Scholarship Opportunity: Master in Public Policy at the University of Oxford

Are you a Roma graduate with at least a BA degree? Considering a Master’s in Public Policy? The University of Oxford and the Blavatnik School of Government, in partnership with the Roma Education Fund, are offering a scholarship for one outstanding Roma applicant for the 2025/26 academic year. This is your chance to develop the analytical and critical skills needed to understand and implement effective policies at one of the world’s leading universities!

In line with the Roma Education Fund’s (REF) new strategic direction, the foundation is fully dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Roma leaders, experts, and managers. REF has partnered with the Blavatnik School of Government seven years ago to support Roma applicants. This partnership is based on a shared commitment to inspiring and supporting better public policy and governance worldwide. The goal is to educate the most capable and aspiring Roma leaders, fostering their commitment to public service.

About the Course

The Oxford Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a one-year taught degree that develops analytical and critical skills essential for understanding and implementing public policy. It equips students with the skills necessary for effective policy delivery.

Scholarship Details

Eligible countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Roma Education Fund and the Blavatnik School of Government will fund ONE scholarship at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government. The scholarship is available to those who demonstrate academic excellence, proven leadership, and a commitment to public service, with the intention of returning to the public sector in their home countries after graduation.

The application deadline is 9 January, 2025. For more details on the course, entry requirements, and how to apply, click here.

Summer Project Requirement

MPP scholarship recipients must complete a mandatory summer project at host institutions and write a fortnightly blog reporting on their project for the Roma Education Fund. Further details on the summer project requirements can be found here.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR REF’S SCHOLARSHIP

  • Identify as Roma
  • Residency in one of the eligible countries mentioned above.
  • Achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications)
  • Strong commitment to public service and an intention to work in the public sector after studies

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP:

Within two weeks of receiving your offer of acceptance letter, you must then contact REF and complete and submit a Scholarship Questionnaire to be eligible for the scholarship.

Scholarship Coverage

The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides a contribution towards living expenses. Click here to estimate your living costs in Oxford.

The Blavatnik School of Government is committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent the brightest and best applicants from pursuing their programs.

For this scholarship, you DO NOT apply through REF, instead in your MPP application state REF as a funding source.

For Course-related enquiries – please email admissions@bsg.ox.ac.uk
For the REF Scholarship, please email info@romaeducationfund.org and use “MPP Scholarship” as the subject line.

Enrolment Steps for the Scholarship Opportunity

STEPT 1 – Apply to the MPP Program

  • Submit your application to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program through Oxford’s admission process. HERE
  • Ensure your application is completed by the deadline: January 9, 2025.
  • In your MPP application, state REF as a funding source.

STEPT 2 – Contact REF

  • Within two weeks of receiving your letter of acceptance from the Master of Public Policy (MPP), contact the Roma Education Fund (REF) at info@romaeducationfund.org and use “MPP Scholarship” as the subject line.
  • Complete and submit the Scholarship Questionnaire (Shall be sent after receiving the email with the confirmation of acceptance from the MPP) and all the necessary papers – Affidavit on Roma Ethnicity; Proof of Residency; Academic Transcripts: Documents demonstrating that you have achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent international qualifications) and others – to be eligible for REF’s scholarship.