Rhodes Scholarship 2019
The Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate award supporting exceptional students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest (first awarded in 1902) and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme
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
Rhodes Scholars study at the world-class University of Oxford, ranked first internationally in the Times Higher Education rankings 2017
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.
Rhodes Selection criteria
Though expressed in the old-fashioned language of the founding documents (see History of the Rhodes Trust), 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.
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 – please refer to our full list of Rhodes constituencies and the countries they include. If you do not meet any of these requirements, then you can apply for our new Global Rhodes Scholarship.
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. Please check carefully the specific age requirements for your constituency before applying. Successful candidates will arrive in Oxford the October following the selection process. The Scholarship may not be deferred.
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. Please consult the detailed information provided by the constituency to which you are applying on our How to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship page and the prospectus pages of the University of Oxford. NB Some constituencies require completion of your undergraduate degree in the year of application for the Scholarship.
Information about Rhodes Scholars selected from around the world can be found in biographies of our recent and current Scholars. Rhodes Scholars come from many different backgrounds and the strength of our community lies in the diversity of the individuals who are part of it.
For more information visit here.
