while studying in Oxford.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, Oxford lists the living-cost grant as £21,805 per year. The official 2027–2028 amount should be checked when Oxford publishes the updated rate.
Applicants should not automatically assume that the 2026–2027 amount will remain unchanged for 2027–2028.
3. Access to Ertegun House
Scholars benefit from access to Ertegun House, a dedicated space for research, writing and academic engagement. The programme also offers opportunities to participate in lectures, performances and social activities.
4. Funding for the Agreed Course Duration
The scholarship is intended to cover the full duration of the scholar’s fee liability for the agreed course. For programmes lasting longer than one year, continued funding is subject to satisfactory academic progress and the programme’s renewal conditions.
Who Can Apply for the Ertegun Scholarship Oxford 2027?
Applicants must meet the scholarship’s eligibility conditions and the admission requirements of their chosen Oxford graduate course.
Nationality Requirements
There is no nationality restriction under the programme’s published eligibility information. Students from the UK and overseas, including applicants from Nigeria, may apply.
However, being eligible by nationality does not guarantee selection. Applicants must also satisfy the academic and course-specific requirements.
Eligible Study Levels
The scholarship supports eligible full-time graduate programmes at master’s and doctoral levels, including qualifying MSt, MPhil, MSc, BPhil and DPhil courses.
Not every Oxford graduate programme qualifies. Applicants must check the official eligible-course list before applying.
Academic Requirements
Candidates must meet the admission requirements for their selected programme. Depending on the course, these may include:
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- References or recommendation letters.
- A statement of purpose or research proposal.
- Academic writing samples.
- Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required.
The precise documents depend on the chosen course.
Full-Time Study Requirement
The scholarship is intended for students beginning a new eligible full-time graduate course. Part-time programmes are not eligible.
Current Oxford students may apply if they are starting a new eligible course and meet the relevant conditions.
Other Scholarship Conditions
The Ertegun Scholarship cannot be held alongside another award. Applicants should review the official terms carefully if they already receive funding or intend to apply for multiple scholarships.
Eligible Courses and Humanities Subjects
The Ertegun Scholarship supports eligible courses across several humanities disciplines at Oxford.
These include:
- Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.
- Classics and Classical Archaeology.
- English Language and Literature.
- History, including History of Art and History of Architecture.
- Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics.
- Medieval and Modern Languages.
- Music.
- Philosophy.
- Theology and Religion.
- Medieval Studies.
- Comparative Literature and Critical Translation.
- Celtic Studies.
- Film Aesthetics.
- Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
- Digital Scholarship.
Some additional programmes in global and area studies and related fields may qualify. Fine Art eligibility is restricted to the specified DPhil in Contemporary Art History and Theory.
Important: This is a subject overview, not a guarantee that every degree in these fields is eligible. Confirm your exact course title against Oxford’s official list before submitting an application.
Ertegun Scholarship Oxford 2027 Deadline
The scholarship follows Oxford’s early January graduate admissions deadline. Applicants must submit their course application by the relevant deadline to be considered for the award, even if their course accepts applications later.
Examples of published 2027–2028 course deadlines include:
| Oxford graduate course | Deadline |
|---|---|
| DPhil in English | 5 January 2027 |
| BPhil in Philosophy | 5 January 2027 |
| DPhil in Philosophy | 5 January 2027 |
| MPhil in Greek and/or Roman History | 5 January 2027 |
| DPhil in History | 7 January 2027 |
| DPhil in Theology and Religion | 7 January 2027 |
| MPhil in Classical Archaeology | 7 January 2027 for the relevant Oxford scholarship deadline |
| MPhil in Japanese Studies | 26 January 2027, subject to course-specific funding rules |
All times should be confirmed on the relevant Oxford course page. Oxford graduate deadlines are generally stated as 12:00 midday UK time, but applicants must verify the exact deadline and time zone for their course.
The January dates above are examples, not a universal deadline for every eligible programme. In particular, applicants should not assume that a later course deadline allows them to apply for the Ertegun Scholarship after the scholarship’s early January deadline.
When Will Ertegun Scholarship Results Be Announced?
Oxford’s published programme information indicates that the first round of offers is expected by the end of March 2027, with additional offers potentially made in April. The selection process is expected to be completed by the end of April.
Successful candidates should monitor their email for official communications.
How to Apply for the Ertegun Scholarship Oxford 2027
Applicants should complete both the Oxford graduate course application and the scholarship-specific requirements.
Step 1: Check the Eligible-Course List
Visit the official Ertegun website and confirm that your intended master’s or doctoral course is eligible.
Official website: https://www.ertegun.ox.ac.uk/
Do not rely solely on the general subject list. Check the exact degree title.
Step 2: Review Oxford’s Course Requirements
Open the official course page and review the academic entry requirements, supporting documents, application fee and deadline.
Prepare your transcripts, references, written work, research proposal and other required materials as early as possible.
Official graduate admissions website: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate
Step 3: Prepare the Ertegun Supporting Statement
Download the scholarship supporting-statement template from the official Ertegun website.
The statement asks applicants to respond to questions related to the programme’s aims and mission. Read each question carefully and prepare thoughtful, specific answers.
Explain your academic interests, research goals and how your proposed studies connect with the programme’s objectives.
Save the completed statement in the required format, following Oxford’s instructions.
Step 4: Select the Ertegun Scholarship in Your Application
Complete the Oxford Graduate Application Form. In the Funding section, select Ertegun Graduate Scholarships in the Humanities and upload the required supporting statement.
Submitting the course application without the required scholarship statement may prevent your scholarship application from being considered.
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit your complete application before the deadline for your chosen course and scholarship consideration.
Oxford recommends applying well in advance rather than waiting until the final day. Leave enough time to check your documents, confirm your referees and resolve any technical issues.
Official Links and Application Resources
Use these official University of Oxford resources to confirm eligibility, prepare your documents and submit your application.
- Ertegun Scholarship official website: https://www.ertegun.ox.ac.uk/
- Oxford graduate admissions and course information: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate
- Oxford graduate scholarships and funding: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding
- Oxford Faculty of English: https://www.english.ox.ac.uk/
How Competitive Is the Ertegun Scholarship?
The Ertegun Scholarship is highly competitive. The programme’s published information has reported more than 1,500 applicants for approximately 15 awards in a typical year.
The programme has also reported average success rates of approximately 1.5% for master’s applicants and 1.3% for doctoral applicants.
These figures are historical programme statistics, not guaranteed rates for the 2027–2028 application cycle. The number of applicants and awards may change.
Applicants should therefore prepare a strong course application and scholarship statement while also exploring other funding opportunities.
FAQs
Is the Ertegun Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship covers full course fees and provides an annual living-cost grant. The applicable grant amount for 2027–2028 should be confirmed on the official programme website.
Can Nigerian students apply for the Ertegun Scholarship?
Yes. The programme’s published eligibility information welcomes students from all countries, including Nigeria. Applicants must still meet the course admission requirements and scholarship conditions.
Can international students apply without IELTS?
English-language requirements depend on the chosen Oxford course and the applicant’s circumstances. Check the course page to determine whether you need an approved English-language test or qualify for an exemption.
Is there a separate Ertegun scholarship application form?
The scholarship uses a supporting statement submitted with the Oxford graduate course application. Applicants must select the Ertegun funding option and upload the required statement in the application form.
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