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Ertegun Graduate Scholarship | University of Oxford | 2025-2026 | Programs in the Humanities

Indeed, education is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the future! The Ertegun Graduate Scholarship is a prestigious award that provides exceptional students from around the globe with the opportunity to pursue advanced studies at the University of Oxford and as a result make their dreams come true.
By 
June 13, 2024
4 mins read
a group of people in graduation gowns and caps giving each other a high five

Introduction:

Indeed, education is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the future! Consequently, the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship is a prestigious award that provides exceptional students from around the globe with the opportunity to pursue advanced studies at the University of Oxford and, as a result, make their dreams come true. Furthermore, established in honor of the visionary philanthropists Ahmet and Mica Ertegun, this scholarship aims to foster a vibrant academic community dedicated to the humanities. It offers full financial support, including tuition, living expenses, and exclusive access to Ertegun House, which is, above all, a dedicated center for interdisciplinary collaboration and intellectual exchange. In short, recipients of this scholarship are selected based on their outstanding academic achievements, potential to contribute to their field, and commitment to making a meaningful impact on the world.

Eligible Courses:

a person holding a phone and a book

The list of eligible courses for the Ertegun Scholarship University of Oxford for the period of 2025-2026 is as follows:-

  1. Ancient History DPhil
  2. Ancient Philosophy MSt
  3. Buddhist Studies MPhil
  4. Celtic Studies MPhil
  5. Celtic Studies MSt
  6. Classical Archaeology DPhil
  7. Classical Archaeology MPhil
  8. Classical Archaeology MSt
  9. Classical Armenian Studies MSt
  10. Classical Hebrew Studies MSt
  11. Classical Indian Religion MPhil
  12. Classical Languages and Literature DPhil
  13. Comparative Literature and Critical Translation MSt
  14. Contemporary Chinese Studies MSc
  15. Cuneiform Studies MPhil
  16. Digital Scholarship MSc
  17. Eastern Christian Studies MPhil
  18. Economic and Social History MPhil
  19. Economic and Social History MSc
  20. Egyptology MPhil
  21. English DPhil
  22. English (​650-1550) MSt
  23. English (1550-1700) MSt
  24. English (1700-1830) MSt
  25. English (1830-1914) MSt
  26. English (1900-Present) MSt
  27. English and American Studies MSt
  28. English Studies (Medieval Period) MPhil
  29. Film Aesthetics MSt
  30. Fine Art DPhil [Contempory Art History and Theory track only]
  31. Global and Imperial History MSt
  32. Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature MPhil
  33. Greek and/or Latin Languages and Literature MSt
  34. Greek and/or Roman History MPhil
  35. Greek and/or Roman History MSt
  36. History DPhil
  37. History MPhil
  38. History MSt
  39. History (History of Science and Medicine & Economic and Social History) DPhil
  40. History of Art DPhil
  41. History of Art and Visual Culture MSt
  42. History of Science, Medicine and Technology MPhil
  43. History of Science, Medicine and Technology MSc
  44. Islamic Art and Architecture MPhil
  45. Islamic Art and Architecture MSt
  46. Islamic Studies and History MPhil
  47. Islamic Studies and History MSt
  48. Japanese Studies MPhil
  49. Japanese Studies MSc
  50. Jewish Studies MPhil
  51. Jewish Studies MSt
  52. Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period MPhil
  53. Jewish Studies in the Graeco-Roman Period MSt
  54. Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World MPhil Korean Studies MSt
  55. Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MPhil
  56. Late Antique and Byzantine Studies MSt
  57. Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics DPhil
  58. Linguistics, Philology, and Phonetics MPhil
  59. Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics MSt
  60. Medieval and Modern Languages DPhil
  61. Medieval Studies MSt
  62. Modern Chinese Studies MPhil
  63. Modern Languages MPhil
  64. Modern Languages MSt
  65. Modern Middle Eastern Studies MPhil
  66. Modern Middle Eastern Studies MSc
  67. Modern South Asian Studies MPhil
  68. Modern South Asian Studies MSc
  69. Music DPhil
  70. Music (Composition) MPhil
  71. Music (Composition) MSt
  72. Music (Musicology) MPhil
  73. Music (Musicology) MSt
  74. Music (Performance) MPhil
  75. Music (Performance) MSt
  76. Oriental Studies DPhil
  77. Oriental Studies MSt
  78. Philosophical Theology MPhil
  79. Philosophical Theology MSt
  80. Philosophy DPhil
  81. Philosophy BPhil
  82. Philosophy of Physics MSt
  83. Slavonic Studies MPhil
  84. Slavonic Studies MSt
  85. Study of Religions MSt
  86. Syriac Studies MSt
  87. Theology MPhil
  88. Theology MSt
  89. Theology and Religion DPhil
  90. Tibetan and Himalayan Studies MPhil
  91. Traditional China MSt
  92. Traditional East Asia MPhil
  93. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies MSt
  94. World Literature in English MSt
  95. Yiddish Studies MSt

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Firstly apply to a graduate program in the Humanities mentioned above and satisfy the requirements for the relevant program.
  • Then meet the English Language Requirement which is divided into two categories:-
    o IELTS 7.0 Minimum Overall Score with a 6.5 minimum score per component, TOEFL iBT 100, C1 Advanced 185 with a minimum score per component of 176, and C2 Proficiency 185 with a minimum score per component 176
    o IELTS 7.5 Minimum Overall Score with 7.0 minimum score per component), TOEFL iBT 110, C1 Advanced 191 with minimum score per component 185 and C2 Proficiency 191 with minimum score per component 185

Application Process:

  • Apply for the scholarship at the same time as you apply to Oxford by selecting ‘Ertegun Graduate Scholarships in the Humanities’ in the funding section of the university’s Graduate Application Form. For more information
    please visit http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate
  • Finally, complete a supporting statement (word doc) https://www.ertegun.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/ertegun-supporting-statement-entry- 2024.docx and upload it as a PDF document together with your Graduate Application Form by the application deadline.

Selection Procedure:

  • Because 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. Then, as a part of that initial process, they will be interviewed by a Faculty representative (usually via videoconference or telephone).  Indeed the interview will provide them with an opportunity to expand on the topics covered in their supporting statement.
  • As a result, all successful candidates will be notified by email.
  • Due to the high volume of applications unsuccessful applicants will not informed.

Scholarship Benefits:

a graduation cap and stacks of coins
  • Certainly, the Ertegun Scholarship covers course fees in full.
  • In addition, scholars will receive a generous annual grant for living costs (for 2023-24, the grant amount was £18,622).
  • Moreover, Scholars will benefit from activities like space for writing and research, opportunities to participate in social occasions, lively lectures, etc within the Ertegun House.
    Competition for the Scholarship:
    These are highly competitive scholarships with over 1,500 applicants for around 15 awards each year, with an average 1.5% success rate for Masters Candidates and 1.3% for Doctoral candidates.
    Key Dates:
    The applications for The Ertegun Graduate Scholarship 2025-2026 are likely to start soon from September 2024.

Official website: Scholarships | Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the
Humanities (ox.ac.UK)

For more opportunities like this, check out our blog on [Fully Funded Scholarships for Students in the UK in 2024].

What is the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship?

The Ertegun Graduate Scholarship is a prestigious award that offers full financial support for students pursuing advanced studies in the humanities at the University of Oxford. It covers tuition fees, and living expenses, and provides exclusive access to Ertegun House.

Who is eligible for the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship?

Applicants must apply to a graduate program in the humanities listed as eligible for the scholarship. They must also meet the English Language Requirements specified for their course of study.

What are the English Language Requirements?

Category 1: IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 per component, TOEFL iBT 100, C1 Advanced 185 (176 per component), C2 Proficiency 185 (176 per component)

Category 2: IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 per component, TOEFL iBT 110, C1 Advanced 191 (185 per component), C2 Proficiency 191 (185 per component)

How competitive is the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship?

It is highly competitive with over 1,500 applicants each year for around 15 awards. The success rate is approximately 1.5% for Master’s candidates and 1.3% for Doctoral candidates.

What is the selection process for the scholarship?

The selection involves multiple stages:

  • Initial review by faculties to shortlist candidates.
  • Faculty interviews (via videoconference or telephone).
  • Final selection by the Ertegun Scholarships Selection Committee. Successful candidates will be notified by email.