Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)

Rhodes Trust, United Kingdom

Scholarship overview

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, merit-based postgraduate award for full-time study at the University of Oxford. It is run by the Rhodes Trust, an educational charity, with the aim of developing public-spirited leaders and promoting international understanding and peace through a global community of Scholars.

Scholarships are awarded through place-based constituencies: a country, a group of countries or a region. There are 24 constituencies, each with a set number of Scholarships a year. Each constituency has its own Information for Candidates document, closing date, age limits and selection process.

The standard tenure is two years. Scholars may study most full-time postgraduate courses at Oxford. Professional courses such as the MBA, MPP and MSc Financial Economics are funded for one year only, and a direct-entry DPhil can be funded for up to three years of fees and stipend (up to four years on the 1+3 pathway). PGCert and PGDip courses (including the PGCE), the DClinPsych, graduate-entry Medicine and part-time courses are not covered. A Second BA with Senior Status is the only undergraduate route allowed.

Scholars selected in a given year start at Oxford in October of the following year. The Rhodes Trust provides the Scholarships in partnership with the Second Century Founders, John McCall MacBain O.C. and The Atlantic Philanthropies.

Award Information

Be eligible to apply through one of the Rhodes constituencies, normally the country of citizenship or long-term residence. Applicants with dual citizenship or residence in several countries apply through the country they have the strongest connection to.
Constituencies and Scholarships per year: Australia (9); Bermuda (1); Canada (11); China (4); Commonwealth Caribbean (1: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands); East Africa (1: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi); Germany (2); Hong Kong SAR (1); India (5); Israel (2); Jamaica (1); Kenya (2); Malaysia (1); New Zealand (3); Pakistan (2); Saudi Arabia (2); Singapore (1); Southern Africa (10: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, eSwatini); Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine (2); United Arab Emirates (2); United States of America (32); West Africa (3: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Principe, Togo); Zambia (2); Zimbabwe (2).
Meet the age limits set for your constituency. These are strict; limited case-by-case exceptions may be considered in some constituencies for candidates affected by active armed conflict in their country of residence.
Hold, or be about to complete, a strong undergraduate degree. Admission to Oxford is more likely with a First Class Honours degree, a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, or an equivalent qualification; some constituencies set a minimum GPA.
Meet or exceed the entry requirements of your chosen full-time graduate course at Oxford.
Non-native English speakers must be able to meet Oxford's English language requirements at the higher level; constituency-specific English requirements also apply.
Candidates in the USA and Canada need an institutional endorsement from a senior official (for example the President, Dean, Rector or Vice-Provost).
Only one application per year, and no more than two applications in total (a second attempt must be through the same constituency).
Current Oxford postgraduates may apply only to start a new course, not to fund the remainder of a current one.
Only full-time courses are eligible.

University of Oxford course fees.
Annual stipend: £21,060 for 2026-27, paid in monthly instalments of £1,755 (£20,400 in 2025-26). The stipend covers living costs, including accommodation, for one person only.
The Oxford graduate application fee.
Student visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Two economy class flights to and from the UK, at the start and end of studies.
A settling-in allowance on arrival in Oxford.
Help with visa renewal and IHS fees for Scholars moving to a second course.
Access to emergency financial assistance and grants for research, travel and creative opportunities.
Tenure: normally two years; one year for professional courses (MBA, MPP, MFE); up to three years of fees and stipend for an approved direct-entry DPhil (up to four years on the 1+3 pathway).
No support for partners or dependants. Another substantive scholarship cannot be held at the same time; secondary awards worth more than 33% of the stipend (£6,950 a year) must be declared. Salaried Scholars receive half the stipend.

Closing dates differ by constituency. In the 2026 cycle (for entry to Oxford in October 2027), the West Africa closing date was 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026. Applications for the 2026 cycle are now closed. The next cycle opens in 2027 for entry in October 2028.

Scholars elected in 2026 begin at Oxford in October 2027. The Scholarship cannot be brought forward or deferred.

Read about the Scholarship and the selection criteria.
Use the eligibility checker to find your constituency, then read that constituency's Information for Candidates and the Conditions of Tenure to confirm your chosen course is covered.
Choose one or two eligible Oxford courses; applying for two is advised.
Complete the online application for your constituency before its closing date, including an academic statement, a personal statement and references.
If shortlisted, attend the interview stages and the social engagement for finalists, which are held in person.
If elected, apply to the University of Oxford soon afterwards with support from the Rhodes Trust. The Scholarship is confirmed only once you are admitted to Oxford.

Official links

Documents you will need

Academic statement on your academic and research interests and course choice.
Personal statement.
Reference letters (academic and character referees; not family members).
Institutional endorsement (USA and Canada constituencies only).
Any other items listed in your constituency's Information for Candidates, such as transcripts and proof of age, citizenship or English proficiency.

Statements must be truthful and original. Generative AI must not be used to produce substantive content, and AI tools or devices are prohibited during any interview.

How selection works

Selection is merit-based and follows the criteria set in 1902:

Literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence).
Energy to use one's talents to the full, shown by sustained achievement in areas such as sport, music, debate, dance, theatre or the arts.
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.

Each constituency runs its own process under a National Secretary. Every process includes a written application, a social engagement event (not scored) and a final panel interview of about 30 to 45 minutes, both attended in person. Committees include Rhodes Scholars and community leaders.

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