The Skoll Scholarship for Social Entrepreneurs at Oxford

For social-change leaders eager to scale impact, the Skoll Scholarship offers a transformative path. Hosted by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the Scholarship covers full course fees for the MBA and partial living expenses — and connects recipients to a global community of peers and innovators.

What the program offers

For social-change leaders eager to scale impact, the Skoll Scholarship offers a transformative path. Hosted by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the Scholarship covers full course fees for the MBA and partial living expenses — and connects recipients to a global community of peers and innovators. More than financial support, the programme grants entry into the Skoll Scholar community — a lifetime network of social innovators mobilising capital, ideas and partnerships for change.

Who is eligible?

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• A minimum of three years’ experience building or leading a social venture, with strong evidence of measurable impact. The Skoll Centre
• A commitment to tackling deep-rooted social or environmental issues via systemic thinking, collaboration and leadership. The Skoll Centre
• A clear intention to leverage the Oxford MBA and Skoll community to deepen and expand their long-term social impact. The Skoll Centre
• Demonstrated need for scholarship support (based on financial, experiential or contextual factors). The Skoll Centre

Selection criteria (highlights):

The selection process emphasises:

• Proven entrepreneurial experience and evidence of meaningful change. The Skoll Centre
• Qualities such as humility, openness, curiosity, resilient learning and adaptability when addressing systemic challenges. The Skoll Centre
• Lived experience or deep engagement with the issue the applicant seeks to address, and willingness to collaborate with those most affected. The Skoll Centre
• Intent to use the Oxford MBA and the Skoll community to expand one’s social-entrepreneurial trajectory. The Skoll Centre

How to apply:

• Submit your application to the Saïd Business School MBA programme during one of the regular admission rounds. The Skoll Centre
• Include the Skoll Scholarship essay questions within your MBA application. The Skoll Centre
• If admitted to the MBA, your scholarship application is forwarded to the Skoll Scholarship Selection Committee. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to complete further logistics and reference forms, and attend online interviews. The Skoll Centre
• Note: Only candidates with unconditional MBA offers are eligible to proceed to final scholarship selection. The Skoll Centre

Diversity & Inclusion:

The scholarship places strong emphasis on global perspectives, diversity of backgrounds, and inclusive leadership. Applications from women, individuals from historically under-represented groups and candidates from the Global South are especially encouraged. The Skoll Centre

Why this matters for social-entrepreneurs:

An MBA with full scholarship is rare. For social entrepreneurs whose primary investment is in people and community rather than personal financial gain, the Skoll Scholarship removes a major barrier. It opens up elite academic and network resources, enabling recipients to amplify impact, scale ventures, and connect with a worldwide community committed to systemic change.

Conclusion / Call to action:

If you are a social-venture founder or leader with proven impact and a vision for greater scale, the Skoll Scholarship offers a unique springboard. Visit the Skoll Centre website today, check eligibility criteria, and plan your MBA application — the next cohort could shape the future of social entrepreneurship.

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The world is yours to explore — go for it!
Published on FundsDigest.com