Social entrepreneurs seeking to expand their leadership capacity, strengthen their ventures, and create greater social impact now have an exceptional opportunity through the Skoll Scholarship at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Designed for visionary leaders tackling some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges, the scholarship provides full tuition funding, partial living expenses, and access to the global Skoll Scholar community while pursuing the prestigious Oxford MBA.

The Skoll Scholarship is one of the world’s leading opportunities for social entrepreneurs who have already demonstrated significant impact through their ventures and are ready to scale their influence. Beyond financial support, the programme offers lifelong connections with a global network of changemakers, innovators, and leaders committed to advancing systemic social change.

If you are a social entrepreneur looking to enhance your leadership skills, broaden your business knowledge, and accelerate your organization’s impact, the Skoll Scholarship could be the ideal platform to achieve those goals.

About the Skoll Scholarship

The Skoll Scholarship supports outstanding social entrepreneurs who wish to pursue an Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Recognising that the cost of an MBA can be a major barrier for individuals committed to careers in social innovation rather than high-paying corporate roles, the scholarship removes much of this financial burden while equipping scholars with world-class business education and lifelong professional networks.

The programme is specifically designed for entrepreneurs who have founded or lead organizations addressing deep-rooted social or environmental issues through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Rather than focusing solely on academic excellence, the scholarship seeks individuals with proven entrepreneurial experience, leadership potential, and a commitment to creating meaningful and lasting change.

What the Skoll Scholarship Offers

Successful applicants receive an extensive package of academic, financial, and professional support.

Benefits include:

Full Oxford MBA course fees.
Partial living expenses during the MBA programme.
Admission into the global Skoll Scholar community.
Lifelong opportunities for learning and collaboration.
Networking with leading social entrepreneurs and innovators.
Access to a global community committed to social innovation.
Opportunities to strengthen leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Exposure to world-class faculty and Oxford’s international network.
Enhanced capacity to expand the impact of social ventures.

Why the Skoll Scholarship Matters

Many social entrepreneurs dedicate their careers to solving complex societal challenges but often lack access to the advanced business education and networks needed to scale their work.

The Skoll Scholarship addresses this gap by helping leaders strengthen their ability to:

Expand successful social enterprises.
Develop innovative solutions to social challenges.
Build sustainable organizations.
Influence policy and systems.
Increase long-term social impact.
Collaborate with other global changemakers.
Lead organizations more effectively.

The programme aims to create leaders who can apply business knowledge to drive positive and sustainable social transformation.

Join the Global Skoll Scholar Community

One of the most valuable aspects of the scholarship is membership in the Skoll Scholar community.

Scholars become part of a vibrant international network of social innovators who continue learning from one another long after completing the MBA.

Community members benefit from:

Lifelong professional relationships.
Cross-sector collaboration.
Shared learning opportunities.
Peer support.
Global networking.
Connections with experienced social entrepreneurs.
Opportunities to exchange ideas and best practices.

This community helps scholars continue expanding their impact throughout their careers.

Who Should Apply?

The Skoll Scholarship is intended for social entrepreneurs who are committed to addressing significant social or environmental challenges.

Ideal applicants are individuals who:

Lead social ventures.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to social innovation.
Are passionate about solving complex societal problems.
Take a systemic approach to social change.
Lead with humility and openness.
Value collaboration and partnership.
Wish to strengthen their leadership through the Oxford MBA.
Have ambitious plans for creating greater impact after graduation.

Applicants should be ready to use the Oxford MBA as a tool to expand both their leadership capacity and the effectiveness of their organizations.

Selection Criteria

The Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee assesses candidates based on several key criteria.

1. Entrepreneurial Experience

Applicants should demonstrate significant entrepreneurial experience through founding, leading, or developing social ventures that create measurable impact.

The scholarship values individuals who have already translated ideas into action.

2. Changemaking Qualities

Strong candidates should demonstrate qualities associated with effective changemakers, including:

Vision.
Leadership.
Collaboration.
Commitment to social impact.
Innovation.
Determination.
Ability to inspire others.

3. Leveraging the Oxford MBA for Systemic Change

Applicants should clearly explain how completing the Oxford MBA will help them:

Strengthen their organizations.
Increase social impact.
Scale innovative solutions.
Address systemic challenges.
Influence broader societal change.

The scholarship seeks candidates who view the MBA as a catalyst for long-term impact rather than simply a personal career advancement opportunity.

How to Apply

The application process is integrated with the Oxford MBA admissions process.

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Apply for the Oxford MBA

Submit an application directly to Saïd Business School for the Oxford MBA during one of the following admissions rounds:

Stage 1: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Stage 2: Monday 5 October 2026
Stage 3: Wednesday 4 November 2026
Stage 4: Wednesday 6 January 2027

Step 2: Complete the Skoll Scholarship Essays

As part of the MBA application, applicants must upload responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions.

These essays allow candidates to explain their entrepreneurial journey, leadership experience, and vision for social impact.

Step 3: MBA Admissions Review

The MBA Admissions Team first evaluates applicants for admission to the Oxford MBA programme.

Only candidates admitted to the MBA proceed to scholarship consideration.

Step 4: Scholarship Review

Following MBA admission, applications are reviewed by the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.

Applicants receive updates after the relevant MBA admissions stage.

Step 5: Shortlisting

Shortlisted applicants receive communication from the Skoll Centre, including:

A Logistics and Reference Form.
Information about the next stages of selection.

Step 6: Online Interviews

Final shortlisted candidates participate in:

First-stage online interviews.
Final online interviews with the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.
Successful candidates are selected following these interviews.

Start Your Application HERE!

Diversity and Inclusion

The Skoll Scholarship places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

The programme seeks to build a community that reflects a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

According to the programme information, applications are particularly encouraged from:

Women.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups.
Applicants from the Global South.

This commitment supports the scholarship’s broader goal of creating collaborative solutions to global challenges through diverse leadership.

Why Pursue an Oxford MBA as a Social Entrepreneur?

The Oxford MBA provides social entrepreneurs with advanced knowledge in areas such as leadership, management, strategy, finance, and organizational development.

Combined with the Skoll Scholarship, participants gain opportunities to:

Strengthen organizational leadership.
Improve decision-making.
Develop sustainable business models.
Expand international partnerships.
Build stronger organizations.
Increase social impact.

The combination of Oxford’s academic excellence and the Skoll community creates a unique environment for developing innovative solutions to global challenges.

Learn more HERE.

Meet the Skoll Scholars

The Skoll Scholarship highlights outstanding social entrepreneurs from around the world.

Examples from the 2025–26 cohort include:

Luisa Fernanda Romero Munoz – Co-founder, Get Up And Go Colombia.
Saransh Vaswani – Co-founder, Saajha.
Yousif Yahya – Founder, Savannah Innovation Labs.

These scholars demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and impactful ventures represented within the programme.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Skoll Scholarship?

The Skoll Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship that enables social entrepreneurs to pursue an Oxford MBA with full tuition funding, partial living expenses, and access to the Skoll Scholar community.

What expenses does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship covers:

Full Oxford MBA course fees.
Partial living expenses.

Who is the scholarship intended for?

It is designed for social entrepreneurs committed to creating and leading ventures that address significant social and environmental challenges.

How do I apply?

Applicants must first apply to the Oxford MBA at Saïd Business School and submit responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions as part of their MBA application.

What happens after submitting my MBA application?

The MBA Admissions Team evaluates your application for admission. If admitted, your application automatically proceeds to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee.

What is the scholarship selection process?

The process includes:

MBA admission review.
Scholarship review.
Shortlisting.
Completion of a Logistics and Reference Form.
First-stage online interview.
Final online interview.

Does the scholarship value diversity?

Yes. The programme encourages applications from women, historically underrepresented groups, and individuals from the Global South while promoting an inclusive and collaborative community.

See all FAQs HERE.

Why You Should Apply

The Skoll Scholarship is more than financial assistance—it is an investment in visionary leaders committed to solving some of the world’s most urgent social and environmental challenges.

By combining the Oxford MBA with financial support and membership in a global community of social innovators, the scholarship equips participants with the knowledge, leadership skills, and international networks needed to expand the reach and effectiveness of their work.

For entrepreneurs who are already creating impact and aspire to drive systemic change, the Skoll Scholarship offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, collaborate, and accelerate positive transformation.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Skoll Scholarship 2027 at the University of Oxford.

Conclusion

The Skoll Scholarship represents one of the world’s most prestigious opportunities for social entrepreneurs pursuing an Oxford MBA. Through full tuition support, assistance with living expenses, and lifelong access to the Skoll Scholar community, the programme empowers leaders to strengthen their ventures, scale innovative solutions, and create lasting social and environmental impact.

If you are leading a social enterprise, tackling complex societal challenges, and ready to enhance your leadership through one of the world’s leading business schools, consider preparing a strong Oxford MBA application and applying for the Skoll Scholarship during one of the eligible admissions stages.

Discover more global Scholarship opportunities on OFY HERE.

Skoll Scholarship 2027 at the University of Oxford: Fully Funded Oxford MBA Scholarship for Social Entrepreneurs Driving Systemic Change ·the University of Oxford: Fully Funded Oxford MBA Scholarship for Social Entrepreneurs Driving Systemic Change