APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Scholarship Awarding University:
University of OxfordType of degree:
Master’s and PhD
Scholarship Deadline:
Applications for this scholarship will end on August-October 2023 (depending on your nationality).
Scholarship Summary:
The Rhodes Scholarship Program is the oldest international scholarship programme in the world and one of the most prestigious. Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the programme offers 100 fully funded scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford to international students of all nationalities. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders. The basic tenure for the Scholarship is two years and Rhodes Scholars may read for any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, subject to certain requirements.
Scholarship Applicant Criteria:
To be eligible for this scholarship;
i. You must be a national of one of the eligible constituencies (find full constituency list here)
ii. Academic achievement: You must have completed an undergraduate degree from a college or university (normally a Bachelor’s degree) with the highest qualification in University awards e.g First Class Honors or a Distinction in the case of Medicine, pharmacy and Dentistry courses.
iii. Age: Depending on your nationality, there is an age limit for applicants.
iii. English Language: You must have a sufficiently high standard of English to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
In addition to the above criteria, the Rhodes Selection Committees are looking for young people of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
The other criteria which governed the selection of Rhodes Scholars in 1902 are still the guiding criteria for the selection of Rhodes Scholars and they are as follows:
i. literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
i. literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
ii. energy to use one's talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
iii. truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
iv. moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.
Value of Scholarship:
A Rhodes Scholarship is for two years in the first instance and covers the following;
i. All Oxford University (and College) fees
ii. The Oxford University application fee
iii. A living stipend (£18,810 per annum 2022-23)
iii. truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
iv. moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.
Value of Scholarship:
A Rhodes Scholarship is for two years in the first instance and covers the following;
i. All Oxford University (and College) fees
ii. The Oxford University application fee
iii. A living stipend (£18,810 per annum 2022-23)
iv. Necessary fees required to cover the fee for a Tier-4 study visa and the associated Health International Surcharge (IHS) which enables international students to access the UK's National Health Service
v. One economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the scholarship and one economy flight back to the student's home country at the conclusion of the scholarship.
v. One economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the scholarship and one economy flight back to the student's home country at the conclusion of the scholarship.
vi. A settling-in allowance upon arrival in Oxford
vii. Access to a number of research grants available to Rhodes Scholars upon application which enables Scholars to attend international conferences or conduct additional fieldwork etc.
viii. A life-long fellowship with ongoing opportunities to connect with current and Senior Scholars and, beyond that, a warm and engaging community within Scholars.
Scholarship Application Guide:
To apply for this scholarship;
i. You must apply online at http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/apply via the scholarships tab; you must submit your application online, with all supporting documents.
Documents and details to be submitted with a completed application form (all documents must be submitted in English, or with English translations included. Please note that, if you are invited to interview, you may be asked to bring the originals of all documents with you) include the following:
a. A copy of your National/Resident Identity Card (more nationality documentation may be required depending on your country of origin).
b. An official transcript from the college or university at which you are studying, or have studied, showing grades achieved (to date). If your official transcript is not in English, you must submit both (i) the original official document issued by your institution and (ii) a translation into English certified by a professional translator, the issuing body of the original transcript or an authorized notary.
viii. A life-long fellowship with ongoing opportunities to connect with current and Senior Scholars and, beyond that, a warm and engaging community within Scholars.
Scholarship Application Guide:
To apply for this scholarship;
i. You must apply online at http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/apply via the scholarships tab; you must submit your application online, with all supporting documents.
Documents and details to be submitted with a completed application form (all documents must be submitted in English, or with English translations included. Please note that, if you are invited to interview, you may be asked to bring the originals of all documents with you) include the following:
a. A copy of your National/Resident Identity Card (more nationality documentation may be required depending on your country of origin).
b. An official transcript from the college or university at which you are studying, or have studied, showing grades achieved (to date). If your official transcript is not in English, you must submit both (i) the original official document issued by your institution and (ii) a translation into English certified by a professional translator, the issuing body of the original transcript or an authorized notary.
c. Evidence of residency within the region for at least five of the last ten years, for example official school records (this is only required for certain constituencies)
d. If English is not your first language, you will need to upload an evidence of English Language Proficiency which would be a copy of a standardised English test that is recognised by the University of Oxford (e.g. TOEFL / IELTS).
e. A full curriculum vitae which should include details about academic qualifications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment positions, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments. This should not exceed two A4 (12pt font size) pages in length. Please do not include a photograph in your CV.
f. A head-and-shoulders colour photograph (jpg format). Please note your photo will not be available to the selection committee until after final shortlisting decisions have been made. If you are selected, this photograph will be used on the Rhodes webpage unless or until you provide another version.
d. If English is not your first language, you will need to upload an evidence of English Language Proficiency which would be a copy of a standardised English test that is recognised by the University of Oxford (e.g. TOEFL / IELTS).
e. A full curriculum vitae which should include details about academic qualifications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment positions, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments. This should not exceed two A4 (12pt font size) pages in length. Please do not include a photograph in your CV.
f. A head-and-shoulders colour photograph (jpg format). Please note your photo will not be available to the selection committee until after final shortlisting decisions have been made. If you are selected, this photograph will be used on the Rhodes webpage unless or until you provide another version.
g. An academic statement of study of no more than 750 words, which:
i. Tells the reasons for wishing to study at the University of Oxford, what your first and second choice courses of study are, and why you wish to pursue them. It is important that you have a firm idea of which course / courses are viable for you to study at the University of Oxford (if you are listing a one-year course, please given an indication of your intentions for the second year). Note that not all University of
Oxford courses are covered by the Rhodes Scholarship - and you should refer to the Conditions of Tenure for further information. For applicants interested in pursuing a second BA degree please see guidance under ‘Procedure after Selection’ below.
ii. Demonstrates that you are able to meet the entry and application requirements of the specific course you
have chosen. Please read the Oxford graduate studies course pages carefully:
h. A personal statement of no more than 1,000 words. The personal statement is your chance to tell your story in your own voice: Who are you? What matters to you? What are you hoping to do in the world? This essay gives you the opportunity to cast the overarching narrative for the selection committee.
Please ensure that your personal statement:
i. Addresses your general interests and activities. What inspires you? What are your passions?
ii. Discusses your aims and priorities and the contributions you have made and hope to make to the world and/or your local community.
iii. Tells us your reasons for wishing to study at the University of Oxford, which course / courses you would wish to pursue and why.
Your personal statement should be wholly accurate and a fair representation of your story, written in your own words from your own perspective.
i. You will need to provide a list of four people (your referees) who are willing to submit references on your behalf: At least three of your referees should be academics who have formally taught and graded you in your undergraduate (or, if relevant, postgraduate) studies and who can comment in detail on your academic ability and how well they think you would fare at Oxford. One or more referees should testify to your character and/or your involvement in extra-curricular/service
2. Upon review of application documents, short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a first interview (to be conducted through Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Whatsapp video or any other appropriate platform). This first interview is not applicable for all constituencies.
3. Finalists will be invited to a social engagement (a dinner with the Selection committee and other finalists) and a final interview. You must be available to attend both, in person, as no accommodations can be made on date and time, or mode, of these events. No candidate will be selected without an interview.
4. Selected Rhodes Scholars will need to apply to the University of Oxford for postgraduate study very soon after selection (full details will be given upon selection). Rhodes Scholars may read for any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, subject to the few Rhodes requirements outlined here.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the University of Oxford Rhodes Scholarship Page.
i. You will need to provide a list of four people (your referees) who are willing to submit references on your behalf: At least three of your referees should be academics who have formally taught and graded you in your undergraduate (or, if relevant, postgraduate) studies and who can comment in detail on your academic ability and how well they think you would fare at Oxford. One or more referees should testify to your character and/or your involvement in extra-curricular/service
or leadership activities
2. Upon review of application documents, short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a first interview (to be conducted through Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Whatsapp video or any other appropriate platform). This first interview is not applicable for all constituencies.
3. Finalists will be invited to a social engagement (a dinner with the Selection committee and other finalists) and a final interview. You must be available to attend both, in person, as no accommodations can be made on date and time, or mode, of these events. No candidate will be selected without an interview.
4. Selected Rhodes Scholars will need to apply to the University of Oxford for postgraduate study very soon after selection (full details will be given upon selection). Rhodes Scholars may read for any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, subject to the few Rhodes requirements outlined here.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the University of Oxford Rhodes Scholarship Page.