Skoll Scholarship 2027–2028 | Fully Funded Oxford MBA Scholarship for Social Entrepreneurs
The Skoll Scholarship 2027–2028 is one of the world's most prestigious scholarships for social entrepreneurs who wish to pursue the Oxford MBA at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. The scholarship is offered by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship in partnership with the University of Oxford to support outstanding leaders who are creating innovative solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges.
The scholarship is designed for entrepreneurs who have demonstrated significant social impact through their ventures and are committed to scaling their work globally. In addition to funding the Oxford MBA, recipients become members of the prestigious global Skoll Scholar Community, gaining access to lifelong networking, mentorship, leadership development, and collaboration opportunities with leading social innovators from around the world.
The scholarship is open to qualified applicants from eligible countries worldwide, including African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and many others.
Scholarship Summary
- Scholarship Name: Skoll Scholarship 2027–2028
- Host University: University of Oxford – Saïd Business School
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Study Level: Master's Degree (Oxford MBA)
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Countries: All eligible countries worldwide, including African countries
- IELTS Requirement: Yes. Applicants must satisfy the University of Oxford English language requirements.
- Applications Open: Open
- Application Deadline: 6 January 2027
- Application Mode: Online
About the Scholarship
The Skoll Scholarship supports social entrepreneurs who have founded or led organizations addressing important societal or environmental problems through innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions.
Recipients study the internationally renowned Oxford MBA programme while strengthening their leadership, entrepreneurship, strategic management, and innovation skills. They also become part of a global network of Skoll Scholars committed to creating positive social change.
The programme combines academic excellence with practical leadership development, allowing scholars to collaborate with world-leading academics, business leaders, investors, policymakers, and fellow social entrepreneurs.
IELTS Requirement
IELTS: Required
Applicants must meet the English language requirements for admission to the Oxford MBA programme.
Accepted English language qualifications include:
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge English Qualifications
- Other English language qualifications accepted by the University of Oxford
Applicants should consult the official Oxford MBA admissions page for the latest English language requirements.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full Oxford MBA tuition fees.
- Partial living expenses during the MBA programme.
- Membership in the prestigious global Skoll Scholar Community.
- Leadership development opportunities.
- Lifelong networking with international social entrepreneurs.
- Access to mentors and global experts.
- Professional coaching and career development.
- Invitations to conferences, workshops, and leadership events.
- Opportunities to collaborate with global changemakers and investors.
Eligible Countries
The scholarship welcomes applications from eligible candidates worldwide, including applicants from:
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Burundi
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Malawi
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Mozambique
- South Africa
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Senegal
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Other eligible countries worldwide
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship supports only:
- Oxford Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
- Have at least three years of experience building and leading a social venture with demonstrated social impact.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to solving social or environmental challenges.
- Show innovation, resilience, humility, and collaborative leadership.
- Have direct experience working on the issue they seek to address.
- Demonstrate a clear vision of how the Oxford MBA will enhance their ability to create long-term impact.
- Demonstrate financial need for scholarship support.
- Meet all admission requirements for the Oxford MBA programme.
Who Should Apply?
The scholarship is ideal for:
- Social entrepreneurs.
- NGO founders.
- Community development leaders.
- Social innovators.
- Non-profit executives.
- Sustainability professionals.
- Development practitioners.
- Impact investors.
- Professionals leading organizations with measurable social or environmental impact.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed Oxford MBA application.
- Bachelor's degree certificate.
- Academic transcripts.
- Valid passport.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- English language test results (where required).
- MBA essays.
- Skoll Scholarship essays.
- Two or more recommendation letters.
- Employment or entrepreneurship records.
- Additional documents requested during the admission process.
Selection Criteria
Selection is based on:
- Demonstrated leadership.
- Proven social impact.
- Entrepreneurial achievements.
- Innovation.
- Academic potential.
- Financial need.
- Vision for future impact.
- Suitability for the Oxford MBA.
Why African Students Should Apply
The Skoll Scholarship offers African social entrepreneurs an exceptional opportunity to:
- Earn a world-class MBA from the University of Oxford.
- Develop advanced leadership and management skills.
- Expand social enterprises across Africa.
- Access international mentors and investors.
- Join a lifelong global network of social entrepreneurs.
- Increase the impact of projects addressing challenges such as health, education, agriculture, climate change, gender equality, financial inclusion, and youth employment.
- Build partnerships with leading organizations around the world.
Application Timeline
Applications Open: Open
Application Deadline: 6 January 2027
Applicants are encouraged to submit their Oxford MBA application as early as possible before the final deadline.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the Oxford MBA programme through Saïd Business School.
- Complete the MBA application and upload all required documents.
- Submit responses to the Skoll Scholarship essay questions as part of the MBA application.
- Meet the Oxford MBA admission requirements.
- Complete any additional scholarship requirements if requested.
- Attend interviews if shortlisted.
- Await the final scholarship decision.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly demonstrate measurable social impact.
- Highlight your leadership journey and achievements.
- Explain how your venture creates sustainable change.
- Prepare compelling MBA and scholarship essays.
- Secure strong academic and professional recommendation letters.
- Submit your application well before the deadline.
Important Notes
- Applicants must first apply for admission to the Oxford MBA programme to be considered for the Skoll Scholarship.
- The scholarship is highly competitive and awarded to outstanding social entrepreneurs with proven leadership and impact.
- Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
- Only applicants admitted to the Oxford MBA programme can be considered for the scholarship.
Official Links
Skoll Scholarship
https://www.skollcentre.org/skoll-scholarship/
Oxford MBA Programme
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/mbas/oxford-mba
University of Oxford