09/04/2026
Baby steps toward better probiotics with Bonface Gichuki
Generous donations from alumni and friends of the College support a wide range of awards to help fund your studies at Wolfson.
Only those students who have been accepted by the University and then offered College membership at Wolfson are eligible for any of the scholarships offered through Wolfson College.
Eligible applicants can apply for Wolfson College Scholarships by opting in for funding through the Applicant Portal when they submit their application for postgraduate study. Preference for this award will be given to applicants who specify Wolfson College as their first or second choice in their admissions application. Preference will also be given to students who have applied by the funding deadline for their course.
The allocation of funds is made by the Wolfson Student Scholarship Committee, and individual scholarship amounts may vary from year to year as current holders graduate. Postgraduate scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Some awards are renewable, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Some funding is available to students studying any subject, and some is restricted to particular subjects.
Wolfson College funding
Wolfson College distributes around £1 million each year to postgraduate students in the form of fully-funded studentships and partial awards. Wolfson also offers additional financial support in the form of hardship funds, sports awards, travel and research grants, and musical scholarships.
Match-funded awards
Wolfson College offers match-funded studentships delivered by the College in partnership with other University institutions and departments. For match-funded awards, candidates need to ensure their applications are submitted before the relevant University or Department funding deadline. The initial selection process for all match-funded awards is managed by our partners, not by the College. No separate scholarship application is required.
PhD Scholarships
- Any subject area
Balgobin Family Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £3,000 (annual) | Overseas
The Balgobin Family Scholarship provides £3000 per year to support the studies of a mature undergraduate or postgraduate student from a developing country, with a preference for students from the Caribbean. The award is funded by a generous donation from Dr Rolph Balgobin, an alumnus of Wolfson College.
Cambridge International & Wolfson College PhD Studentship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Tuition & Maintenance | Overseas
Wolfson partners with the Cambridge Trust in funding several PhD studentships each year, covering tuition and maintenance costs for doctoral study in any subject. Around half are awarded to home-fee status students as Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Studentships. The rest are awarded to overseas-fee status students as Cambridge International PhD Studentships. The College often partners with specific Faculties, Departments or Doctoral Training Partnerships to co-fund these awards. For 2026-2027, preference may be given to applicants in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Development & Neuroscience (PDN) and/or in subjects related to the College’s Interdisciplinary Research Hubs. (Gender, Global Health, Sustainability & Conservation and Race, Ethnicity, Culture and Heritage.) These awards are offered in partnership with the Cambridge Trust.
John Hughes PhD Studentship at Wolfson College
Postgraduate (PhD) | Tuition & Maintenance | Home-fee
Thanks to the generosity of Wolfson College alumnus John Hughes, the College first offered this PhD award in 2023. This covered three years of tuition, at the home rate, and maintenance costs for a PhD candidate in any subject.
Rowan Williams Cambridge and Wolfson College Studentship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | Full-cost award | Home & Overseas
We are proud to partner with the Cambridge Trust in sponsoring this funding to a student facing severe barriers in coming to study in Cambridge. Named after the former Chairman of the Cambridge Trust's Board of Trustees, this is a full-cost award available to undergraduate and postgraduates (both MPhil and PhD).
Shoman International PhD Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Full-cost award) | Overseas
Thanks to a generous gift to Wolfson College by Aysha and Omar Shoman, the College is able to offer a PhD award that will cover tuition (at the Overseas rate) and maintenance costs for a PhD candidate in any subject. The scholarship will last for the duration of the course and then pass to the next eligible student.
Senior Members' 50th Anniversary Fund
Postgraduate (PhD) | £3,000 | Home & Overseas
One award of £3,000, open to students in any discipline who have undertaken their MPhil at Wolfson and are progressing to a PhD.
Vice-Chancellor’s & Wolfson College PhD Studentship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Tuition & Maintenance | Home & Overseas
Generous donations from friends and alumni enable Wolfson to partner with the Cambridge Trust in funding up to five PhD studentships each year. These cover tuition and maintenance costs for doctoral study in any subject. In 2026-2027, preference may be given to applicants in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Wolfson College Scholarship for Recent Alumni
Postgraduate (PhD) | ~£10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This award, funded by generous gifts from alumni and friends of the College, supports recent alumni to continue to a further degree at Wolfson by offering one scholarship of at least £10,000/year for a Wolfson student who is continuing from a stand-alone Master’s to a PhD at Wolfson College within 5 years of having completed the Master’s degree. The College will always seek to partner with the Cambridge Trust, a Faculty or Department in order to increase the size of the award, but this cannot be guaranteed.
- Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Donald and Beryl O’May Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £4,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home-fee
Awards of £4,000 to £10,000 per year to cover University and College fees and maintenance. Open to postgraduates in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (including Law) based on academic merit. Preference will be given to those who have had a significant break in their studies since leaving school. Candidates must be UK or Republic of Ireland citizens.
Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £3,500 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One award of £3,500 to fund student support in any form, based on academic merit.
Fischer Family Trust Scholarship in US-EU Relations and Globalisation
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 ~ £10,000 | Home & Overseas
Not available in 2026-2027
His Excellency Dr Mahfouz bin Mahfouz Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Up to £10,000 | Home & Overseas
Up to £10,000 to support PhD study in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.
Jack King Bursary
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £3,500 (annual) | Home & Overseas
£3,500 per year to support a student who requires financial assistance to pursue their studies. Awards are based on academic merit.
John Morrison Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | £11,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Not available in 2026-2027
Peter and Angela Lucas Bursary in Medieval English Studies
Postgraduate (PhD) | £900 (annual) | Home & Overseas
A generous gift from Peter and Angela Lucas, Senior Members of Wolfson College, provides an annual bursary of £900 to support Wolfson students who are engaged in a PhD in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic or Medieval English Studies, the areas of the donors' own scholarly expertise.
Richard Chancellor’s Journey PhD Scholarship in Slavonic Studies
Postgraduate (PhD) | £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Not available in 2026-2027
Teo Wang Gungwu Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | Up to £6,000 | Home & Overseas
Next available in 2027 - 2028
The Mary Hesse PhD Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | £10,000 ~ £15,000 | Home & Overseas
Established in 2018 by a generous bequest from Professor Mary Hesse, a Fellow of Wolfson College from 1965-1992, the scholarship will provide at least £10,000 to support a PhD student pursuing research in Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences. The College will also seek partnerships with other University funding bodies in order to increase the amount of the annual award (although this is never guaranteed). Awards are based on merit and financial need.
- Law
Professor Sir David Williams Law Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £6,000 | Home & Overseas
£6,000 to support students studying Law with a preference for postgraduate students. Awards are based on academic merit.
- STEM
Alborada Scholarships in Veterinary Science and Medicine
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | up to £10,000 annual | Home & Overseas
The Alborada Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Awards vary in size, with most in the range between £3,000 and £10,000, with a possibility of renewal, subject to satisfactory academic progress and continuing financial need. Preference is given to postgraduates for whom the award will have a decisive impact on their ability to pursue their chosen course of study. Only students who already hold an offer of a place to study at Wolfson College are eligible to apply.
Dr Hyun Wha Oh Kim MD Scholarship Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £710 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This scholarship award provides £710 per year towards the costs of a female postgraduate student engaged in research on a STEM subject or sustainability. It is funded by a generous donation to Wolfson College in the memory of Dr Hyun Wha Oh Kim MD and her honourable mother Mrs. Reh-Saing Keh. The College will make every effort to partner with other funding bodies to increase the amount of the award, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Edgeworth Family Scholarship for Medical Research
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This scholarship provides £8,000 per year towards the costs of a postgraduate student engaged in medical research. It is funded by a generous legacy from the estate of Laura Hester Edgeworth in memory of her son Jonathan. Preference will be given to students engaged in research related to passive immunotherapy, particularly in relation to HIV prevention and treatment.
The College will make every effort to partner with other funding bodies to increase the amount of the award, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Medical Research Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Up to £8,000 | Home & Overseas
Up to £8,000 per year to support PhDs in Medical Science.
Norma Emerton Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £2,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
£2,000 per year. A generous legacy from the estate of the late Dr Norma Emerton to encourage women in STEM subjects.
Professor Anthony Swain Fund
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £2,500 annual | Home
Funded by a generous donation to Wolfson College by Professor Anthony Swain, this scholarship will provide up to £2,500 per year to support a postgraduate Home UK student researching infrastructure technology.
Professor Jane Clarke PhD Studentship for Women in STEM
Postgraduate (PhD) | £8,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Next available in 2029-2030
Roger Needham Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Next available in 2029-2030
Wolfson College Scholarships in Biological and Physical Sciences
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £5,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Open to postgraduates in Physical and Biological Sciences. For 2024/2025 entry preference may be given to students in Chemistry, Geography, Pharmacology, Physics, PDN (Physiology, Development & Neuroscience), Veterinary Medicine or Zoology.
FEIBI PhD Scholarship
Postgraduate (PhD) | Tuition & Maintenance | Home
This fund will provide a full studentship for one woman pursuing a PhD in a Sciences, Technology, Engineering or Medicine (STEM) subject. Open to UK Home students, with one student funded each year and with the scholarship lasting for the duration of the course.
Master’s Scholarships
- Any subject area
Aziz Foundation Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £13,500 ~ £23,000 (annual) | Home-fee
The Aziz Foundation has partnered with Wolfson College to fund scholarships for home-fee rated students who are actively engaged in British Muslim communities and who wish to study for a Master's degree at the University of Cambridge in order to improve access for individuals from social groups who historically have been underrepresented at the University. An Aziz Foundation Scholarship will cover the University Composition Fee for the course. The scholarships are aimed at those who are dedicated to community service, social development and effective advocacy within and for British Muslim communities.
Applications are made directly through the Aziz Foundation website.
Balgobin Family Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £3,000 (annual) | Overseas
The Balgobin Family Scholarship provides £3000 per year to support the studies of a mature undergraduate or postgraduate student from a developing country, with a preference for students from the Caribbean. The award is funded by a generous donation from Dr Rolph Balgobin, an alumnus of Wolfson College.
Cambridge Opportunity Master's Scholarship at Wolfson College
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £12,000 ~ £16,000 | Home-fee
Each year, in partnership with the Cambridge Trust, Wolfson College funds several Cambridge Opportunity Master’s awards to home-fee rated students from a low-income household with experience of educational disadvantage. The award is intended to cover University fees and living expenses when the maximum postgraduate grant / loan is taken with government student finance.
Dr John T Grantham Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | ~£12,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One award of up to £12,000 per year for a PhD student. The College will make every effort to partner with other University bodies to increase the amount of this award.
Rowan Williams Cambridge and Wolfson College Studentship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | Full-cost award | Home & Overseas
We are proud to partner with the Cambridge Trust in sponsoring this funding to a student facing severe barriers in coming to study in Cambridge. Named after the former Chairman of the Cambridge Trust's Board of Trustees, this is a full-cost award available to undergraduate and postgraduates (both MPhil and PhD).
Wolfson College Claudia Ullmann International Master's Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | Full-cost award | Overseas
This scholarship provides full funding for an international student to undertake a one-year master’s degree at Wolfson College. The scholarship will be available for a full-time master’s degree in fields related to healthcare, in the humanities, and in music.
Preference will be given to students whose study or research contributes towards a practical impact beyond academia.
Wolfson College Scholarship in Genealogy and Heritage Studies
Postgraduate (Master’s) | Full-cost award | Home & Overseas
This scholarship provides up to £12,000/year for an MPhil student whose research focuses on areas relating to genealogy and personal heritage in the broadest sense, including but not limited to: history, literature, heritage studies, linguistics, biology, genetics, music, architecture or art.
Wolfson College Scholarship for Recent Alumni
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £5,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This award, funded by generous gifts from alumni and friends of the college, supports recent alumni to continue to a further degree at Wolfson by offering one scholarship of at least £5000 for a Wolfson undergraduate who is continuing to a separate Master’s-level course at Wolfson College within 5 years of having completed the BA.
Wolfson College Rob Shaw Cambridge Master's Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £12,000 (one-offl) | Home Fee
The College has partnered with the Cambridge Trust to fund an award of £12,000 for a student undertaking a full-time MPhil course in any subject at Wolfson College in the 2026-27 academic year.
Wolfson College Scholarship for Women Entrepreneurs from Emerging Economies
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £25,000 ~ £53,000 (annual) | Overseas
The Scholarship for Women Entrepreneurs from Emerging Economies will provide at least £25,000 for one student pursuing a Master’s-level course. While not guaranteed, the College has in the past been able to partner with other funding bodies in order to cover the full estimated cost of the recipient's overseas fees and maintenance, increasing the full value of the award to as much as £53,000.
The scholarship for Women Entrepreneurs is funded by a generous anonymous donor who wishes to support female students from overseas who (a) have resided since birth and are citizens of one of the countries that the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has defined as developing; and (b) are pursuing a full-time Masters course that is intended to prepare them to return to their home country and develop or improve business opportunities there. The scholarship is thus intended to expand the role of women, particularly those wishing to start or develop their own business, in economies where they have been historically under-represented.
Wolfson OCS Kenya Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | Tuition & Maintenance (1 year) | Overseas
The Oxford & Cambridge Society of Kenya (OCS Kenya) has partnered with Wolfson College and the Cambridge Trust to fund this award, which covers the cost of fees and maintenance for a one-year Masters' course for a student from Kenya who requires financial assistance in order to study at Cambridge.
Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr. Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £3,500 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One award of £3,500 to fund student support in any form, based on academic merit.
Dr John T Grantham Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | ~£4,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One award of at least £4,000 per year for a Master's student. The College will make every effort to partner with other University bodies to increase the amount of this award.
- Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Boyce Family Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £28,000 ~ £32,000 (annual) | Overseas
The Boyce Family Scholarship offers up to £32,500 per year to cover the University Composition Fee for full-time one-year MPhil studies. The College will also seek co-funding from other University partners to increase the amount of the award to cover a student's full costs, but this cannot be guaranteed.
The scholarship is open exclusively to students who are normally resident in North America (including the Caribbean) and South America.
Preference will be given to the following:
- students from backgrounds underrepresented at postgraduate level in their field of study, in the first instance, to women and students from racially minoritised backgrounds.
- who are pursuing an MPhil in Land Economy, or another course in the social sciences (including Geography) with a focus on the built environment, sustainability, and/or conservation.
The scholarship was established by Wolfson alumnus Mark Boyce, who completed his MPhil in Land Economy as a student at Wolfson in 1993-94. It is intended to improve access to postgraduate education for outstanding students who face financial challenges in taking up a place at Cambridge.
Cambridge UK & Wolfson College Master's Scholarships
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £12,000 (one-off) | Home-fee
Each year Wolfson partners with the Cambridge Trust to fund two awards of £12,000 each for MPhil students, usually aiming to fund one in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and one in a STEM subject.
Donald and Beryl O’May Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £4,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home-fee
Awards of £4,000 to £10,000 per year to cover University and College fees and maintenance. Open to postgraduates in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (including Law) based on academic merit. Preference will be given to those who have had a significant break in their studies since leaving school. Candidates must be UK or Republic of Ireland citizens.
Fischer Family Trust Scholarship in US-EU Relations and Globalisation
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 ~ £10,000 | Home & Overseas
Not available in 2026-2027
Joseph Petty Bursary in Criminology
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £1,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One annual award of £1000 for a postgraduate pursuing studies in Criminology or subjects related to Metallurgy. Awards are based on academic merit.
President’s Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £7,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One award of £7,000. Open to postgraduate students, with preference for students undertaking an MPhil course in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences.
Professor Ajit Singh Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s) | £3,000 (one-off) | Home & Overseas
Established in 2024 by a generous anonymous gift in honour of Professor Ajit Singh (1940-2015), this scholarship provides an award of £3000 to support a Wolfson College Master's student in Economics, Economic Development or Sustainability.
Teo Wang Gungwu Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | Up to £6,000 | Home & Overseas
Next available in 2027 - 2028
- Law
Donald and Beryl O’May Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £4,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home-fee
Awards of £4,000 to £10,000 per year to cover University and College fees and maintenance. Open to postgraduates in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (including Law) based on academic merit. Preference will be given to those who have had a significant break in their studies since leaving school. Candidates must be UK or Republic of Ireland citizens.
Professor Sir David Williams Law Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £6,000 | Home & Overseas
£6,000 to support students studying Law with a preference for postgraduate students. Awards are based on academic merit.
- STEM
Alborada Scholarships in Veterinary Science and Medicine
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | up to £10,000 annual | Home & Overseas
The Alborada Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need. Awards vary in size, with most in the range between £3,000 and £10,000, with a possibility of renewal, subject to satisfactory academic progress and continuing financial need. Preference is given to postgraduates for whom the award will have a decisive impact on their ability to pursue their chosen course of study. Only students who already hold an offer of a place to study at Wolfson College are eligible to apply.
Dr Hyun Wha Oh Kim MD Scholarship Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £710 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This scholarship award provides £710 per year towards the costs of a female postgraduate student engaged in research on a STEM subject or sustainability. It is funded by a generous donation to Wolfson College in the memory of Dr Hyun Wha Oh Kim MD and her honourable mother Mrs. Reh-Saing Keh. The College will make every effort to partner with other funding bodies to increase the amount of the award, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Edgeworth Family Scholarship for Medical Research
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
This scholarship provides £8,000 per year towards the costs of a postgraduate student engaged in medical research. It is funded by a generous legacy from the estate of Laura Hester Edgeworth in memory of her son Jonathan. Preference will be given to students engaged in research related to passive immunotherapy, particularly in relation to HIV prevention and treatment.
The College will make every effort to partner with other funding bodies to increase the amount of the award, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Joseph Petty Bursary in Metallurgy
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £1,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
One annual award of £1000 for a postgraduate pursuing studies in subjects relating to Metallurgy or Criminology. Awards are based on academic merit.
Norma Emerton Award
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £2,000 p/a | Home & Overseas
£2,000 per year. A generous legacy from the estate of the late Dr Norma Emerton to encourage women in STEM subjects.
Professor Anthony Swain Fund
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £2,500 annual | Home
Funded by a generous donation to Wolfson College by Professor Anthony Swain, this scholarship will provide up to £2,500 per year to support a postgraduate Home UK student researching infrastructure technology.
Roger Needham Scholarship
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £8,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Next available in 2029-2030
Wolfson College Scholarships in Biological and Physical Sciences
Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD) | £5,000 ~ £10,000 (annual) | Home & Overseas
Open to postgraduates in Physical and Biological Sciences. For 2024/2025 entry preference may be given to students in Chemistry, Geography, Pharmacology, Physics, PDN (Physiology, Development & Neuroscience), Veterinary Medicine or Zoology.
Additional Funding
University of Cambridge funding
Every year the University of Cambridge awards over £100m in scholarships to new postgraduate students. Prospective students are encouraged to read through all of the funding pages on the Postgraduate Admissions website, particularly how to apply for postgraduate funding, as well as using the Postgraduate Funding Search tool to look for specific awards in your field and level of study.
Government and external funding
UK nationals and those residing in the UK with EU settled status may be eligible for a postgraduate study loan from the UK Government. Specific funds are available for UK students with disabilities via the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Financial support is also available for students with families to help meet childcare costs.
International students should check UK postgraduate scholarships, funding opportunities from their governments, as well as international funding bodies. There are also many other sources of external funding to which both UK and international prospective students can apply.
Research Councils
Research Councils are the largest funder of PhD students at Cambridge. There are six UK Research Councils, and each council is also able to offer a limited number of studentships to international students. Some studentships also include funding for Master’s programmes taken prior to a PhD in a 1+3 year format.
Personal funding
About 66% of our doctoral students and 14% of our Master’s students are fully funded. To find out more about how students are funded at Cambridge, see the University's 2024-25 funding statistics. All prospective students are required to demonstrate that they can cover their course costs in the process of making their application.
