The Rhodes Scholarships are
postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the
University of Oxford. At Oxford,
the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Rhodes Scholars join just
over 20,000 students from more than 140 countries currently studying at the
University, and are enriched by the stimulating and rigorous education and the
vibrant cultural and community life. Nearly 8,000 Rhodes Scholars have gone on
to serve at the forefront of government, the professions, commerce, the arts,
education, research and other sectors. They are well known advocates for
expanded social justice, and have advanced the frontiers of science and
medicine.
A Rhodes Scholarship covers all University and College fees,
a personal stipend and one economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the
Scholarship, as well as an economy flight back to the student's home country at
the conclusion of the Scholarship.
Eligibility:
- Citizenship
& residency: Each
applicant must fulfill the citizenship and residency requirements of the
Rhodes constituency for which they are applying. Please
check the detailed information carefully via the country links.
- Age: Age limits vary between
constituencies and range from a minimum age limit of 18 to a maximum of 28
by 1 October of the year following selection. In most constituencies, the
age limit is 24 or 25. Please check carefully the specific age requirements for
your constituency before applying.
- Education: All applicants must
have achieved academic standing sufficiently advanced to assure completion of a
bachelor's degree by the October following election.
Selection Criteria
The
Rhodes Trust focuses on four criteria which are used in the selection of
Scholars:
- literary and scholastic attainments
- the energy to use ones's talents to the
full, for example through achievement 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.
In
short, Rhodes Scholarship selection committees seek young women and men of
outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
The Rhodes Scholarships support students who demonstrate a strong propensity to
emerge as 'leaders for the world’s future'.