The University of Oxford’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme offers a wide range of scholarships and funding opportunities to help students meet the substantial cost of studying at Oxford. For the 2027–28 academic year, the Blavatnik School of Government reports that 90% of its MPP students received full or partial scholarships in recent years, while 75% or more received full scholarships. Across the University, more than 1,000 full scholarships are available each year for graduate courses.

The funding opportunities are particularly relevant for prospective public policy students from different regions of the world, as the available scholarships include University-wide awards, Blavatnik School of Government scholarships, country-specific scholarships, regional scholarships, external funding schemes, government scholarships, and other forms of financial support.

For students considering the Oxford MPP, understanding the available funding options early is extremely important. The School advises applicants to explore funding opportunities as early as possible because some external scholarships have deadlines that fall before the MPP application deadline.

University of Oxford MPP Scholarships 2027–28 at a Glance

• Programme: Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Institution: Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
• Academic year: 2027–28
• Annual course fee: £54,650 for both Home and Overseas students
• Funding: Full and partial scholarships available
• University-wide graduate scholarships: More than 1,000 full scholarships each year
• MPP scholarship coverage: In recent years, 90% of MPP students received full or partial scholarships, while 75% or more received full scholarships
• Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Study mode: Full-time
• Funding requirement: Students are expected to secure funding before arriving at Oxford
• Application deadlines: Vary according to the individual scholarship; some external scholarships have earlier deadlines

About the Oxford Master of Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy is offered by the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford.

The School emphasizes the importance of ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent exceptional candidates from pursuing the programme. As a result, students have access to a broad range of funding opportunities from the University, the Blavatnik School, governments, external organizations, foundations, and other scholarship providers.

The MPP is an intensive, full-time programme. Because of the demanding nature of the programme, the School encourages students not to take on employment outside their studies and advises applicants to plan their finances accordingly.

For prospective applicants, this means that securing scholarship or other financial support should be treated as an important part of the application and preparation process.

How Much Does the Oxford MPP Cost?

For students entering the programme in the 2027–28 academic year, the annual course fee is:

£54,650

The listed fee is the same for both:

• Home students, including eligible students from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man
• Overseas students, including students from the European Union

The course fee covers teaching and other academic services and facilities provided to support students. It does not cover accommodation or other living expenses.

This makes scholarship and external funding particularly important for applicants who may not be able to independently finance the full cost of tuition and living expenses in Oxford.

Oxford MPP Deposit Requirement

Successful applicants who receive an offer to study the MPP will be required to pay a deposit against their course fees as a condition of their offer.

For the 2027–28 academic year, the stated deposit is:

£8,200

The payment deadline for the deposit is:

31 May 2027.

However, applicants who have secured a scholarship or another external funding source equivalent to at least the full course fee may be able to have the deposit requirement waived, on the understanding that the fees will be paid on their behalf at the beginning of the Michaelmas Term.

If an applicant is still being considered for a scholarship by the deposit deadline, the School indicates that an extension should be possible in such circumstances.

More Than 1,000 University Scholarships Available

One of the most significant features of Oxford’s funding system is the large number of scholarships available across the University.

The University offers more than 1,000 full scholarships for graduate courses each year. For most of these scholarships, students are automatically considered when they submit their general course application, provided they meet the eligibility requirements. Some scholarships, however, require additional applications.

This means that prospective MPP students should not assume that they need to apply separately for every scholarship.

Instead, applicants should carefully check which awards are automatically considered through the MPP application and which require a separate application or additional documentation.

Blavatnik School of Government Scholarships

The Blavatnik School of Government provides a range of scholarships and financial awards specifically intended to support students pursuing the MPP.

The School states that it works to provide financial support to students from all regions of the world, with the aim of supporting future public leaders from different countries.

However, there is an important condition for Blavatnik School scholarship consideration.

Applicants must first:

1. Apply for the MPP.
2. Receive an offer to study the MPP.
3. Complete and submit the required Scholarship Questionnaire.

The Scholarship Questionnaire is usually required within approximately one week of receiving the offer letter.

The School also emphasizes that its own funding is limited. Applicants should therefore not rely exclusively on Blavatnik School funding and should investigate other scholarship and funding options at the same time.

Major Oxford MPP Scholarship Opportunities

The funding list associated with the MPP includes a wide variety of scholarships. Eligibility differs considerably from one award to another, particularly in relation to nationality, country of origin, region, professional background, or other criteria.

Some of the opportunities listed include the following.

1. Academic Futures Scholarships

Academic Futures Scholarships are listed among the University of Oxford funding opportunities available to eligible MPP students.

The scholarship listing includes eligibility across several regions, including:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Europe excluding the UK
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America
• South America
• Oceania

Applicants should check the specific Academic Futures Scholarship requirements to determine which award they may qualify for.

2. Aig-Imoukhuede MPP Scholarship

The Aig-Imoukhuede MPP Scholarship is associated with the Blavatnik School of Government and is listed specifically for applicants from Nigeria.

It is therefore a particularly relevant funding option for Nigerian applicants pursuing the Oxford Master of Public Policy.

3. Blavatnik Scholarship for Greece

This scholarship is listed as an external scholarship for applicants from Greece.

Applicants from Greece should review the specific requirements and application procedures associated with the award.

4. Blavatnik School of Government Public Service Scholarship

The Blavatnik School of Government Public Service Scholarship is listed as covering applicants from a broad range of regions, including:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Europe excluding the UK
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America
• Oceania
• South America

This makes it one of the broader regional funding opportunities listed for the MPP.

5. Blavatnik School Scholarships

The general Blavatnik School Scholarships are also listed across multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Oceania, and South America.

Because the School’s funding portfolio contains different awards with different eligibility requirements, applicants should not assume that eligibility for one Blavatnik scholarship automatically means eligibility for every Blavatnik award.

6. Chevening Scholarship

The Chevening Scholarship is listed among the external funding options available to eligible Oxford MPP applicants.

The source lists a very large number of eligible countries and territories across:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• Middle East
• North America
• Oceania
• South America

The listed eligible countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Senegal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, Canada, the United States, and many others.

Applicants considering Chevening should pay particular attention to its own application timeline because the Blavatnik School specifically notes that some external scholarship deadlines occur before the MPP application deadline. Chevening is given as an example, with its deadline noted as occurring in early October.

7. Clarendon Scholarship

The Clarendon Scholarship is a University of Oxford scholarship available across a broad range of regions.

The MPP funding page lists eligibility covering:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Europe excluding the UK
• North America
• Oceania
• South America
• Latin America and the Caribbean

For many University scholarships, eligible applicants are automatically considered based on their Oxford course application.

8. Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is listed as an external scholarship with eligibility covering a range of Commonwealth countries.

The source specifically includes countries such as:

• Ghana
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• India
• Pakistan
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Sierra Leone
• Rwanda
• The Gambia
• Botswana
• Cameroon
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Lesotho
• Mauritius
• Malaysia
• Bangladesh
• Belize
• Fiji
• Jamaica
• Papua New Guinea
• and several others.

The listed countries span Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania.

9. Eisenhower Global Scholars Program

The Eisenhower Global Scholars Program is listed for applicants from the United States of America.

10. Felix Scholarship

The Felix Scholarship is listed as a University of Oxford funding opportunity for applicants from a number of countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The source lists eligible countries including India, Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana-related regional peers such as Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya-related countries, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.

Applicants should verify the current requirements of the individual Felix Scholarship before applying.

11. Jardine Scholarship

The Jardine Scholarship is listed as a University of Oxford scholarship focused on applicants from selected Asian locations and countries.

The source lists:

• Cambodia
• China
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam

as eligible locations.

12. Lemann Foundation Fellowships

The Lemann Foundation Fellowships are listed for applicants from Brazil, within the Latin American and Caribbean/South American region.

13. Luksic Scholarship for Public Service

The Luksic Scholarship for Public Service is listed for applicants from Chile, within the South American and Latin American and Caribbean regions.

14. Mastercard Foundation Scholarship

The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is listed specifically for applicants from Africa.

African applicants considering the Oxford MPP should therefore investigate this scholarship alongside other Oxford and external funding opportunities.

15. Mo Ibrahim Scholarship

The Mo Ibrahim Scholarship is listed for applicants from Sudan and South Sudan within Africa.

16. National Government Scholarships

The MPP funding page also encourages applicants to investigate scholarships and financial awards provided by their own governments.

National government funding is listed across:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe excluding the UK
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America
• Oceania
• South America

Applicants should therefore investigate whether their home government provides funding for postgraduate study at Oxford.

17. Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship is listed as a University of Oxford scholarship.

Applicants should review the scholarship’s individual eligibility and application requirements because the MPP funding page does not provide all of its detailed conditions.

18. Oxford Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship is listed for applicants from selected countries in:

• Africa
• Middle East
• Asia

The listed countries include Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

19. Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford-Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship is listed specifically for applicants from India.

20. Oxford-Reuben-Blavatnik School of Government Scholarship

The Oxford-Reuben-Blavatnik School of Government Scholarship is listed across a broad range of regions, including:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Europe excluding the UK
• North America
• Oceania
• South America
• Latin America and the Caribbean

This makes it another potentially relevant funding opportunity for applicants from different parts of the world.

21. Oxford–Oak Zimbabwe Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford–Oak Zimbabwe Graduate Scholarship is listed specifically for Zimbabwean applicants.

22. Poler Family Oxford Scholarship

The Poler Family Oxford Scholarship is listed for applicants from Africa.

23. Policy Leadership Scholarships

The Policy Leadership Scholarships listed by the Blavatnik School include applicants from selected countries such as:

• Guinea
• South Africa
• Mongolia
• Serbia
• Madagascar
• Zambia
• Chile
• Peru

Applicants from these countries should investigate the specific requirements attached to the award.

24. Political Leadership Scholarship

The Political Leadership Scholarship is listed for applicants from the United Kingdom, including:

• England
• Ireland
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

The scholarship is associated with the UK and European regions.

25. Prince William Scholarship

The Prince William Scholarship is listed for applicants from the United Kingdom, within the European region.

26. Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is another major University of Oxford funding opportunity listed for the MPP.

The source identifies eligible countries and regions spanning:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Europe excluding the UK
• North America
• Oceania
• South America
• Latin America and the Caribbean

The listed countries include Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, China, Australia, Canada, the United States, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, Japan, and numerous others.

27. Simandou Academy Scholarship

The Simandou Academy Scholarship is listed as an external scholarship for applicants from Guinea.

28. The Brasenose-Blavatnik-Marshall Commission Scholarship

This scholarship is listed for applicants from the United States of America.

29. The FirstRand Oxford Blavatnik School of Government Scholarship

This scholarship is listed for applicants from South Africa.

30. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Graduate Scholarships

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Graduate Scholarships are listed for applicants from Hong Kong.

31. The John Monash Scholarship

The John Monash Scholarship is listed for applicants from Australia.

32. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program is one of the broadest external funding opportunities listed.

The source identifies eligible applicants from numerous countries across:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe excluding the UK
• North America
• South America
• Oceania

The listed countries include Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Mongolia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and many others.

33. Oxford Lebanon Master of Public Policy Graduate Scholarship

The Oxford Lebanon Master of Public Policy Graduate Scholarship is listed for applicants from Lebanon, within the Asia and Middle East regions.

34. Vicky Noon Education Foundation Oxford Scholarship

This scholarship is listed for applicants from Pakistan.

35. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme is among the major Oxford funding opportunities listed for MPP students.

The source provides a very extensive list of eligible countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America, including countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Ukraine, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and many others.

Applicants should carefully review the individual scholarship criteria because eligibility can differ even among scholarships that cover the same broad geographical regions.

Visit HERE for full details about all these Scholarship Programs above.

External Funding for Oxford MPP Students

The Blavatnik School strongly encourages students to look beyond University-managed scholarships.

External funding can come from:

• Charitable foundations
• Trusts
• Government scholarship schemes
• Employers
• Private sponsors
• International scholarship organizations
• Other external funding bodies

The School recommends the Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding, which provides advice on applying to charities and trusts, includes a searchable database of external funders, and provides guidance on making strong funding applications.

Applicants should also consult the University’s broader scholarship and funding guidance.

Can Students Use Loans to Fund the Oxford MPP?

Yes. The School notes that some students consider using loans to finance part of their studies.

The Blavatnik School has an arrangement that provides students with access to loans through Prodigy Finance, which the School recommends prospective students investigate alongside other funding options if they are considering borrowing to finance their studies.

However, applicants should carefully evaluate the financial implications of taking on postgraduate study debt before relying on loans as their primary source of funding.

Can Students Work While Studying the MPP?

The MPP is described as an intensive, full-time programme.

The School encourages students not to take on work commitments outside the course because of the demands of the programme. Prospective students should therefore account for tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, personal expenses, and other living costs when developing their financial plan.

This is particularly important for students who may initially assume that they can cover a significant portion of their expenses through part-time employment.

Can Students Bring Family Members to Oxford?

The funding page also provides information concerning students who intend to bring family members to the United Kingdom.

It notes that changes to the UK government’s student dependant system mean that, after 1 January 2024, family members can generally join students as dependants only where the student has a government financial award for study or is enrolled in a DPhil or Masters by Research programme. Applicants with families should therefore review the University’s current guidance concerning dependant eligibility.

The University and colleges have some facilities for students with partners and families, although accommodation availability is limited.

Who Is Eligible for Oxford MPP Scholarships?

Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship.

The overall MPP funding portfolio is designed to support students from a wide range of countries and regions. The source explicitly lists funding opportunities covering applicants from:

• Africa
• Asia
• Europe
• Latin America and the Caribbean
• North America
• South America
• Oceania
• Middle East
• Individual countries across these regions

Some awards are global or regional, while others are restricted to specific countries.

For example:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholarship: Africa
• Aig-Imoukhuede MPP Scholarship: Nigeria
• Mo Ibrahim Scholarship: Sudan and South Sudan
• Oxford–Oak Zimbabwe Graduate Scholarship: Zimbabwe
• Luksic Scholarship: Chile
• Lemann Foundation Fellowships: Brazil
• FirstRand Oxford Blavatnik Scholarship: South Africa
• Oxford-Indira Gandhi Scholarship: India
• Vicky Noon Education Foundation Scholarship: Pakistan
• John Monash Scholarship: Australia
• Hong Kong Jockey Club Graduate Scholarships: Hong Kong

This demonstrates why applicants should search the funding database carefully rather than assuming that one general nationality rule applies to all Oxford MPP scholarships.

Do You Need to Be From a Particular Race or Ethnicity?

The source does not establish a general race or ethnicity restriction for the Oxford MPP funding portfolio.

Instead, many individual scholarships determine eligibility according to factors such as:

• Country of origin
• Region
• Nationality
• Public service background
• Academic or professional profile
• Scholarship-specific requirements
• Other criteria established by the particular funder

Therefore, applicants should not assume that the entire Oxford MPP scholarship portfolio is restricted to a particular racial or ethnic group.

The relevant question is whether an applicant meets the requirements of a specific scholarship.

Is the Oxford MPP Funding Fully Funded?

Some scholarships provide full funding, while others provide partial financial support.

The Blavatnik School reports that:

• 90% of MPP students received full or partial scholarships in recent years.
• 75% or more of MPP students received full scholarships in recent years.
• More than 1,000 full scholarships are available each year across Oxford’s graduate programmes.

However, not every applicant will receive a full scholarship, and not every funding opportunity covers the same expenses.

Applicants should therefore determine exactly what each scholarship covers, including:

• Tuition fees
• Living costs
• Accommodation
• Travel
• Visa-related expenses
• Other educational or personal expenses

The School also advises students to seek funding before coming to Oxford because students are expected to have sufficient resources to cover their course fees and living expenses.

Important Application Advice for Prospective Students

Applicants should begin their funding search as early as possible.

The School specifically recommends exploring funding opportunities through:

1. The University of Oxford.
2. The Blavatnik School of Government.
3. Your employer.
4. Your national government.
5. Private sponsors.
6. External foundations.
7. Scholarship and bursary organizations.
8. Charities and trusts.
9. External funding databases.
10. Loan providers, where appropriate.

This early preparation is important because funding deadlines do not necessarily correspond with the MPP application deadline.

For example, the School specifically notes that the Chevening Scholarship deadline is in early October, which means applicants interested in Chevening should begin preparing well before the Oxford funding process reaches its later stages.

Application and Funding Strategy

A strong funding strategy should involve more than applying for one scholarship.

Prospective students should:

Step 1: Apply for the Oxford MPP

Applicants should first understand the MPP admissions requirements and submit a competitive course application.

Step 2: Identify Every Scholarship for Which You May Qualify

Oxford’s funding list includes scholarships based on nationality, region, professional background, and other criteria.

Applicants should therefore create a shortlist of scholarships relevant to their profile.

Step 3: Check Whether the Scholarship Is Automatic or Requires a Separate Application

Many University scholarships automatically consider eligible applicants after they submit their Oxford application.

Other scholarships require additional applications or documentation.

Step 4: Check External Deadlines

Do not assume that the Oxford application deadline is the only deadline that matters.

Some external scholarships close significantly earlier.

Step 5: Prepare Strong Funding Documents

Depending on the scholarship, applicants may need statements, evidence of leadership, public service experience, financial information, references, or other supporting documents.

Step 6: Do Not Depend on One Funding Source

The School explicitly advises applicants not to rely on Blavatnik School funding as their main source of financial support because funding is limited.

Applicants should therefore pursue multiple appropriate funding avenues simultaneously.

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Location of the Oxford MPP

The Master of Public Policy is based at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.

The School is located at:

Blavatnik School of Government
University of Oxford
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG
United Kingdom

Students should also budget for the cost of living in Oxford, which is separate from the £54,650 annual course fee.

Application Deadline

There is no single scholarship deadline applicable to every funding opportunity listed on the Oxford MPP funding page.

Each scholarship can have its own eligibility requirements, application procedure, and closing date.

Prospective students should therefore check the deadline for each individual scholarship they intend to pursue.

The School specifically warns that some scholarship deadlines may occur before the MPP application deadline and gives Chevening’s early-October deadline as an example.

For successful MPP applicants, the stated £8,200 deposit deadline is 31 May 2027, although the deposit may be waived where the student has secured qualifying funding equivalent to the full course fee.

Visit HERE to learn more about the University of Oxford Master of Public Policy Scholarships 2027–28.

Conclusion

The University of Oxford Master of Public Policy Scholarships and Funding Opportunities for 2027–28 provide prospective public policy students with an extensive range of ways to finance their graduate education. With the Blavatnik School reporting that 90% of MPP students received full or partial scholarships in recent years and that 75% or more received full scholarships, funding is an important part of the Oxford MPP experience.

The funding portfolio is particularly broad in geographical scope. Scholarships and awards are available for applicants from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Oceania, the Middle East, as well as applicants from specific countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Chile, Brazil, Australia, China, and many others.

The key point for prospective applicants is that there is no single eligibility rule or deadline for all Oxford MPP scholarships. Each award has its own conditions, and applicants must determine which opportunities match their nationality, background, professional profile, and other eligibility requirements.

Prospective students should begin their funding search early, investigate University and external scholarships, check individual deadlines, and avoid relying on one funding source. The School itself recommends exploring employer support, government funding, private sponsorship, external scholarships, bursaries, and other financial options.

For students who successfully secure funding, these scholarships can significantly reduce or eliminate the financial barriers associated with studying the Oxford Master of Public Policy, including the substantial £54,650 annual course fee.

Important: Applicants should always verify the current requirements, eligibility criteria, funding coverage, and deadlines for each individual scholarship before applying, as these details can vary between funding schemes.

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