Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships 2027

The Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships 2027 are prestigious international graduate scholarships offered by the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School with support from the Pershing Square Foundation.

The scholarships support outstanding individuals who aim to create sustainable solutions to major global challenges through leadership, innovation and responsible business practices.

The programme is designed for applicants who wish to combine specialist academic knowledge with advanced business and management education.

Successful scholars undertake the Oxford 1+1 MBA, a two-year full-time study pathway combining a master's degree from the University of Oxford with the Oxford Master of Business Administration.

How the Oxford 1+1 MBA Works

The programme consists of two academic stages.

Year One – Master's Degree

Students pursue an eligible full-time master's programme at the University of Oxford.

This first year allows students to develop specialist knowledge in their chosen subject.

Partnering programmes cover areas such as public policy, computer science, environmental studies, public health and other disciplines.

Applicants must meet the separate admissions requirements of their chosen master's programme.

Year Two – Oxford MBA

During the second year, students undertake the full-time Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School.

The MBA focuses on leadership, business management, strategy, entrepreneurship, finance and organisational decision-making.

The combination allows students to connect specialised academic knowledge with practical management skills.

Scholarship Purpose

The Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships place particular emphasis on candidates committed to addressing global social challenges.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their education, experience and future plans could contribute to scalable and sustainable solutions.

Relevant challenges may include climate change, healthcare inequalities, education, poverty, economic development, sustainability and other issues.

Scholar Community

Recipients become part of the Pershing Square Scholar community.

Throughout their studies, scholars can participate in special events, mentorship opportunities, leadership discussions and professional networking activities.

The scholarship therefore supports both academic study and long-term leadership development.

Applicants must meet the relevant scholarship and Oxford admission requirements.

Scholarship Eligibility

• Apply for an eligible Oxford master's and MBA pathway.
• Obtain admission to both the master's programme and the Oxford MBA before scholarship consideration.
• Meet the academic and professional admission requirements for both degrees.
• Demonstrate the potential to address major social challenges.
• Show leadership potential, commitment and integrity.
• Explain how the combination of a specialist master's degree and MBA supports future goals.
• Submit the required scholarship essay with the MBA application.
• Submit both course applications within the applicable deadlines.

Applicant Priority Categories

The scholarship considers applicants in the following order:

• First Priority: New applicants to the official Oxford 1+1 MBA programme who obtain admission to both degrees.
• Second Priority: Applicants admitted separately to the Oxford MBA and a full-time one-year Oxford master's programme that is not an official 1+1 MBA partner.
• Third Priority: Current Oxford master's students admitted to the MBA who were not considered for the scholarship in the previous year.

Current master's students in the third category may be considered for funding towards the MBA year rather than receiving funding retrospectively for their master's year.

Oxford MBA Admission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have completed a recognised undergraduate degree.
• Provide a valid GMAT or GRE score.
• Demonstrate suitable academic and analytical preparation.
• Present relevant professional experience and career goals.
• Satisfy applicable English-language requirements.
• Complete the MBA application, including the online assessment and required written submissions.

Successful Oxford-Pershing Square Scholars receive:

• Full Master's Course Fees: Coverage of tuition and course fees for the eligible master's programme.
• Full MBA Course Fees: Coverage of the Oxford MBA course fees.
• Annual Living-Cost Grant: At least £21,805 for each funded academic year.
• Two-Year Scholarship Support: Funding covering both years of the standard 1+1 MBA programme.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Access to guidance and interaction with experienced professionals.
• Leadership Development: Participation in activities supporting responsible leadership and social impact.
• Scholar Community Events: Invitations to termly gatherings and networking activities.
• Conferences and Forums: Opportunities to attend or participate in professional and international events.
• Academic Community: Membership in the wider Oxford and Saïd Business School communities.
• Career Development: Access to relevant business school career and professional development resources.

Applicants must prepare documents for two separate degree applications, plus the additional scholarship essay.

Oxford MBA Application

• Completed MBA Application: Submitted through Saïd Business School's official application system.
• Undergraduate Academic Transcripts: Records of previous university studies.
• Curriculum Vitae: A one-page CV describing education and relevant professional experience.
• GMAT or GRE Score: A valid official test result.
• English Proficiency Evidence: Required where an exemption or waiver does not apply.
• Two References: Professional or academic recommendations, preferably professional.
• MBA Supporting Statement: A response of up to 500 words.
• 1+1 MBA Essay: An additional response of up to 250 words explaining the value of combining the two degrees.
• Online Assessment: Completion of the required competency-based assessment.

Pershing Square Scholarship Essay

Applicants must submit a separate scholarship essay of no more than 500 words answering the official question:

"How do you intend to change the world and what does this tell us about you as a person?"

The scholarship essay is uploaded in the Funding section of the 1+1 MBA application.

Master's Application

Required materials vary by the selected Oxford master's programme and may include:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Academic references.
• Statement of purpose or personal statement.
• CV or résumé.
• Written work, research proposal or other course-specific evidence.
• English-language evidence where required.

The scholarship selection committee considers:

• Global Impact: Demonstrated intention to address major social challenges.
• Scalable Solutions: Ability to develop solutions with sustainable, wider-reaching benefits.
• Leadership Potential: Evidence of leadership through previous experiences and future motivation.
• Academic Achievement: Previous university results, GMAT or GRE scores, prizes and other achievements.
• Personal Character: Integrity, commitment and personal values.
• Career Vision: Clear professional goals related to meaningful social impact.
• Programme Fit: Explanation of how the Oxford 1+1 MBA will help achieve those goals.
• Scholarship Essay: Quality and substance of the applicant's response.
• Interview Performance: Ability to communicate motivation, ambitions and suitability, where shortlisted.

• Two Oxford degrees: Combine specialist graduate study with an MBA.
• Leadership development: Build skills for managing organisations and driving change.
• Interdisciplinary education: Connect specialist knowledge with practical business strategy.
• Global networking: Meet students, researchers, business leaders and scholars from different backgrounds.
• Professional mentorship: Engage with experienced professionals and academic advisers.
• Social impact: Develop ideas addressing significant global challenges.
• Career development: Prepare for leadership opportunities in business, public policy, entrepreneurship and other sectors.