The Rhodes Scholarship
When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin. The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
What is the Rhodes Scholarship?A life changing opportunity to study at Oxford UniversityThe Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, full time, postgraduate award which enables talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.Applying for the Scholarship is a challenge, but it is an experience which has helped generations of young people to succeed. We encourage applications from talented students everywhere. Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years and can apply to study most full-time postgraduate courses offered by Oxford University.What on Earth are the Rhodes Scholarships?
When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin. The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
- What on Earth are the Rhodes Scholarships?
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- What does the Rhodes Scholarship Cover?Costs covered by the Scholarship
- The Rhodes Scholarship covers Oxford University course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend. For the 2022/23 academic year, the stipend is £18,180 per annum (£1,515 per month) from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Please note – this is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents.The detailed Conditions of Tenure document outlines permitted combinations of degrees, and how many years of study are covered by the Scholarship, as the latter depends on course choice – for example up to three years of fees and stipend is available to Scholars who choose to undertake a DPhil (PhD) at Oxford.Following selection for the Scholarship, the Rhodes Trust will cover the fee required to apply to study at the University of Oxford. The Trust will cover the fee for a student visa and the associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), which enables international students to access the UK’s National Health Service. The Rhodes Trust will cover two economy class flights – to and from the UK – for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford.On arrival in Oxford, Scholars receive a settling in allowance and for those Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford, they will again receive assistance to cover the fee for visa renewal and further application for IHS.
- The History of the Rhodes ScholarshipThe beginnings and future of the Scholarship Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship was a truly visionary project for its time. Over a hundred years later, the Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme in the world, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, (ranked first internationally in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2017 and 2018). One of the founding aims of the Scholarship was to identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind.Our reputation as the world’s most distinguished academic scholarship rests not on the controversial life of our founder Cecil Rhodes, but on the enormous contributions our Scholars have made to the world, and the qualities sought in a Rhodes Scholar – intellectual distinction combined with concern for others, energy to lead, and a focus on public service – remain as compelling as they were over a century ago.Read more about our Legacy, Equity & Inclusion journey.
The Selection Criteria
There is no such thing as a ‘type’ when considering who gets selected for a Scholarship. In fact the strength of the Scholarship comes from its diversity.
Am I what you are looking for?Selection criteria for the ScholarshipThe criteria which determined the first Rhodes Scholars in 1902 still guide us today:- literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
- 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)
- truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
- moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.
Am I the right ‘type’ of person for this Scholarship?A welcoming and inclusive Scholar communityThere is no such thing as a ‘type’ when considering who gets selected for a Rhodes Scholarship. Rhodes Scholars come from all backgrounds and we welcome applications from talented young persons of diverse backgrounds. Selection is made without regard to gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, social background, caste, or disability.We are looking for young people of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
Myth Number One
I’m not the “type” of person who wins a Rhodes Scholarship
Myth Number Two
I have to be a genius to win a Rhodes Scholarship
Myth Number Three
I have to be Sporty
Myth Number Four
I need to have a precise and confident plan for my future
Myth Number Five
The Rhodes Scholarship is elitist
Myth Number Six
The Rhodes Scholarships aren’t for people from my Uni
If you have read about the Rhodes Scholarship and think that it is for you, the next step is to find out if you are eligible to apply and which constituency you should apply to.
Below, you can enter your country in the box and then click ‘Check your eligibility’. If you have dual citizenship or have lived in a number of countries we would suggest that you choose the country you have the strongest connection to, for instance the country of your citizenship, or the country you have lived in for the longest.
More information
If you haven’t read our general information about what the Rhodes Scholarship is yet, please use the sidebar to navigate to the start of the application journey.
Your country
Please start typing the name of your country/ territory and it should appear in the list below, you can then click to select your country. If you cannot find your country, please type in and select Other.
