Overview

The Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities are esteemed awards established by the Wolfson Foundation, aiming to nurture and support outstanding doctoral (PhD) candidates in history, literature, and languages. These scholarships reflect the Foundation’s dedication to fostering academic excellence and promoting impactful research in the humanities. 

This scholarship offers more than just financial support—it opens doors to prestigious academic networks and enables recipients to focus on producing impactful research. By funding studies in history, literature, and languages, The Wolfson Foundation fosters the development of thinkers who shape our understanding of the past and the present, making a significant contribution to society.

Embark on your academic journey with the support of the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarship in the Humanities and become a leader in your field.

Who Can Apply?

• Open to UK and international students, including those from the EU.
• Applicants must pursue campus-based doctoral (PhD) study at the University of Nottingham starting in 2025/26.
• Research must align with the disciplines of history, literature, or languages.
• A strong academic background, demonstrated by a first-class undergraduate degree and a relevant Master’s degree (completed or nearing completion).
• Applicants must reside in the UK during their studies (fieldwork exceptions apply).

Application Procedure

1. Meet the Eligibility Requirements

   • Review the academic and residency criteria.
   • Ensure your research aligns with the eligible disciplines.

2. Apply for a PhD

   • Submit an application for an Open Doctoral Award through the Midlands4Cities partnership.
   • Note: Wolfson Scholarship applicants will not be eligible for simultaneous M4C studentships.

3. Submit Scholarship Application

   • All eligible Open Doctoral Award applicants will be automatically considered for the Wolfson Scholarship.

If you cannot apply online, email AR-Arts-admin@nottingham.ac.uk for assistance.

What Financial Support is Available?

• For full-time study, each scholarship provides a fixed sum of £108,750 over three years, while for part-time study, the funding is extended over six years.
• Tuition fees: The scholarship covers both Home (UK) and International fees (for international students, the Faculty will cover the difference between the two fee rates).
• Additionally, a monthly, tax-free maintenance grant of £26,000 per year (pro-rated for part-time study) will be provided.
• An allowance for research and training is also included.

Other Details

Research Disciplines

The three disciplines that the programme covers are broadly defined. The Foundation recognises that many research subjects will encompass inter- and multi- disciplinary studies, and that students receiving these scholarships may be based in other departments (for example, music or anthropology).

1. History - As well as broad-based historical and historiographical studies, this may include such areas as classics, history of art, visual culture, or architectural history, provided the research is grounded within historical methodology.
2. Literature - As well as literary and textual studies, this may include research that involves critical theory, theatre, film and other visual media, provided there is a literary element within the research (e.g. translation of literature to screen). It excludes creative writing.
3. Languages - Research should be in applied languages other than English. It may involve the study of literary or historical texts, theatre, film or other visual media, translation, or the philosophy of language, provided that the research is focused primarily on a language other than English. It excludes linguistics. While research can be working with any language, it is expected that the student’s final thesis is written in English.

For More Information

The nine participating universities are: University College London, University of Cambridge, University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Warwick, University of York, and the School of Oriental and African Studies. Each university will be awarded three scholarships, with one typically allocated to each of the three designated disciplines. 

The application deadline for the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships in the Humanities is 13 January 2025 (noon, GMT). This deadline applies across all participating universities.

Make sure to apply for an Open Doctoral Award through the Midlands4Cities partnership, and all eligible applications will automatically be considered for the Wolfson Scholarship. Twenty seven scholarships are funded each year at nine universities across the UK.