Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarships

Established in 2014, the Pershing Square Foundation awards up to six full scholarships to support outstanding students on the 1+1 MBA, covering both the Master's degree and the MBA degree.

Recipients are exceptional individuals who can demonstrate the potential and commitment to finding scalable and sustainable solutions to world-scale social challenges. You can pursue any of the partnering Master’s degrees and combine it with our MBA.

Scholars will benefit from a range of on-course opportunities such as attendance to prestigious conferences, termly events and scholar community activities, spring 'trek' to New York hosted by the Pershing Square Foundation, and mentorship opportunities. For further details please see our Scholarship co-curricular activities section below. 

Scholarship co-curricular activities

As a scholar, you will benefit from a range of on-course opportunities which are unique to the Pershing Square Scholarship.

These opportunities have been designed to enhance the scholarship experience and help to prepare scholars intellectually, professionally, and practically for their future leadership positions.

Scholars will have full access to a range of co-curricular activities across the School, such as:

• the opportunity to speak and play an active part in global forums such as Skoll World Forum or Oxford Africa Business Forum
• the opportunity to attend prestigious conferences and events throughout the year, for example the Ditchley Conferences
• termly lunches with the MBA Director
• annual dinner with the Dean and/or members of the Saïd Business School Senior Leadership Team
• networking and career events

Events and opportunities change from year to year, and scholars are welcome to suggest opportunities which appeal to them and shape the termly timetable. 

Mentorship

Scholars will have the opportunity for mentorship and networking with inspirational individuals and organisations that are part of the Pershing Square Foundation's community.

The Pershing Square Advisory Board plays a crucial role in mentoring and past members have included William Ackman and Sir Ronald Cohen to name but a few.

Mentors also include members of the Global Leadership Council, Associate Fellows within Oxford Saïd, and Alumni Pershing Square Scholars. 

New York Trek

As a scholar, you will be invited to take part in a 'trek' to New York hosted by the Pershing Square Foundation, where you can participate in meetings and workshops with leading innovators and change makers.

Pershing Square Foundation

The foundation supports exceptional leaders and innovative organisations that tackle social issues and deliver scalable and sustainable impact. It is committed to supporting areas such as economic development, education, healthcare, justice and the arts.

The Pershing Square Foundation’s gift of £4.5m will endow the scholarships in perpetuity. The University of Oxford has provided a further £3m under the Oxford Graduate Scholarship Matched Fund, taking the total funding to £7.5m.

How to apply

Candidates must submit a complete application for both courses and upload the scholarship essay in the Funding section of the 1+1 MBA programme application by the deadline in order to be considered. 

In no more than 500 words, please answer the following question:

How do you intend to change the world and what does this tell us about you as a person?

Deadline

Each of our partnering Master's programmes has its own application form, deadlines, and requirements.

To be considered for the Pershing Square Scholarship you must apply by the January deadline for both your chosen Master's programme and the Oxford 1+1 MBA.