Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027 (Fully Funded)
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is one of the funding opportunities available through the University of Oxford’s 1+1 MBA programme. For the 2027–29 intake, the scholarship can provide full financial support for both years of study: the first year in an eligible master’s programme and the second year in the Oxford MBA.
The scholarship is designed for students who want to combine specialist knowledge with business education and are committed to addressing major social challenges. The current Oxford information states that the scholarship is available for up to five students on the 1+1 MBA programme.
The funding covers tuition fees, college fees and living expenses for both the master’s and MBA years. However, this is not a general Oxford scholarship for every master’s applicant. Students must apply for the Oxford 1+1 MBA and meet the requirements for both their selected master’s programme and the MBA.
For applicants planning to start in 2027, understanding this structure is important because the master’s and MBA applications are separate and each programme has its own admission requirements.
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Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027 Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship |
| University | University of Oxford |
| Business School | Saïd Business School |
| Programme | Oxford 1+1 MBA |
| Study duration | 2 years |
| First year | Eligible one-year master’s programme |
| Second year | Oxford MBA |
| Number of scholarships | Up to 5 |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Tuition fees | Covered |
| College fees | Covered |
| Living expenses | Covered |
| Nationality | Not restricted to one specific nationality |
| MBA start | September 2027 |
| MBA fee for 2027–28 | £94,120 |
| MBA application deadline for Stage 4 | January 6, 2027 |
| Application method | Separate master’s and MBA applications |
| Scholarship essay | Required |
| Scholarship provider | Pershing Square Foundation / Oxford Saïd partnership |
The Oxford 1+1 MBA is a two-year postgraduate route combining an eligible one-year master’s with the one-year Oxford MBA. The current Oxford information states that the Pershing Square Scholarship can fully fund tuition, college fees and living expenses for both years.
What Is the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027?
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship supports students who enter Oxford through the 1+1 MBA programme.
The 1+1 structure allows a student to complete a specialised master’s degree during the first year and then continue to the Oxford MBA during the second year. This combination is intended for students who want to connect specialist knowledge with business, leadership and practical problem-solving.
The scholarship is connected specifically to this two-year pathway. Therefore, a student applying only for the Oxford MBA or only for a master’s degree is not automatically an applicant for the Pershing Square Scholarship.
Oxford currently lists the scholarship as available for up to five students who are committed to addressing world-scale social challenges.
What Does the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship Cover?
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship provides full funding for the two-year 1+1 programme.
According to current Oxford information, the scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees
- College fees
- Living expenses
- Funding for both the master’s year and MBA year
This means the scholarship is different from awards that cover only the MBA year.
The 2027–28 Oxford MBA course fee is currently listed as £94,120. The scholarship covers the MBA tuition as part of the full two-year award, along with the eligible master’s tuition and college and living costs under the scholarship terms.
Students should still review the official scholarship conditions carefully because personal expenses outside the stated funding package may not automatically be covered.
Who Can Apply for the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship?
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is intended for students applying to Oxford’s 1+1 MBA programme.
Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of both parts of the programme.
This means you need to:
- Apply to an eligible master’s programme
- Apply to the Oxford MBA
- Meet the admission requirements of your chosen master’s programme
- Meet the Oxford MBA entry requirements
- Apply during the relevant application cycle
- Complete the additional scholarship requirements
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing major social challenges
The Oxford 1+1 MBA FAQ confirms that candidates need to meet the requirements for both the MBA and their chosen master’s programme.
Academic and Personal Selection Criteria
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is not awarded simply because an applicant has been admitted to Oxford.
The scholarship selection looks for applicants who can demonstrate qualities connected with the programme’s purpose.
Published Oxford information for the scholarship highlights areas including:
- Academic achievement
- Leadership potential
- Strong personal character
- Integrity and commitment
- A clear intention to address world-scale social challenges
- The ability to think about scalable and sustainable solutions
- A convincing personal motivation for creating positive social impact
Applicants should therefore explain more than what they have studied or where they have worked.
A strong application needs to connect the applicant’s previous experiences with the problems they want to work on and the role they hope business, policy, entrepreneurship or other approaches can play in solving those problems.
What Is the Oxford 1+1 MBA?
The Oxford 1+1 MBA is the academic route connected to the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship.
Students complete:
Year 1: An eligible one-year master’s programme
Year 2: Oxford MBA
The purpose is to combine specialist knowledge with management and business education.
The two applications are assessed independently. The Oxford 1+1 FAQ explains that the MBA admissions committee does not have access to the student’s master’s application and vice versa. Applicants should therefore prepare each application according to the requirements of the relevant programme.
Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship Eligible Programmes
The scholarship is not available to applicants for every Oxford master’s programme.
Applicants must apply to an approved 1+1 MBA partnering programme. Oxford maintains a list of programmes that can be combined with the MBA.
Examples of master’s areas represented among current Pershing Square scholars include:
- Public policy
- Sustainability
- Environmental change and management
- International health
- Social science of the internet
- Other participating master’s fields
The list of partnering programmes can change, so applicants should always check the current Oxford 1+1 information before choosing a master’s course.
If your master’s course is not part of the official partnering programme list, you should not assume that it qualifies for the Pershing Square route. Oxford states that candidates studying a non-partnering programme may still apply to the MBA, but the 1+1 status is generally reserved for official partnering programmes and may be assessed separately.
Oxford MBA Requirements
Applicants for the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship must also satisfy the Oxford MBA requirements.
For the 2027–28 MBA intake, Oxford requires applicants to submit a GMAT or GRE score. The school states that there is no minimum GMAT score requirement, although the test result forms part of the admissions assessment.
The MBA also requires professional experience. The current 1+1 FAQ states that applicants are normally expected to have at least two years of work experience.
Other MBA application materials include academic records, references, a CV, personal statements and an online assessment.
Applicants from countries where English-language evidence is required must also meet Oxford’s English-language requirements.
Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The scholarship does not have a completely separate deadline that can be treated independently from the MBA and master’s applications.
For the 2027–28 Oxford MBA, the application stages are:
| Stage | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | September 2, 2026 |
| Stage 2 | October 5, 2026 |
| Stage 3 | November 4, 2026 |
| Stage 4 | January 6, 2027 |
| Stage 5 | March 15, 2027 |
Oxford states that applicants who want to be considered for University scholarships should apply by the January Stage 4 deadline.
For the Pershing Square route, applicants need to apply to both the chosen master’s programme and the MBA. The exact master’s deadline depends on the programme.
Applicants should therefore check both deadlines rather than relying only on the MBA deadline.
Application Process
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship application process involves more than submitting one scholarship form.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Master’s Programme
First, identify a master’s programme that participates in the Oxford 1+1 MBA.
Check its admission requirements, deadline, academic prerequisites and any required tests.
Step 2: Apply for the Master’s Programme
Submit the Oxford graduate application for your selected master’s programme before its relevant deadline.
The master’s application is assessed separately from the MBA application.
Step 3: Apply for the Oxford MBA
Submit a separate MBA application through Saïd Business School.
For the 2027–28 MBA, the application fee is £75. Applicants from certain eligible low-income countries may request a fee waiver under Oxford’s current rules.
Step 4: Indicate Your 1+1 Application
If you are applying through the 1+1 route, indicate this in the MBA application.
Oxford explains that the master’s and MBA applications are separate, so both need to be completed according to their individual requirements.
Step 5: Complete the Scholarship Requirement
Applicants for the Pershing Square Scholarship must complete the additional scholarship requirement, including the required essay.
The scholarship essay asks applicants to explain how they intend to change the world and what that ambition reveals about them as a person.
Your answer should be specific and connected to your real experience, goals and understanding of the social problem you want to address.
Step 6: Submit Both Applications on Time
Make sure both applications are complete.
A submitted application is not necessarily complete if required documents, test results, references or assessments are still missing.
Oxford states that incomplete MBA applications after the relevant deadline are not considered for that application stage.
Scholarship Essay
The scholarship essay is an important part of the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship application.
The published scholarship question asks applicants to explain how they intend to change the world and what this tells the selection team about them as a person.
Applicants should avoid writing a broad statement about wanting to “help people” without explaining the problem, their experience and their proposed approach.
A useful essay can connect:
- A real problem the applicant understands
- Previous academic or professional experience
- Leadership or community involvement
- A proposed scalable solution
- Why the 1+1 MBA is relevant
- Why the applicant needs both specialist and business education
The aim should be to present a clear and authentic story rather than simply using impressive words.
Is the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes. The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is described by Oxford as a full scholarship for the 1+1 MBA route.
It provides funding for:
- Master’s tuition
- MBA tuition
- College fees
- Living expenses
The funding applies to both years of the 1+1 programme.
This is why applicants should not confuse the Pershing Square Scholarship with standard Oxford MBA scholarships that may fund only one year or have different eligibility conditions.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship is not restricted to one nationality in the current published eligibility information.
The scholarship is designed around the 1+1 MBA programme and its selection criteria rather than a specific country quota.
However, international applicants must still satisfy Oxford’s admission requirements, including the MBA requirements and the requirements of their chosen master’s programme.
Applicants should also check visa and immigration requirements separately after receiving an Oxford offer.
Can Pakistani Students Apply?
Pakistani students can apply if they meet the requirements for the Oxford 1+1 MBA and an eligible master’s programme.
There is no general Pakistani-only restriction for the Pershing Square Scholarship.
Pakistani applicants should pay particular attention to the MBA application requirements, including work experience, GMAT or GRE, English-language requirements where applicable, references and the relevant application deadline.
Oxford also lists other scholarships specifically for applicants ordinarily resident in Pakistan, including the Oxford-Sir Anwar Pervez Graduate Scholarship for eligible MPLS master’s and DPhil applicants. This is a separate scholarship and should not be confused with the Pershing Square Scholarship.
Important Points Before Applying
Before applying for the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship, keep these points in mind:
- It is connected to the Oxford 1+1 MBA programme.
- You need to apply to both the master’s programme and the MBA.
- Your master’s programme must be an eligible 1+1 partnering programme.
- The master’s and MBA applications are assessed separately.
- The scholarship can fund both years of study.
- Up to five scholarships are currently listed.
- The MBA requires a GMAT or GRE score.
- The MBA normally requires at least two years of work experience.
- The January MBA deadline is important for scholarship consideration.
- The exact master’s deadline depends on your selected programme.
- The scholarship includes an additional essay requirement.
- Always check the current Oxford pages before submitting because programme lists and deadlines can change.
Official Sources
- Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship — Official Oxford listing: Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship
- Oxford 1+1 MBA — Official programme information: Oxford 1+1 MBA
- Oxford MBA — 2027–28 deadlines and application: Oxford MBA 2027–28
- Oxford 1+1 MBA FAQs — requirements and scholarship information: Oxford 1+1 MBA FAQs
- Oxford Graduate Scholarships — official funding information: Oxford Graduate Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027?
It is a fully funded scholarship connected with Oxford’s 1+1 MBA programme. It can fund tuition, college fees and living expenses for both the master’s and MBA years.
2. How many Oxford Pershing Square Scholarships are available?
Oxford currently states that the scholarship is available for up to five students.
3. Is the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship provides full funding for tuition, college fees and living expenses for both years of the 1+1 programme.
4. Who can apply for the Pershing Square Scholarship?
Applicants must apply to the Oxford 1+1 MBA, meet the requirements of an eligible master’s programme and satisfy the Oxford MBA admission requirements.
5. Can Pakistani students apply for the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship?
Yes. Pakistani students can apply if they meet the relevant 1+1 MBA, master’s and scholarship requirements.
6. Do I need work experience for the Oxford 1+1 MBA?
Yes. The current Oxford 1+1 information states that applicants are expected to have at least two years of work experience for the MBA.
7. What is the Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship deadline for 2027?
For the 2027–28 MBA, Oxford’s Stage 4 deadline is January 6, 2027, and Oxford says applicants seeking University scholarship consideration should apply by the January deadline. The master’s programme has its own deadline.
8. Do I apply separately for the master’s and MBA?
Yes. The master’s and MBA applications are separate. Applicants must complete both applications and meet the requirements of both programmes to participate in the 1+1 route.
Final Thoughts
The Oxford Pershing Square Scholarship 2027 is a specialised funding opportunity for students who want to combine an eligible Oxford master’s degree with the Oxford MBA through the 1+1 programme.
The scholarship currently provides full funding for tuition, college fees and living expenses across both years, with up to five awards available.
The most important point is that this is not a general scholarship for every Oxford master’s or MBA applicant. Students must first identify an eligible 1+1 master’s programme and then apply separately to that programme and the Oxford MBA.
For the 2027–28 MBA intake, the January Stage 4 deadline is January 6, 2027. Applicants should also check the exact deadline for their chosen master’s programme and make sure both applications are complete.
Before applying, always verify the latest requirements directly through the official Oxford and Saïd Business School pages. This is especially important because eligible master’s programmes, deadlines and scholarship instructions can be updated for each intake.