The Skoll Scholarship for MBA at Oxford University
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 17
- 2 min read
If you're a social innovator driving systemic change and envision amplifying your impact through leadership and strategic business skills, the Skoll Scholarship for Oxford MBA 2026 is a fully funded opportunity designed just for you. Details in this article.
🎓 Skoll Scholarship Summary
Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Host Institution: Saïd Business School partnered with the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, founded through a grant by the Skoll Foundation (2003) to nurture impact-driven leadership
Target Group: Social entrepreneurs and impact professionals with at least three years of entrepreneurial or social-change experience
Coverage: Full MBA tuition and partial living expenses; funded by the Skoll Foundation and administered via the Skoll Centre
Awards per Year: Up to four scholarships annually
💡Skoll Scholarship Overview
The Skoll Scholarship empowers individuals who’ve launched social ventures or spearheaded impact initiatives, offering them the business education needed for greater scale and effectiveness . Recipients become part of the Skoll Scholar community, with access to global networks of innovators, leading thinkers, and investors .
Recipients are expected to contribute to the Skoll ecosystem during and after their MBA—this may include acting as ambassadors, mentoring peers, recruiting future Scholars, serving on alumni boards, or engaging with media . Since its inception, the programme has supported 80+ scholars from over 23 nationalities .
🎁 Benefits
Full financial support: MBA tuition covered fully, plus a living stipend (partial)
Global impact network: Access to the collaborative Skoll Scholars and alumni community
Leadership resources: Engagement with Oxford’s academic, research, and entrepreneurial platforms, including Skoll Centre initiatives
Mission-aligned development: Tailored support to amplify your impact through systemic change and social innovation
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, applicants must demonstrate:
Entrepreneurial impact: Initiated or led a social venture or initiative addressing a social/environmental issue for at least three years
Systems-level change: Visible results that challenge inequity and drive sustainable solutions
Entrepreneurial traits: Persistence, risk-taking, resourcefulness, collaborative spirit, and personal connection to their impact area
MBA relevance: Clear articulation of how an Oxford MBA will significantly advance your social change goals
Financial need: Demonstrated burden of program cost and justification for scholarship support
Diversity commitment: Candidates from women, underrepresented groups, and the Global South are especially encouraged
📝 Application Procedure
Apply to Oxford MBA via Saïd Business School in any of the admissions rounds (stages 1–4). The earlier you apply, the better chance for scholarship consideration
Include Skoll scholarship essays in the “Funding” section of your MBA application
If accepted to the MBA, your application is forwarded to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee
Shortlisted applicants receive a Logistics and Reference Form from the Skoll Centre and may proceed to online interviews
Final Interview & Selection: Completed via online interviews; decisions typically announced following the admissions cycle
⭐ Additional Insights
While the scholarship covers tuition fully, the living stipend is partial and varies—likely sufficient for modest Oxford living during the year-long program
Scholars join a powerful ecosystem that includes Skoll Centre research series, Map the System challenge, and the Skoll World Forum at Oxford
The Skoll Centre’s origin highlights its enduring legacy—founded in 2003 with significant Skoll Foundation support—which frames this scholarship as part of a broader commitment to social entrepreneurship leadership
