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Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust Scholarship

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme combines a fully-funded Oxford Master's with a parallel year-long leadership curriculum at the Blavatnik School of Government. It targets emerging leaders from transition and developing economies — Sri Lanka is on the eligible country list — who can show clear leadership impact in their home region. Around 30 scholars are selected each year. Awardees commit to returning to their home country or region after Oxford to contribute to public life, civil society, business, or policy.

Open for October 2027 entry — apply by Oxford's January gathered field deadline. Dates follow the same annual pattern — confirm the current round before applying.

University of Oxford

External Organization-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Tuition

100% University + College fees

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Stipend

Oxford-aligned living grant (~£18k/yr)

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Duration

1-2 Year Master's

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Awards

~30 / year

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Awards from external organisations like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

University of Oxford — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

Full Tuition + College Fees + Living Stipend. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Eligible Country National

Applicants must be nationals of and resident in an eligible transition / developing economy. Sri Lanka has been on the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann list every recent cycle.

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Oxford Master's Offer

You must be applying for or admitted to a 1- or 2-year Master's (MSc, MPhil, MBA, MPP, BCL/MJur etc.) at Oxford. Doctoral programmes are not eligible for this award.

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Leadership Track Record

Demonstrated leadership in your professional, civic, or community life. Activities that show service beyond yourself — not just academic excellence — are weighted heavily by the selection panel.

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Return-Home Commitment

Commit to return to your home country or region after Oxford to apply your training. The Trust tracks alumni outcomes and explicitly looks for candidates planning real-world impact.

account_tree Application Process

Apply to an eligible Oxford Master's

Submit your Oxford graduate application by the relevant January deadline. The Master's department screens you on academics first.

Tick the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann box

On the Oxford application's funding section, select Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and complete the additional questions about leadership, motivation, and home-country impact.

Trust shortlisting & interview

The Trust shortlists candidates after the department's academic ranking and interviews them (typically online for Sri Lankan applicants) in March-April.

Final offer + leadership programme

Successful candidates receive a joint Oxford admission and Weidenfeld scholarship offer, plus enrolment in the leadership programme at the Blavatnik School running alongside their degree.

Why Weidenfeld-Hoffmann?

Founded in 2007 by Lord George Weidenfeld, the Trust pairs Oxford's academic depth with a structured leadership curriculum at the Blavatnik School of Government. Scholars build lifelong networks across emerging economies.

~30

New Scholars / Year

100+

Countries in Alumni Network

Since 2007

Programme Running

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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