Course fees for both years of Oxford’s 1+1 MBA — the Master’s and the MBA — plus a living costs grant of at least £21,805/year. For up to 5 outstanding international students a year.
The Pershing Square Scholarship is Oxford’s most generous MBA award. It’s built for people solving world-scale social challenges — not just career climbers. Deadline: January 7, 2027. You apply to the 1+1 MBA and the scholarship essay in the same portal.
Quick Overview
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| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship |
| Host university | Saïd Business School, University of Oxford |
| Level | 1+1 MBA (Master’s year + MBA year) |
| Value | Course fees (both years) + living costs grant ≥ £21,805/year |
| Awards | Up to 5 per year |
| Duration | 2 years (1+1 structure) |
| Eligibility | Outstanding international students; social-impact commitment |
| Coverage | Full fees + living costs grant |
| Application Route | Same portal as 1+1 MBA application |
| Deadline | January 7, 2027 |
| Website | sbs.ox.ac.uk |
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What the Scholarship Covers
Both years fully funded — the rarest kind of MBA award.
Course Fees
- Full course fees for the 1+1 MBA: the Master’s year AND the MBA year
- 1+1 structure: year 1 in a specialist Master’s, year 2 in the MBA
Living Costs
- Living costs grant of at least £21,805/year
- Covers accommodation and living expenses in Oxford
What it does NOT cover:
- Dependents’ costs
- Personal travel beyond normal study needs
- Expenses above the living grant
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Eligibility Requirements
1. Admission to the 1+1 MBA
- Must be admitted to Oxford’s 1+1 MBA (Master’s + MBA combination)
- Apply through the same portal as the MBA application
2. Academic Standing
- Strong academic record
- Meets Oxford’s rigorous entry requirements
3. Social-Impact Commitment
- Commitment to solving world-scale social challenges — this is the defining criterion
- Evidence of working on significant social problems
4. International Profile
- Open to outstanding international students (all nationalities)
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Application Process
Timeline: Apply to the 1+1 MBA and scholarship in the same portal. Deadline January 7, 2027.
Step 1: Choose Your 1+1 Master’s (Now)
- Oxford’s 1+1 MBA pairs the MBA with a specialist Master’s (e.g., Social Science of the Internet, Public Policy, etc.)
- Select your Master’s + MBA combination
Step 2: Apply Through the Oxford Portal (by January 7, 2027)
- Submit the 1+1 MBA application
- Write the Pershing Square scholarship essay in the same portal
- Materials: transcripts, GMAT/GRE, references, essays
Step 3: Interview
- Shortlisted candidates interview with the scholarship committee
- Expect questions on your social-impact track record and plans
Step 4: Award (Spring 2027)
- Up to 5 scholars selected
- Program starts fall 2027
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Selection Criteria
This scholarship is about impact, not just grades.
1. Commitment to World-Scale Social Challenges
- Concrete evidence of tackling significant social problems
- The strongest candidates show sustained work, not aspirations
2. Leadership Potential
- Ability to lead across sectors and mobilize resources
3. Academic Excellence
- Strong record meeting Oxford’s bar
4. Fit With the 1+1 Structure
- A clear rationale for combining a specialist Master’s with the MBA
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Pershing Square vs. Other MBA Scholarships
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| Scholarship | School | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pershing Square | Oxford Saïd | Full fees (2 yrs) + living grant | Jan 7, 2027 |
| Boustany Foundation | Harvard HBS | 75% tuition + Monaco internship | May 31, 2027 |
| UBC Sauder | UBC Canada | Up to $60,000 | With application rounds |
Pershing Square advantages:
- 100% funding including living costs
- 1+1 structure = specialist depth + MBA breadth
- Explicitly values social impact over pedigree
Choose Boustany if: you already hold an HBS offer and have Lebanese connection. Choose UBC Sauder if: you want Canadian MBA options with $60K potential.
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Common Mistakes
1. Missing the Social-Impact Angle
Mistake: Writing a standard “why MBA” essay.
Fix: Pershing Square funds people solving world-scale problems. Lead with your impact work and how the 1+1 MBA amplifies it.
2. Treating the 1+1 as Optional
Mistake: Applying to the standard MBA and expecting the scholarship.
Fix: The scholarship is tied to the 1+1 MBA structure. Choose your Master’s + MBA combination deliberately.
3. Missing the January 7 Deadline
Mistake: Assuming MBA deadlines run later.
Fix: Pershing Square’s deadline is January 7, 2027 — earlier than many MBA rounds. Start in the fall.
4. Weak Evidence of Impact
Mistake: Claiming social commitment without proof.
Fix: Document your work: initiatives, outcomes, scale. The committee reads for evidence.
5. Ignoring the Interview Preparation
Mistake: Assuming the application alone decides.
Fix: Shortlisted candidates interview. Prepare your impact narrative and 1+1 rationale thoroughly.
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Should You Apply?
Yes, if:
- You have a credible record of working on world-scale social challenges
- You can articulate why the 1+1 structure serves your goals
- You meet Oxford’s academic bar (GMAT/GRE, transcripts, references)
Realistic expectations:
- Up to 5 scholars/year — among the most competitive awards in business education
- Only applicants with genuine, evidenced social-impact work should apply
Worth applying even if odds are long:
- The application overlaps with the standard Oxford MBA application — minimal extra cost
- A fully funded Oxford 1+1 MBA is a once-in-a-lifetime package
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Strategy Tips
1. Start Your Essays in October
The January 7 deadline comes fast. Draft the scholarship essay early and iterate.
2. Quantify Your Impact
Numbers beat adjectives: “built a program serving 10,000 farmers” >> “passionate about agriculture.”
3. Choose Your 1+1 Master’s Strategically
The Master’s year should complement the MBA and your impact goals — not just be an add-on.
4. Prepare GMAT/GRE Early
Oxford requires a strong test score. Book early, retake if needed.
5. Get References Who Know Your Impact Work
Choose referees who can testify to your social-impact track record, not just your grades.
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Next Steps
1. Now: Review 1+1 MBA combinations at Oxford Saïd
2. October-November: Draft essays, book GMAT/GRE, request references
3. December: Finalize application
4. January 7, 2027: Submit the 1+1 MBA + Pershing Square application
5. Spring 2027: Interview and decision; program starts fall 2027
Both years fully funded, with a living grant on top — for up to five people a year who are solving world-scale problems. If that’s you, the January 7 deadline is your target.
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Related: Boustany Foundation Harvard MBA Scholarship · UBC Sauder MBA Scholarships · Rhodes Scholarship 2027 · Knight-Hennessy Scholars at Stanford