Get to know our on-course scholars and hear what the scholarship means to them.
Their profiles provide a glimpse into their backgrounds, careers, futures and why they chose the Oxford MBA.
Laidlaw Scholarships
Overview
Building a pipeline of future women leaders through access to best-in-class education, resources and global networks.
The Laidlaw Scholarships are intended to encourage extraordinary women with clear leadership potential to enrol onto the Oxford MBA programme when they would not have previously considered the qualification due to financial constraints.
Recipients are extraordinary individuals who have a passion for gender equality and have demonstrated their commitment to leading change in their sector.
Scholars have the opportunity to benefit from a range of on-course activities and priority access to events both at the School and at Reuben College. They also benefit from joining a unique community and network. Read more about the scholar community.
Through additional support from the Laidlaw Foundation and in partnership with the Saïd Business School Foundation, we can offer up to 10 scholarships for the 2025-26 class.
The Laidlaw Scholarships for the Oxford MBA
Scholarship details
Value
Either full or half MBA course fees.
Number available
Eight full and two half-fee scholarships.
Eligibility criteria
Open to female candidates.
Tenable at Reuben College only. All eligible applicants will be considered for the scholarship, regardless of which college (if any) you state on your offer acceptance form. If successful, you will be transferred to Reuben College to take up the scholarship.
Selection criteria
Consideration for the scholarships will be given to those who can demonstrate:
- Exceptional leadership potential in their field.
- Academic excellence evidenced through degree results, GMAT or GRE score and other academic achievements.
- Commitment to gender equality, leading ethically and paying it forward.
- That they could not otherwise afford to do an Oxford MBA.
How to apply
Submit an MBA application and complete the Laidlaw scholarship application section of the form. This section will be visible to female candidates only.
The Laidlaw scholarship application includes a financial need assessment and an essay section. Both parts must be completed.
Deadline
6 January 2025.
Early application is recommended.
Selection process
Applications for the scholarship will be reviewed after each MBA admissions stage.
You will receive an update on the status of your scholarship application and whether you have been shortlisted shortly after admissions decisions have been made.
Final shortlisting is planned to take place in late March with candidates expected to be invited to interview in late April or early May.
Meet our scholars
Our aim is to propel more women into leadership roles by giving extraordinary women, who would not otherwise be able to afford an MBA, access to Oxford Saïd's exceptional programme and network.
The Laidlaw Foundation
The Laidlaw Foundation invests in the education of the underprivileged and underrepresented to break the cycle of poverty, reduce inequality, and develop a new generation of leaders. By funding scholarships for exceptional women to gain degrees at leading business schools like The University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, the Foundation aims to help build the pipeline of future women leaders through access to best-in-class education, resources and global networks.
Contact
- Please contact us if you have any questions about the scholarship or your eligibility.
- laidlaw@sbs.ox.ac.uk