AfOx Graduate Scholarships 2026-2027: Fully Funded MBA Scholarships at the University of Oxford

Overview

The AfOx Graduate Scholarships 2026-2027 offered an excellent opportunity for African students seeking to pursue an MBA at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The scholarships were offered through a partnership involving the University of Oxford, the Mastercard Foundation, the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), and the Saïd Business School Foundation.

For the 2026-27 MBA intake, up to five AfOx Graduate Scholarships were available to eligible African applicants. The scholarship provided substantial financial support, including full coverage of the MBA course fees and a living-cost grant of at least £20,780. Scholars also gained access to tailored training, networking opportunities, and support designed to help them make a meaningful contribution to Africa's development.

The programme is part of the wider AfOx Graduate Scholarships initiative, which aims to increase access to graduate education at Oxford for outstanding African students and help scholars develop the skills, networks, and leadership capacity needed to address major challenges facing the continent.

About AfOx Graduate Scholarships

The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are part of the Africa Oxford Initiative's broader effort to support African students and researchers at the University of Oxford. The initiative recognizes the important role that African graduates can play in addressing challenges affecting the continent and the wider world.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Oxford was established as a major partnership between the University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation. The programme supports talented, locally rooted, and globally minded African students who wish to undertake graduate studies at Oxford.

For MBA scholars at Saïd Business School, the scholarship is designed to reduce the financial barriers associated with studying at one of the world's leading universities. In addition to financial support, the wider AfOx programme emphasizes leadership development, networking, and opportunities to contribute to Africa's future.

Scholarship Benefits

The AfOx Graduate Scholarship provides comprehensive financial and professional support to successful MBA scholars.

The scholarship benefits include:

• Full coverage of Oxford MBA course fees.
• A living-cost grant of at least £20,780.
• Access to tailor-made training programmes.
• Networking opportunities with scholars and professionals.
• Support before, during, and after studies at Oxford.
• Opportunities to participate in the wider AfOx and Mastercard Foundation Scholars community.
• Leadership and professional development opportunities.
• Access to Oxford's academic and professional environment.

The wider Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program also provides support intended to help scholars develop skills beyond their formal academic programmes.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants interested in the AfOx Graduate Scholarships should meet the eligibility requirements before applying.

Eligible candidates for the 2026-27 MBA scholarship were required to:

• Be a citizen of an African country.
• Be ordinarily resident in an African country.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Africa's development.
• Apply for the Oxford MBA programme.
• Meet the admission requirements for the MBA programme.
• Submit the MBA application by the relevant funding deadline.
• Demonstrate the potential to contribute positively to Africa's development.

The scholarship places particular emphasis on African applicants who have a clear connection to the continent and demonstrate how their education, professional experience, and future plans can contribute to Africa's development.

Areas Of Study

The AfOx Graduate Scholarship discussed here was specifically available for the Oxford MBA programme at Saïd Business School.

The MBA provides students with advanced training in business, management, leadership, strategy, finance, entrepreneurship, and related areas.

Selection Criteria

Selection for the AfOx Graduate Scholarships is competitive and considers both academic and personal potential.

Applicants are assessed on factors including:

• Academic merit and potential.
• Leadership experience and capacity.
• Commitment to Africa's development.
• Alignment with AfOx values.
• Potential to contribute to solving major challenges facing Africa.
• Commitment to service and community development.
• The quality and strength of the overall Oxford application.

The AfOx values include collegiality, empathy, commitment, transparency, and inclusivity. Applicants should therefore demonstrate more than academic excellence.  Applicants  should be able to explain how their experiences and future ambitions align with the broader objectives of the scholarship.

Required Documents

Applicants must first complete the relevant Oxford MBA application process and provide the documents required for admission to the programme.

Typical MBA application materials include:

• Completed Oxford MBA application form.
• Academic qualifications and transcripts.
• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Evidence of professional experience.
• Personal statements and essays required by the MBA application.
• References.
• English-language documentation where applicable.
• Any additional materials requested by Oxford Saïd Business School.

For the AfOx scholarship itself, eligible candidates may be contacted by Oxford's Student Fees and Funding team and invited to participate in the scholarship selection process.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should follow the official Oxford admissions process when the next application cycle opens.

The general process is:

1. Review the eligibility requirements for the AfOx Graduate Scholarship.
2. Confirm that you meet the nationality and residency requirements.
3. Review the Oxford MBA admission requirements.
4. Prepare your academic, professional, and personal application materials.
5. Submit your MBA application to the University of Oxford by the relevant funding deadline.
6. Ensure that your application demonstrates your leadership potential and commitment to Africa's development.
7. If invited, complete the scholarship interview or additional scholarship application requirements.
8. Await the final scholarship decision from the University of Oxford.

Applicants are to submit their MBA application by the scholarship deadline and eligible candidates who progressed to the relevant stage could be contacted by the University for further consideration.