Skoll Scholarship (Oxford MBA in Social Entrepreneurship)
A fully funded scholarship covering Oxford Saïd Business School MBA tuition plus a living expenses grant for experienced social entrepreneurs, awarded through the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
Aligned with Oxford MBA application rounds - typically early January (Stage 2 deadline) for the following academic year's intake
Country
About the Skoll Scholarship
The Skoll Scholarship is awarded by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford's Saïd Business School to outstanding social entrepreneurs who want to pursue a full-time Oxford MBA to scale their impact. Unlike most MBA scholarships, which reward general leadership or academic merit, the Skoll Scholarship specifically targets founders and leaders who have already spent years building a social venture - a business, nonprofit, or hybrid organization tackling a significant social or environmental problem - and are looking to strengthen their strategic, financial, and managerial skills to grow that work.
Up to four Skoll Scholarships are awarded each year, making it one of the most selective MBA scholarships globally. Recipients join the wider Skoll Scholar and Skoll Centre community, which includes access to the Skoll World Forum network, mentorship from established social entrepreneurs and impact investors, and a alumni network spanning social enterprises across every continent.
Financially, the scholarship covers the full Oxford MBA course fee (in the region of £72,000 for the 2026-27 academic year) and provides a partial living expenses grant of up to £8,000 based on demonstrated financial need, which is unusually generous compared to most partial-funding MBA scholarships that only offer a fee discount.
Candidates must have spent a minimum of three years actively building a social venture with measurable, verifiable impact before applying, and admission to the Oxford MBA itself (a separate, competitive process through Saïd Business School) is a prerequisite - the Skoll Scholarship application is submitted as part of, or shortly after, the general Oxford MBA application.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
One of the most generous MBA scholarships in the world combining full tuition with a living costs grant
Access to the globally respected Skoll Centre and Skoll World Forum ecosystem of impact leaders and funders
Specifically rewards real-world social venture experience rather than generic academic merit
Extremely small, highly selective cohort (up to 4 scholars/year) fosters deep mentorship relationships
Oxford MBA brand and network combined with a values-aligned social impact community
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in United Kingdom
The scholarship funds study exclusively at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School in Oxford, United Kingdom.
Eligibility Requirements
5 requirements
Documents Checklist
5 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Step 1: Apply to the full-time Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School through one of its staged application rounds
Step 2: Indicate interest in the Skoll Scholarship and submit the additional Skoll-specific essay/application material
Step 3: Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an additional interview focused on their venture and impact
Step 4: Skoll Scholarship decisions are typically communicated after MBA admission decisions are finalized
Step 5: Awarded scholars confirm acceptance and begin the MBA in the following autumn intake
Application Timeline
September
Oxford MBA Stage 1 deadline
January
Oxford MBA Stage 2 deadline
Most Skoll Scholars are drawn from Stage 1/2 applicants
March
Oxford MBA Stage 3 deadline
Following each MBA admission round
Skoll Scholarship decisions
September/October
MBA and scholarship year begins
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Apply to an earlier Oxford MBA round if possible - scholarship consideration is generally stronger for candidates who apply in Stage 1 or Stage 2
Be concrete and quantified about your venture's impact - vague mission statements are far weaker than measurable outcomes and third-party validation
Show a clear post-MBA plan for how the degree will help you scale your specific venture or social impact work, not a generic career pivot
Highlight collaborative, systemic approaches to your social problem rather than a purely individual-hero narrative
Prepare your GMAT/GRE and general MBA application materials to a high standard first, since Skoll consideration only happens after MBA admission
Important Links & Contacts
🔗 Official Links
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions - click any to expand
Yes - the Skoll Scholarship is only awarded to candidates who have secured (or are securing) admission to the full-time Oxford MBA program.
Up to four scholarships are awarded annually, making it highly selective.
It provides a partial living expenses grant of up to £8,000 based on financial need, in addition to full tuition coverage.
At least three years of hands-on work building or leading a social or environmental venture with measurable impact.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
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Deadline: Aligned with Oxford MBA application rounds - typically early January (Stage 2 deadline) for the following academic year's intake
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