An extraordinary 73 per cent of students joining the Master of Public Policy (MPP) class of 2022 have received full funding to study the course, with 83 per cent in total receiving full or partial funding. 

In total, 119 out of the 144 students in the class are taking the course with some financial support. All of the DPhil in Public Policy students joining the School full-time are in receipt of funding for the three years of the course. 

We are also delighted that 83 per cent of MSc in Public Policy Research students are in receipt of either full or partial scholarships.

The highest proportion of this year’s funding came from external scholarships including the Chevening Scholarship, the Eisenhower Global Scholars Program and the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship. Further funding came from Oxford University scholarships – including the Rhodes Scholarship, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship, and the Oxford-Creat Group Graduate scholarships for exceptional Chinese students.  A total of 25 full and partial Blavatnik School of Government scholarships were also awarded to this year’s class.

Dr Richenda Gambles, Director of Admissions said:

“Each year we are thrilled to see so many of our students secure funding for their master’s and DPhil programmes. The Blavatnik School of Government remains committed to ensuring finances need not be a barrier to studying with us and so we are delighted that this year, 73 per cent of all MPP students have received full scholarships. These figures are a testament to the outstanding calibre and commitment of our students and to those who so generously give their time and funding in support of the School’s mission.”

MPP applicants are encouraged to explore funding options as soon as possible, with the deadlines for some scholarship programmes, such as Chevening (apply by 12:00 GMT on 3 November) approaching in the coming weeks.

Funding from the Blavatnik School of Government

We believe that finances shouldn’t be a barrier to studying at the School, and we are constantly seeking new ways to support successful applicants in need of financial support.

We have a diverse range of scholarships for all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, including the Poler Family Graduate Scholarship for outstanding candidates from Africa. 

“Being the Poler Family Oxford Graduate scholar for this year and the first Nigerian to be awarded such a prestigious, fully funded and competitive scholarship opportunity, has made all the difference. Not only has it made my dream of studying at the School a reality, but it has also given me the golden opportunity to become part of a network of quite diverse, yet globally focused communities of experts driven by values of better public service, sustainability, and inclusive development. After my studies, I will be better equipped with the tools, advanced knowledge, skills and network to advance my future goal of championing the reduction of poverty and unemployment through job creation, human capital and enterprise development.”

Elizabeth Abubakar, Poler Family Oxford Graduate Scholar, MPP class of 2022

 The School’s Political Leadership Scholarship is open to applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who plan to stand for elected office within the next five years. To find out more, read about 2021 Political Leadership Scholar Eimhín McEvoy’s time at the School. The Blavatnik School also provides funding through opportunities such as the Roma Education Fund Scholarship, the Africa Initiative for Governance Scholarship, the Lemann Scholarship and the Luksic Scholarship. 

“I aspire to contribute to developing micro and small enterprises to support the millions of families who rely on this source of income in Chile and Latin America. Studying the MPP will help me greatly to do it well, giving me essential tools to design and implement successful public policies. I am very grateful for the Luksic Scholarship, which allows me to concentrate 100 per cent on my studies. Without it, studying the MPP might not have been possible.”

Sebastián Tagle, Luksic Scholar, MPP class of 2022

In 2022, we’re also delighted to welcome our first Mo Ibrahim Scholar from Sudan, who said: 

"I am both honoured and humbled to receive the Blavatnik-Mo Ibrahim Scholarship that has allowed me to be part of a global and life-long community of leaders, scholars and gamechangers in the field of public policy. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to carry the Blavatnik School of Government legacy and motto of ‘a world better led, better served and better governed’ into the different spaces and roles I hope to step into in my professional career. Being part of the MPP community was once a dream and farfetched vision, but the Blavatnik-Mo Ibrahim Scholarship has made it all a reality."

Fatima Bashir, Mo Ibrahim Scholar, MPP class of 2022

We are also delighted to offer funding for outstanding European applicants to the MPP class of 2023 who can demonstrate their commitment to public service through the Lord Browne Public Service Scholarship. You can find full details of all Blavatnik School scholarships including eligibility criteria on the MPP fees and funding page.

Funding from Oxford University

The University of Oxford offers a mixture of scholarships and awards, with a range of eligibility criteria often including the applicant’s country of origin. For most of these, your application is automatically considered as soon as you submit your course application online. 

External funding

Many of the School’s MPP students are successful in applying for funding from a range of other sources including global scholarship programmes, governments, charities, trusts and private companies. For example, 13 students from the class of 2022 received funding from the Chevening Scholarship. The University website provides a summary of external scholarships, but this is not exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to think creatively. For tips on how to secure funding from multiple sources, read this blog from MPP alumna Nina Möger Bengtsson. 

For more information on funding, visit the MPP fees and funding webpage (information on DPhil funding and MSc funding is also available on our website).

Applications for the MPP close on Friday 6 January 2023, but we recommend applying as early as possible, and ideally before Friday 16 December, to account for the winter break. This will help to ensure your references are able to submit their supporting statements before the application deadline. 

Keep an eye on our website, blog, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in the coming months for useful tips and suggestions for applicants, as well as updates on research activities and life at the School.