Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships

The Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships support up to five exceptional students who are committed to addressing global social challenges. The scholarship is awarded to those pursuing a 1+1 MBA program - this means combining any of the University of Oxford’s one-year Master’s programs with the Oxford MBA. 

The initiative is funded by the Pershing Square Foundation and was launched in 2014. The program is delivered on-site in Oxford and spans over two academic years. The scholarship offers full course fees for both degrees and a generous living allowance. It also provides access to conferences, scholar community events, termly activities, a mentorship program, and a fully sponsored ‘spring trek’ to New York. This opportunity is ideal for highly motivated individuals from any country who aspire to make a significant and scalable social impact through business leadership.
 

Eligibility

• Students admitted to both a full-time master’s program (whether or not on the official 1+1 MBA partner list) and the MBA (being on a waitlist disqualifies you)
• Open to applicants of all nationalities
• Strong academic and leadership background is required
• Must articulate a clear commitment to tackling global-scale social challenges
• Proficiency in English required (IELTS/TOEFL per Oxford guidelines)

Program Dates:

• Application Open: Autumn 2025 (MBA and Master’s portals open)
• Application Deadline:
  • 7 January 2026 for the 1+1 MBA application
  • Master’s program deadlines vary (December 2025 or January 2026, depending on the course). You can find available programs here.
• Program Start: October 2026

Program Coverage/ Benefits:

Funding Status: Fully funded

• Covers:
  • Full tuition fees for both degrees (Master’s + MBA)
  • Living allowance of at least £20,780 per year
  • Funded spring visit to New York hosted by the Pershing Square Foundation
  • Mentorship and leadership development events

Required Documents:

• Academic Documents:
  • Transcripts and certificates
  • GMAT or GRE scores
• Language Proficiency:
  • IELTS/TOEFL results
• Personal Documents:
  • Updated CV
  • Personal statement (MBA and Master's-specific)
• Scholarship Essay (uploaded via the MBA application ‘Funding’ section):
  • Maximum 500 words
  • Prompt: "How do you intend to change the world, and what does this tell us about you as a person?"
• Recommendation Letters: Per MBA and Master’s application requirements
• ID/Passport Copy

 Application Process

You must submit a complete application for both courses and upload the scholarship essay in the 'Funding' section of the 1+1 MBA programme application by the deadline to be considered. 

• Step 1: Apply separately to both the Oxford MBA and an eligible 1+1 master’s program
• Step 2: Choose the 1+1 MBA option in the MBA application
• Step 3: Upload the scholarship essay under the ‘Funding’ section in your MBA application
• Step 4: Submit both applications by the respective deadlines
• Selection Process:
  • Shortlisting occurs in early April
  • Interviews conducted in late April or early May
• Where to Apply:
  • Oxford MBA: https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/oxford-mba
  • Graduate Admissions and Partner Courses: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate