Wolfson Humanities Scholarship
With generous funding from the Wolfson Foundation, the Wolfson Postgraduate Scholarships fund doctoral research in three areas: History, Literature and Languages.
The Wolfson Foundation awards funding to outstanding students who demonstrate the potential to make an impact on their chosen field. There are three scholarships available for 2025/26, generally expected to represent each of the three areas: History, Literature and Languages.
Each scholarship offers £36,250 per student per year (i.e. £108,750 over three years) and covers:
Tuition fees at the home rate (overseas students are eligible to apply but an award will only cover tuition fees at the home rate).
Maintenance, research, travel and training costs (where there is remaining balance)
Open to International (including EU), International (non-EU) and UK (home) students.
Open to students in the following departments: Centre for Medieval Studies, Centre for Women's Studies, Department of Archaeology, Department of English and Related Literature, Department of History, Department of History of Art, Department of Language and Linguistic Science, Department of Philosophy, School of Arts and Creative Technologies and York School of Architecture.
Overseas students are eligible to apply but an award will only pay Tuition fees at the home rate.
In order to be eligible you must:
Have applied for, and ideally be in receipt of, an offer of a place on a PhD programme in a relevant department (in the area(s) of architecture, history, literature, and languages).
Expect to begin your studies PhD studies in September 2025 (deferrals are not permitted).
Have an outstanding academic record, usually a first class honours degrees at undergraduate level and a Masters degree from a recognised university in a field of study relevant to your proposed doctoral research.
Be resident within the UK for the duration of your studies and live within a reasonable distance of your host university (with the exception of periods of fieldwork or when attending conferences).
It is the Foundation’s hope that the scholars will become significant contributors to the culture of society, whether in the academic sphere or in other areas of intellectual and cultural leadership. You should therefore demonstrate the potential to make an impact on your chosen field.
The scheme is open to all nationalities and to both full- and part-time students.
Please also see the full terms and conditions as well as definitions of subject areas below.
Application deadline: Wednesday 22 January 2025, 5pm GMT
Please submit the application form.
It is possible to edit your form responses after submission - you will be given this option following confirmation of form submission. This option will be removed following the closing date.
A PDF version of the application form is available if you would like to review the questions before submitting your application.
If successful, your details will be passed to the relevant scholarship panels for consideration.
Fee waivers are paid directly to the University on behalf of the award holder and will be deducted from the award holder’s account. Awards holders will be responsible for paying any outstanding fees.
Stipends are paid quarterly in September, December, March and June each year. Award holders will be asked for bank details so that stipends can be paid directly into a preferred bank account.
Continued receipt of all studentships is conditional upon satisfactory academic progress. We may request academic progress updates from your supervisor(s).
You should notify us in the following circumstances:
- A leave of absence is approved
- A change in programme of study is approved
- You withdraw from your course
Related links
- The Wolfson Foundation (wolfson.org.uk)
- More funding opportunities
Progress Reports
Award holders will be required to provide annual and final progress reports to the University. The final report should include a summary of the research results. These reports will form part of the monitoring and reporting requirements to be sent to the Wolfson Foundation.
Acknowledgement of support
Any output during the period of the award, including the final dissertation or thesis, must acknowledge the Wolfson Foundation’s support. If any aspect of the work is published at a later date, whether in print or digital media, the Wolfson Foundation’s support must still be acknowledged.
Extensions to the period of award
Extensions to the award period may be permissible at the discretion of the university. Where extensions are agreed, no additional funding will be made available from the Foundation.
Transfers
If a student transfers to another institution, the award cannot normally be transferred with them. It is expected that any balance of funding held by the university will be reimbursed to the Foundation. Unless the student had yet to commence their study, no remaining monies from the scholarship can be allocated to another student.
Residence
Students should be resident within the UK for the duration of their studies and live within a reasonable distance of their host university (with the exception of periods of fieldwork or when attending conferences).
Mode of Study
Changing between full and part-time study may be permissible in exceptional circumstances. Where a student is within their funded period, the university should consult with the Foundation on a revised payment schedule.
Changes to Research
Major change in research direction may be permissible. If the new research direction no longer falls within the subjects of history, literature and languages, the Foundation will have to be consulted before the change is approved
Paid Work
Students may undertake some teaching work or research assistance, where it is directly relevant to their studies, however other paid work is not encouraged. For students undertaking part time study, other part time paid work is permissible.
Suspension of studies
With the exception of parental leave (see ‘Parental leave’ below), funding will cease during periods of suspension of studies. Where a student is within their funded period, the university should consult with the Foundation on a revised payment schedule.
Termination of studies
Where a student’s studies are terminated before the end of their scholarship, it is expected that any balance of funding held by the university will be reimbursed to the Foundation. Students are not entitled to any funding upon termination of studies.
Visiting fellowships
Students are able to undertake visiting fellowships (or similar) at other institutions during the period of their award where they are directly relevant to their studies. It is expected that the student’s scholarship funding will cease for the period of the fellowship. Any subsequent extension to their studies should follow the process outlined below. No additional funding will be made available from the Foundation to accommodate visiting fellowships.
Parental Leave
Scholars are able to take up to twelve months leave from study where the expected week of childbirth falls during their funded scholarship period, or in the case of adoption where a child is placed during their funded period. It is expected that the end date of the scholarship will be updated to reflect any period of leave taken.
For maternity leave, or leave taken by the main adopter, the maintenance element of funding will continue during the first six months leave. The following three months will be paid at a level commensurate with statutory maternity pay. During the final three months no funds (either for maintenance, research training or fees) will be paid.
Partners may take a period of two weeks leave from study during which the maintenance element of funding will continue. Following this, a further period of up to fifty weeks may be taken, during which no funds (either for maintenance, research training or fees) will be paid.
Related links
- The Wolfson Foundation (wolfson.org.uk)
- More funding opportunities