Skoll Scholarship (Oxford Said) 2027-2028

Overview

The Skoll Scholarship is a fully funded award for social entrepreneurs pursuing the one-year MBA at the University of Oxford's Said Business School. Run by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, the scholarship supports individuals who have spent at least three years building social ventures with measurable impact. Up to four Skoll Scholarships are awarded each year.

The scholarship covers full MBA tuition fees and provides a partial living expenses grant of up to GBP 8,000 based on financial need. Beyond the money, Skoll Scholars get access to the Skoll Centre's network of social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and thought leaders, plus dedicated programming designed to accelerate their ventures and leadership.

The Skoll Scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality. Candidates apply to the Oxford MBA through one of four admissions stages and submit additional Skoll Scholarship essay responses as part of their MBA application. After MBA admission, a separate interview with the Skoll Centre's Scholarship Selection Committee determines the final awardees. The scholarship draws social entrepreneurs from around the world who are working on systemic solutions to social and environmental problems.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Said Business School, University of Oxford
Host Country	United Kingdom
Degree Levels	MBA
Value	Full MBA tuition fees plus up to GBP 8,000 toward living expenses (need-based)
Deadline	September 2026 – January 2027
Duration	1 year (full-time Oxford MBA program)
Eligible Nationalities	All nationalities
Official Website	https://www.skollcentre.org/skoll-scholarship

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet Oxford MBA admission requirements: a strong undergraduate degree (or equivalent), a competitive GMAT or GRE score, and demonstrated quantitative and analytical ability. There is no specific minimum GPA, but the Oxford MBA is very selective.

Nationality Requirements

The Skoll Scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality. The program encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups, especially those from the Global South.

Language Requirements

English proficiency is required since the MBA is taught entirely in English. Non-native speakers must meet Oxford's English language requirements: IELTS 7.5 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component) or TOEFL iBT 110 (minimum 22 in listening, 24 in reading, 25 in speaking, 24 in writing).

Work Experience

At least three years of experience building and leading a social venture is required. Applicants must show evidence of real social impact. The Skoll Centre looks for founders, co-founders, or core leaders who have been instrumental in creating and scaling social enterprises.

Other Requirements

Applicants must show curiosity, humility, and persistence in understanding the systemic roots of social or environmental challenges. They should have lived experience with the issue they seek to address or have engaged through long-term work, research, or collaboration with affected communities. A clear commitment to lasting, systemic social or environmental impact is expected.

Scholarship Benefits

• Full Oxford MBA tuition fees covered (about GBP 72,000 for international students for the 2026-2027 academic year)
• Partial living expenses grant of up to GBP 8,000 based on financial need
• Access to the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and its global network
• Dedicated programming and events for Skoll Scholars throughout the MBA year
• Connections to the Skoll Foundation's network of social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and thought leaders
• Participation in the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship held at Oxford
• Mentorship and advisory support from Skoll Centre faculty and practitioners
• Career support for social impact careers through the Skoll Centre's resources

How to Apply

1. Apply to the Oxford MBA: Submit a full application to the Oxford MBA at Said Business School during one of the four admissions stages. The MBA application includes academic transcripts, GMAT/GRE scores, professional resume, essays, and recommendation letters.
2. Submit Skoll Scholarship essay responses: As part of your MBA application, upload your responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions. These essays ask you to describe your social venture, the impact you have achieved, your connection to the issue you address, and how the Oxford MBA and Skoll Centre will advance your social impact goals.
3. Receive MBA admission decision: The MBA Admissions Team evaluates your full application. Only candidates who receive an offer of admission to the Oxford MBA move to the scholarship evaluation stage. Candidates with conditional offers cannot proceed to the scholarship phase.
4. Scholarship shortlisting by the Skoll Centre: The Skoll Centre's Scholarship Selection Committee reviews the scholarship essays of admitted MBA candidates. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview. Shortlisting takes place in late March.
5. Interview with the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee: Shortlisted candidates complete online interviews with the Skoll Centre, usually in April and May. The interview assesses social entrepreneurship experience, leadership qualities, systemic thinking, and fit with the Skoll community.
6. Receive scholarship decision: Successful candidates are notified of their Skoll Scholarship award after the interview process. Scholars must accept the scholarship and confirm their MBA enrollment by the stated deadline.

Required Documents

• Completed Oxford MBA application form
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• GMAT or GRE score report
• Professional resume or curriculum vitae
• Oxford MBA application essays
• Skoll Scholarship essay responses uploaded as part of the MBA application
• Two recommendation letters (as required by the MBA application)
• English language proficiency scores (IELTS or TOEFL for non-native speakers)
• Passport copy for identity verification
• Financial need documentation (for the living expenses grant component)

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	Oxford MBA applications open approximately one year before the program start (applications for September 2026 entry open in mid-2025)
Application Deadline	Stage 1: September 1, 2025; Stage 2: October 1, 2025; Stage 3: November 3, 2025; Stage 4: January 7, 2026 (for September 2026 entry)
Results Announced	Scholarship shortlisting in late March; interviews in April–May; final decisions by late May 2026
Course Start	September 2026

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Lead with impact, not intentions. The Skoll Centre evaluates what you have already built through your social venture, not what you plan to do. Quantify your impact: people served, systems changed, resources mobilized.
• Show systemic thinking. Explain how your work addresses root causes of a social or environmental problem, not just symptoms. The Skoll Centre values entrepreneurs who think at the system level.
• Show genuine connection to the issue. Applicants with lived experience or deep, long-term engagement with affected communities are prioritized over those with a more distant relationship to the problem.
• Lay out a specific plan for how the Oxford MBA and Skoll Centre will accelerate your impact. Skip generic statements about 'learning business skills.' Name specific courses, faculty, network connections, or resources at Oxford that are relevant to your venture.
• Show humility and openness to learning. The Skoll Centre values self-awareness about limitations and willingness to learn from others, including communities directly affected by the issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without at least three years of social venture leadership. Corporate CSR experience or volunteering does not meet the eligibility bar.
• Focusing the essay on business growth rather than social impact. The Skoll Scholarship is for social entrepreneurs, not conventional business leaders.
• Applying only to the latest admissions stage. Earlier stages (1 and 2) may offer a strategic advantage since the scholarship selection process considers candidates across all stages.
• Neglecting to document financial need for the living expenses component. Tuition is fully covered regardless, but the additional GBP 8,000 grant is need-based.
• Submitting a conditional MBA offer. Candidates must receive a full (unconditional) offer of admission to proceed to the scholarship evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Skoll Scholarships are awarded each year?

Up to four Skoll Scholarships are awarded annually to social entrepreneurs admitted to the Oxford MBA program.

What does the Skoll Scholarship cover?

The scholarship covers full MBA tuition fees (about GBP 72,000 for international students) and provides up to GBP 8,000 toward living expenses based on financial need.

Do I need to apply separately for the Skoll Scholarship?

There is no separate application. You submit your Skoll Scholarship essay responses as part of your Oxford MBA application through Said Business School's admissions portal.

Can I apply for the Skoll Scholarship in any MBA admissions stage?

You can apply during Stage 1, 2, 3, or 4 of the Oxford MBA admissions cycle. The Skoll Centre considers candidates from all stages.

What counts as a 'social venture' for eligibility?

A social venture is an organization or initiative whose primary purpose is to create positive social or environmental impact. This includes social enterprises, nonprofits, community organizations, and impact-driven businesses. Corporate CSR programs or traditional businesses with philanthropic arms do not qualify.

Is the Skoll Scholarship open to all nationalities?

The scholarship is open to applicants of any nationality. The Skoll Centre encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups, especially those from the Global South.

What GMAT score do I need?

There is no specific minimum GMAT or GRE score for the Skoll Scholarship, but you must meet the Oxford MBA's competitive admissions standards. The average GMAT score for admitted Oxford MBA candidates is around 680-690.

Can I defer the Skoll Scholarship?

Deferral policies are set by Said Business School's MBA admissions office. Scholarship deferral is not guaranteed and must be discussed directly with the Skoll Centre.

What happens at the Skoll World Forum?

The Skoll World Forum is an annual gathering at Oxford that brings together social entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and thought leaders from around the world. Skoll Scholars participate as part of their scholarship experience, gaining access to high-level conversations and networking.

How competitive is the Skoll Scholarship?

With only up to four awards per year from a global applicant pool of social entrepreneurs, the Skoll Scholarship is very hard to win. Strong candidates combine proven social impact with clear potential to benefit from the MBA and Skoll community.

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