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For ambitious leaders aiming to solve complex, global socio-economic challenges, combining deep academic expertise with premier business leadership training is a game-changer. Through the Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships, the University of Oxford—in partnership with the Pershing Square Foundation—selects up to five exceptional international students annually to pursue a dual-degree track that covers a specialized Master’s degree followed directly by the world-class Oxford MBA.
This elite award is classified under a strict fully funded scholarship designation. By fully eliminating the immense costs of tuition and London-area living for two straight years, the program empowers future change-makers to build scalable, sustainable solutions across healthcare, economic justice, education, and technology.
The Financial Framework: What the Award Covers
Backed by a permanent £13 million endowment, the Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship completely handles both institutional fees and personal maintenance across both years of study.
- Funding Type: This is a fully funded scholarship covering the complete duration of both postgraduate degrees.
- Tuition Coverage: Absorbs 100% of the University of Oxford course fees and college membership fees for both the Master’s year and the MBA year.
- Living Allowance: Provides a generous annual stipend of at least £20,780 per year to securely cover local accommodation, meals, and academic materials.
- Exclusive Community Perks: Scholars receive direct mentorship from inspirational figures within the Pershing Square Foundation network, early integration into the Saïd Business School community via private receptions with the Dean, and an all-expenses-paid spring “trek” to New York City for high-level workshops with leading global innovators.
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Approved Master’s and MBA Structural Pairings
The scholarship does not apply to standalone courses; it requires you to blend a specialized one-year Master’s degree from a participating Oxford department with the one-year Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School. Popular tracks chosen by international scholars include:
1. Sustainability & Environmental Sectors
- MSc in Environmental Change and Management + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation, and Management + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Water Science, Policy, and Management + Oxford MBA
2. Public Policy & Global Health Social Tracks
- MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Comparative Social Policy + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Migration Studies + Oxford MBA
3. Technology, Data & Global Development
- MSc in Social Science of the Internet + Oxford MBA
- MSc in African Studies / Contemporary Chinese Studies + Oxford MBA
- MSc in Economic and Social History + Oxford MBA
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Strict Eligibility and Compliance Metrics
Because the selection committee looks for outstanding individuals with a proven track record of integrity and the capacity to drive structural global change, the filters are intensely competitive.
- Eligible Nationalities: Open to brilliant minds from all countries across the globe, with no regional quotas.
- Academic & Professional Excellence: Applicants must exhibit superior academic achievement (typically a First-Class Honors undergraduate degree or a minimum GPA of 3.70/4.0). Additionally, highly competitive GMAT or GRE scores are expected for the business segment of the application.
- Core Leadership Attributes: Candidates must demonstrate strong personal character, distinct leadership potential through real-world professional experience, and an intention to focus on addressing world-scale social challenges throughout their careers.
- The Dual Admission Prerequisite: You must successfully secure individual, formal admission offers from both your selected partnering Master’s program and the Oxford MBA.
The Step-by-Step Application Sequence
To be considered for this elite award, you must coordinate two independent department applications along with a dedicated scholarship essay before the absolute mid-winter deadlines.
1.Submit Your Complete Application to the Partnering Master’s Program:
Apply directly via the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions portal. Upload your undergraduate transcripts, research statements, CV, and ensure all your academic references are uploaded before your specific course closes.
2.File Your Online Oxford MBA Application at Saïd Business School:
Complete the separate online application for the Oxford MBA. Provide your competitive GMAT or GRE results, professional references, and clear the standard MBA admissions requirements.
3.Draft and Upload the Dedicated Pershing Square Scholarship Essay:
Within the ‘Funding’ section of your MBA portal, answer the specific scholarship prompt: “How do you intend to change the world and what does this tell us about you as a person?” Focus heavily on scalable, sustainable solutions.
4.Complete the Final Interview Phase if Shortlisted:
The application must be fully finalized by January 7th. The joint selection committee reviews dual-admitted files in March and April. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview in late April or early May, with final winners announced shortly after.
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Official Portals and Resource Links
Official Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships Webpage — Access the official application portal and the approved university course list.
University of Oxford Graduate Admissions Website — Verify local degree equivalencies and your 16-year education layout.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can current Oxford Master’s students apply for this scholarship?
Yes. If you are currently enrolled in an approved Oxford partnering Master’s degree, you can apply for the Oxford MBA and be considered for the scholarship, provided you were not evaluated for the Pershing Square Scholarship in the previous application cycle.
What is the selection committee looking for in the 500-word scholarship essay?
The committee is looking for a practical, clear vision rather than abstract statements about wanting to help people. Your essay must clearly explain the specific global challenge you intend to address—whether it is climate disruption, health inequities, or systemic poverty—and articulate exactly how combining an Oxford specialized Master’s with an MBA will give you the tools to scale your impact.
Is a GMAT or GRE score mandatory for all applicants?
Yes. Because you are applying directly to the Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School as part of this dual track, a competitive GMAT or GRE score is a mandatory component of the business school’s standard entry criteria, regardless of your background or the nature of your chosen Master’s degree.
Final thoughts and advice from scholarshipshive
Securing the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship requires a masterful blending of deep academic focus and entrepreneurial drive. Because you must be accepted by two separate departments at Oxford, uniformity across your applications is essential. Your personal character, integrity, and your vision for sustainable social change should serve as the golden thread linking your specialized Master’s proposal to your MBA objectives. Do not wait until the last minute; give your referees ample time and polish your 500-word essay until it sharply highlights your potential to create lasting impact. Approach this highly competitive process with confidence, clarity, and bold intent. Best of luck!
