Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship: Fully Funded Master’s + MBA at Oxford University in UK for Leaders Ready to Change the World

What if two years at the University of Oxford could equip you with deep expertise in your field and the business acumen to scale real solutions to humanity’s toughest problems — with every cost covered? For five exceptional candidates each year, the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship turns that possibility into reality.

Established in 2014 through a partnership between the Pershing Square Foundation and Oxford’s Saïd Business School, this prestigious award supports outstanding individuals who demonstrate the vision, character, and leadership potential to create scalable and sustainable change. It is one of the most generous and impactful scholarships available for graduate study in the UK, combining academic excellence with a clear focus on social impact.

If you are driven to address world-scale challenges — whether in climate action, global health, education equity, criminal justice reform, technology for good, or economic inclusion — the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship could be the catalyst that transforms your ambitions into lasting influence.

Scholarship Summary

Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
Host Institution: University of Oxford
Scholarship Type: MSC Scholarships
Eligible Countries: All Countries
Scholarship Benefits: Full tuition fee, Living stipend, etc.

Overview of Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship

The scholarship provides up to five full awards annually to students on Oxford’s distinctive 1+1 MBA programme. Recipients complete a one-year Master’s degree from one of Oxford’s partnering departments, followed by the one-year Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School.

Unlike traditional scholarships that support a single degree, this award spans both years of study. It is designed for people who want more than a prestigious credential — they want the tools, network, and mindset to turn knowledge into measurable impact at scale.

Scholars are selected not only for academic brilliance but for their demonstrated commitment to finding solutions that can grow beyond one organisation or one country. The scholarship explicitly seeks individuals who can articulate how they intend to change the world and what that ambition reveals about them as leaders.

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What Does the Scholarship Cover?

This is a truly comprehensive, fully funded package:

Full course fees for both the Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA
A grant for living costs of at least £21,805 for each year of study
Access to an exclusive scholar community with mentorship opportunities
Priority or special access to high-profile events, conferences, and forums
Termly gatherings with senior faculty and contributors to the scholarship
Potential invitation to a New York “trek” featuring workshops and meetings with leading innovators and change-makers hosted by the Pershing Square Foundation

The financial support removes barriers so scholars can focus entirely on their studies, leadership development, and impact projects. The non-financial benefits — especially the curated community and exposure to global networks — often prove equally transformative.

The Power of the Oxford 1+1 MBA Structure

The 1+1 model is what makes this scholarship unique. In year one, you immerse yourself in a specialised Master’s programme offered by a partnering Oxford department. In year two, you join the MBA cohort, learning core business disciplines while connecting your domain expertise to strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and innovation.

Partnering Master’s programmes span a wide range of disciplines, including:

Master of Public Policy (Blavatnik School of Government)
MSc in Computer Science
Various MSc programmes in Education (Child Development, Comparative & International Education, Digital and Social Change, Higher Education)
MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice
MSc programmes in Social Policy and Intervention
Law programmes including the BCL, MJur, and MSc in Law and Finance
And many more across Statistics, Sociology, Pharmacology, Economic and Social History, Modern Languages, Music, and beyond

A full, regularly updated list is available on the Saïd Business School website.

This combination is powerful. A public policy expert gains business skills to scale government or NGO initiatives. A computer scientist learns how to build and fund technology ventures that serve underserved communities. An education specialist develops the organisational and financial capabilities to transform learning systems. The Oxford 1+1 MBA creates hybrid leaders who can bridge sectors and multiply impact.

Who Should Apply? Eligibility and Ideal Candidate Profile

The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is open to candidates of all nationalities. There is no citizenship restriction.

To be considered, you must:

Apply and be admitted to both a partnering one-year Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA (1+1 route)
Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement
Show clear leadership potential through experience and motivation
Exhibit strong personal character, integrity, and commitment
Articulate a compelling vision for addressing world-scale social challenges with scalable, sustainable solutions

Priority is given first to new applicants to the 1+1 MBA programme who are admitted to both degrees. Current Master’s students who have already been admitted to the MBA may also be considered in later priority categories.

The scholarship is highly competitive. Successful candidates usually have a strong academic record, meaningful leadership or impact experience (professional, entrepreneurial, or voluntary), and a coherent narrative about how Oxford’s 1+1 MBA will accelerate their ability to create change.

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How to Apply for the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship (2027 Entry)

There is no separate scholarship application form. Instead, the scholarship is integrated into the 1+1 MBA application process.

Here are the key steps:

Research and choose your partnering Master’s programme. Review the full list of partnering departments and programmes. Check specific entry requirements, deadlines, and whether the programme aligns with your background and impact goals.
Submit your application to the chosen Master’s programme through the University of Oxford’s central Graduate Admissions portal. Many programmes have deadlines in December or early January.
Apply to the Oxford MBA, selecting the 1+1 option. In the Funding section of the MBA application, upload your scholarship essay answering this exact question in no more than 500 words: “How do you intend to change the world and what does this tell us about you as a person?”
Meet all deadlines. For the previous cycle, the MBA deadline was 7 January. Expect a similar early January 2027 deadline for 2027 entry (exact dates will be confirmed when applications open, typically in August/September 2026). Always verify current deadlines on the official Saïd Business School and Oxford Graduate Admissions websites, as some Master’s programmes close earlier.
Prepare supporting materials including academic transcripts, references, CV, English language test scores (if required), and GMAT/GRE scores where applicable for the MBA.

Shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed. Being admitted to both programmes is required before scholarship consideration; waitlisted applicants are not eligible.

Official resources:

Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships page
Oxford 1+1 MBA programme page
Partnering Master’s programmes list
University of Oxford Graduate Admissions

How to Write a Standout Scholarship Essay and Application

The 500-word essay is your most important differentiator. Admissions committees read hundreds of applications; they remember those with clarity, authenticity, and evidence.

Strong essays typically:

Open with a specific, personal story or moment that revealed your commitment to impact
Clearly define the world-scale challenge you want to address and why it matters
Explain your proposed approach and why it has potential for scale and sustainability
Connect your background, skills, and values to this vision
Show genuine self-awareness about what the Oxford 1+1 MBA will uniquely provide
End with forward-looking conviction rather than vague aspirations

Throughout the full application, use concrete examples of leadership and initiative. Quantify results where possible. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and the ability to work across disciplines — qualities the 1+1 structure rewards.

Interview preparation should focus on behavioural examples and deeper exploration of your impact vision. Be ready to discuss trade-offs, risks, and how you would measure success.

Life as a Pershing Square Scholar

Beyond funding and academics, scholars join a deliberately curated community. You will benefit from mentorship by faculty, alumni, and members of the Pershing Square network. Termly events foster connection, while scholar-led initiatives encourage collaboration. Many scholars also gain exposure to global forums and conferences.

The optional New York trek offers direct engagement with leading practitioners in social innovation and impact. These experiences are designed to prepare you intellectually, professionally, and practically for senior leadership roles that drive systemic change.

Past scholars have gone on to launch social enterprises, lead major NGOs and international organisations, influence policy at national and global levels, and build businesses with purpose. The network continues long after graduation.

Why This Scholarship Matters Now

The world faces interconnected crises that demand leaders who can combine deep domain knowledge with the ability to mobilise resources, build organisations, influence policy, and create sustainable models. Pure academic excellence or pure business training is often insufficient. The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship deliberately develops hybrid leaders who can operate at the intersection of sectors and ideas.

Oxford itself provides an unparalleled environment: rigorous inquiry, a global student and alumni body, access to world-class research, and a centuries-old tradition of producing people who shape history. When paired with Saïd Business School’s practical focus on entrepreneurship and leadership, the combination is exceptionally potent for impact-oriented careers.

Take the Next Step Toward Your Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship Journey

If you have a clear vision for scalable social change and the drive to develop both expertise and business leadership, the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship represents one of the most powerful investments you can make in your future — and in the future of the challenges you care about.

Start today:

Explore the full list of partnering Master’s programmes and identify the best fit for your goals.
Review the current MBA and scholarship information on the Saïd Business School website.
Begin drafting your 500-word essay on how you intend to change the world.
Mark early January 2027 as your target deadline and work backwards to create a realistic preparation timeline.

The competition is intense, but the reward — two transformative years at Oxford with full funding and a lifelong community of like-minded leaders — is extraordinary. Many past recipients describe the experience as pivotal in clarifying and accelerating their life’s work.

The world needs more people willing to think boldly about scalable solutions. If that describes you, the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship may be exactly the opportunity you have been preparing for.

Begin your application journey on the official Saïd Business School pages and give yourself the best possible chance to join the next cohort of Oxford Pershing Square Scholars.

For the latest deadlines, detailed entry requirements, and the most current programme information, always refer directly to the University of Oxford and Saïd Business School websites, as details can be updated annually. Good luck — your vision for change deserves the very best platform.

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