Rhodes Trust

The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1903, funds graduate study at the University of Oxford and selects primarily on character and leadership, not academic record alone. It runs through regional constituencies, each with its own eligibility rules and deadline, so where you can apply from matters as much as whether you are eligible at all.

Programmes

• The Rhodes Scholarship: two to four years of fully funded graduate study at Oxford

When it usually opens

Deadlines vary substantially by constituency. Several African deadlines fall in August (for example West Africa and Southern Africa), while others run into the autumn. Always check your own constituency first.

Who usually qualifies

Citizens of, or applicants eligible through, a Rhodes constituency, usually within a specific age range that varies by region, with an outstanding academic record plus a demonstrated record of leadership and service.

What it funds

All Oxford tuition and college fees, an annual personal stipend, return flights, and coverage for the duration of the course, plus access to the Rhodes network.

How the application works

Apply to the Rhodes Trust for your constituency and, separately, for admission to an Oxford graduate course. You must ultimately gain Oxford admission to take up the award.

Common mistakes

• Assuming top grades are enough when character and leadership decide close calls
• Missing an early constituency deadline (some African ones close in August)
• Under-briefing referees, who are asked to speak to different facets
• Treating the in-person selection event as an afterthought

Avoiding scams

The Rhodes Trust does not charge to apply and communicates through rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk and constituency secretaries. Disregard any fee request to "process" a Rhodes application.