Introduction
The Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships 2027–2028 support students pursuing a master’s degree alongside an MBA at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Open to applicants of all nationalities, the scholarships provide full course-fee coverage and an annual living grant. The opportunity is intended for students with leadership potential and a commitment to developing sustainable, scalable responses to global social and cultural challenges.
Scholarship Overview
Up to five scholarships are available through the Pershing Square Foundation to support students on the Oxford 1+1 MBA pathway. Established in 2014, the scholarship provides funding across both the master’s and MBA years. Applicants are assessed on their personal qualities, leadership potential, ambitions for global impact, and understanding of how the combined programme supports their objectives.
- Scholarship: Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships
- Academic year: 2027–2028
- Number of awards: Up to five
- Funding: Fully funded
- Nationality: Open to applicants worldwide
- 1+1 MBA application deadline: 8 January 2027
Host Country
The scholarship supports study in the United Kingdom. Funding covers the master’s and MBA years at Oxford, with a living grant available for each year of study. International applicants from any country may be considered, provided they satisfy the relevant admission and scholarship conditions.
Host Institution or Organization
The University of Oxford is the host institution, while the Pershing Square Foundation supports the scholarship awards. Scholars can benefit from mentoring as well as connections with people and organisations within the Foundation’s community. The opportunity also includes access to networking, conferences, meetings, and other activities.
Degree Level
The scholarship supports graduate study through a master’s degree combined with an MBA. The main route is the Oxford 1+1 MBA, which brings together a partnering master’s programme and the MBA. Certain applicants pursuing a separate full-time, one-year master’s course, as well as eligible current master’s students admitted to the MBA, may also be considered.
Available Fields of Study
The listed courses span public policy, science, education, law, humanities, health, social sciences, environmental studies, and regional studies. Applicants should identify the course that best connects their academic interests with their intended contribution to global challenges. The following programmes appear in the opportunity information:
- Master of Public Policy (MPP)
- MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- MSc in Advanced Computer Science
- MSc in Education (Child Development and Education)
- MSc in Education (Comparative and International Education)
- MSc Education (Digital and Social Change)
- MSc in Education (Higher Education)
- MSc in Pharmacology
- MSc in Comparative Social Policy
- MSc in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation
- MSc in Sociology
- MSc in Statistical Science
- MSc in Economic and Social History
- Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL)
- Magister Juris (MJur)
- MSc Law and Finance (MLF)
- MSt in Modern Languages
- MSt in Music (Composition)
- MSt in Music (Performance)
- MSt in Music (Musicology)
- MSt in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation
- MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine
- MSc in Health Service Improvement and Evaluation
- MSc in Migration Studies
- MSc in Social Data Science
- MSc in Social Science of the Internet
- MSc in Social Anthropology
- MSc in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology
- MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery
- MSc in Environmental Change and Policy
- MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Governance
- MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment
- MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management
- MSc in African Studies
- MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies
- MSc in Japanese Studies
- MSc in Latin American Studies
- MSc in Modern South Asian Studies
- MSc in Russian and East European Studies
Scholarship Benefits
The award covers course fees for both the master’s degree and the MBA programme. Scholars also receive a living grant of at least £21,805 for each year of study. Together, these benefits provide financial support across the two years.
Support extends beyond tuition and living costs through mentoring and international networking opportunities. Scholars can connect with individuals and organisations associated with the Pershing Square Foundation community. They also have opportunities to participate in conferences, meetings, and activities.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants of any nationality may apply and must have a good command of English. The principal route is for new Oxford 1+1 MBA applicants who secure admission to both a partnering master’s programme and the MBA before scholarship consideration. Admission to only one component does not satisfy this stated condition.
Applicants admitted separately to the MBA and a full-time, one-year master’s course outside the official partnering programmes may also be considered. Current master’s students may be eligible if they have secured MBA admission and were not considered for the scholarship in the preceding year. These additional routes should be distinguished from the main partnering-programme route.
Candidates should demonstrate leadership potential through their experience and motivation, alongside integrity, commitment, and strong personal character. They must intend to address social and cultural challenges internationally and show an ability to develop sustainable, scalable solutions. They should also explain clearly how the Oxford 1+1 MBA will help them achieve their goals.
Required Documents
A scholarship essay is required as part of the application. It must be uploaded in the “Funding” section of the 1+1 MBA application and must not exceed 500 words. The essay asks applicants to explain their intended contribution to changing the world and what that ambition reveals about their character.
Application Process
Apply through the organiser’s official website and complete the applications for both the 1+1 MBA and the chosen master’s programme. Each course application must be complete and submitted by its applicable deadline. Include the scholarship essay in the designated Funding section before submitting the MBA application.
Scholarship consideration requires attention to both admission routes rather than a single submission. Applicants should check the master’s programme deadline separately from the MBA deadline. The scholarship essay and interview answers should address the leadership, character, impact, and programme-fit criteria described above.
Important Dates and Deadline
The deadline for the 1+1 MBA application is 8 January 2027 for scholarship consideration. The chosen master’s application must be submitted by its own deadline, which falls in December 2026 or January 2027. Applicants should therefore plan around both dates rather than treating 8 January as a universal deadline.
Tips for Applicants
As general preparation advice, create a checklist separating the MBA application, master’s application, and scholarship essay. Record the relevant deadlines and review each submission before sending it. Allow time for revisions instead of relying on a final-day upload.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Use specific examples to explain your leadership and commitment rather than relying on broad claims. A useful approach is to connect a challenge you understand, your experience addressing it, and the contribution you hope to make. Explain why combining the selected master’s degree with the MBA supports that direction, while keeping the essay within 500 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply?
Yes, the scholarship is open to applicants of all nationalities. Candidates must still meet the admission and scholarship conditions. A good command of English is among the stated requirements.
Does funding cover both degrees?
Yes, course fees are covered for the master’s and MBA years. A living grant of at least £21,805 is also provided for each year. Up to five scholarships are available.
Can a current master’s student be considered?
Current master’s students may be eligible under the stated additional route. They must have received MBA admission. They must also not have been considered for the scholarship in the previous year.
Conclusion
The Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships combine financial support with mentoring and networking for students pursuing graduate study and an MBA. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their experience, intended global impact, and reasons for choosing the combined pathway. Completing both course applications and submitting a focused scholarship essay before the relevant deadlines are essential steps.
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