Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded 1+1 MBA at Saïd Business School

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

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

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