Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarships 2026 in UK
Only five people a year, worldwide, receive this scholarship — a number worth sitting with before anything else about this programme. The Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarship funds a genuinely unusual academic path: a one-year Master’s degree followed immediately by Oxford’s MBA, both fully funded, both years, for up to five scholars selected globally.
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The 2026-entry deadline, January 7, 2026, has passed, and the next confirmed deadline — January 6, 2027, for the 2027-28 cohort — is already public. If you’re building toward Oxford’s 1+1 MBA route with this scholarship as your funding plan, here’s what actually distinguishes this award and what the selection process genuinely prioritizes.
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What the 1+1 MBA Route Actually Is
Established in 2014 by the Pershing Square Foundation, this scholarship exists specifically for Oxford’s 1+1 MBA structure — a two-year academic path combining a one-year Master’s degree in a partnering department with a one-year Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School immediately afterward. This is distinct from applying to the MBA alone, or to a standalone Master’s alone; the 1+1 structure is its own specific admissions track, and the scholarship exists to fund that combined path in its entirety.
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The Pershing Square Foundation’s involvement shapes what the selection committee is actually looking for. This isn’t simply an academic excellence award — it’s explicitly targeted at individuals committed to addressing world-scale challenges through scalable, sustainable solutions, with the scholarship essay and interview process weighted heavily toward assessing genuine social impact ambition alongside academic and leadership credentials. Scholars join what the programme describes as a tight-knit community, reflecting the genuinely tiny cohort size relative to almost any other major scholarship at Oxford.
Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarships Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Oxford-Pershing Square |
| Host Country ⇒ | UK |
| Study Level ⇒ | Master’s |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition for both years, living grant of at least £20,780/year (rising toward £21,805 for the next cycle), mentorship, global events |
| Funded by ⇒ | University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, in partnership with the Pershing Square Foundation |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | All countries |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 2026-entry deadline was January 7, 2026, now closed. The confirmed 2027-entry deadline is January 6, 2027 |
What the Scholarship Provides
Selected scholars receive a genuinely comprehensive package covering both years of the combined degree:
- Full tuition coverage for both your Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA
- A living expenses grant of at least £20,780 per year, with the figure referenced as rising toward £21,805 for the upcoming cycle
- Mentorship from leaders and changemakers, connecting scholars directly to figures actively working on large-scale social and business challenges
- Invitations to global conferences and Oxford-led events, extending exposure well beyond the standard MBA cohort experience
- A funded New York Trek, hosted directly by the Pershing Square Foundation, giving scholars direct exposure to the Foundation’s own network and work
- A dedicated budget for scholars to host their own events, treating scholars as active contributors to the community rather than passive recipients
- Regular gatherings with the MBA Director and influential guests, providing ongoing access well beyond standard programming
Because the cohort is capped at just five scholars globally, this network access is genuinely close-knit rather than diffused across a large group, which is part of what distinguishes this scholarship from larger MBA funding programmes.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarship, applicants generally need to meet the following:
- You must be a new applicant to the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme — this isn’t available to students already partway through either degree independently
- You must receive an offer to both the Oxford MBA and one of the official 1+1 MBA partnering Master’s programmes
- If you’re already enrolled in a Master’s programme and applying separately to the Oxford MBA, you may still be eligible, provided you meet the combined application requirements
- If your specific Master’s programme isn’t officially listed among the 1+1 MBA partners, you can still be considered by applying to both programmes separately and meeting each one’s individual requirements — though this route requires more careful coordination of deadlines, since your Master’s programme’s own admissions deadline may differ from the MBA’s scholarship deadline
- Selection weighs academic excellence (grades, standardized test scores like GMAT or GRE, academic awards), demonstrated leadership potential, personal integrity and character, and a genuinely strong, specific vision for global impact
- You need to clearly explain how the 1+1 MBA specifically, not just an MBA generally, will help you achieve your stated goals
Because this scholarship sits at the intersection of two separate Oxford admissions processes, applicants pursuing a non-partnering Master’s programme should apply to that Master’s as early as possible, and are advised to still submit the 1+1 MBA application itself by the scholarship’s own January deadline regardless of when their specific Master’s programme’s deadline falls.
Required Documents
Applications run through Oxford’s standard admissions channels for both programmes, with one scholarship-specific addition:
- A complete application for both your chosen Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA
- A 500-word scholarship essay answering: “How do you intend to change the world, and what does this tell us about you as a person?”
- Any additional documents requested as part of either individual programme’s standard application process
The essay is uploaded specifically within the Funding section of your 1+1 MBA application, not attached separately to your Master’s application. Given the scholarship’s explicit emphasis on social impact and personal vision, this essay carries real weight in selection — candidates are advised to let it reflect genuine clarity of purpose and authenticity rather than a generic account of achievements, since these same themes are expected to reappear consistently across your MBA application, your essay, and your interview if shortlisted.
How to Apply for the Next Cycle
The 2026-entry deadline has passed, but the process for the confirmed 2027-entry cycle follows the same established structure:
- Select an eligible one-year Master’s programme from the current Oxford 1+1 MBA partner list, reviewing that programme’s specific entry requirements.
- Submit separate, complete applications for both your chosen Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA, within the same application cycle.
- Confirm the individual deadline for your specific Master’s programme, since these vary and generally fall in December or January depending on the course, separately from the MBA scholarship deadline itself.
- Write your 500-word scholarship essay, answering the “how do you intend to change the world” prompt thoughtfully and specifically rather than generically.
- Upload your essay within the Funding section of your Oxford MBA application before the scholarship deadline.
- Submit both applications completely, ensuring incomplete applications aren’t left pending, since incomplete submissions are not considered.
- If shortlisted, prepare for an interview, generally held in late April or early May.
Application Deadline
The 2026-entry deadline was January 7, 2026, and has closed, with final decisions historically following interviews held in April or May. For the next cycle, Oxford’s Saïd Business School has confirmed a deadline of January 6, 2027, for the Oxford 1+1 MBA and Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarship application, with your chosen Master’s programme’s own deadline falling separately, generally in December or January depending on the specific course. Shortlisting for the 2027 cycle is planned for early April, with interviews expected in late April or early May 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Oxford-Pershing Square Scholarship still accepting applications for 2026 entry?
No. The 2026-entry deadline was January 7, 2026, and has closed. The confirmed deadline for the next cycle is January 6, 2027.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
Up to five, making this one of the most selective postgraduate scholarships at Oxford, awarded globally across all applicants to the 1+1 MBA route.
Do I need to apply to the Master’s and MBA programmes separately?
Yes. You must submit complete, separate applications to both your chosen Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA within the same cycle, and each may carry its own specific deadline.
What happens if my chosen Master’s programme isn’t on the official 1+1 MBA partner list?
You can still be considered by applying to that Master’s programme and the Oxford MBA separately, meeting each programme’s individual requirements, though careful attention to each programme’s own deadline is essential in this case.
Is the scholarship only for candidates focused on nonprofit or social impact careers?
Not exclusively, but genuine commitment to addressing large-scale social challenges through scalable, sustainable solutions is central to how the scholarship evaluates candidates — your essay and interview should reflect that focus clearly, regardless of your specific career sector.
Can students from any country apply?
Yes. The scholarship is open globally, with no country restrictions on eligibility.
Disclaimer: All programme details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm your specific Master’s programme’s deadline and the current scholarship details directly on the University of Oxford Saïd Business School’s official website before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the University of Oxford or the Pershing Square Foundation.
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