How Oxford’s 1+1 MBA Shapes Global Decision-Makers

The Oxford 1+1 MBA program offers students the opportunity to earn two master’s degrees in two years. Participants combine Oxford’s one-year MBA with another one-year master’s program of their choosing.

“The idea behind it is that in the first year, you gain real depth of specialist expertise in your chosen field,” says Liam Kilby, associate director of recruitment and admissions at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. “Then in the second year, you gain breadth — how businesses work, how to apply the specialized knowledge from year one to real-world business models and systemic challenges. You also develop and hone your leadership skills. You graduate from the two-year program as an expert in your field, but also as a broad, well-rounded practitioner of general business skills who can straddle the worlds of public policy and private enterprise effectively.”

The program launched in 2014 and is now more than a decade old. Students must apply separately to both their selected master’s program and the MBA. Participating programs span a wide range of disciplines — from the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, to degrees in criminology, advanced computer science, law, education, pharmacology, sociology, statistics, music, and more. Kilby notes that the Master of Public Policy is the most popular choice, typically attracting about half of all applicants. “A lot of people recognize that public policy and an MBA is a really good fit,” he says.

Others opt for more niche programs — such as Russian Literature, Chinese Studies, or Music — depending on their career ambitions.

SPECIALIZATION & OUTCOMES: WHO THE PROGRAM IS FOR

Unsurprisingly, students in the 1+1 program tend to be younger than those in traditional MBA cohorts. The typical age range is 22 to 25, though they’re rarely straight out of undergrad. “Maybe they’ve done another master’s already, or have a couple of years of work experience, but they want to return to school,” Kilby says.

Oxford seeks applicants who are looking for deep, specific knowledge in one area before broadening their expertise through the MBA. “We’re looking for people who want that depth of specialized learning — the kind the MBA alone doesn’t provide — and who want to be seen as experts in their chosen field,” Kilby explains.

Graduates have gone on to roles including head of ESG policy development at major UK banks, climate change economists in Africa, directors of technology intelligence at French banks, and heads of policy in the Canadian government. “Outcomes vary depending on your path, but they are incredibly strong,” says Kilby. “These people move into senior roles at a relatively young age, shaping strategy and decision-making at a high level across global institutions.”

THE PERSHING SQUARE SCHOLARSHIP: A FULL-RIDE WITH EXTRAS

For highly qualified applicants, the Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship Program offers a full scholarship for the 1+1 MBA — awarded to up to six students per year. Candidates are assessed on academic excellence, leadership potential, strong personal character, and a demonstrated commitment to wide-scale, socially beneficial impact.

To apply, students must complete both program applications, a separate funding application, and a 500-word essay. Past recipients have included sociologists, policymakers, educators, data scientists, and others focused on positive societal change.

Beyond covering tuition, the scholarship includes a living stipend and exclusive access to events — including a New York Trek hosted by the Pershing Square Foundation, scholar-led forums, mentorship opportunities, and regular engagements with MBA leadership. “So depending on your lifestyle in Oxford, you should be able to get a full ride — accommodation, food, daily expenses — all covered by the living stipend,” Kilby says.

Applicants also go through an interview process. “We’re looking for people who embody the Oxford profile,” Kilby explains. “That could include strong academic credentials — like winning awards, being on the Dean’s list, or having earned a prior master’s. But we’re also looking for people who are deeply embedded in the issues they want to solve. Some are looking in from the outside; others are in the trenches, hands dirty, leading the change themselves.”

Anyone accepted into both parts of the 1+1 program is technically eligible for the scholarship. But Kilby emphasizes that the most competitive applicants go beyond eligibility. “We’re really looking for someone who surrounds themselves with the issue they’re trying to solve — with the impact they want to create and the decisions that drive change. Those are the candidates most likely to actually win the scholarship.”

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