About the scholarship

The Skoll Scholarship provides funding for social entrepreneurs who are interested in undertaking an Oxford MBA to enhance and broaden their skills for more effective social change. The scholarship covers full course fees and provides partial living expenses.

In addition to receiving financial support, scholars become part of the vibrant Skoll Scholar community, which offers an opportunity for lifelong learning and connection with other social innovators. This scholarship recognises the financial strain an MBA may pose, especially for those committed to a career in social innovation and impact.

Meet the 2025-26 Skoll Scholars

Eligibility

The Skoll Scholarship is awarded to social entrepreneurs who demonstrate a strong commitment to creating and leading social ventures that tackle deep-seated social and environmental issues. The ideal candidate takes a systemic approach to social change, leading with humility, openness, and a collaborative approach.

They are ready to utilise the Oxford MBA and the Skoll Centre community to enhance and expand social impact. Our selection criteria emphasise entrepreneurial experience, changemaking skills, and high-impact career aspirations.

Selection Criteria

Entrepreneurial experience
  • Minimum three years of experience building and leading a social venture, with demonstrated evidence of significant social impact.
Changemaking qualities
  • Demonstrates curiosity, humility, and persistence in seeking to understand the systemic roots of social or environmental challenges.
  • Has lived experience with the issue they seek to address or has meaningfully engaged with the issue through long-term work, research, or collaboration with those directly affected.
  • Displays self-awareness regarding their position, privilege, and limitations and a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt.
     
Leveraging the Oxford MBA to contribute to systemic change
  • Demonstrates a clear intention to pursue a career aligned with long-term, systemic social or environmental impact.
  • Articulates how being part of the University of Oxford, the Saïd Business School MBA programme, and the Skoll Centre community would advance their professional growth and their ability to create systemic social or environmental impact.
  • Demonstrates the need for the scholarship to achieve these career ambitions, based on financial situation, past work experiences, or personal circumstances.

Apply for the scholarship

  • Apply directly to Saïd Business School for the Oxford MBA during stages 1, 2, 3, or 4 of the admissions process.

  • Upload your responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions as part of your MBA application.

  • The MBA Admissions Team will assess your application for MBA acceptance. If accepted, your application automatically proceeds to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.

  • Scholarship applications are reviewed after the relevant MBA admissions stage. Receive updates on your scholarship application status shortly after MBA admission decisions.

  • If shortlisted, expect an email from the Skoll Centre outlining the next steps, including a Logistics and Reference Form to complete. Final shortlisted scholarship applicants will be notified about first-stage online interviews with the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee. Successful candidates will proceed to a final online interview.

Important reminders
  • Only candidates accepted by Saïd Business School for the MBA and who submit scholarship essays by the deadlines will be considered.
  • Successful MBA applicants must pay a deposit to secure their place; deposit deadlines will be extended for those advancing in the Skoll Scholarship selection process.
  • If your application reaches the final shortlisting stage, you will receive the Logistics and Reference Form directly from the Skoll Centre via email.
  • In order to receive the Logistics and Reference Form and proceed to the next phase of the application process, applicants must have been granted an unconditional offer for the MBA programme. Candidates with conditional offers at this stage will not be considered for the scholarship

Diversity and inclusion

The scholarship aims to create a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives, fostering a global mindset necessary for addressing complex societal challenges. As such, the Skoll Scholarship emphasises the importance of diversity and inclusion within its community.

All candidates, especially women, individuals from historically underrepresented groups, and those from the Global South, are encouraged to apply. 

Frequently asked questions