Ellin Lolis Consulting

2023-2024 Oxford Saïd MBA Essay Tips and Example Essays

Aug 1, 2023

oxford said mba essays

  • Who is Oxford Saïd looking for?
  • How should I answer the Oxford Saïd  MBA essay questions?
  • Make Your Oxford Essays Shine
  • Oxford Saïd Deadlines

UPDATE : This article was originally posted on September 4, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below. 

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 we’ve prepared this guide to help you use your Oxford admissions essays to stand out. We’ve rounded up our best tips and links to Oxford Saïd MBA sample essays to ensure you give your Saïd application your best shot. 

1. Who is Oxford Saïd looking for?

oxford said students

Source: @ oxfordsbs on Instagram

“Oxford University has a rich tradition of developing leaders. Our 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.” Oxford Saïd Admissions

Every year, Oxford searches the globe (64 countries are represented in the Class of 2023) for outstanding professionals to join its annual class of 313 students. With a strong emphasis on diversity, there is no “typical” Oxford student, yet the average admitted student for the Class of 2023 had a 690 median GMAT score and five years of work experience .

oxford said class profile

Beyond the impressive statistics, though, Oxford is looking for candidates who want to make a positive impact on the world through their careers. That’s why, in addition to strong academic performance (demonstrated through the test scores and university grades), Oxford seeks candidates who possess the following qualities:

oxford said mba essays

If this sounds like a community in which you’d be right at home, you’ll first have to prove you’ve got what it takes by successfully answering Oxford’s short admissions essay questions. 

2. How should I answer the Oxford Saïd  MBA essay questions?

oxford said essay questions

Additionally, Oxford has numerous “hidden” responses about your goals when filling out your online application form. Our tips for answering these are also detailed below!

2.1. Essay 1 Tips

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

For this short question, we recommend including at least one story to show off an aspect of your values, your profile, or your personality that the admissions committee has not seen in other parts of your application. This prompt is broad, so you’re free to choose elements from your personal and professional life. 

We suggest you choose your most high-impact story or personal characteristic and meaningfully explain both what happened and what it taught you/how it shaped you. To help you structure your response, we suggest you use the STAR format when shaping your story. 

To help you identify which stories would be best for this response, you must have a clear understanding of Oxford’s culture so you can demonstrate your “fit” with the school. Ask yourself, Which parts of Oxford’s culture do you identify with, and how do you see yourself putting those into practice during your MBA? How can you contribute to the Oxford community in a way no one else can? Check out this video that focuses on what Oxford students value most about the school community.

You can also consider other aspects of your profile and personal brand that you’ve already touched upon in other parts of your Oxford application – considering you will have a set of mini goals essays to answer within the online application form (more on these below). 

Additionally, if you have space to add a bit about how you will connect it to your Oxford MBA experience, this can be a great conclusion. 

For example, last year, our client Marcelo talked about how he was recruited to help his company solve a financial challenge at a branch in Angola and developed a solution, together with that country’s government, that not only solved the company’s financial issue but also provided a reliable food source for thousands of Angolans. He then wrote about his plan to share the challenges of performing business on an international scale and bringing discussions about global issues to the Oxford community. 

TOP TIP: If you’re having trouble fitting all of this information into just 250 words, our team of editing experts can be your ace up the sleeve by helping you incorporate as much content as possible to show off your profile in this super short essay. 

Need more guidance? 

Our MBA Resource Center has dozens of Oxford MBA essays that worked to get our clients admitted to help you plan out a winning Oxford Saïd essay. 

Our library also includes guides for all top global MBA programs, detailed essay brainstorms, interview tips and mocks, CV templates, and recommendation letter guides. Click to join ! 

MBA Resources Center

2.2. 1+1 Essay Tips

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 question, we suggest a straightforward statement that includes why the additional degree is necessary to reach your goals and specific elements of the program that will support your growth both as a professional and as a person. 

As such, you might want to start by creating a list of ways you want to grow personally and professionally at Oxford, then work to connect elements of the 1+1 program to demonstrate that the program clearly supports your development goals. 

Since you have a short space here, you may want to limit yourself to 3-5 reasons. This will give you enough space to talk both about how and why you want to develop in a particular area and then state specific aspects of the 1+1 program that will help you grow in a way the MBA alone would not.

Writing a 250-word essay can be challenging, but we’ve prepared an in-depth post to help you maximize every word. 

2.3. Optional Reapplicant Essay Tips

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) 

Here, make sure you clearly demonstrate how you have improved since your previous application. We have written extensively on the topic of reapplying to business school here . 

2.4. Short Goal Essays Tips

Inside the application form, Oxford has also “hidden” many small essays about your goals. Though there is no stated word count for these, you want to be sure to be complete yet concise. Something in the range of 100-250 words should be adequate, in our opinion! 

The topics and guidelines are below. 

-Describe below your immediate plan after graduating from the MBA.

With this short answer question, Oxford essentially has asked you to write a very short version of a traditional MBA goals essay. Furthermore, they have deliberately been very clear about what they want here: short-term goals only . 

TOP TIP: If you’re not sure what your goals are, check out this post designed to help you think through this critical component of your application!

When discussing your goals , clarity is king, so make sure you include a job title and industry in your description of your post-MBA aspiration. 

After clearly stating your goal, you should dedicate a bit of space to discussing what motivates you to pursue these goals. Here, you may choose to include a bit of background information that is relevant to your career choice, but be careful not to include information that overlaps with the “How do you meet these requirements” question below.  

Ending your essay with a killer conclusion sentence to leave your reader with a strong image of your profile is the perfect wrap-up.  

-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.

Here, research is the key to success.

As such, we recommend that you start by interviewing as many people as you can who are related in some way to your post-MBA industry. Since Oxford asks how recruitment works in your preferred location make sure to narrow your focus to include only your target geography . 

You may want to consider speaking to the HR departments of companies you’d like to work for, speak to headhunters specialized in this area, and even talk to friends or colleagues who successfully recruited for your post-MBA role in the past. 

Then, when writing your essay, give a description of how recruitment works in your sector in your preferred location and what they look for in a successful candidate . For the latter, make sure to cite things like specific required skills (such as an ability to use advanced analytics tools or fluent Spanish), personal characteristics, and degree/certifications. 

Then, cite each of the steps you took to discover this information, mentioning the specific people and companies you spoke with and the insights they provided you. 

To wrap up, you may want to close with a sentence on why, learning what you have learned, you are confident you will be successful in your own recruitment process. You’ll go into more detail below, so make sure to keep this brief.

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

A little bit about your work history is essential for this essay, which gives context to your goals and proof that you have relevant experience related to your goals.

When discussing your career progress to date, keep in mind the information the admissions counselors already have. The goal here is not to list every achievement you’ve made (they probably see that on your resume), but to give brief, strong examples of an accomplished career, especially focusing on achievements that relate to your future goals. 

For example, though you may have had a highly successful marketing internship, but have since forged a career in M&A, you may want to leave your marketing achievements out of your goals essay to focus on more relevant information. 

Nonetheless, not everyone has a perfectly linear path where each step logically leads to the next. Your work history might look disjointed on paper, but the key is to emphasize growth and highlight your capabilities. All of this needs to add up to show that you have what it takes to achieve your post-MBA goals . 

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

To answer this question, you must clearly demonstrate what you are doing or plan to do before your MBA to prepare yourself to reach the goals you stated above. 

For example, last year, our client Bruno, who was planning to leave his MBB consulting job to open his own startup, spoke about how he was spending his secondment period at a startup to learn best practices, had signed up for numerous entrepreneurship conferences, and had joined several professional groups on fintech innovation. He then cited how each of these would help him be more successful as an entrepreneur after his MBA. 

If you’re planning to switch industries, here make sure you also give a detailed description of the steps you’re taking before joining Saïd to enhance your skills and also cite your networking efforts. Showing you’ve connected with people in your target industry and area already building the network you’ll need to be successful will go a long way to reinforce you’re going to achieve your post-MBA goals. 

Finally, if you plan to return to your current company ( whether sponsored or not ), show how you plan to continue evolving in your responsibilities and preparing yourself to take the next step up the career ladder. 

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

It’s always good to have a backup plan, especially considering the tough economic realities present in many places in the world these days. For your Plan B, make sure it relates in some way to your “official” goal so as not to undermine your goals statements. 

For example, if your goal is to work in private equity, but your plan B is to start an eco-travel company, the admissions committee is going to wonder just how committed you were to those original goals in the first place. 

However, a job that allows you to achieve the same impact, just in a different format, would be ideal. 

For example, if you want to work in a biotechnology startup to learn best practices and shape health care, a good backup might be working in a more established biotechnology firm and later making the jump to an earlier-stage venture. 

2.5. Video Essay Tips

Online assessment: You will need to complete five questions via our online assessment platform.

To virtually meet you, get a sense of your personality and see how you think on your feet, you will need to complete an online assessment as part of your application:

– Two motivation-based questions – all candidates will answer the same questions

– Two competency-based questions – these will be randomised

– Written response – this will be randomised and light-hearted to show us how you can think on your feet!

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 questions let you 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. This link will appear up to 24 hours after submitting your application, therefore we strongly encourage you to leave yourself enough time to practice and complete the online assessment by the deadline in which you are applying.

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.

In addition to the written essays, you will be required to complete a set of video essays for your application to be considered complete. 

We have prepared an extensive guide on this component of the application, which you can access here !

Looking for Oxford Saïd MBA essay examples? 

Check out our real sample essays that got our clients admitted here .

3. Make Your Oxford Essays Shine

One of the most common mistakes we see in MBA essays is that candidates fail to tell compelling stories . This is important because if your stories are not compelling, they will not be persuasive. At the same time, they must be backed by strong examples that establish a track record of success and prove to the admissions committees why you belong at their school. 

Striking this balance between content and creativity can be tough, however, as succeeding means not only choosing the right stories but ensuring they are told in an optimal manner. 

This is why our iterative developmental feedback process here at Ellin Lolis Consulting helps you mold your message through the application of our storytelling expertise until it reflects exactly what makes your profile stand out and show fit with your target program.   

Not only can you take advantage of our iterative feedback process through multiple edits – you can also benefit from it after a single review! If your budget is tight, our editors will be happy to help polish your text as much as possible and leave “bonus comments” so you can keep working on it on your own!

ellin lolis mba consultant

No matter how long we work with you, we will always ensure your essays shine . Sign up to work with our team of storytelling experts and get accepted.

4. Oxford Saïd Deadlines

Here are the deadlines for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle. You can access the online application here . 

Oxford has not yet released their deadlines for this year. You can keep track of updates here . 

Real MBA Essays That Got People In

School-specific sample essays that got our clients accepted

Get Access Now

oxford said mba essays

98.9% Success Rate

With our expertise and 98.9% success rate in placing our consulting clients in at least one of their target schools, we can add more value to your application than you ever thought possible.

Recent Articles

Columbia School Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Columbia School Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Feb 9, 2024

School and Program Overview Employment...

How To Get Into Columbia Business School

How To Get Into Columbia Business School

Feb 2, 2024

Update: This article was...

How To Get Into Yale SOM

How To Get Into Yale SOM

Feb 1, 2024

Ready to start your MBA Success?

  • Oxford Saïd Business School Essay Tips and Examples

August 18, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

Oxford University (Saïd Business School)

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.

2023-2024 Business School Essays International Business Schools MBA Essay Tips Oxford University (Saïd Business School) Saïd Business School

Tags: business school essay international program guides international programs MBA application essays Oxford Saïd reapplicants

Upcoming Events

  • Jan 30, 2024 Your 2024 MBA Action Plan (Online)
  • Jan 31, 2024 Decoding the HBS Interview (Online)
  • Feb 27, 2024 Choosing the Right B-School (Online)

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Feb 1, 2024 Penn State Smeal (Round 3)
  • Feb 8, 2024 Esade (Round 4)
  • Feb 22, 2024 Duke Fuqua (Round 3)
  • Feb 25, 2024 Ohio Fisher (Round 3)
  • Feb 27, 2024 Vanderbilt Owen (Round 3)

Click here to see the complete deadlines

2023–2024 MBA Essay Tips

  • Berkeley Haas School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • BU Questrom School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • Cambridge Judge Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • Chicago Booth School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • 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
  • Esade Essay Tips and Examples
  • Georgetown McDonough School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • Harvard Business School 2+2 Deferred MBA Program Essay Analysis 2024
  • Harvard Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • HEC Paris Essay Tips and Examples
  • HKUST Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • IE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • IESE Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • INSEAD Essay Tips and Examples
  • International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Essay Tips and Examples
  • Ivey Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • London Business School Essay Tips and Examples
  • Michigan Ross School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • MIT Sloan School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
  • Northwestern Kellogg School of Management Essay Tips and Examples
  • 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
  • Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management Essay Analysis, 2023–2024
  • Villanova School of Business Essay Tips and Examples
  • Yale School of Management Essay Tips and Examples

Click here for the 2022–2023 MBA Essay Tips

MBA Program Updates

  • Berkeley-Haas
  • Boston University (Questrom)
  • Cambridge Judge Business School
  • Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
  • Columbia University (Columbia Business School)
  • Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
  • Cornell University (Johnson)
  • Dartmouth College (Tuck)
  • Duke University (Fuqua)
  • Emory University (Goizueta)
  • George Washington University (GWSB)
  • Georgetown University (McDonough)
  • Harvard University (Harvard Business School)
  • IE Business School
  • IESE Business School
  • Indian School of Business
  • Indiana University (Kelley)
  • Ivey Business School
  • London Business School
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
  • New York University (Stern)
  • Northwestern University (Kellogg)
  • Notre Dame (Mendoza)
  • Ohio State University (Fisher College)
  • Oxford University (Saïd Business School)
  • Penn State Smeal College of Business
  • Rotman School of Management
  • Saïd Business School
  • Southern Methodist University (Cox School of Business)
  • Stanford University (Stanford Graduate School of Business)
  • University of California Los Angeles (Anderson)
  • University of Cambridge (Judge)
  • University of Chicago (Booth)
  • University of London (London Business School)
  • University of Michigan (Ross)
  • University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
  • University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
  • University of Southern California (Marshall)
  • University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)
  • University of Virginia (Darden)
  • Vanderbilt University (Owen)
  • Villanova School of Business
  • Yale University (School of Management)

Which program are you applying to?

Accepted

Accepted Admissions Blog

Everything you need to know to get Accepted

oxford said mba essays

July 31, 2022

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

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

5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid In Your MBA Application Essays - Download your free guide!

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

About Us Press Room Contact Us Podcast Accepted Blog Privacy Policy Website Terms of Use Disclaimer Client Terms of Service

Accepted 1171 S. Robertson Blvd. #140 Los Angeles CA 90035 +1 (310) 815-9553 © 2022 Accepted

Stamp of AIGAC Excellence

Admit Expert logo

  • MBA Admissions
  • ISB Admissions
  • MBA Application Tips
  • MBA Essay Tips
  • Business Schools

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.

Oxford Saïd MBA essay analysis and tips

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.

Schedule a free call

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.

Admit Expert

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.

Related Posts

Best Business Schools for Finance

Top 10 Business Schools for Finance Careers

Embarking on a career in finance requires not only a solid educational foundation but also guidance from institutions that excel in preparing students for the dynamic and competitive world of finance. In this exploration, we delve into the data of some of the most esteemed business schools, uncovering the statistics

Top Business Schools for Consulting

Top 10 Business Schools for Consulting Careers

Embarking on a career in consulting is a journey marked by strategic thinking, problem-solving prowess, and an acute understanding of the ever-evolving business landscape. Choosing the right educational foundation is paramount, and business schools play a pivotal role in shaping your career. In this article, we delve into the top

Deferred MBA Programs

[2024] Deferred MBA: A Complete Guide on MBA without Work Experience

Want to pursue an MBA but don’t have the required 2-3 years of work experience? If you are in the final/senior year of your undergraduate or master’s degree and are committed to pursuing an MBA, the deferred MBA program could be an excellent choice for you. So, what are deferred

MBA interview questions

MBA Interview Questions at Leading Business Schools in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Admission to an MBA program at a renowned business school is a significant milestone in one’s academic and professional journey. In 2024, top business schools in the United States and Europe are maintaining their rigorous standards for selecting candidates who not only possess strong academic and professional backgrounds but also

How to apply

""

We are looking for candidates with intellectual curiosity and drive required to succeed in a demanding and thought-provoking environment.

Application process

Submit your application.

Submit your online application form  meeting the  application requirements , by your chosen application deadline.

  • Full academic transcripts
  • A one-page CV   containing relevant professional experience
  • GMAT or GRE score report
  • English test (if required)
  • Two professional/academic references
  • Supporting statement
  • Online assessment
  • A completed online application form along with a £150 application fee

Applications for the class of 2024-25 are now open, with the following stage deadlines:

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

Prepare for your interview

The admissions committee will review your complete application. You will be notified on the interview decision deadline whether you have been shortlisted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted by either a faculty member, senior member of our administrative staff, or an industry adviser. Your interview can take place in Oxford, overseas (subject to availability), or via video conference (Skype, Zoom or similar).

Interviews last approximately 30 minutes. You will be asked questions about your background, aspirations and how the MBA programme fits with your plans. We recommend you prepare for this interview as you would for a job interview and be ready to provide more information about any aspect of your application.

We will tell you whether or not you have been shortlisted for an interview for 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 decision

Once all interviews have been conducted, the admissions committee decides which candidates will receive an offer to join the MBA programme. If you receive an offer, you will need to:

  • secure your place by paying a deposit fee of £9,200
  • confirm your  college preference .

In some cases, before making a final decision the committee may decide to re-evaluate your application against candidates applying in the next stage. In the final stage, if the committee wishes to offer you a place on the programme but the class is full, you may be placed on a waitlist.

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
Business schools are looking for real people with real stories, hopes, dreams and aspirations post their MBA – so be that version of yourself. Kyle Ewen MBA Student

Selecting your college

""

Once you have received an offer and paid your deposit you will be able to choose a college. Although we cannot guarantee you will be accepted at your preferred college, we can guarantee you will receive membership at one of the colleges. 

When selecting a college you may want to consider:

  • Type of college - whether it is specifically for graduates, or if it also accepts undergraduate students. Some graduate only colleges are preferred by students who are returning to study after a period of substantial work experience, perhaps bringing a family with them. Others prefer to mix with both the graduate and undergraduate community. 
  • Location within Oxford - the city is small and most colleges are no more than about a 15-minutes walk from the city centre and Saïd Business School.
  • Art, music, drama and sport - Some colleges have strong dramatic traditions whereas others are very strong in sports such as rowing. Depending on what your interests are you may find some colleges more suitable than others.

You can either rent privately or apply for accommodation through your college. Some offer accommodation to individuals, couples and/or families. This may within the college grounds or located around Oxford (see each college entry for specific details). Remember that not all colleges offer accommodation to Saïd Business School students and where it is provided it is usually allocated on a first come first served basis.

Ready to apply?

Applications are now open - start yours today.

Alternatively, browse our frequently asked questions (FAQs) if you have any questions about your application.

oxford said mba essays

Back to the programme webpage

avatar

  • E-mail & Password
  • Notification Settings
  • Global Settings
  • Applicant profile
  • Update status
  • My GMAT info
  • --> My Education -->