oxford said essay

• Oxford Saïd Business School Essay Tips and Examples

August 18, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

Oxford Saïd 2023–2024 Essay Tips

Mandatory statement: please provide a personal statement that outlines anything additional that you would like the admissions committee to consider. (maximum 250 words).

This essay prompt is worded much differently than the school’s first essay prompt for last year, but it essentially asks for the same type of information. Interestingly, in our previous essay analysis, we noted that if a candidate was not paying close attention as they read through Oxford Saïd’s application information, they could accidentally interpret the prompt as one for a standard optional essay, given that the phrasing was almost verbatim what we see from other schools as an add-on essay invitation. This season, however, the admissions committee has tightened and clarified the wording—even adding “mandatory statement” at the beginning—to avoid any such possible misinterpretation. 

If you have a notable problem or issue in your candidacy, this might be the right place to address it, given that the school does not offer a separate optional essay opportunity with which to do so. However, because this is an essay that all applicants must submit, your goal is to provide some key additional information here for the admissions committee to use in deciding whether to include you in its next incoming class, even if your profile is free of questionable components. You will therefore need to determine what is most important for the committee to know to be able to evaluate you thoroughly and fairly, whether that is the story behind a seemingly unfavorable part of your application or whether it is one about a significant learning experience, impressive accomplishment, or unique ability (or something else altogether). As always, take time to consider everything the admissions committee will already be able to learn about you via the other parts of your application, from your statistics and resume to your recommenders’ contributions. With this essay, you want to round out that information in a positive way that pushes your candidacy forward in the direction of acceptance. 

Even though this submission is not optional, we still recommend downloading a free copy of our mbaMission Optional Essays Guide . It might help you in determining whether or not you should write this essay on a problem area/issue (or perhaps which one, if your candidacy includes multiple questionable elements), and if so, the advice and many examples within will direct you in how to do so most effectively. 

If you are applying under the Oxford 1+1 scheme you also need to submit the following essay:

Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims. (maximum 250 words).

For this essay, Saïd provides a very straightforward prompt. Oxford has created an innovative two-year program through which you can earn two master’s degrees simultaneously. But the school has a simple request first—explain why the additional, non-MBA master’s degree is necessary for you. If you hope to participate in this program, you will need to help the school understand exactly why and how doing so will affect your career. With a mere 250 words in which to detail precisely how the 1+1 program will contribute to your management education and where you intend to apply that learning, you have no room to be vague. Clearly demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between the dual-degree program and the achievement of your goals. Your underlying message needs to be readily comprehensible: “I will complete X degree, which will benefit me by manifesting in Y part of my career.” 

Re-applicants will need to submit an additional essay: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words) 

Whether you have improved your academic record, received a promotion, begun a new and exciting project, increased your community involvement, or accepted some sort of personal challenge, the key to success with this essay is conveying a very deliberate path of achievement. Sa ï d wants to know that you have been actively striving to improve yourself and your profile, and that you have seized opportunities during the time since your previous application to do so, because earning a Sa ï d MBA is important to you. The responses to this essay question will vary greatly from one candidate to the next, because each person’s needs and experiences differ. We are more than happy to provide one-on-one assistance with this highly personal essay to ensure that your efforts are presented in the best light po ssible.

Online assessment: To virtually get to know you and see how you think on your feet, you will need to complete an online assessment as part of your application. This comprises:

– two motivation-based questions – all candidates will answer the same questions, – one competency-based question – this will be randomised, – written response – this will be randomised and light-hearted , the motivation-based questions give you the opportunity to demonstrate your motivations for undertaking an mba and why the oxford mba is the right programme for you. the competency-based question will allow you to demonstrate the skills and qualities we look for, such as decision-making, problem-solving, influence, leadership, and strong communication skills. , once you have submitted your application for either the oxford mba or oxford 1+1 mba you will see a link in your application status portal. this will enable you to register with kira talent, our online assessment platform, and complete your assessment. you can complete this any time before the application stage deadline in which you wish to apply., you will be provided with preparation time and practice sessions before going live with your real responses. the whole online assessment should only take up to 30 minutes for you to complete. all you need is a desktop or laptop computer with a functioning webcam, microphone and internet connection..

We know that required videos—and spontaneous ones, in particular—often strike fear into the hearts of business school candidates, but let us reassure you a bit about this component of the Oxford application process, so you can relax and put your best self forward. First of all, keep in mind that video questions like these are not intended to trip you up or entice you to do or say anything that would immediately disqualify you from consideration. Video submissions are most often merely opportunities for the admissions committee to put a “face,” so to speak, on your written application and learn a little more about your personality, energy level, communication style, and other such intangibles. In reference to the video component, the school’s admissions FAQs page even states outright, “There are no right or wrong answers, and this isn’t a test. It’s just a way for us to get a glimpse into you and your personality and help to let you stand out as the unique candidate that you are!” If you focus on being authentic and sincere, you will provide the admissions committee with exactly what it is seeking. Thankfully, the Kira platform is set up so that you can practice an unlimited number of times, so you will not have to go into this portion of the application cold. This is a valuable opportunity that we cannot encourage you enough to make the most of.

To start, you will need to respond to two “motivation” questions, which will be the same for all applicants. Although the school does not present outright exactly what these questions will be, it does explain that it is interested in the “whys” behind your application and offers on its FAQs page the sample question “Why is an MBA the next step for you to further … your career?” We assume from the prompt that the other question would then naturally be some version of “Why do you want to earn your MBA from Oxford specifically?” (You might also want to be prepared to answer the query “Why is now the right time to get your MBA?” just in case.) You will be given one minute in which to prepare your answer and 90 seconds to record it. Because these topics are common elements of a traditional personal statement, we encourage you to download a free copy of the mbaMission Personal Statement Guide , which explains how best to prepare for and respond to questions related to these subjects and offers multiple illustrative examples.

You will also be required to answer one “competency” question, which will be drawn from a group of options and will therefore vary for each candidate. Judging from the school’s proffered example—”Take a minute to tell us about a time where you’ve overcome a challenging situation, either professionally or personally. What was your approach to resolving the situation?”—these appear to be in the vein of typical interview questions. We suggest using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method when responding to this question to ensure that your answer includes all the relevant information the admissions committee seeks. Take time to do some research on what this technique entails, and make it a central part of your practice efforts. You will be given 45 seconds to prepare your answer to this question and one minute in which to respond. For sample questions you can use to practice, consider downloading a free copy of the mbaMission Interview Guide , in which we present a list of 100 common interview queries.

We recommend practicing in front of a mirror to exercise maintaining a pleasant and natural expression as you speak and timing yourself to ensure your answers do not tend to run long. Although you can prepare as much as you want, you will have only one chance to record your response(s) when you do the official interview. If you stumble while answering or ultimately are unhappy with your answer, unfortunately, you will not be able to rerecord anything or try again another time. This might make you nervous, but we encourage you to view the situation a little differently. As we have noted, Oxford wants to get to know the real you through these video essays. If you fumble for words or lose your train of thought, just laugh or shrug and continue with your response. Accepting a mistake with a sense of humor and grace will give the admissions committee a more positive and natural impression of your personality than rigid scripting and overpreparation ever could.

The final portion of the online assessment involves a written response to a query the admissions committee describes as “light-hearted,” offering as an example “Apples are more versatile than bananas. Discuss.” Because truly preparing in advance for such a casual and nonpersonal prompt is largely impossible, this is the question that will give the admissions committee the best impression of how you improvise and perform extemporaneously, as well as communicate clearly under pressure. Focus a little less on trying to write a serious treatise and more on being authentic to your personality and letting a bit of your creative side shine through—though be sure to stay on topic and actually provide an answer to the question! You will be given five minutes to craft your response, which the FAQs page notes should allow you to write up to 500 words. If you want to practice for this part, ask a friend or family member to Google “silly questions,” or “funny” or “random” ones (a quick search brought up such examples as “Is cereal soup?” and “If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?”), and choose some for you. Then give yourself five minutes in which to formulate and type up a response to each. This will give you a feel for how much time five minutes really is, how much you can generally write in that period, and how well you are able to develop a mini essay that both provides a clear answer and is reflective of your personal style.

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2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

• Berkeley Haas School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
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• Cambridge Judge Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
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• Columbia Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management Essay and Examples
• Dartmouth Tuck School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Duke Fuqua School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Emory Goizueta Business School Essay Tips and Examples
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• Michigan Ross School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• MIT Sloan School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
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• Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• NYU Stern School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Ohio Fisher College of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• SMU Cox School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• Stanford Graduate School of Business Application Essay Tips and Examples
• Texas McCombs School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Essay Tips and Examples
• The Wharton School Essay Tips and Examples
• Toronto Rotman School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
• UCLA Anderson School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
• UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School Essay Tips and Examples
• USC Marshall School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• UVA Darden School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
• UW Foster School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
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Oxford Saïd MBA Essay 2023 – Tips and Analysis

Admit expert.

• July 31, 2022

Oxford’s Saïd Business School requires one essay for its 2022-2023 MBA application. In addition to this essay question, applicants must answer five questions about their career goals. There is one reapplicant essay as well.

When reviewing your essays, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence of the following: good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, and fit with the Oxford MBA community, among other characteristics.

Therefore, you need to submit an impeccable essay to impress the Oxford Saïd admissions committee. 

In this article, we analyze and share tips on how to approach the Oxford MBA essay questions.

Application deadlines

Oxford saïd mba essay – 2023 admissions, essay analysis, re-applicant essay, let us help you get into oxford saïd.

Applications for the Oxford MBA class of 2023-24 will open on 1 August 2022.

You need to submit your online application form with all application requirements by your chosen application deadline. 

Application deadlines for the Oxford MBA class of 2023-24:

• Stage 1: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
• Stage 2: Wednesday, 12 October 2022
• Stage 3: Wednesday, 4 January 2023
• Stage 4: Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)

Re-applicants will need to submit an additional essay as below:

What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)

This essay for the Oxford MBA program is open-ended. So, it lets you talk about almost any subject you think needs more explanation. You might want to talk about something from your own background. On the other hand, you might want to talk about a leadership role.

You can also use this essay to talk about your career goals in more detail. If you have international experience, you might want to talk about what you did there. Oxford wants applicants who are mature, can lead, and come from different backgrounds. So, this essay is a chance to show that you have these qualities.

Once you have chosen a topic for your Oxford MBA application essay, you will want to explain yourself clearly. With only 250 words, you should use clear language and specific examples. The admissions committee will understand you better if you give them examples. For example, you could talk about something you did as a volunteer. To do this, talk about who was there, what you did, and how it made you feel.

There are 3 ingredients to crafting an essay that would impress the Oxford Saïd admissions committee:

• Relevant anecdotes

Authenticity

If you don’t know much about the Oxford community, it will be hard to write a good essay about why you feel like you belong there. So do your homework as a first step. Which parts of Oxford’s culture do you like, and how do you think you’ll be able to use them during your time there? How can you help the people of Oxford in a way that no one else can?

Relevant high-impact anecdotes

Providing supporting evidence is essential for creating a strong and convincing essay. Therefore, choosing an anecdote that adds the most value to your profile is of paramount importance.

Thus, we recommend that you first evaluate the various components of your profile and unique brand that you’ve previously discussed in other stages of your Oxford application – especially since you will be required to answer a series of mini-goals essays within the online application form! Then, consider further means by which you might contribute to the Oxford community.

These are the mini-goals essays that you would also have to answer. So, make sure that you do not repeat any information that you’ll cover in these mini-essays.

• Describe below your immediate plan after graduating from the MBA

How does your preferred sector in your preferred location recruit MBA talent and what do they look for in a candidate? Describe the research you have done so far.

Reflecting on your answer above, how do you meet these requirements?

What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximise your chances of success?

Should you not be successful in securing your first choice of role, what is your alternative?

Keeping this in mind and after determining what will be included in the application, you can then assess what you wish you had room for or what may be missing. 

This could be anything: a favorite hobby or community involvement, a difficult work project that was ultimately successful, an aspect of one’s upbringing that has had a lasting impact, an international or cross-cultural experience that prompted learning or growth, or one’s plans for community involvement in Oxford. In assessing your personal statement and essays, the admissions committee will seek evidence of, among other qualities, your communication abilities, leadership potential, analytical ability, and fit within the Oxford MBA community.

You should evaluate the balance of material between this response and the application, and seek to emphasize something fresh that will demonstrate to the admissions committee an additional facet of your personality and your potential to contribute to the Saïd community. 

Given the limited word count, we believe the most successful replies to this question will completely develop a single topic (or offer two instances with a similar theme) as opposed to attempting to cover multiple unrelated topics.

However, because Oxford does not provide an optional essay question, applicants with a weakness in their candidacy may need to use this response to provide an explanation or highlight a mitigating circumstance. 

This should be accomplished as succinctly as possible, ideally in 50-100 words, and then the candidate should be inventive in giving positive facts under a single umbrella. 

Finally, make sure that your story is truly yours and is not exaggerated in any form. Moreover, the overall tone of your essay can also make it sound more authentic. So, write as though you are having a conversation with a family member or a friend. This can make the essay feel more personal and real, which could help you convince the Oxford admissions committee of the authenticity of your story.

Do you want to impress the Oxford Saïd Adcom?

At Admit Expert, we have helped hundreds of students get into top MBA programs around the world. We would be happy to help you too. Schedule a free call with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your goals.

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Given that you only have a few words for this response, people who are reapplying will want to be clear about the steps they’ve taken to improve their applications since they last applied to Oxford. 

Candidates should try to be as thorough as possible when they talk about how they’ve worked to become stronger applicants this season. 

They should talk about how they’ve improved their quantitative records, their professional qualifications, how they’ve worked to learn more about the Oxford MBA program, and anything else they’ve done.

Mini Goals essays

Oxford has also “hidden” many small essays about your goals inside the application form. Even though there isn’t a set number of words, you should make sure to be complete but brief. We think that anything between 100 and 250 words should be fine.

Here are the topics:

Describe below your immediate plan after graduating from the MBA.

When talking about your goals, it’s important to be clear, so make sure you include a job title and industry when you talk about what you want to do after you graduate.

After you’ve made your goal clear, you should spend a little time talking about your motivation behind your goal. Here, you can give a bit of background information about yourself that is related to the job you want, but be careful not to repeat information from the “How do you meet these requirements?” question below.

The perfect way to end this essay is with a high-impact sentence that gives the reader a clear picture of who you are.

So, we suggest that you start by talking to as many people as you can who work in the field you want to go into after your MBA. Since Oxford wants to know how recruitment works where you want to work, make sure to narrow your focus to just your target geography.

You might want to talk to the HR departments of companies you’d like to work for, talk to headhunters who specialize in this area, or even talk to friends or coworkers who have successfully hired for your post-MBA role in the past.

Then, in your essay, describe how hiring works in your industry and where you want to work, as well as what they look for in a good candidate. For the second part, be sure to list things like specific skills needed (like being able to use advanced analytics tools or speaking Spanish fluently), personal traits, and degrees/certifications.

Then, list all of the steps you took to find this information, including the names of the people and businesses you talked to and the information they gave you.

To wrap up, you might want to end with a sentence about why you’re sure you’ll be successful in your own recruitment process now that you know what you’ve learned. You’ll go into more depth later, so keep this part short.

This essay requires knowing a little bit about your work history. This gives your goals some context and shows that you have the experience that is relevant to your goals.

Keep in mind what the admissions counselors already know about you when you talk about your career so far. Here, the goal isn’t to list all of your accomplishments (they can see that on your resume), but to give short, strong examples of a successful career, focusing on accomplishments that relate to your future goals.

To answer this question, you must show clearly what you are doing or what you plan to do before you get your MBA to get ready to reach the goals you listed above.

If you want to switch industries, you should also describe in detail the steps you’re taking to improve your skills before joining Saïd and mention the networking you’ve done. 

Showing that you’ve already started building the network you’ll need to be successful in your target industry and area will go a long way toward proving that you’ll reach your post-MBA goals.

It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan, especially since the economy is hard in many parts of the world right now. Make sure that your Plan B has something to do with your “official” goal so that it doesn’t hurt your goal statements.

For example, if your goal is to work in Management Consulting but your Plan B is to work for an NGO, the admissions committee will wonder how committed you were to your original goals.

But the best job would be one that lets you make the same kind of difference in a different way.

For example, if you want to work in a Web3.0 tech startup to learn best practices of blockchain technology, you could work in a more established technology firm and then switch to an earlier stage venture later.

We will help you write essays that portray your unique strengths and experiences in the most favorable light so that your application shines above the rest. We have helped hundreds of students get into top US business schools. Let us help you too.

Do you want to get into your dream business school?

Take the first step towards your MBA dream and schedule a free 1 on 1 application strategy call with us.

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Oxford Saïd MBA Essay Tips and Deadlines [2022 – 2023]

Oxford lets your resume, recommendations, application form, and transcript(s) speak for themselves. The one required MBA essay question indicates that the adcom wants a glimpse of you beyond these core elements. It seems like a simple question – but there is a little twist in it that amplifies its importance in the application and its connection between you and the admissions readers. Also realize that the adcom learns about you from this essay not just through the details of the topic you present but also through your decision to use that topic. That decision reflects your values, your understanding of fit with Oxford , and your overall perspective.

Oxford Saïd 2022-23 MBA application essay

Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you.  (Maximum 250 words)

While the “something” will be the topic of the essay, the real heart of this essay question lies in the phrase “which you would like the Admissions Committee to know.” It almost posits a dialogue between you and the adcom; it sets up a relationship, a dialogue. It’s personal; they’re talking to YOU. Reading the spirit as well as the literal meaning of these words, you can infer that the adcom is looking for a story or a message that gets to the essence of  who you are  in some way.

Therefore, don’t try to find the most dramatic or exotic topic possible; this essay doesn’t have to shout. Rather, it should incisively reveal a fresh dimension of you – one that is relevant to the application and that will add to the Oxford Saïd community.

That leaves a lot of room for topic choice. I suggest committing to one topic and discussing it in as much depth as is possible in 250 words. Make this single essay vivid and memorable by basing it on your actual experience, which gives the adcom not just information about you but also your unique perspective on an aspect of your life.

As for topic, be strategic in selecting one that is relevant, will engage the Oxford adcom, and  enhances your fit  for Oxford Saïd.

Oxford Saïd at a glance

Saïd median GMAT score: 690

Saïd class size: 350

94% of the Saïd MBA class are international students.

Check out the Business School Selectivity Index for more stats about top b-schools.

Has this blog post helped you feel more confident about approaching your Oxford Saïd application? We hope so. It’s our mission to help smart, talented applicants like you gain acceptance to your dream schools. With so much at stake, why not hire a consultant whose expertise and personalized guidance can help you make your dream come true? We have several flexible consulting options— click here to get started today!

We’ve helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to top MBA programs and look forward to helping you too!

Oxford Saïd 2022-2023 MBA application deadlines

Source:  Oxford Saïd website

Related Resources:

• School-Specific MBA Application Essay Tips
• Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode
• “I’m Smart, Really I Am!” Proving Character Traits in your Essays

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Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, how to tackle the oxford mba saïd personal statement.

• By Melissa Jones

Oxford Saïd’s Business School asks for a single essay in their MBA application: “Please provide a personal statement that outlines anything additional that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider”. On top of that, you have a mere 250 words to answer.

This essay question is extremely broad and short, especially compared to other schools. On the face of it, some business schools ask several essay questions (for example, INSEAD asks seven!), which to me is actually easier than being asked just one or two. With more questions, you have more room to tell your story and really give the admissions committee a sense of who you are and what you’ve done. This one brief and very open question usually leaves candidates wondering: Where do I begin? What do I share?

Don’t be fooled. Dig a bit deeper and you’ll find that Oxford’s application is nowhere near as short as it first appears! As a coach with Fortuna Admissions , the first thing I get Oxford Saïd candidates to do is to fully look through the online application form. You’ll find a bunch of other open-ended questions. By tackling these first, you’re not only starting with the “easier” parts, but you can see what’s missing from your profile. In other words, what else do you want the Admissions Committee to know?

Let’s take a look at these additional questions in the application.

The main questions within the online form are goal-focused career questions. The first asks you to describe your current role in 5,000 characters. Then, depending on whether you are planning to return to your employer post MBA, start a new job, work at the family business or create your own company, you will be prompted with different follow-up questions around your goals.

So, what do you still have left to say?

After completing the online form, you will have:

• Uploaded your CV (created using the Oxford-specific template)
• Defined your current role in 5,000 characters
• Shared your post MBA plans

(Note that CV aside, the Oxford Saïd application does not ask about your extra-curricular activities, hobbies and/or volunteer work. Neither does Cambridge Judge. This is very different to the majority of other MBA programs which ask for a much deeper dive into these areas, but is quite similar to Oxbridge undergraduate applications, where personal statements must focus almost entirely on academics.)

By now, you should be getting closer to identifying what more you want to share with the Oxford Admissions Committee. What is still missing from your narrative? Considering word count is limited, I suggest sharing just one impactful story or something unique about your character. As you brainstorm ideas, here are a few things to consider:

Alignment with Oxford Themes and Values

Oxford Saïd is very impact-driven – its purpose is to “prepare business leaders for the task of making the world a better and more equitable place.” A lot of schools expect you to showcase your leadership, but for Saïd, it’s critical that you demonstrate how your leadership positively impacts society.

Oxford’s MBA curriculum is organized around three themes: responsible leadership, the global rules of the game and entrepreneurship. These themes permeate all aspects of the program, from core and elective courses to guest speaker sessions and student-run competitions. Consider how you, your values and your experience align with these themes and this commitment to impact. For instance, if your unique experience involves leading a diverse team through a challenging project, you can emphasize your leadership and commitment to fostering diversity.

Introspection

Look inward. Reflect on your upbringing, life experiences, personal journey and professional accomplishments. What sets you apart? It could be an exceptional skill, a transformative experience or a passionate hobby that defines you. If possible, your story should showcase your leadership and impact on a person, group of people, community, an organization or the world.

Use Illustrative Examples

Don’t just describe what you’ve done or say what you want to share; show how it has influenced your actions and decisions. Use specific illustrative examples that highlight your impact. Instead of just stating, “I have a passion for renewal energy,” share a story of how you initiated a successful renewal energy project in your previous role and its impact or outcomes. Then, if you can, highlight the potential ripple effects of how your uniqueness will enrich your MBA community.

Beyond the MBA

Remember that Oxford is interested in your long-term potential. Think about how the story you use or success you are sharing will continue to be an asset in your post-MBA career and/or community involvement. Will it open doors, drive innovation or help you make a lasting impact in your profession or volunteer work?

With the above in mind, as an example, one of my candidates decided to write about his experience playing sport when he was younger with an elite national team. Beyond his professional accomplishments, this additional narrative epitomized his passion, discipline, teamwork and an extremely strong work ethic. He also spoke to his leadership role and the impact he had on his teammates, especially when they faced hostile opposition crowds at a young age and had to learn to uphold their performance despite the environment. This not only demonstrated his leadership and the impact he had on the team, but also showcased his resilience and an endless drive for excellence, traits he was now directing towards his MBA studies and career goals.

Crafting an impactful personal statement for the Oxford Saïd MBA program requires a strategic approach and thoughtful introspection. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can effectively tackle this challenging question, highlighting your unique qualities, experiences and aspirations. Remember to showcase your alignment with Saïd Business School’s themes and values, emphasizing how your journey aligns with their vision of creating positive change in the world of business. With dedication, authenticity, and a clear sense of purpose, you can transform your personal statement into a compelling narrative that sets you apart as an ideal candidate for the program.

Finally, don’t forget that Oxford also asks candidates to complete a Kira video component after you’ve submitted your application. Here, you are asked two motivational questions and one competency-based question — all assigned randomly. The motivation-based questions generally ask why you are pursuing an MBA and why the Oxford MBA is the right program for you. The competency-based question is often a behavioural question asking you to give an example of where you demonstrated skills such as problem solving, decision-making, leadership and communication. You’ll also be asked to respond briefly in writing to a question.

As you are planning and crafting your essay, remember that you will have an opportunity to address these final points in your video response.

• Posted on October 20, 2023

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Oxford Saïd MBA Essays – Question Prompts & Successful Sample Essays

By Arvind Kumar

3 August 2023

Oxford Saïd MBA Essays: Question Prompts

Personal Statement (250 words)

Essay 1: Define your current role (5000 Characters)

Essay 2: Describe below your immediate plan after graduating from the MBA

Essay 3: How does your preferred sector in your preferred location recruit MBA talent and what do they look for in a candidate? Describe the research you have done so far.

Essay 4: Reflecting on your answer above, how do you meet these requirements?

Essay 5: What do you plan to do between now and starting your MBA to prepare and maximize your chances of success?

Essay 6: Should you not be successful in securing your first choice of role, what is your alternative?

Essay 7: Is there anything not covered in the application form that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you?* Maximum 250 words

Oxford Saïd MBA: Sample Essays of Successful Candidates

I am currently at a professional crossroads where I have built up substantial consulting expertise in supply chain logistics and have simultaneously founded two profitable businesses. From this solid foundation my aim is to attain the skills and build the network I need to achieve my long term goal of sustainable and innovative entrepreneurship. I firmly believe that the Oxford MBA is the perfect next step in achieving these goals. 

I have previously experienced the failure of a business I had set up because I did not have the skills and experience required to run it. This painful loss has given me a deep seated motivation to not repeat my mistakes, and therefore has imparted a drive in me to learn and upskill as much as I can. Doing an MBA from Oxford would allow me to gain the experience and expertise I need to continue in my path as a consultant while giving my businesses the time they need to mature. It would also help enable my switch to an investment manager role at a PE/VC firm in the medium-term. Furthermore, the experience of learning from the excellent faculty and the vibrant cohort at the multicultural University of Oxford is something I am genuinely looking forward to.

In short, an application-based practical curriculum, a fantastic peer learning experience, and well-connected networks in my interest arenas of VC, consulting, and entrepreneurship will set me on the path to achieving my long-term goals.

I am currently responsible for running 2 companies which I have founded in the last 12 months. As the founder and majority partner, I have overall responsibility for all business operations, and all employees report to me. 

The first business is a customer-facing gourmet food delivery and catering company. It has 20 employees working at our New Delhi office and kitchen, and our current monthly revenue is ~ £13,000. I oversee sales across 3 channels – our Shopify eCommerce website, social media, and direct calls and messages. I have direct interactions with returning customers and large order value customers, such as those contacting us for events and gifting purposes. Additionally, I approve new marketing campaigns or changes to existing strategies, drive new product ideation, manage staff salaries and expenses, and track daily revenue and profit metrics. I also do quality inspections and I particularly ensure I talk to customers with negative feedback.

The second is a hospitality consulting business, which I run with my business partner and chef. There are 5 employees, and our average monthly revenue is ~ £3,300. I am directly responsible for new lead generation through emails, cold calling and my professional network. I handle all new leads and pitch our consulting services. I am the primary point of contact for existing clients and directly manage their projects on the business side, with my partner handling the culinary side. I coordinate our client’s marketing campaigns, make business plans and cash flow projections, advise them on strategy and product creation, and conduct regular site visits to meet them in person and review project work.

In my previous role as an associate consultant at (Anonymized), I was responsible for client communication and analysis work on projects with average baselines of ~$30M – $200M. On a daily basis, I managed a team of five business analysts and directed their work on different projects. I was responsible for overall work quality, meeting project deadlines, and formulating data analyses and hypotheses. I participated in internal strategy meetings and client sales pitches with senior stakeholders. I was also responsible for recruitment and analyst reviews for the 3 members of my team. I worked directly with my partner-level managers and VP level clients. 

My diverse experiences have helped improve my business acumen and team management, and collaboration skills, and I look forward to leveraging these traits and contributing to the Oxford MBA cohort.

Post the Oxford Said MBA, I want to continue my career as a management consultant in the procurement and operations department, focusing on the supply chain & logistics sector. I am targeting a position of Engagement Manager or Senior Associate Consultant at global consulting firms such as McKinsey, Bain, BCG or Accenture, in the procurement & operations department. 

Based on my conversations with AK (Ex-Goldman, KPMG, EY), MK (LBS’21)  and senior consultant figures at my previous consulting firm including Chris Lange (ex-Accenture, Opera), I have learnt that the companies I am targeting mostly recruit directly on campus from prestigious business schools. They are looking for candidates with a prior background in management consulting and who have strong analytical, managerial and project management skills. In particular for my target role of a procurement consultant, it is required to have expertise in procurement consulting and it is good to have sector expertise in a few categories. 

I believe I meet all of the requirements for my potential recruiters and will be an excellent candidate to get selected. I have 3 years of management experience with (Anonymized), where I was part of teams advising multi billion dollar companies on their procurement and cost efficiency needs. I have exposure to 15+ categories, with deep expertise in logistics & supply chain. I have developed strong analytical skills and exposure to various tools and software during my tenure. I also have significant project and team management experience, as well as client handling experience from (Anonymized) and my current consulting firm (Anonymized).

Pursuing an MBA from a top school such as Said would put me in a strong position to achieve my short term goals and make the geographical and designation switches I am aiming for.

In the time I have before starting my MBA I am aiming to further develop my client handling and project management skills. To that end I have launched my own consulting company – Gold Leaf Hospitality Consulting, which focuses on providing business and culinary consulting to young entrepreneurs seeking to open their own food business. I handle all sales pitches, client interaction & management, project management and business consultancy aspects. Through this experience I am developing the important client facing skills I need to succeed in my future consultancy career. I believe these skills, allied with my strong analytical abilities and role-specific expertise make me an excellent candidate for my target companies.

If I am unable to get through to my primary target companies (global high-brand consultancy groups) I will target smaller consultancy companies in my domain areas of logistics and supply chain, such as Maine Pointe, Transplace and Jaegger. I have good contacts and connections in these companies, which will help get me a foot in the door and provide a boost in the recruitment process. I also have a standing offer of employment from my previous company (Anonymized), and their Logistics Centre of Excellence (LCoE) where I spent 2 years and achieved 2 promotions in successive years.

During my last year of college, my father and I started an organic dairy business with our family’s savings. It quickly became apparent that the business was struggling, and I felt compelled to abandon my placement offer at Bain to join the start-up in an attempt to safeguard my family’s fortunes. However, despite my best efforts, the business was not successful and we had to close down a year later with heavy losses and debts. 

I learned a tough lesson – good intentions and hard work are not enough to compensate for a lack of experience and business nous. Indeed, this pivotal experience has shaped me profoundly and made me value business experience and know-how as critical traits. This is a driving factor behind my MBA application – I feel now is the right time to further my learning and skills, to protect my business from similar missteps in the future.

This desire to keep upskilling my professional skills was also a primary factor in my launching the two businesses I have founded in the last year. The gourmet food business gave me a second chance to deploy my learnings from my first failed attempt. The consulting business was an attempt to learn critical client management aspects of the business which I felt I was not exposed to enough at (Anonymized). I feel that this drive to improve my professional skills will be an immense asset in the Imperial MBA program and my career beyond.

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Tips for your Oxford Saïd Application Essays

August 8, 2022

Sophie Hilaire

Oxford Saïd Application Essay Tips, 2022-2023

Oxford Saïd Business School takes pride in being part of a “world-class university, tackling world-class problems.” The school attracts a diverse student body that comes from all areas of life and is motivated to drive change and turn ideas into action. The program’s main 250-word essay is a great way to showcase a personal aspect of your candidacy. In your written work, Oxford will be looking for evidence of good communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, and fit with its very international MBA community.

Essay 1: Tell us something that is not covered in your application which you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words)

This essay prompt gives you the flexibility to cover any topic, but being specific and concise will be key to crafting an effective response. We suggest you pick a maximum of one or two examples. If you have any gaps or weaknesses in your profile that need to be clarified, you can address those, but add a positive spin by highlighting what actions you have taken to address the shortcomings. For example, if you had a low GPA in college as a result of extenuating circumstances, perhaps you took additional quantitative courses to demonstrate your ability to handle the intense MBA coursework.

You can also consider sharing a story about a personal achievement, a leadership experience, a volunteer opportunity, an extracurricular activity at work, or a hobby. Provide details about your role, what result you achieved or impact you had, and what you learned from the experience. Depending on the topic—and if space permits—you can try working in how you could continue the activity while contributing to the Oxford community.

Given the global nature of the program, this essay would be a great place to talk about any international experiences or cross-cultural exposure you have had, whether through a project at work or while growing up. Share details about what the experience taught you and how it contributed to your growth and development or to your understanding of different cultures.

1+1 Applicant Essay: Explain why you see this as particularly beneficial for you and how it fits with your career and personal development aims. (Maximum 250 words)

The Oxford 1+1 MBA program provides an excellent opportunity for specialized individuals to complete a one-year master’s degree from selected Oxford University departments, followed by a one-year MBA. In this essay, passionately share how you’ll practically apply a comprehensive understanding of business to your chosen discipline to create wide-reaching impact. 

Be sure to illustrate the synergies you anticipate from accessing Oxford’s resources throughout both years. You might wish to highlight the strong networking opportunities you’ll access, including other MBA students, international alumni, prominent academics, and expert practitioners. 

Overall, make the admissions committee confident that you are clear on your plans and will make them proud upon graduation. Don’t repeat any content from Essay 1; ensure that you are maximizing the tight word count by sharing only complementary information.

Reapplicant Essay: What improvements have you made in your candidacy since you last applied to the Oxford MBA? (Maximum 250 words)

As a reapplicant, you should provide specific examples of how you have strengthened your profile from the previous time you applied, whether you have taken on additional responsibilities at work, earned a promotion, improved your test score(s), learned a new skill, or picked up a new activity that has helped you grow. Be sure to express your continued interest in the Oxford MBA program by sharing any steps you have taken to learn more about the school and its community.

MBA School Specific

2022-2023 essays MBA Application Essays Optional Essay Oxford Saïd Reapplicant

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University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School

• MBA Program Stats

Annual Tuition : £78,510

Annual Tuition Non-Resident : £78,510

Full-Time Enrollment : 334

Median GMAT : 680

Median GRE : 160

International : 97%

Female : 51%

• What You Need To Know

Since 1996, ​​the one-year Oxford Saïd MBA has been empowering individuals to lead with purpose in order to make a meaningful impact in the world. This January, The Financial Times recognized Oxford as the winners in their inaugural global Responsible Business Education Awards, victorious in the ‘Best Schools’ and the ‘Academic Research’ categories – the only UK business school among five recipients selected by an international panel of judges.

Oxford is one of the oldest and most esteemed universities in the world, located in Oxford, England. The city is known for its stunning historic architecture, including the iconic Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera, attracting tourists, scholars, and literary enthusiasts from around the globe. There is an abundance of large companies within Oxford and in the general vicinity, just a short train journey to London.

The University is home to 38 colleges, yet no matter which a student lands in, most of the colleges are no more than a 15-minute walk from the city center and the Saïd Business School.

“‘My favorite aspect must be the privilege of seeing the arc of someone’s experience as they come onto the MBA – from their application through to being on the course, then becoming alum and witnessing their development in the future,” says Amy Major, MBA program director.

“Seeing how critical the experience and network MBAs build in Oxford is to their professional and personal journey is truly heart-warming. Particularly when sometimes I have the chance to play a small part in it. With a cohort of circa 320 students, I simply cannot get to know everyone, but a close understanding of the journey for some students is a true privilege,” she continues.

Academics & Programs

The MBA provides students with a solid foundation in core business principles while helping them develop a broad understanding of business in society. In the program, MBAs develop a deeper understanding in their interest areas or explore new areas.

Oxford Saïd uniquely offers a 1+1 program that lets students take a one-year Oxford master’s degree from a list of partner programs followed by an MBA, allowing people to delve into a subject before capping it off with an MBA — a cost-effective alternative to the two-year MBA in the U.S.

The B-school welcomes 334 students annually on average with the passion and drive to meet the demands of the future. This year, they were the first school in Europe to achieve gender parity, with a 51% female class. Core courses go beyond the conventional to include topics like entrepreneurship, responsible business, and leading with purpose in the 21st century.

Participants can also partake in an internship, which is not always the case in a one-year MBA.
The academic year is divided into modules, and alongside the conventional core business courses are electives that incorporate two cross-cutting themes: Entrepreneurship and Global Rules of the Game.

Highlights of the program include the Entrepreneurship Project, where students develop a complete business plan and present it to a panel of invited venture capitalists and other practitioners. Another highlight is Global Opportunities and Threats Oxford (GOTO), where students are challenged to use systems thinking to address some of the most complex issues that the world faces today.

The B-school does not offer specific specializations, but they do offer pathways in Finance, Consulting, Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Global Industries by bringing together Core and Elective courses.

During the summer months, MBAs can partake in optional internships or a six-week Strategic Consulting Project in a team of three to five for a corporate sponsor. Teams have worked with a wide range of companies, charities, nonprofits, and start-ups.

The Saïd School engages closely with the wider university to bring a multidisciplinary aspect to the Oxford MBA which allows them to provide students with an exciting mix of experiences and opportunities. Some include The Foundry – a university-wide innovation center devoted to starting new businesses, various learning labs like their Finance Lab, Impact Lab and Creative Destruction Lab, debates at the famous Oxford Union, student-led clubs, career treks, globally renowned guest speakers, conferences, and many other opportunities – not to mention fancy dinners in ancient dining rooms.

The school regularly hosts guest speakers from diverse industries and organizes industry-focused events and conferences, providing students with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and exposure to current business trends.

Academics And Programs

The B-School welcomes 334 students annually on average with the passion and drive to meet the demands of the future. Core courses go beyond the conventional to include topics like entrepreneurship, responsible business, and leading with purpose in the 21st century.

Participants can also partake in an internship, which is not always the case in a one-year MBA. The academic year is divided into modules, and alongside the conventional core business courses are electives that incorporate two cross-cutting themes: Entrepreneurship and Global Rules of the Game.

During the summer months, MBAs take up internships or a six-week Strategic Consulting Project in a team of three to five for a corporate sponsor. Teams have worked with a wide range of companies, charities, nonprofits, and start-ups. 

The Saïd School engages closely with the wider university to bring a multidisciplinary aspect to the Oxford MBA. This enables the program to provide an exciting mix of experiences and opportunities, from The Foundry – a university-wide innovation center devoted to starting new businesses, to debates at the famous Oxford Union, student-led clubs, career treks, globally renowned guest speakers, conferences, and many other opportunities – not to mention fancy dinners in ancient dining rooms.

Why Students Chose

“The key motivation for choosing Oxford was its focus on impact-driven careers and the network that it provides to explore the European impact investing industry. I also loved the course curriculum including programs like GOTO and Entrepreneurial Project that help students find solutions to global problems. My team is exploring Climate Reset as part of our GOTO project, where we are looking at using a systems thinking approach to the agriculture value chain of Mexico. Coming from the impact sector, I had heard about these concepts and the tools provided by the school will give me more confidence to use them in practice.” Taanya Khare (‘22)

“Growing up in the Caribbean, there is a certain respect for British schools which already narrowed my focus in choosing a business school to the UK. However, Saïd Business School’s focus on impact investment in its syllabus made it the easy choice. Throughout the course, we are constantly challenged in the way we think about creating portfolios, assessing investments, and advising companies. When we propose an integration of ESG goals, our lecturers ensure that this is done practically, recognizing all the obstacles, and eventually resulting in the innovation of new approaches to our business ideas. This was extremely important for me since my goals have always involved eventually returning to my home country Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, with a hope to make a meaningful change. Through our future businesses, we have the power to impact education, employment, crime, and economic growth. Since studying in the MBA at Saïd, I have been able to grapple with my ideas, ensuring that specific goals can be met whilst still being financially successful.” Samuel Bailey (‘22)

“I chose Oxford Saïd because of so many reasons, but two of the most important to me were the internationality and diversity of the talent that the school attracted, and the social impact focus the school bolsters. These were key deciding factors, as the network you get out of b-school is one of your greatest assets. I knew having the chance to meet and work with driven, intelligent people from all over the world on social impact problems that matter would be the opportunity of a lifetime.” Sonoma Jean (‘22)

“I was struck by the setbacks the pandemic evoked in the education sector across the globe and the rapidly widening education access gap. I wanted to help; I did not know how. Social impact is the prominent part of the Oxford MBA curriculum – few of our lectures fail to touch this subject. It is weaved into our Accounting, Marketing, Strategy modules amongst others. Then, of course, there is GOTO (Global Opportunities and Threats: Oxford). This is a formal part of our curriculum, where we work on a project to identify a systematic challenge the current world is facing – and then create and map a solution. There are many great projects in the works: helping refugees, combatting smoking, and building resilience to misinformation through education. You are pushed to come up with something that can really work and be implemented.” Mary Zhukovskaya (‘22)

“Students come to Oxford to experience the world through wonderful people; I am no different. However, apart from the people, a reason I chose Oxford was its focus on Entrepreneurship. While I didn’t see myself starting a venture immediately, I wanted to surround myself with entrepreneurs. With a dedicated Entrepreneurship Project as a part of the core curriculum, Creative Destruction Lab, and access to the broader entrepreneurship network at Oxford, the e-bug is rubbing off on me.” Sandeep T D S (‘22)

• Career Stats

Compensation and Career Statistics of Oxford MBAs

Industry choices of oxford mbas, where oxford’s mbas went to work, admissions for said business school.

From Oxford University 

A transformational role in a global business? Founding and growing your startup? Making change happen through finance or consulting? Solving problems from the ground up in a social enterprise? The Oxford MBA is an intensive and flexible one-year programme focused on helping you to achieve career success and to make a lasting impact, wherever you work.

Saïd Business School at Oxford University blends the best of new and old. We are a young, vibrant, innovative business school deeply embedded in an 800-year-old world-class university.

Discover the Oxford MBA .

A year in Oxford not enough? Learn more about the opportunity to earn two degrees in two years with the  Oxford 1+1 MBA . Combine a specialist Master’s from the University of Oxford with our MBA.

Admissions process

We operate a staged admissions process and we strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible, particularly if you are interested in applying for any of our scholarships.  View our application deadlines and requirements .

Our School representatives are travelling to cities around the world to meet with prospective candidates like you. Visit our website to browse our  events listing  for the opportunity to meet with us as well as our alumni.

The Career Development Centre is dedicated to help you finding and prepare for a role that suits your skill set and meets your career aspirations, whether you are looking to explore, accelerate, or transition in an alternative direction.

We have developed five pathways to help you navigate your way through the programme:

• Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Impact
• Global Industry

These pathways will allow you to make informed choices, both curricular and co-curricular, throughout the year. You will be able to move between these pathways depending on your aspirations and interests, which we know from experience can change during your year in Oxford.

Learn more about careers .

Life at Oxford

As an Oxford MBA, you will belong to one of the University’s 38 autonomous colleges, each a self-governing academic community of students and faculty with its own distinctive history and identity. The application process requires you to specify a college of your choice. Through your college, you will have the opportunity to connect with the brightest minds from across the University.

Explore college life.

Essay Questions For Said Business School

With your application, you will need to submit a supporting statement in answer to the following question: Tell us something that is not covered in your application that you would like the Admissions Committee to know about you. (Maximum 250 words) You will also need to complete an online assessment. This comprises: – Two motivation-based questions via video – all candidates will answer the same questions. Example: Why is an MBA the next step for you to further your career? – One competency-based question via video – this will be randomised. Example: Take a minute to tell us about a time when you’ve overcome a challenging situation, either professionally or personally. What was your approach to resolving the situation? – Written response – this will be randomised and light-hearted. Example: Apples are more versatile than bananas. Discuss

Student Features For Said Business School

Meet Oxford Saïd’s MBA Class Of 2023

A look at some of this year's most promising graduates

Meet Oxford Saïd’s MBA Class Of 2022

A promising class looking to tackle "world scale problems."

Meet Oxford Saïd’s MBA Class Of 2021

Purpose-driven class brings a diversity of experience to Oxford

2023 Best & Brightest MBA: Diego Rojas Arancibia, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“An always energized Latin American passionate for social impact”

2023 Best & Brightest MBA: Benoit Dubief, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Driven, forward-looking strategist bringing together consulting, product management and technology towards digital impact at scale”

2022 Best & Brightest MBA: Daniel Bu, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Focused and adventurous future surgeon working to enable and scale surgical innovation in emerging markets”

2023 MBA To Watch: Katherine Dellar, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Optimistic, empathetic and joke-cracking former diplomat who believes capitalism can change for the better”

2023 MBA To Watch: Tochi Ginigeme, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“I am an incurable optimist; passionate about empowering African youths and women through entrepreneurship”

2022 MBA To Watch: Asha Scaria Vettoor, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Trying to balance MBA, friendships, business and 100 other things happening at Oxford, without FOMO”

2021 MBAs To Watch: Dave Muriuki, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Deeply curious about how the world around me truly works”

2021 MBAs To Watch: Sophia Watkins, University of Oxford (Saïd)

“Gringa chola — seeking international perspectives with a heart rooted in rural South America”

School Features

Oxford Saïd Announces 2023 Cohort Of Skoll Scholars

Each of the five candidates already brings impressive achievements to the table in the social equity space

Meet The Oxford Saïd MBA Skoll Scholars

These 4 students in the 2021-2022 cohort are accomplished entrepreneurs & social change makers

2023 Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors: Kejia Hu, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, Oxford University Said Business School

Congrats to Kejia Hu of Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management and Oxford University Said Business School for being named a 2023 Best 40 Under 40 MBA Professor.

2020 Best 40 Under 40 Professors: Michael Gill, Oxford Saïd Business School

'From the moment Mike Gill steps in front of a classroom, it is clear how passionate he is about teaching'

MBA Watch For Said Business School

MBA Watch is where thousands of MBA applicants not only get to tell their story but have John A. Byrne, MBA admissions coaches and our audience, assess their odds of admission and get help to improve their chances of getting in!

Mr. Strategy Consulting Future

Completed school in India.

Mr. Commercial Lawyer

Commercial Lawyer - Leading a team of lawyers who support fortune 500 MNCs negotiate multi-million dollar strategic business contracts cutting across different areas.

Mr. Commercial Engineer

Graduated as Chemical Engineer and started a career as Business Development in a small chemical trading company.

Mr. Pharma Manager

Lead manager for data insights/planning for the largest pharmaceutical group in Brazil, with 11 people under management.

Mr. Impact Underdog

I'm looking to bring a strong sense of purpose in my career by transitioning fully to social impact.

Mr. Green Business

An ex-commercial fisherman that turned to the 'green side' and pursue a career helping public and private actors in the global commodities sectors improve their ESG profiles.

Mr. Strategy Consultant

I am a corporate strategy and operation consulting professional with more than 6 years of experience in the energy sector.

Mr. Versatility

I've become a bit of a jack of all trades.

Hi, thanks for reading my profile.

Ms. Audit Meme

Russian, UK resident.

Rankings Data For Said Business School

News coverage for said business school.

How Oxford Saïd Achieved Gender Parity: P&Q’s Exclusive Interview With Program Director Amy Major

Oxford Saïd Business School achieved a historic milestone by enrolling 51% women in its MBA class for the first time. Here's how

Historic: Oxford Saïd Enrolls 51% Women In Its MBA

In a first for a European B-school, Oxford's Saïd School breaks the gender equity barrier — and explains how it did it

At MBA Olympics, It’s Oxford Saïd Again Over HEC Paris

A fifth consecutive MBA Olympics championship for Oxford's Saïd Business School

At HEC’s MBA Olympics, Oxford’s Said Business School Edges Closer To The Big Bragging Rights

At HEC Paris, The MBA Games Begin!

Some 1,300 MBA students and their partners arrive at HEC Paris for the MBA Olympics

Entrepreneurs Flock To Oxford’s Most Popular Program, Which Expands To Meet The Demand

Plus: 15 deans of top business schools meet to discuss the future of business education; Syracuse unveils a new tech certification

2022 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Aya, University of Oxford (Saïd)

Providing intelligent patient management for mental health providers

2022 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Armada Technologies Ltd, University of Oxford (Saïd)

2022 Most Disruptive MBA Startups: Anfani, University of Oxford (Saïd)

"Energy broker for the unbanked and underserved in sub-Saharan Africa"

From A War Zone To Oxford’s Hottest Degree Program: One Ukrainian Student’s Journey

How a young journalist hopes Oxford's Smith School will equip her with the skills & knowledge to lead a green post-war future

Why Oxford Has Become Europe’s Leader In MBA Gender Equality

UK B-school is on a mission to 'end gender inequality in business once and for all'

Looking Back To Look Forward: How Oxford Saïd’s MBA Class Has Changed In 25 Years 

Oxford no long a place for just philosophers, poets, and novelists

Overwhelming Demand: Oxford Hit By Tsunami Of Apps To New Sustainability Master’s

More than 600 apply for just 25 seats in Smith School program

Former Cornell Dean Named To Lead Oxford Saïd Business School

After an unexplained abrupt departure at Cornell, Soumitra Dutta reemerges at Oxford

What You Need To Know About Applying To Oxford Saïd

Plus five tips for maximizing your chances of admission

• Academics and Programs
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• Contact Information Location: Park End Street OX1 1HP Oxford, United Kingdom OX1 1HP Admissions Office: +0 (186) 528-8800 Email School Social Media:
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Stage 1: September 27, 2023 Stage 2: January 5, 2024 Stage 3: March 20, 2024

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Start date: September 2024

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About the programme

Oxford University has a rich tradition of developing leaders.

Our Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programme builds on this legacy, providing you with a solid foundation in core business principles while developing a broadened mindset and understanding of the role of business in society. You will be challenged to delve deep into the areas that interest you most and gain the strategic skills and insight to lead a successful, purposeful career.

The programme exposes you to:

• a global connected network
• a diverse student group
• diverse career opportunities
• thought leaders
• a rigorous academic experience

Experience Oxford through our students

What you will learn

Fundamental skills.

• Develop your ability to think logically, laterally and independently
• Build fundamental skills through the core courses
• Shape and define your career goals through industry specific electives
• Empower yourself to become a global leader

Real-world skills

• Entrepreneurship
• Conflict management
• Negotiation
• Strategy building

Class profile

The class represents a breadth of diversity, a multiplicity of perspectives and expertise, along with a willingness to interchange ideas and concepts. We seek professionals from a range of industries, from finance to consulting, and tech to healthcare.

Class size (2023-24)

Nationalities

International students

Average work experience

Median GMAT

Nationality breakdown

We have a truly international 2023-24 cohort, with 97% international students representing 63 nationalities.

• East Asia 15%
• Latin America & the Caribbean 3%
• Middle East 5%
• North America 12%
• South Asia 23%
• South East Asia 14% 

Your community

The diverse and vibrant Saïd Business School and wider Oxford community is here to support you through every step. Whether you're coming from a military background, relocating to the UK with your spouse or family, or interested in joining supportive networks, our community will help you feel at home.

Who are we looking for?

Who you are.

• Strong professional experience
• Background in varied and multicultural environments
• Exceptional maturity and outstanding leadership
• Ability to make insightful contributions to your class, based on your professional and personal experience
• Strong academic foundation

What you need

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent
• Written supporting statement
• Online assessment
• Either a GMAT or GRE score
• Professional experience with a minimum of two years work experience
• An understanding of your career goals
• English capability
• Two references, either professional or academic
• One page CV using this template as a guide

How to apply

Application deadlines.

Applications for the class of 2024-25 are now open.

You will need to submit your online application form with all  application requirements  by your chosen application deadline. 

Application deadlines are:

• Stage 1:  Wednesday 27 September 2023
• Stage 2:  Friday 5 January 2024
• Stage 3:  Wednesday 20 March 2024

Interview decisions

The admissions committee will review your completed application.

We will tell you whether or not you have been shortlisted for an interview for the 2024-25 intake on the date below:

• Stage 1:  Wednesday 8 November 2023
• Stage 2:  Wednesday 31 January 2024
• Stage 3:  Wednesday 17 April 2024

Final decisions

After all interviews have been conducted, the admissions committee will decide which candidates will receive an offer to join the MBA programme.

Final decisions for 2024-25 will be emailed to all candidates on the final decision deadline of the stage in which you have applied below:

• Stage 1:  Wednesday 13 December 2023
• Stage 2:  Friday 8 March 2024
• Stage 3:  Friday 17 May 2024

Scholarships

Scholarships are available from Saïd Business School , Oxford University and Colleges , or external sources. We recommend applying early to maximise the number of scholarship opportunities for which you are considered. Additionally, some scholarships have fixed application deadlines. For the majority of Saïd Business School and Oxford University scholarships, only the standard course application is usually required. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be automatically considered.

Learn more about the programme and our diverse community by attending an event and meeting our team, students, and alumni. We hold events here at Saïd Business School, overseas and online.

Check out our upcoming events to register for information sessions or MBA fairs in your nearest city, open days or campus visits here at the school, or virtual events such as webinars, Q&A sessions, taster lectures, and more. You can also register for a one-on-one profile review with a member of our Recruitment and Admissions team.

Alumni feedback

I was attracted by the theoretical and practical approach of the MBA programme itself. The programme imparts skills to develop a business concept and implement it, all with a holistic view of business on an interlinked world stage. Harriet Okwi Asiyo MBA Student

Career development

Making a career change is often one of the most cited reasons for pursuing an MBA. Through coaching, talent development and employer engagement, we enable our students to develop, discover, articulate and take ownership of their career and professional development plans.

Our most recent employment report for the Oxford MBA 2021-22 cohort shows that there was a rise of 5.7% in overall average salaries across sectors. Our graduates have gone on to work at over 150 organisations globally, with 58% switching sector, 66% moving location, 64% changing job function and 27% doing all three.

Student experiences

Read news and updates from our students and alumni as they reflect on their academic challenges and highlights, as well as opportunities presented to them through the programme. Gain insights into MBA life, Saïd Business School life, and college life, as well as get a behind the scenes look at what being a postgraduate student in Oxford entails.

You will belong to one of the University’s 39 autonomous colleges. Each has a self-governing academic community of students and faculty with its own distinctive history and identity.

The collegiate system allows you to connect with students from other disciplines. Your college will provide you with the chance to establish a new circle of friends, access to a range of varied social and sporting activities, and opportunities to participate in a lively intellectual community.

Oxford 1+1 MBA

The Oxford 1+1 MBA programme is a unique opportunity for talented individuals to combine a Master's degree from selected Oxford University departments with our one-year MBA.

This powerful joint degree allows you to gain deep knowledge and expertise in your specialist fields, as well as developing a comprehensive understanding of business, exceptional leadership skills and practical experience.

Connect with us

Browse our  FAQs page for more information on a variety of topics. 

You can also contact our admissions and recruitment team or register for an upcoming event.

How To Successfully Complete the Oxford Kira Video Interview

Oct 2, 2022

With its focus on ethical leadership and social impact, Oxford is at the top of the list for an increasing number of applicants who seek to pursue (or continue pursuing) a high-impact, global career. 

However, with impressive recruiting statistics and its unique 1+1 MBA + Master’s program, the competition to join Oxford’s elite MBA is more difficult than ever. 

That’s why it’s so important to nail every aspect of your application – including the video interview. 

In addition to giving the admissions committee the chance to “put a face with a name,” the video essay is an essential part of the Oxford Saïd application, as it allows committee members to determine if your communication style and values are a good fit with the Oxford community. 

In fact, in our experience helping 99.8% of all our Oxford complete consulting applicants secure a place at the school, we have noticed that the video essay is just as influential in an applicant’s admissions decision as the admissions interview . 

That’s why we’ve prepared this guide to help you understand how the Oxford video interview works and have shared our best tips to ensure you record an outstanding video essay that ensures you pass through to the interview round.

Why does Oxford require a video essay?

Launched relatively recently, the video interview gives the Oxford admissions committee the chance to truly “meet” candidates — as well as identify red flags in potential members of the school’s community. 

According to Oxford’s admissions committee, the videos were introduced for these reasons:

With that in mind, it’s extremely important to make sure you fully understand this component of the application.

How does the Oxford video essay work?

The way the video essay works is very simple. 

After submitting your application, you will receive an email from a company called Kira Talent. This email will contain a link that allows you to access the video essay platform. 

After signing in and starting the session, you will get four spoken questions in total, one at a time. For the speaking questions, you will have to answer 2 questions from each of the 2 categories below:

• Motivation-based questions
• Competency-based questions  

After receiving each question, you will have 1 minute to answer. There are no opportunities to redo the question , and you only get one chance to speak and provide your answer.

NOTE: Many of our clients have received 1.5 minutes to answer both motivation-based questions.

Then, you will receive one written question. You will receive a prompt and will have 5 minutes to answer. You’re expected to write about 250-500 words.     

The questions are random, but we’ve included a list of questions previous applicants have received below, so you can practice! 

Technical requirements

To complete the video interview, you need a microphone, camera, and strong internet connection. Though the platform states you can complete the video essay on your mobile device, we have found that this does not consistently work. 

Furthermore, given past applicants’ issues with the iPad version of the application, we strongly suggest you record your answer on a computer . 

If you do end up experiencing technical issues, access the support page here . 

Regardless of when you submit your application, you need to submit your video essay response by your chosen round’s deadline . Once you submit the application, you will gain access to the Kira link to record your video interview. Don’t wait to submit your application last minute, however, since you will not receive extra time for your video interview! Find Oxford’s most current application deadlines here. 

If you submit your application early, you can submit the video essays at any time, as long as you make the final deadline.  

Which types of questions are asked?

Oxford asks 3 types of questions. 1 is motivation-based (spoken), 1 is competency-based (spoken) and one is written. We have included sample questions below. 

Group 1: Motivation-based questions

The first group asks 2 questions related to your interest in Oxford, your reasons for completing an MBA, and your perceived benefits of their program.

This might take the form of “Why Oxford?”, or “Why is an MBA the next step for you to further for your career?” Conversely, they may also ask what you can contribute to the community or what types of activities you’re interested in pursuing outside of class. They obviously want to be sure that you have researched Oxford and have good reasons for applying.

For this section, refer back to your goals essay, reflect, and be honest with yourself about why you’re applying to Oxford. Maybe you like the international nature of the programme, maybe the timing of a 1-year program works well for you (or the 1+1 format, if you’re applying for this program), or perhaps you have colleagues who attended and spoke highly of Oxford. 

The curriculum should also be a selling point for you, as well as the clubs and campus life, the diversity of the students, the experience of the teachers, and the internships and alumni network.

Now, please don’t reel off that list! It won’t be personal enough to you. 

Instead, clearly articulate your top three or four reasons for applying to Oxford, and speak about them.

You don’t need to spend much time introducing this topic, saying “There are three main reasons why I want to attend Oxford” and then giving us the reasons is more than enough.

It’s always good to include something that shows you’ve researched the programme , so mentioning something specific, be it the academic modules or a specific club you want to join is a must for a winning video essay. 

Sample motivation-based questions 

• Why is an MBA the next step for you to further in your career?
• How long have you been considering doing an MBA and why now is the right time? 
• What specific skills are you looking to gain at Oxford?
• What is unique to Oxford MBA that you are attracted to?
• Why an MBA now?
• Why Oxford Said Business School?
• Why Oxford over all the other schools you’ve applied to?

Group 2: Competency-based questions

Oxford is a community that values purpose-driven, adaptable people who work well in teams and are strong problem-solvers.

For that reason, Oxford often asks questions aimed at determining if you have the skills and qualities the school looks for and will be a positive addition to the Saïd community. 

These questions won’t specifically ask “do you like working in a team,” but if you can keep in mind that this is a chance to show how you interact with others, you’ll have a good starting point for this question.

Typically questions range from how you help someone who needs advice, to your management style to how you handle conflict. An example of a type of question you might receive here would be, “Take a minute to tell us about a time where you’ve overcome a challenging situation, either professionally or personally. What was your approach to resolving the situation?”

To do well in this question, it’s great to draw on examples , and to be clear and to the point. 

Furthermore, make sure to show your human side and demonstrate that you genuinely care for others and want teams you join to succeed. It can be easy to answer in a very conversational way, but doing so can often lead to an answer without a point, so make sure to structure the key elements of your answer. 

For this question, you want to make sure you’re showing what you do, and use active language.

Your answer will want to show that you’re mature, that you’re emotionally intelligent, that you can see the bigger picture, that you’re empathetic and that you make a positive contribution to those around you.

If the question is about helping someone with a problem, tell us what you do. Perhaps you first like to listen, then help them get clear on what they really want, and then decide together on some next steps.

If the question is about your management style, be precise. Tell them how you manage people and why. Maybe you’re very hands-off, and like to give everyone the opportunity to take responsibility within their role, as you think this empowers them the most to learn and develop. Maybe you’re more hands-on and like to make sure your team knows they can come to you with problems, as giving people too much freedom too soon can actually be overwhelming to them.

Regardless, make sure to show your reasons for your actions and demonstrate that you’re a person who embraces collaboration and who sees setbacks as opportunities for learning.

Sample competency-based questions 

• Take a minute to tell us about a time where you’ve overcome a challenging situation, either professionally or personally. What was your approach to resolving the situation?
• What is the most significant personal weakness that you have identified, what did you do about it, and what was the result?
• Imagine you are proposing a business innovation idea for a class project and the audience is not interested. What would you do?
• Discuss a time that you and your teammates were on a tight timeline.
• Tell us about a time you asked for help and how did it go?
• Tell us about a time you were overloaded with work, how did you handle it?
• Discuss what you would do if you and your teammates cannot come to an agreement on a project decision.
• Tell us a time where you had an idea and had to convince your project team.
• Tell us about a time you led a diverse team, what specific skill did you use and why?

Group 3: Written question

Unlike other schools, you will also be required to complete a written question for the Oxford Video Interview. According to the Oxford Admissions Committee, “The question will allow you to demonstrate your written communication skills and how well you can think on your feet. It will be randomised, with applicants for the class of 2021-22 receiving one written-response question from a pool of available questions.” 

Once you receive the question, you will have 5 minutes to complete your answer. You should expect to write about 250-500 words. We suggest leaving yourself ~30 seconds at the end to proofread since we all make typos! 

One of the things students stress out the most is thinking about the potential questions they might receive here and if they are prepared enough to answer. However, these questions tend to be very light and are intended to be answered with no previous preparation. An example of a question you might receive would be, “Apples are more versatile than bananas. Discuss.”

TOP TIP: Remember there are no right answers for this question. Oxford simply wants to see how you communicate in writing and how you structure your thoughts. As long as you answer the question and have a clear flow from idea to idea, you’ve done a great job! 

Sample written response questions 

• Apples are more versatile than bananas. Discuss.
• What was your favourite book as a child and why?
• Why is night better than day?
• Is what we do today enough to solve climate change? Why or why not?
• Do you prefer cats or dogs and explain why?
• How do you describe the color red to someone who can only see in black and white?

The difference between a good and great video essay

Given the importance of the video essay in your Oxford application, it’s crucial to make sure you don’t just have a good video essay, but that you have a great video essay. 

Now that you’ve learned how the video essay will work, we’ve gathered our top 3 tips to ensure your video essay performance brings you one step closer to reaching your goal of attending Oxford. 

Tip 1: Be personable on camera

This is quite a specific skill to master, but with a bit of practice, it will get much easier. 

My best tip for you is to practice recording yourself and time yourself as well. Go through the questions you have and record yourself answering for one minute. 

If you mess up, keep going. You can’t stop and try again in the real thing, so don’t do it now. Continue your answer and fake confidence if necessary!

Then watch yourself back. Were you making eye contact with the camera? Did you smile? Did you look friendly? Bored? Annoyed? Scared?

Chances are the first few you do won’t be great but keep going. Remember that Oxford is looking for friendly people to join their community, so make sure you’re showing your true colors on camera. 

You might also like to pretend you’re something of a TV presenter. This can help you to bring your personality forward and be more engaging. You don’t want to seem flat in the recording, so be a little bit brighter and friendlier than you think you need to be, and see how big of a difference it makes to your recordings.

Furthermore, be extremely careful with your tone of voice and body language. If you’re slumped over or look bored, the admissions committee will get the impression you’re not engaged with the task or, worse, that you’re not passionate about Oxford! 

This also goes for your tone of voice. Passion is contagious , but the last thing we think of when imagining a passionate person is a monotone, bored voice. So vary your tone of voice and make sure to project your passion for your interests and for Oxford. If you’re not naturally good at this, you may want to seek out help from friends or record yourself multiple times until you’ve nailed the brief. 

You’ll also want to be strict with yourself about timing. Don’t go over, you won’t get to do that for real. If you find you’re running out of time, a good place to look is to see if you’re taking too long to get started with the answer, or if you’re trying to say too much.

Cut out long introductions, and stick to a few points per answer.

But most importantly, don’t forget to smile! Though this may sound cliché or outdated, smiling really is one of the best — and easiest — ways to be memorable and to create a positive first impression. 

Tip 2: Be prepared to think on your feet

With the timer counting down and no option to check your interviewer’s body language for subtle clues about how well your answer is being received, video essays can be incredibly challenging. 

Even more so when you receive a question you weren’t prepared for!

Yet receiving a curveball question is no reason to panic, since the best way to handle this situation is through a mix of preparation and being spontaneous. 

A good way to avoid completely drawing a blank is to have a few solid examples you’re ready to speak about and adapt.

For example, let’s say you recently worked on a project in a foreign country. You experienced culture shock while trying to adapt to the new city, faced linguistic challenges both in the office and in your daily life, and also had to mix up your work style to align with local expectations. This experience would be a fantastic “stock” answer to have ready, since it brings in so many different topics that you can adapt the focus based on what the question asks. 

So, in addition to preparing your answers to the list of questions we’ve prepared for you below, think back on your life and career and write a list of defining moments that are broad enough to be adapted to various questions and that show your fit with the Oxford community and its values. 

While delivering your answer, don’t let the admissions committee in on the little secret that you got caught off guard! Answer confidently, using your tone of voice and body language to show off your winning personality and you’ll have successfully overcome the challenge!

TOP TIP : The admissions committee knows you’ll be a little nervous during the video essay, so don’t beat yourself up if you feel you portrayed this in your video essay. However, if you tend to get extremely nervous or freeze up, make sure to practice extra hard to make sure this doesn’t happen during your official recording. 

Here at Ellin Lolis Consulting, we also offer video essay training sessions with our team of interview experts who focus on helping you adjust your body language and tone. Schedule your free consultation to get personalized help with your video essay!

Tip 3: PRACTICE

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. And if Barack Obama still practices his speeches , chances are you should practice too! 

For the video essay, we suggest several types of practice to ensure you really nail the actual recording. 

First, rehearse delivering your answers . We’ve all experienced situations where we had the perfect answer in our head, only to have it spill out in a disorganized mess when we tried to actually communicate the answer. This is more common than you’d think, so make sure you’ve “test-driven” your answers at least once. 

During this phase, receiving feedback from an expert can help you polish your answers, making sure they show you off and demonstrate you have a strong “fit” with Oxford. Our team of experts has successfully helped all but one of our Oxford complete consulting candidates secure admissions to the school, so you can count on our team of interview experts to make sure you’re camera-ready ! 

Finally, Oxford offers you the chance to go through practice questions on the platform itself. This is a great chance to both make sure your equipment is properly set up and to get a feel for the timing and flow of the real video essay. Though we suggest you prepare extensively before reaching this step, make sure you don’t skip this extra chance to prepare!

Make sure you shine

You have stressed about every aspect of your Oxford application, and now you are ready to record your video essay! With the right preparation, this can be your chance to shine and get a highly-coveted spot at Oxford. 

However, maybe you don’t know where to start in preparing, or maybe you ramble on and lose your focus while answering. Maybe you’ve even downloaded the sample questions and written out your answers. The problem is, when you try to apply these templates to your own story, it doesn’t quite work.

Our video essay prep focuses on helping you determine how to present yourself to Oxford while using appropriate, impact-driven language without being artificial, or worse, robotic.

That’s why we are so proud of our video essay preparation. Focused on helping you overcome your individual strengths and weaknesses in navigating the video format, all while helping you tell your story, ensures that you’ll put your best foot forward when you click “record” for your Oxford Saïd essays!

Want to put the Ellin Lolis advantage to work for you? 

Schedule your preparation session with our team of interview experts today! 

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Said Oxford Deadlines and Essays 2023-2024

MBA & Beyond Team

26/12/2023 | 12:40 pm

Here is the Snapshot of the article:

An MBA from a top business school is a dream of many aspiring candidates. Every year thousands of candidates fill up forms at prestigious universities to enroll in the top MBA programs. Oxford Business school is one of the most popular and top-notch business schools in the world. Its Executive MBA and Finance courses consistently ranked among the best subjects globally and are often regarded as “the best business school in the UK.”

EQUIS accredits the Said Business School, and the Park End Street and Engrove Park are the two locations through which the Business school operates. The Oxford College is a worldwide brand and a huge attraction for students attracting more than 500 + candidates each year, making it the largest center for business programs in the UK. The Said Business school is ranked 2nd in the UK and 12th globally by Financial times, 2021. The MBA program at Said Business School is one of the most coveted courses requiring extreme intelligence, persistence along with good interpersonal and leadership skills

A one-year world’s best Master of Business Administration program from the University of Oxford includes a rigorous sequence of fascinating lectures, lively seminars, and small group work that can train students worldwide. It is one of the newest top-tier business schools, having opened its doors in 1996. It draws foreign students, owing to its “Oxford” name. Despite its youth, the institution has achieved significant accounting, finance, marketing, healthcare, entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, marketing, science, and technological research.

This article includes all the relevant information about The Oxford MBA program, deadline, strategies to ace your Oxford MBA application and stand out from all other applicants!

THE FRAMEWORK OF THE OXFORD MBA PROGRAM

In addition to lectures, the Oxford MBA program includes case studies, simulations, and team projects. The one-year Course structure of Oxford MBA starts in September and concludes in December of the following year. During the first year of the Oxford MBA program, fundamental courses spanning a wide range of topics provide a firm foundation in business knowledge.

Except for the summer, MBA Launch sessions, and a capstone, the year is organized into three terms: Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity. The Oxford MBA curriculum, which includes orientations, core courses, electives, internships, and projects, is nicely categorized into each faction, allowing Oxford MBA graduates to strategically improve their foundations, implementation, and collaboration abilities. In addition, entrepreneurship receives a lot of attention.

Oxford MBA Students enjoy scheduling flexibility and can participate in internships throughout the summer months, which run from early July to early September. The Oxford MBA program includes an entrepreneurial project as well as a strategic consultancy assignment.

PROFILE OF THE OXFORD MBA PROGRAM

According to the Financial Times’ Global MBA Ranking, the Oxford MBA program has been in the top 30 best business schools globally for the past three years, around 2016. Admissions at Said Business School is incredibly tough, with such a 20% Oxford MBA acceptance rate . The school provides undergraduate and graduate programs. The table summarizes the most important details.

HOW IS THE OXFORD MBA PROGRAM UNIQUE FROM OTHER MBA PROGRAMS?

The Oxford MBA program is a coveted career-focused course that demonstrates a highly selective admission policy . The program requires a lot of creativity, extreme intelligence, determination, academic excellence, and good self-consciousness and leadership skills. 

The MBA, Executive MBA, and Finance courses offered by the Said Business School are consistently ranked among the best subjects globally. Moreover, they provide a new thrust to your career projectile, one of the most sought-after graduation programs. The faculty at Saïd Business School is dedicated to helping you define, articulate and execute your career vision, equipping you with relevant knowledge, tools, and skills to achieve your dreams.

OXFORD MBA DEADLINES- HOW CAN YOU APPLY FOR THE ENROLLMENT?

You should know the first and foremost is the Oxford MBA deadlines for submitting the Oxford MBA program applications. On July 30, 2021, applications for the Oxford MBA class for 2021-2022. By the Oxford MBA deadline, you must submit your online application form together with all application prerequisites. Therefore, given below are the details of the Oxford MBA deadlines.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED- OXFORD MBA REQUIREMENTS

Oxford MBA program is a one-year curriculum for a complicated, vulnerable, and more linked world that will assist you in tackling global challenges. There are strategic details that you should keep in mind before everything else about the Oxford MBA requirements .

Ensure you have checkboxes for the following Oxford MBA requirements:

• Upper Secondary School Certificate – A certificate given by the education board to students who have completed higher secondary school.
• The education board will provide a declaration of grades.
• Financial documentation demonstrates the student’s financial status.
• A letter of recommendation identifies who recommended the student for the degree program.
• Statement of Purpose – A student’s statement of purpose is an essay or other written statement presented in the application process.  The admissions committee will be searching for proof of excellent communication skills, leadership potential, analytical skills, and fit with the Oxford MBA community, among other things, while assessing your essays.
• A resume, often known as a curriculum vitae (CV), is a document that lists your job history and credentials.
• Language Requirement in English TOEFL, IELTS, and other test scores
• Exam results such as the GMAT and GRE must be submitted.

OXFORD MBA FEES AND OXFORD MBA APPLICATION FORM

Before submitting your Oxford MBA application , please double-check that you have met all of Oxford MBA requirements . In addition, kindly double-check that your Oxford MBA application is complete and that your application cost of $200 has been paid before submitting it.

Only when all relevant data has been submitted may the Oxford MBA admission committee evaluate a candidate. Performing a regular spot check to get more insights to check the validity of references is a must. We follow this strategy to check whether the job experience and academic credentials are up to the mark or not; other than that, we also retain the right to request additional proof if deemed necessary.

OXFORD MBA ACCEPTANCE RATE

The Oxford MBA program at Said Business School is a coveted career-focused course that demonstrates a highly selective admission policy, with the Oxford MBA acceptance rate being lower than 20%. To get enrolled into the Oxford MBA program is no joke. Only Candidates who can make insightful contributions to the Oxford MBA class have a solid academic foundation, exceptional skills in various fields, and a good amount of work experience have high chances to get admission. But fret not! Following a stepwise process to earmark your strengths and weaknesses and develop an overall robust application with eloquent LORs and a good GMAT score will sail you safely through the application hurdles.

The following paragraphs decrypt the best strategies followed by top MBA graduates admitted into the Oxford MBA program even being an average student!

HOW TO ACE YOUR OXFORD MBA APPLICATION? – STRATEGIES FROM MBA AND BEYOND’S CONSULTING TEAM

An MBA from the top-most study destination is a dream for many aspiring candidates. Every year more than thousands of candidates fill up forms to get enrolled in the top MBA universities. However, applying to a top MBA program is more than just filling an application letter and waiting for the announcements. You need to prepare for every small detail to make sure your application stands out among others.

So, where to start? It’s no secret that conducting proper research is one of the most crucial elements to get admitted into a top-ranked college. Above that, there are a lot of steps in the Oxford MBA application process. What is important is to plan an efficient timeline for every part of the Oxford MBA application process to make acceptance of your application most likely.

Following the below-mentioned tips from our team of experts will help you generate a unique application to stand out among others.

• Ensure that you have a good enough GPA to get enrolled in the Oxford MBA program. 
• Prepare for the GMAT thoroughly by solving questions available online. A lot of practice and dedication is the key to secure good scores.
• Do in-depth research before selecting your target MBA programs, and if possible, try to know more about the college by going through campus visits and info sessions.
• A lot of practice is required to prepare Oxford MBA applications: essays and resumes. Don’t be shy! If you need any help, feel free to take professional advice since you can’t afford to degrade the application’s quality, creativity, and uniqueness.

Having an exclusive recommendation letter will help you sail past the admission process. So, ensure that you have good LORs and, at last, prepare well for the final round of Oxford MBA interviews. Before the final interview, try to take as many mock interviews as possible to strengthen the chances of admission.

THE GUARANTEED FUTURE AFTER THE OXFORD MBA PROGRAM

Amidst tough economic conditions, a one-year curriculum like Oxford Said reports that its MBAs income received an average of $122,613 in its 2020 employment report. Earlier, the MBA program at Said Business School, Oxford MBA employment report , announced the rate of employment hyped by 95% for 2018-2019 graduates, up for the third year in a row. The average income climbed to $87,267 in 2018-19, up from $86299 in 2017-18.

APPLY FOR THE OXFORD MBA SCHOLARSHIPS!

There are application deadlines for Oxford MBA scholarships . The remaining funds will be distributed after each level of MBA admissions. All qualified offer-holders are evaluated at each Oxford MBA deadline ; however, early entry to the MBA program is advised because it cannot ensure the provision of these Oxford MBA scholarships at the final phases of the application process.

• Alumni Annual Fund Scholarships
• Dean’s Africa Scholarship
• Eni-Oxford Africa Scholarship
• Forté Fellowships for Women
• Glen Mehn Scholarship
• Global Leadership Council (GLC) Scholarships for Women
• Jacobs Foundation Scholarships (additional application required)
• Oxford-Adara Foundation Scholarships
• Oxford-Grace Lake Scholarship
• Oxford Leo Tong Chen Scholarships
• Oxford-Intesa Sanpaolo MBA Scholarships
• Oxford Pershing Square Scholarships (needed other application)
• Oxford Saïd-HEC Montréal Scholarship
• Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA) LGBTQ+ Fellowships (other application required)
• Saïd Business School Foundation Scholarships
• Saïd Business School Foundation Africa Scholarships
• Saïd Business School Foundation Middle East Scholarships
• The Laidlaw Scholarships (needed other application)
• The Skoll Scholarship (needed other application)
• Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme (needed other application)

OPPORTUNITIES POST- OXFORD MBA

An MBA degree from Said Business School is reputable and helps you rank among top graduates globally, receiving decent placements. 

The Oxford MBA graduates specialize in all the major industrial sectors, including social impact, finance, consulting, and other diversified industries, with the most chances of employment in the consultancy and financial posts in the world’s top companies. Companies like Amazon, Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and innumerable others seek top MBA graduates. The leading Oxford MBA graduates receive an average salary package of up to 140,641 GBP.

SAÏD BUSINESS SCHOOL NOTABLE ALUMNI

The Oxford business school has produced many renowned entrepreneurs and top-notch business executives. Some of the most notable alumni of the Saïd business school are mentioned below.

• Terry Beech (MBA) – Member of Parliament, Canada
• Claire Diaz Ortiz (MBA) – Twitter, Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business
• Toshiharu Furukawa (MBA) –Professor at Keio University, Politician
• Shawn Baldwin (MFS) – American investor
• Michael Bates, Baron Bates (EMBA) – Minister of State for International Development
• Ananya Birla – Indian entrepreneur

WRAPPING UP!

Our energy, food, water security, aging populations, and the growth of recorded data all necessitate managers and leaders with exceptional skill, intelligence, and integrity. As a result, an MBA is a more prominent degree now than it has ever been. In a year of rigorous, engaging, and demanding experiences at Oxford, the full-time MBA program will prepare you to reason, laterally and independently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is it to get into Oxford SAID?

The MBA, Executive MBA, and Finance courses offered by the Said Business School are consistently ranked among the best subjects globally. They require a lot of creativity, extreme intelligence, determination, academic excellence, along with good self-consciousness and leadership skills. Moreover, a good GPA and an average GMAT score of 690+ is a must to enroll in one of the most coveted MBA courses in the world.

What time is the Oxford application due?

For the current admission cycle, the deadline of the first application round is set to be September 1, 2021, with the results of the first round to be declared on October 27, 2021. Likewise, the deadline for the final application round is March 23, 2022, with the decisions being announced on May 25, 2022.

What is the acceptance rate for Oxford?

The Oxford MBA program coveted a career-focused course that demonstrates a highly selective admission policy, with the acceptance rate being lower than 20%.

What GMAT score is required for Oxford?

The average GMAT score is around 690 as per records to enroll in one of the most reputed MBA programs globally. However, scoring 690 in your first attempt requires a lot of knowledge, dedication, patience, and above all, a heck of a lot of practice.

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Oxford Conference for the Book turns 30

Published 11:34 am Tuesday, March 26, 2024

By Staff Report

By Lucy Gaines and Rebecca Lauck Cleary

University communications

The storied Oxford Conference for the Book returns to the University of Mississippi and downtown Oxford venues April 3-5 for its 30th-anniversary edition.

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A group of authors, including Willie Morris, Barry Hannah and Kaye Gibbons, convened April 2, 1993, for the first Oxford Conference for the Book  to discuss “the dependence of literary arts upon practical concerns.”

Three decades later, the conference is the longest-running event sponsored by the university’s Center for the Study of Southern Culture.

This year’s conference features a robust lineup, due in part to a grant from Hawthornden Foundation, a private charitable organization supporting contemporary writers and the literary arts.

“We are committed to using this gift in ways that nurture both writing and reading in north Mississippi,” said Jimmy Thomas, the event’s director. “Furthermore, we envision this gift supporting the entire Oxford creative community. Hawthornden Foundation has presented us with an opportunity to imagine new and exciting ways of bringing the written word to Oxford and the University of Mississippi.”

All events are free and open to the public, except for the opening party, which is $50.

The conference is preceded on March 28 by the  Children’s Book Festival , which the OCB plans and operates in collaboration with the Lafayette County Literacy Council, Junior Auxiliary of Oxford, First Regional Library and Square Books Jr.

The festival is open to Lafayette County first and fifth graders, and all attendees get a book of their own.

Memphis author Alice Faye Duncan, whose latest book is “Yellow Dog Blues” (Eerdmans Young Readers, 2022), and Karina Glaser, author of “The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017), will read to children in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

Duncan’s program for the first graders will be an interactive presentation.

Alice Faye Duncan is set to read to children March 28 at the Ford Center as part of the Children’s Book Festival. Submitted photo

“The opening will include students learning and singing the chorus to Jimmy Reed’s ‘Big Boss Man’ and I will share how hip-hop evolved from blues music,” Duncan said. “Then I will read my celebrated blues fable, ‘Yellow Dog Blues’ along with my interactive Gospel stomp ‘This Train is Bound for Glory,’ which was featured on ‘Good Morning America’ this past fall.

“Because ‘Yellow Dog Blues’ is a fable that mentions tamales and Chinese sundry stores, I will share how once upon a time in history, Blacks, Mexicans and Chinese lived in the Delta and contributed to a fusion of food in that area.”

The Children’s Book Festival is underwritten by the Elaine Hoffman Scott Memorial Fund.

The OCB kicks off unofficially at 6 p.m. April 2, when Ole Miss English and creative writing professor Sheila Sundar has a book launch for her novel, “Habitations” (Simon and Schuster), at Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square.

The conference officially begins at 6 p.m. April 3 with the annual authors’ welcome party at Memory House, 406 University Ave. Tickets, which include food, drinks and music with members of the UM Jazz Ensemble, are  available here .

The opening day of panel discussions begins at 9:30 a.m. April 4 in the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Joseph McGill Jr. and Herb Frazier, authors of “Sleeping with the Ancestors” (Hachette Books, 2023), will discuss the book, which recounts McGill’s overnight stays in former slave dwellings, with Jodi Skipper, associate professor of anthropology and Southern studies.

Another panel is the third in a partnership with the National Book Foundation. Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of “Chain Gang All-Stars,” and José Olivarez, “Promises of Gold,” will talk with Melissa Ginsburg at 11:30 a.m. April 4 in the Archives and Special Collections room of the J.D. Williams Library.

Ginsburg, UM associate professor of creative writing and literature whose most recent volume of poetry is “Doll Apollo” (LSU Press, 2022), said she is excited to speak with Olivarez and Adjei-Brenyah about their books.

“Both of these writers employ humor and tropes from contemporary culture to create work that is incredibly entertaining,” she said. “These books exemplify that elusive magical combination of qualities: they’re so much fun to read, and they carry so much import and depth that will stick with readers for a long time.”

Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson discusses essays from her New York Times-bestseller “Democracy Awakening,” a collection of her daily digests regarding American politics, at 1 p.m. April 4 at the Overby Center.

John and Renée Grisham Writers-in-Residence past and future convene at 2:30 p.m. in the Overby Center for a poetry session with January Gill O’Neil, author of “Glitter Road,” and H. Jerriod Avant, “Muscadine,” moderated by Saddiq Dzukogi, assistant professor of English at Mississippi State University.

O’Neil will talk about the importance of history and place when it comes to telling stories, which for her specifically means Oxford.

“Speaking at the Oxford Conference of the Book will be a sort of homecoming,” O’Neil said. “When I was here in 2019-20 as the Grisham fellow, becoming a part of the Oxford community changed my life.

“‘Glitter Road’ would never have happened without this place. The fellowship gave me the time and space to write the kind of book I was always meant to write.”

January Gill O’Neil is set to discuss her work as part of a poetry panel April 4 during the Oxford Conference for the Book. Photo by John Andrews

At 4 p.m., the conference shifts to Off Square Books, where Téa Obreht discusses her novel

“The Morningside” (Random House, 2024) with Snowden Wright. Other panelists include authors Jen Fawkes, Jennifer Maritza McCauley and Gabriel Bump in conversation with English professor Michael X. Wang.

“Thacker Mountain Radio Hour,” Oxford’s weekly live radio show featuring literary and musical guests, will host its annual OCB edition at 6 p.m. at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center, 413 South 14th St. The show will feature readings by Kaveh Akbar and music by Creekbed Carter Hogan, and Hope Clayburn and Soul Scrimmage.

Renowned author Andre Dubus III is the keynote speaker for both the conference and the  Southern Literary Festival , which overlaps the conference, running April 4-6. He speaks at 3 p.m. April 5 in the ballroom of the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union.

Representatives from 10 Southern colleges, including Belhaven, Millsaps and Ole Miss, founded the Southern Literary Festival in 1937 to help undergraduate writers develop their craft while providing them with concentrated exposure to successful Southern authors.

Beth Spencer, SLF co-director, said she is excited to partner with the book conference this year, which marks the festival’s 85th year.

“We are delighted to celebrate the long history of the SLF and our participation in it, and thrilled to have the festival back on the University of Mississippi campus,” Spencer said. The festival rotates among member institutes.

Dubus is the award-winning author of eight novels, including “The House of Sand and Fog” (W.W. Norton, 1999), which was turned into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly, and “Such Kindness” (W.W. Norton, 2023), several short story collections and the memoir “Townie” (W.W. Norton, 2011). His forthcoming collection of essays, “Ghost Dogs,” is set for publication this spring.

Winners of the  Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing  will be introduced at 4:30 p.m. April 5 at Off Square Books. The announcement will be followed by a closing reception featuring live music, book signings and libations.

Finally, a “Postscript: Noir at the Bar” party closes the conference at 9 p.m. at Ajax Diner, 118 Courthouse Square. It will include music by Kell Kellum and Bark, and readings from noir and crime writers including William Boyle, Michael Farris Smith, Lisa Howorth, David Joy, Tom Franklin, Derrick Harriell, Colin Brightwell, Tobi Ogundiran, Bea Setton, Tyler Keith, Max Hipp and Clair Lamb.

For more information or to RSVP to the authors’ party and welcome lunch, visit  https://oxfordconferenceforthebook.com/ .

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• Oxford Conference for the Book Turns 30

Annual event partners with Southern Literary Festival to celebrate three decades of literary arts

OXFORD, Miss. – The storied Oxford Conference for the Book returns to the University of Mississippi and downtown Oxford venues April 3-5 for its 30th anniversary edition.

A group of authors, including Willie Morris, Barry Hannah and Kaye Gibbons, convened April 2, 1993 for the first Oxford Conference for the Book to discuss "the dependence of literary arts upon practical concerns." Three decades later, the conference is the longest-running event sponsored by the university's Center for the Study of Southern Culture .

This year's conference features a robust lineup, due in part to a grant from Hawthornden Foundation , a private charitable organization supporting contemporary writers and the literary arts.

"We are committed to using this gift in ways that nurture both writing and reading in north Mississippi," said Jimmy Thomas, the event's director. "Furthermore, we envision this gift supporting the entire Oxford creative community.

"Hawthornden Foundation has presented us with an opportunity to imagine new and exciting ways of bringing the written word to Oxford and the University of Mississippi."

All events are free and open to the public, except for the opening party, which is $50.

The conference is preceded on March 28 by the Children's Book Festival , which the OCB plans and operates in collaboration with the Lafayette County Literacy Council, Junior Auxiliary of Oxford, First Regional Library and Square Books Jr. The festival is open to Lafayette County first and fifth graders, and all attendees get a book of their own.

Memphis author Alice Faye Duncan, whose latest book is "Yellow Dog Blues" (Eerdmans Young Readers, 2022), and Karina Glaser, author of "The Vanderbeekers of 141st   Street" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017), will read to children in the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.

Duncan's program for the first graders will be an interactive presentation.

Alice Faye Duncan is set to read to children March 28 at the Ford Center as part of the Children's Book Festival. Submitted photo

"The opening will include students learning and singing the chorus to Jimmy Reed's 'Big Boss Man' and I will share how hip-hop evolved from blues music," Duncan said. "Then I will read my celebrated blues fable, 'Yellow Dog Blues' along with my interactive Gospel stomp 'This Train is Bound for Glory,' which was featured on 'Good Morning America' this past fall. 

"Because 'Yellow Dog Blues' is a fable that mentions tamales and Chinese sundry stores, I will share how once upon a time in history, Blacks, Mexicans and Chinese lived in the Delta and contributed to a fusion of food in that area."

The Children's Book Festival is underwritten by the Elaine Hoffman Scott Memorial Fund.

The OCB kicks off unofficially at 6 p.m. April 2, when Ole Miss English and creative writing professor Sheila Sundar has a book launch for her novel, "Habitations" (Simon and Schuster), at Off Square Books, 129 Courthouse Square.

The conference officially begins at 6 p.m. April 3 with the annual authors' welcome party at Memory House, 406 University Ave. Tickets, which include food, drinks and music with members of the UM Jazz Ensemble, are available here .

The opening day of panel discussions begins at 9:30 a.m. April 4 in the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics. Joseph McGill Jr. and Herb Frazier, authors of "Sleeping with the Ancestors" (Hachette Books, 2023), will discuss the book, which recounts McGill's overnight stays in former slave dwellings, with Jodi Skipper, associate professor of anthropology and Southern studies.

Another panel is the third in a partnership with the National Book Foundation . Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, author of "Chain Gang All-Stars," and José Olivarez, "Promises of Gold," will talk with Melissa Ginsburg at 11:30 a.m. April 4 in the Archives and Special Collections room of the J.D. Williams Library.

Creative writing professor Melissa Ginsburg will moderate a National Book Foundation-sponsored panel of authors on April 4. Submitted photo

Ginsburg, UM associate professor of creative writing and literature whose most recent volume of poetry is "Doll Apollo" (LSU Press, 2022), said she is excited to speak with Olivarez and Adjei-Brenyah about their books.

"Both of these writers employ humor and tropes from contemporary culture to create work that is incredibly entertaining," she said. "These books exemplify that elusive magical combination of qualities: they're so much fun to read, and they carry so much import and depth that will stick with readers for a long time."

Boston College historian Heather Cox Richardson discusses essays from her New York Times-bestseller "Democracy Awakening," a collection of her daily digests regarding American politics, at 1 p.m. April 4 at the Overby Center.

John and Renée Grisham Writers-in-Residence past and future convene at 2:30 p.m. in the Overby Center for a poetry session with January Gill O'Neil, author of "Glitter Road," and H. Jerriod Avant, "Muscadine," moderated by Saddiq Dzukogi, assistant professor of English at Mississippi State University.

O'Neil will talk about the importance of history and place when it comes to telling stories, which for her specifically means Oxford.

"Speaking at the Oxford Conference of the Book will be a sort of homecoming," O'Neil said. "When I was here in 2019-20 as the Grisham fellow, becoming a part of the Oxford community changed my life. 

"'Glitter Road' would never have happened without this place. The fellowship gave me the time and space to write the kind of book I was always meant to write."

January Gill O'Neil is set to discuss her work as part of a poetry panel April 4 during the Oxford Conference for the Book. Photo by John Andrews

At 4 p.m., the conference shifts to Off Square Books, where Téa Obreht discusses her novel "The Morningside" (Random House, 2024) with Snowden Wright. Other panelists include authors Jen Fawkes, Jennifer Maritza McCauley and Gabriel Bump in conversation with English professor Michael X. Wang.

"Thacker Mountain Radio Hour," Oxford's weekly live radio show featuring literary and musical guests, will host its annual OCB edition at 6 p.m. at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center, 413 South 14th St. The show will feature readings by Kaveh Akbar and music by Creekbed Carter Hogan, and Hope Clayburn and Soul Scrimmage.

Renowned author Andre Dubus III is the keynote speaker for both the conference and the Southern Literary Festival , which overlaps the conference, running April 4-6. He speaks at 3 p.m. April 5 in the ballroom of the Gertrude C. Ford Ole Miss Student Union.

Representatives from 10 Southern colleges, including Belhaven, Millsaps and Ole Miss, founded the Southern Literary Festival in 1937 to help undergraduate writers develop their craft while providing them with concentrated exposure to successful Southern authors.

Beth Spencer, SLF co-director, said she is excited to partner with the book conference this year, which marks the festival's 85th year.

"We are delighted to celebrate the long history of the SLF and our participation in it, and thrilled to have the festival back on the University of Mississippi campus," Spencer said. The festival rotates among member institutes.

Award-winning novelist Andre Dubus III is the keynote speaker for both the Oxford Conference for the Book and the Southern Literary Festival on April 5. Submitted photo

Dubus is the award-winning author of eight novels, including "The House of Sand and Fog" (W.W. Norton, 1999), which was turned into a film starring Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly, and "Such Kindness" (W.W. Norton, 2023), several short story collections and the memoir "Townie" (W.W. Norton, 2011). His forthcoming collection of essays, "Ghost Dogs," is set for publication this spring.

Winners of the Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing will be introduced at 4:30 p.m. April 5 at Off Square Books. The announcement will be followed by a closing reception featuring live music, book signings and libations.

Finally, a "Postscript: Noir at the Bar" party closes the conference at 9 p.m. at Ajax Diner, 118 Courthouse Square. It will include music by Kell Kellum and Bark, and readings from noir and crime writers including William Boyle, Michael Farris Smith, Lisa Howorth, David Joy, Tom Franklin, Derrick Harriell, Colin Brightwell, Tobi Ogundiran, Bea Setton, Tyler Keith, Max Hipp and Clair Lamb.

For more information or to RSVP to the authors' party and welcome lunch, visit https://oxfordconferenceforthebook.com/ .

Lucy Gaines and Rebecca Lauck Cleary

March 19, 2024

• College of Liberal Arts
• Arts & Culture

Oxford researchers uncover remarkable archive of ancient human brains

A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford has challenged previously held views that brain preservation in the archaeological record is extremely rare. The team carried out the largest study to date of the global archaeological literature about preserved human brains to compile an archive that exceeds 20-fold the number of brains previously compiled. The findings have been published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B .

The study, led by postgraduate researcher Alexandra Morton-Hayward (Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford), brings together the records of more than 4,000 preserved human brains from over two hundred sources, across six continents (excluding Antarctica), and in more than ten languages. Many of these brains were up to 12,000 years old, and found in records dating back to the mid-17th century. These shrunken, discoloured tissues were found preserved in all manner of individuals: from Egyptian and Korean royalty, through British and Danish monks, to Arctic explorers and victims of war.

Scouring the literature and canvassing historians worldwide, this concerted search found a bewildering array of archaeological sites yielding ancient human brains, including the shores of a lakebed in Stone Age Sweden, the depths of an Iranian salt mine around 500 BC, and the summit of Andean volcanoes at the height of the Incan Empire.

Every brain in the database was matched with historic climate data from the same area, to explore trends in when and where they were found. The analyses revealed patterns in the environmental conditions associated with different modes of preservation through time - including dehydration, freezing, saponification (the transformation of fats to ‘grave wax’), and tanning (usually with peat, to form bog bodies).

Co-author, Professor Erin Saupe , Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, said:  '' This record of ancient brains highlights the array of environments in which they can be preserved from the high arctic to arid deserts.'

Over 1,300 of the human brains were the only soft tissues preserved, prompting questions as to why the brain may persist when other organs perish. Interestingly, these brains also represent the oldest in the archive, with several dating to the last Ice Age. The mechanism of preservation for these oldest brains remains unknown; however, the research team suggest that molecular crosslinking and metal complexation – proteins and lipids fusing in the presence of elements such as iron or copper - are feasible mechanisms by which nervous tissues might be preserved over long timescales.

These ancient brains provide a significant opportunity for unique insights into the early evolution of our species, such as the roles of ancient diseases. Study co-author, Dr Ross Anderson , Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

Alexandra Morton-Hayward, lead author of the study, said ‘In the forensic field, it is well-known that the brain is one of the first organs to decompose after death – yet this huge archive clearly demonstrates that there are certain circumstances in which it survives. Whether those circumstances are environmental, or related to the brain’s unique biochemistry, is the focus of our ongoing and future work. We’re finding amazing numbers and types of ancient biomolecules preserved in these archaeological brains, and it’s exciting to explore all that they can tell us about life and death in our ancestors.’

Finding soft tissues preserved is a bioarchaeologist’s treasure trove: they generally provide a greater depth and range of information than hard tissues alone, yet less than 1% of preserved brains have been investigated for ancient biomolecules. The untapped archive of 4,400 human brains described in this study may provide new and unique insights into our history, helping us to better understand ancient health and disease, and the evolution of human cognition and behaviour.

The study ‘Human brains preserve in diverse environments for at least 12,000 years’ has been published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences .

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Guest Essay

Scientists Just Gave Humanity an Overdue Reality Check. The World Will Be Better for It.

By Stephen Lezak

Mr. Lezak is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford who studies the politics of climate change.

The world’s leading institution on geology declined a proposal on Wednesday to confirm that the planet has entered a new geologic epoch , doubling down on its bombshell announcement earlier this month. The notion that we’re in the “Anthropocene” — the proposed name for a geologic period defined by extensive human disturbance — has become a common theme in environmental circles for the last 15 years. To many proponents, the term is an essential vindication, the planetary equivalent of a long-sought diagnosis of a mysterious illness. But geologists weren’t convinced.

The international geology commission’s decision this week to uphold its vote of 12 to 4 may seem confusing, since by some measures humans have already become the dominant geologic force on the earth’s surface. But setting the science aside for a moment, there’s a reason to celebrate, because the politics behind the Anthropocene label were rotten to begin with.

For starters, the word Anthropocene problematically implies that humans as a species are responsible for the sorry state of the earth’s environments. While technically true, only a fraction of humanity, driven by greed and rapacious capitalism, is responsible for burning through the planet’s resources at an unsustainable rate. Billions of humans still lead lives with relatively modest environmental footprints, yet the terminology of the Anthropocene wrongly lays blame at their feet. Responding to the vote, a group of outside scientists wisely noted in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution that “our impacts have less to do with being human and more to do with ways of being human.”

What’s more, inaugurating a new geologic epoch is an unacceptable act of defeatism. Geologic epochs are not fleeting moments. The shortest one, the Holocene — the one we live in — is 11,700 years long and counting. The idea that we are entering a new epoch defined by human-caused environmental disaster implies that we won’t be getting out of this mess anytime soon. In that way, the Anthropocene forecloses on the possibility that the geologic future might be better than the present.

By placing Homo sapiens center stage, the Anthropocene also deepens a stark and inaccurate distinction between humanity and the planet that sustains us. The idea of “nature” as something separate from humankind is a figment of the Western imagination. We should be wary of language that further separates us from the broader constellation of life to which we belong.

Before the recent vote, the Anthropocene epoch had cleared several key hurdles on the path to scientific consensus. The International Commission on Stratigraphy, the global authority on demarcating the planet’s history, established a dedicated working group in 2009. Ten years later, the group formally recommended adopting the new epoch. But the proposal still had to be approved by a matryoshka doll of committees within the commission and its parent body, the International Union of Geological Sciences.

By all accounts, the process leading up to the vote was highly contentious. After the initial vote was held, scientists in the minority called for it to be annulled , citing procedural issues. This week, the committee’s parent authority stepped in to uphold the results.

Ultimately, what scuttled the proposal was disagreement about where to mark the end of the Holocene. The Anthropocene Working Group had settled on 1952, the year that airborne plutonium residue from testing hydrogen bombs fell across broad stretches of the planet. That ash, scientists reasoned, would leave a sedimentary signature akin to the boundaries that mark ancient geologic transitions. But scientists at the stratigraphy commission objected — what about the dawn of agriculture or the Industrial Revolution? After all, the human footprint on the planet long predates the atomic age.

“It’s very obvious to me that human activity started long before 1952,” Phil Gibbard, a founding member of the Anthropocene Working Group who is the secretary-general of the commission, said when we spoke on Thursday. “It just didn’t make sense to draw a rigid boundary within my lifetime.”

In recent years, philosophers have bandied about alternative names: the Capitalocene , the Plantationocene and even the Ravencene , a reference to the raven who figures widely in North Pacific Indigenous mythology as a trickster figure, reminding humans to be humble amid our destructive capacity. For my part, I’m partial to “post-Holocene,” an admission that the world is vastly different than it was 10,000 years ago, but that we can’t possibly predict — or name — what it might look like in another 10,000 years.

In the end, it might be too late to find a better term. The “Anthropocene” has already entered the popular lexicon, from the cover of The Economist to the title of a Grimes album. The scientists who coined the term do not have the power to extinguish it.

Whatever we choose to call these troubled times, what matters most is that we keep an open mind about what the future holds and maintain an appreciation for the complexity of the issues we face. The scars humanity leaves upon the earth are much too fraught to be represented with a single line drawn across time.

Looking ahead, we should follow the geologists’ lead and keep a healthy skepticism of the A-word. After all, nothing is more hubristic than reckless tyrants who names the world after themselves — think Stalingrad, Constantinople or Alexandria.

Geologists will continue to disagree over what to call the present era. The rest of us must continue the difficult politics of caring for a planet that can (still) support a panoply of life.

Stephen Lezak is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford who studies the politics of climate change.

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Oakland prosecutor says no charges against Oxford school officials

Pontiac — The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office is backing away from possibly pursuing criminal charges against Oxford school officials for their role in the 2021 shooting that left four students dead.

Prosecutor Karen McDonald suggested her office may consider charges during a press conference Thursday after a jury found James Crumbley guilty of involuntary manslaughter. But late Friday, her office reversed course.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams issued a statement, saying "sufficient" evidence hadn't been found to charge the district.

"Our office has reviewed all of the evidence in the case," Williams said. "We did not find sufficient evidence to support criminal charges against any school district employees. We believe the Oxford community deserves full accountability, and we stand with the families in their pursuit of changes that would make that possible."

The reversal comes 24 hours after the parents of the four children killed in the Nov. 30, 2021 mass school shooting said their fight for justice wasn't over, even though all three Crumbleys have been convicted or sentenced.

"We’ve taken care of three legs of Nov. 30, and there’s still a fourth leg, and that’s the school. It’s time for the school to pony up. It’s time to break up that administration country club and it’s time for change," said Buck Myre, the father of Tate Myre who was killed in Nov. 30, 2021 Oxford High School attack.

Nicole Beausoleil, the mother of Madisyn Baldwin who was killed in the school shooting, said the district — Oxford Community Schools — is not allowed to forget about their children. Justin Shilling and Hana St. Juliana were also killed.

"We need to start focusing on the school," Beausoleil said. "The school and its failures, the things they don’t want to admit to. … They are going to see these families rise up against it and we will be here fighting every second for our children."

McDonald and Assistant Prosecutor Marc Keast, the two attorneys who handled the prosecutions of the Crumbley family in front of the jury, were visibly exhausted and emotional at the press conference after the verdict Thursday night. As each parent of the four children who were killed in the shooting thanked prosecutors for their work on the cases, both Keast and McDonald teared up.

Both James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted of four counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with their son's mass shooting Nov. 30, 2021. The rare cases marked the first time parents had been criminally charged with manslaughter in connection with a school mass shooting carried out by their child.

They are set to be sentenced April 9. They face up to 15 years in prison. Ethan Crumbley, meanwhile, is already serving a life sentence at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer.

Before the jury gave their verdict Thursday, Shilling said he's been looking at the next steps as well; the two civil lawsuits he filed are still awaiting an appeals decision. He said his attorney told him they could stretch the next five to 10 years. 

"I don't think it needs to be that long, I feel that the school can accept the responsibility and accountability and let us move on with our lives, instead of having to drag us through all this," Shilling said.

An independent review by Guidepost Solutions found that people at every level of the district failed to provide a safe and secure environment for students. They found no “intention, or callousness, or wanton indifference,” but did note failure and responsibility by omission.

Investigators found former Superintendent Tim Throne, Assistant Superintendent Jill LeMond, Assistant Superintendent Denise Sweat, Counselor Shawn Hopkins, Dean of Students Nicholas Ejak, Oxford High School Principal Steve Wolf and the Oxford school board had the most blame in failing to be proactive in handling the shooter before the mass shooting unfolded. Guidepost put the most blame for the failure to have threat assessment guidelines on Throne.

Along with the criminal cases, there also are nine pending federal lawsuits filed by the families of the children killed, injured or traumatized during the November 2021 shooting, which allege that the district took actions that created or increased the danger that the shooter presented to students and teachers.

Oxford schools are appealing U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith's June ruling that counselor Shawn Hopkins and former Dean of Students Nicholas Ejak will continue to face "state-created danger claims." That includes claims that Hopkins and Ejak pushed the shooter closer to violent action by threatening to report his parents to Michigan's Child Protective Services.

All Oakland County cases against Oxford officials were dismissed in March 2021 when Circuit Court Judge Mary Ellen Brennan ruled that the shooter was the most immediate and direct cause of the shooting, and that the school was protected by governmental immunity.

The shooter was scolded by the school Nov. 29, 2021, for looking up bullets in class, and was called down for a meeting with Ejak and Hopkins Nov. 30, 2021, the day of the shooting, when a teacher saw concerning statements and drawings on a math worksheet.

Ejak and Hopkins, who testified during Jennifer's and James' trial that they didn't view Ethan Crumbley as a threat but more as a student having mental health issues, did not search the teen's backpack. The two officials also didn't insist his parents take him home when they said they had to work.

Hopkins is currently on leave from his role as high school counselor, he said during his testimony Monday in James Crumbley's trial, but Oxford schools have refused to say why. Hopkins did not elaborate on why he was on leave when he testified.

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