Saïd Business School – University of Oxford

FAQ

What is the tuition for the Oxford MBA program?

The tuition for the Oxford MBA program is £71,440 per year.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to the Oxford MBA program?

The median GMAT score for the incoming class at Oxford Saïd is 690. Oxford Saïd considers a competitive score to be 650 or above.

Does the Oxford MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Oxford MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Oxford's MBA program?

Oxford Saïd considers GRE scores of 160 Verbal, 161 Quant to be competitive.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to the Oxford MBA program?

Oxford Saïd states that candidates should have at least two years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Oxford's MBA program?

The average number of years of work experience among students in Oxford's MBA program is 5.

How long is Oxford's full-time MBA program?

Oxford Saïd offers a 1 year MBA program, starting in September.

What are the application deadlines for Oxford Saïd's full-time MBA program?

The application deadlines for the Oxford MBA program are:
Stage 1: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Stage 2: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
Stage 3: Wednesday, 4 January 2023
Stage 4: Wednesday, 22 March 2023

VIDEOS

Admissions

The Class Profile

Oxford’s MBA class that entered in the fall of 2022 was comprised of 313 students. The median GMAT score of the class was 690. At the time of matriculation, the average student in the class had completed 5 years of work experience.

A full 93% of the students who began Saïd’s MBA program in 2022 are international. Just under a quarter of the class comes from North America, while 18% of students hail from South Asia, 16% from Europe, and 14% from Africa. Women make up 48% of the class.

Application Procedures

Applicants to Saïd Business School may apply in one of four stages, which take place in late August, late October, early January, and early April.  However, the school strongly recommends applying early.  To apply, candidates must submit academic transcripts, a GMAT score, a one-page CV, an online application form, two academic or pro­fessional references, two essays and a £150 application fee.  Applicants who are non-native English speakers should also send in a TOEFL or IELTS.  Once applications are completed, the admissions committee invites selected candidates to interview in person at Oxford, at overseas Information Events or via Skype with a faculty member, sector consultant or senior administration member.  Interviews are required for admission.

Application Checklist

• Online Application Form
• GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS
• CV
• Application Fee of £150
• Two References
• Academic Transcripts
• Essays

Interview Reports

Oxford Saïd Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Career Consultant / Zoom

Interview was with a career consultant who had worked in the same industry as my post MBA goal as a recruiter. Interview lasted around 35 minutes and was mainly focused on why I wanted to do an MBA, my post MBA goal and what research I had done on it and some competency based questions. […]

Oxford / Saïd Interview Questions & Report: Round 1 / Adcom / Off-campus Hub

The following Oxford Saïd interview questions & report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 2 applicant.  Application-based interview, lasted about 30 minutes. Questions: (1) Why an MBA? Why now? (2) Why Oxford? Have you visited Oxford? (3) Tell me about a time when you faced an obstacle in your career. (4) Tell me about a time […]

Oxford / Saïd Interview Questions & Report: Round 2 / Adcom / Skype

The following Oxford Saïd interview questions & report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 2 applicant.  My interview is with an admission rep via Skype Total time is 1 hour, has 2 parts: 40 minutes for questions about me, and 15 minutes for me to ask questions. Questions are composed of 4 areas: Standard questions: why […]

Oxford Saïd Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Career Consultant / Skype

The following Oxford Saïd interview questions & report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 3 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them! I was interviewed by a Saïd career consultant who also consults for students of other prestigious schools across UK and mainland Europe. He was very kind and welcoming, always smiling and looking to […]

Oxford Saїd Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / Skype

The following Oxford Saïd interview questions & report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 3 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them! A pleasant conversational interview with a senior member of the admissions committee. Be prepared not only with answers to “expected” questions but also with a delightful attitude (dress formally, smile, think of questions, […]

Oxford Saïd Interview Questions & Report: Round 3 / Adcom / On-Campus

The following Oxford Saïd interview questions & report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 3 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them! I was interviewed by the Director of Admissions and she was very polite and friendly which put me at ease immediately. Questions asked: Why do you want to complete an MBA at this […]

Oxford / Saïd MBA Interview Report: Round 3 / Adcom / On-campus

The following Oxford / Saïd MBA interview report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 3 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them! I interviewed on-campus at Oxford Saïd with ~30 other candidates who had traveled to Oxford from all over the world. Interviews lasted 30 mins – spread throughout the day – and were all […]

Oxford Saïd MBA Admissions Interview Questions: Round 3 / AdCom / Off Campus

The interview took place at a business in downtown San Francisco with a member of the admissions teams. It was clear they had read my entire profile and knew my post-grad goals well. It was a formal interview but it was also very conversational and welcoming; you can tell the admissions team wants to engage […]

Oxford / Saïd Interview Report: Round 3 / Adcom / San Francisco

The following Oxford / Saïd interview report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 3 applicant. The interview took place at a business in downtown San Francisco with a member of the admissions teams. It was clear they had read my entire profile and knew my post-grad goals well. It was a formal interview but it […]

Oxford / Saïd MBA Interview Report: Round 2 / Sector Consultant / Skype

The following Oxford / Saïd MBA interview report was submitted to Clear Admit by a Round 2 applicant who was admitted. Congratulations to them! I had a Skype interview with Oxford Saïd in early February 2015. The interviewer was a sector consultant and associate professor, with background in finance and investment. He told me at the beginning […]

Oxford Q&As

Admissions Director Q&A: Oxford Saïd Business School’s Ian Rogan and Anna Farrus

Ian Rogan is the MBA program director at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School. He joined Saïd in October 2016. Rogan had previously worked at the Yale School of Management as the assistant dean for the EMBA program, leading its expansion and restructuring. Prior to that, he was based in Geneva, Switzerland, where he […]

Admissions Director Q&A: Dana Brown of Saïd Business School at Oxford University

Dana Brown recently assumed the role of MBA director at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. In this position, Brown has overseen the review of the MBA program and implemented new elements to help “ensure that Oxford MBAs – as future leaders – have the skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed to meet the world-scale challenges […]

Oxford / Saïd LiveWire and DecisionWire

Academics

Faculty

Saïd Business School employs more than 80 professors, lecturers, readers and visiting professors who teach courses across the business school’s 13 subject areas.  Additional researchers from the University of Oxford support the initiatives of Saïd Business School’s nine research centers and initiatives, which cover topics such as retail management, business taxation, and entrepreneurship and corporate reputation.

Curriculum

Saïd Business School breaks down the teaching methods for its courses into four separate categories: 25 percent case study, 40 percent lectures, 10 percent simulation and 25 percent team projects. The school prides itself on teaching courses in partnership with industry practitioners to ensure material is relevant to real-life situations. 

The 12-month program begins with a formal induction in late September. Prior to that, students meet each other during a welcome reception and a team-building treasure hunt around the Oxford campus. Classes start at the beginning of October. Oxford Saïd structures its program into three terms of 10-week classes that stretch from October to June, referred to as the Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity terms. Students then select one of three summer options, followed by a two-week capstone course in September. There are two approximately month-long breaks in the winter and spring between the 10-week terms and a shorter break before the start of the summer session. During the spring break, students may elect to go on a one-to two-week student-led trek to visit alumni and recruiters located around the globe. 

In the Michaelmas term, students take seven required core courses, covering business fundamentals such as finance, decision-making, strategy, management, and operations. Students are also divided into small study groups that reflect the diversity of the class; these groups review course material together throughout the term. Starting in January of the Hilary term, students complete two elective courses alongside three more required courses. Finally, in the Trinity term, students take five elective courses out of roughly 30 options, covering academic areas from private equity to retailing. During the summer, students can complete a four- to six-week strategic consulting project, or complete an eight- or nine-week internship while taking two shorter elective courses. 

As part of Oxford Saïd’s emphasis on applied learning, students must complete a one-week Entrepreneurship Project during the Trinity Term. In this project, students develop a business plan and then present it to a panel of investors. Students can gain further practical experience by working in teams of three to five during the summer on a Strategy Consulting Project for a corporate or non-profit sponsor. As of 2013, students can also take part in the Global Opportunities and Threats Oxford initiative.

Other MBA Degree Options

Beyond the 12-month full-time MBA program, Saïd Business School also offers a part-time Executive MBA program that takes place over 21 to 24 months.  In addition, the school offers the Oxford 1+1 MBA program, which allows students to complete—in two years—an MBA and another master’s from one of 18 Oxford departments: the School of Geography and the Environment, the Department of Pharmacology, the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, the Department of Education, the Oxford Internet Institute, the Department of Computer Science, the School of Government, the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies, the Department of Sociology, the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, the Faculty of History, Faculty of Music, Faculty of Law, Humanities Division, Oxford Department of International Development, or the Centre for Criminology.  There are a total of 36 dual-degree options across the participating departments.

Core Courses at Saïd Business School

• Business Finance
• Analytics
• Accounting
• Strategy
• Firms and Markets
• Organisational Behavior
• Marketing
• Technology and Operations Management

Degree Offerings at Saïd Business School

Full-time MBA Program
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/oxford-mba

Oxford 1+1 MBA Program
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/oxford-1plus1-mba

Executive MBA
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/programmes/oxford-executive-mba

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

Oxford Saïd students are welcome to join the more than 200 clubs and societies established at Oxford. For instance, the Oxford Entrepreneurs club is currently the largest entrepreneur group in Europe. The club organizes speaker series, business plan competitions, a mentorship program, meetings with angel investors, and an incubation center for students interested in launching a business while at the University. Students may also participate in a full range of sporting activities, from organized club sports such as hockey or rugby to more casual games of cricket on the business school lawn. Oxford University’s 37 colleges are another source of social activity and networking on campus. Every Oxford Saïd student is a member of one of the university’s colleges, which are known for their individual identities. Colleges often compete against one another in athletic events and host musical and theatrical performances.

In conjunction with its students and centers, Oxford Saïd organizes a number of conferences each year. One such conference is Silicon Valley Comes to Oxford, an annual event that invites successful Silicon Valley entrepreneurs to Oxford to lead master classes, tutorials and panel discussions. The school also hosts the Oxford Private Equity Forum, which brings investors and advisors to campus to discuss challenges and opportunities within the global private equity industry.

In addition, students may participate in a number of entrepreneur-related competitions. For example, the Skoll Venture Awards support socially focused business ideas, while the Oxford Saïd Business School Seed Fund invests in startups led by students and alumni.

Campus Spaces

The Oxford Saïd Business School building opened in 2001 and houses most of the MBA program. The building, arranged around an open courtyard, encompasses four lecture theaters, a common room, a 300-seat auditorium, an outdoor amphitheater and multiple seminar and project rooms. The two-story Sainsbury Library is also located in the building and offers two reading rooms for both quiet study and group work.

The Thatcher Business Education Centre opened in 2013 at Oxford Saïd, made possible by a donation of £15 million by the school’s original benefactor, Wafic Saïd. The facility has allowed the business school to expand its teaching and executive education operations.

Housing is not guaranteed, and students may accept accommodations offered by their college. Oxford Saïd students may opt into one of nine colleges exclusively for graduate students or one of the 30 colleges and six private halls for undergraduate or graduate students. Students also have the option of renting rooms off campus.

MBA Careers

Career Services

Oxford Saïd’s Careers Service helps students with their job search, prepping for interviews and building their career-related skills. Senior executives specializing in different industries serve as sector consultants, offering expert advice to students in panel discussions and one-on-one meetings. Careers Service also organizes industry panels, case study workshops, and workshops on résumés, networking and interviewing. Roughly 80 companies visit Oxford Saïd each year to give corporate presentations, participate in career panel discussions, and recruit students for internships and full-time employment.

Career Statistics

For the class graduating in 2021, Oxford Saïd states that out of the 290 graduates who reported back to the school, 86% had secured employment within three months after graduating. The average salary was £78,895.

Of those who found employment, one-third went into financial services and 28% into consulting. Eighteen percent joined the technology sector, 6% into the impact sector, and 5% into healthcare. Companies that hired two or more students from the grad­uating Class of 2021 include Amazon, KPMG, EY, Deloitte and McKinsey & Company.

Financing

Course fees for the MBA program for 2023 to 2024 are £71,440. Oxford Saïd notes that students should also budget between £15,480 and £22,080 for living expenses and course materials. A number scholarships are offered by Oxford Saïd: the Said Foundation Scholarship for outstanding students with excellent demonstrated career potential, which covers up to full tuition; the Said Foundation Middle East and Africa Scholarships for students of those nationalities with knowledge of and commitment to their region; and the Skoll Scholarship, which covers tuition and offers a living expenses allowance for students with a record of social entrepreneurship. The school offers up to £30,000 to each admitted female student, through the Forte Foundation. Students may also seek out scholarship awards through the larger Oxford University. For students planning on using loans to finance their degree, Prodigy Finance offers a loan that will cover all of the tuition fees and living costs to all full-time MBA students. Saïd Business School encourages its international students to investigate the private, government and nonprofit lenders available in their native regions and countries.

One-Year Program Tuition

• Course Fees £71,440
• Living Expenses ~ £15,480 – £22,080
• Total£86,920 – £93,520

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