Deadline: July-October 2017 | Apply here
Eligibility: Young people (between 18-24 years) meeting the citizenship/residency requirements of one of the Rhodes constituencies (list below), that have completed a Bachelor’s degree before coming up to Oxford
Location: Oxford, the United Kingdom

Rhodes Scholarships 2017

The Rhodes Trust, based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional people from all over the world, in all fields of study, who are impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.

The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting exceptional all-round students at the University of Oxford. Established in the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international scholarship program in the world.

Why apply?

The Scholarship aims to nurture public-spirited leaders for the world’s future. Ninety-five outstanding young women and men are awarded the Scholarship each year, from 20 Rhodes constituencies (64 countries) worldwide

Scholars may pursue any full-time postgraduate degree (subject to limited restrictions) offered by the University of Oxford, for a duration of 2-3 years. The Scholarship includes full tuition, a maintenance stipend, and flights to and from Oxford at the beginning and end of tenure.

Whilst at Oxford Scholars enjoy a comprehensive Rhodes Character, Service & Leadership programme, inclusive of retreats, workshops, conferences, as well as many discussion and social events at Rhodes House, Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is a lifelong, intergenerational fellowship of over 5000 individuals, resident in over 100 countries worldwide.

Who can apply?

If you are a young person of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service, you could be a candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Rhodes Eligibility criteria

The following eligibility criteria apply to all applicants for the Rhodes Scholarship:

• Citizenship & residency: You must meet the citizenship/residency requirements of one of the Rhodes constituencies : Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica & the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), SJLP (including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine), United Arab Emirates, United States, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
• Age: You must have reached your 18th birthday and not have passed your 24th birthday on 1 October in the year of application. There is some variation on the upper age limit across constituencies depending on the local environment.
• Education: Rhodes Scholars must have completed a Bachelor’s degree before coming up to Oxford, to a sufficiently high standard to meet both the Rhodes and the Oxford criteria.

Rhodes Selection criteria

Though expressed in the old-fashioned language of the founding documents, the selection criteria governing selection across all Rhodes constituencies remain as relevant today as they were over 100 years ago:

• 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.

These are the essential qualities which Selection Committees are looking for, though their embodiment will be diverse and unique to each individual.

Selection Committees in each Rhodes constituency are made up of senior Rhodes Scholars (Rhodes alumni) and distinguished non-Scholar members of the local community, who represent a diverse range of experience and expertise.

For more opportunities, check our opportunities sections and subscribe to our weekly newsletters.