Oxford launches 2026–2027 Skoll Scholarship with full MBA funding for social entrepreneurs

The University of Oxford has opened applications for the Skoll Scholarship 2026–2027, a prestigious award that fully funds the Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School. Targeted at emerging and established social entrepreneurs, the scholarship supports individuals building ventures that confront real-world social and environmental challenges.

With the deadline set for January 7, 2026, the programme offers not only full MBA tuition but also additional financial support for living costs, ensuring scholars can focus entirely on advanced leadership training and scaling their impact.

A global community of changemakers

Beyond funding, recipients become part of the Skoll Scholar community—a global network of innovators linked to the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. Scholars collaborate, exchange insights, and gain lifelong access to events, mentors, and partners shaping the future of social change.

What the Skoll Scholarship covers

The scholarship offers a comprehensive support package designed to remove financial barriers:

Full Oxford Saïd MBA course fees covered
Additional funding for living expenses during the academic year
Occasional partial awards, though full funding is the norm

This structure particularly benefits applicants whose career paths in social impact often come with modest financial rewards.

Who the scholarship is designed for

The Skoll Scholarship targets individuals who:

Run or help build ventures addressing systemic social or environmental issues
Understand change from a systems perspective
Show humility, collaboration, and a strong commitment to long-term impact

Ideal candidates leverage the Oxford MBA and the Skoll Centre network to deepen their skills and expand the reach of their mission-driven organisations.

Selection criteria: what Oxford looks for

A competitive applicant typically demonstrates:

Minimum three years of experience leading or building a social venture
Clear evidence of measurable social or environmental impact
Strong curiosity about understanding root causes behind global challenges
Lived experience or long-term engagement with affected communities
High self-awareness, adaptability, and a strong learning mindset
Long-term career goals tied to advancing social or environmental change
A clear financial need for the scholarship based on background or circumstances
A compelling explanation of how the Oxford MBA and Skoll community will amplify their work

How to apply for the Skoll Scholarship

Applicants must follow the Oxford MBA admission timeline. There is no separate initial application for the scholarship.

Steps include:

Apply for the Oxford MBA in stages 1–4 of the admissions cycle through the programme’s official page. Oxford MBA programme page.
Upload responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions within the MBA application form.
MBA Admissions reviews the full application first.
Successful MBA admits are forwarded to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.
Scholarship updates are released shortly after each MBA admission round.

Shortlisting and interview stages

If shortlisted, candidates receive:

An official email from the Skoll Centre with next steps
A Logistics and Reference Form to complete
An invitation to a first-stage online interview

Applicants who excel in this stage progress to a final online interview. Both interviews assess the strength of the applicant’s venture, leadership potential, and alignment with the Skoll Centre’s vision for systemic change.