HOW TO APPLY FOR THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP
The selection criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship are drawn from the will of its founder, Cecil Rhodes. According to the Rhodes Trust, these criteria are:
- literary and scholastic attainments
- energy to use one's talents to the full
- 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 year, 83 Rhodes Scholars are chosen from 14 countries or country groupings to pursue postgraduate study at Oxford. In order to apply for the Scholarship, you must be a legal citizen or resident of the country from which you are applying, and meet specific age and previous education guidelines. Please see below for application information specific to your home country.
Australia (9 scholarships annually)
Eligibility: Undergraduate degree, Australian citizenship and residency for 5 out of the past 10 years, aged 18-25, available for interview in your home state and at national interview in Canberra
Documents required: Online application form, certified birth certificate and citizenship documents for those born elsewhere, certified academic transcripts, current 10cm by 15cm photograph, 1-2 page CV, personal statement under 1500 words, details of 6 possible referees, your home address, phone and email address
Note: Applications must be made from the state in which you attended university
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Bermuda (1)
Eligibility: Student or guardian must be citizen of either Bermuda (residency for past 5 years) or the UK (Bermuda residency for 10 years), 5 years’ education in Bermuda, aged 19-24, undergraduate degree
Documents required: Online application form, certified birth certificate and citizenship documents for those born elsewhere, certified academic transcripts, current photo in electronic (jpeg) format, details of all past employment, personal statement under 1500 words, details of 6 possible referees, medical certificate, your home address, phone and email address
More information: click here
Canada (11)
Eligibility: Canadian citizenship or permanent residency, domiciled in Canada, aged 18-24, undergraduate degree
Documents required: Letter from university President stating support of student’s application, online application form, certified birth certificate and citizenship documents for those born elsewhere, certified academic transcripts, list of all extracurricular activities / honours, personal statement under 900 words, details of 6 possible referees, scanned or digital photo, medical certificate
Note: Applications must be made from, in order of preference: home territory, university territory, Prairies territory for applicants from Yukon, Nunavut or Northwest Territories
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Germany (2)
Eligibility: German citizenship, under 26 years of age, at least two semesters at a German university (or equivalent professional experience), availability for interview in Germany
Documents required: Online application form, copy of identity card or passport, portrait-style photo, high school diploma, university transcript, proof of English language aptitude, personal essay less than 1000 words, CV with employment, educational experience and extracurriculars, details of 3-4 possible referees, two writing samples in German or English up to 2000 words
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Hong Kong (1)
Eligibility: permanent residence and 10 years education in Hong Kong OR Chinese citizen at Hong Kong university, aged 19-24, honours undergraduate degree (non UK)
Documents required: Online application form, Hong Kong identity card/passport or other proof of citizenship, either evidence of 10 years Hong Kong education or certified transcript from Hong Kong university, certified record of university course taken, personal statement under 1500 words in English, three letters of recommendation, CV of work experience/extracurriculars, current 4cm by 5cm photo in colour, portrait shape, home address, phone and email address, any English translations needed
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India (5)
Eligibility: Indian citizenship, aged 19-24, first class degree from an Indian university in Humanities, Sciences, Law, Engineering, Agriculture or Medicine
Documents required: Proof of age (school leaving certificate or extract of university register), university transcript, personal essay under 1000 words, details of 6 possible referees, one unmounted passport size photo, medical certificate
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Jamaica and Commonwealth Caribbean (1 each)
Eligibility: Citizenship of any of the following: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands or British Virgin Islands or parent who lived there for 5 years, 5 years education in the Carribbean between ages 9 and 20, currently aged 19-24, undergraduate degree
Documents required: Online application, birth certificate, O or A level documentation, university transcript, personal statement under 1500 words, details of 6 possible referees, medical certificate, three photographs approx. 6cm, resume with educational history and extracurriculars
More information: click here
Kenya (2)
Eligibility: Citizen of Kenya, residency in Kenya for 5 of last 10 years, undergraduate degree with 3.7 GPA, aged 19-25, available for interview in Nairobi
Documents required: Online or paper application form, certified copy of birth certificate and/or other proof of citizenship, certified copies of all university transcripts, details of past employment, CV with educational history and extracurriculars, personal statement under 1500 words, 5 letters of reference, home address, phone and email address, any English translations needed
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New Zealand (3)
Eligibility: New Zealand citizenship or British citizenship with 5 years New Zealand residency, undergraduate degree from New Zealand university, aged 19-24
Documents required: certified copies of birth certificate and academic record, CV with employment, educational experience and extracurriculars, signed personal statement less than 1500 words, two 10cm by 12cm photos, details of 6 possible referees
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Pakistan (1)
Eligibility: Citizen of Pakistan, first class undergraduate degree in Arts, Humanities or Sciences from a Pakistani university, aged 19-24, available to interview in Pakistan
Documents required: Paper application form, birth certificate, extract from university register, certified copies of university transcripts, two 10cm by 12cm photos, details of past employment, personal statement under 1000 words, details of 4 possible referees, home address, phone and email address, medical certificate, any English translations necessary
More information: click here
Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland) (10)
Eligibility: Citizenship in your home country, and residency for 5 of past 10 years, first class or very strong second class undergraduate degree, aged 19-24 for non medical students or 19-27 for medical students, commitment to working for the benefit of Africa after graduation
Documents required: certified copies of birth certificate, degree certificates, official record of academic results, details of past employment, CV with educational experience and extracurriculars, personal statement, details of 6 possible referees, two 10cm by 15cm photos, home address, phone and email address, any English translations necessary
Note: Applications may be made from your home country or South-Africa-at-Large if you attend a South African university
More information: click here
United States (32)
Eligibility: US citizenship, aged 18 to 23, university degree
Documents required: Proof of citizenship, endorsement of university, 5-8 letters of recommendation, personal statement under 1000 words, list of principal extracurricular activities, certified university transcript, passport-size photo
Note: Applications can be made in your home state or a state where you have received at least two years of university education
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Zambia (2)
Eligibility: Zambian citizen and resident for 5 of past 10 years, undergraduate degree with merit, distinction or foreign equivalent, aged 19-26, available for interview in Lusaka
Documents required: Online application form, certified copy of birth certificate and other proof of citizenship if necessary, certified university transcript, recent photo, CV with employment, educational experience and extracurriculars, personal statement under 1500 words, details of 6 possible referees, home address, phone and email address, any English translations necessary
Note: A medical examination will be requested at selection for interview; HIV/AIDS status does not affect acceptance and need not be included
Zimbabwe (2)
Eligibility: Resident of Zimbabwe for 5 of past 10 years, undergraduate degree with merit, distinction or foreign equivalent, aged 19-24, available for interview in Harare
Documents required: Online application form, certified copies of birth certificate and academic transcript, 7 paper photos or one jpeg photo 10 by 12 cm, CV of employment, educational experience and extracurriculars, personal statement under 2000 words, details of 6 possible referees, home address, phone and email address, any English translations necessary
Note: A medical examination will be requested at selection for interview; HIV/AIDS status does not affect acceptance and need not be included
More information: click here