Rhodes Scholarship to Study at the University of Oxford

Overview

When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin. The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Applications for the next round of Rhodes Scholarships open in June 2024.

What is the Rhodes Scholarship?

A life changing opportunity to study at Oxford University

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, full time, postgraduate award which enables talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

Applying for the Scholarship is a challenge, but it is an experience which has helped generations of young people to succeed. We encourage applications from talented students everywhere.

Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years and can apply to study most full-time postgraduate courses offered by Oxford University.

What Does the Rhodes Scholarship Cover?

Costs covered by the Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship covers Oxford University course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend. For the 2023/24 academic year, the stipend is £19,092 per annum (£1,591 per month) from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Please note – this is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents.

The detailed Conditions of Tenure document outlines permitted combinations of degrees, and how many years of study are covered by the Scholarship, as the latter depends on course choice – for example up to three years of fees and stipend is available to Scholars who choose to undertake a DPhil (PhD) at Oxford.

Following selection for the Scholarship, the Rhodes Trust will cover the fee required to apply to study at the University of Oxford. The Trust will cover the fee for a student visa and the associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), which enables international students to access the UK’s National Health Service. The Rhodes Trust will cover two economy class flights – to and from the UK – for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford.

On arrival in Oxford, Scholars receive a settling in allowance and for those Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford, they will again receive assistance to cover the fee for visa renewal and further application for IHS.

The History of the Rhodes Scholarship

The beginnings and future of the Scholarship

Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship was a truly visionary project for its time.  Over a hundred years later, the Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme in the world, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, (ranked first internationally in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2017 and 2018). 

One of the founding aims of the Scholarship was to identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind.

Our reputation as the world’s most distinguished academic scholarship rests not on the controversial life of our founder Cecil Rhodes, but on the enormous contributions our Scholars have made to the world, and the qualities sought in a Rhodes Scholar – intellectual distinction combined with concern for others, energy to lead, and a focus on public service – remain as compelling as they were over a century ago.

The Selection Criteria

There is no such thing as a ‘type’ when considering who gets selected for a Scholarship. In fact the strength of the Scholarship comes from its diversity.

Am I what you are looking for?

The criteria which determined the first Rhodes Scholars in 1902 still guide us today:

• 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.

The detailed eligibility criteria varies slightly depending on which constituency you are applying for. You can use our eligibility checker tool to find out if you meet the criteria and are eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

A welcoming and inclusive Scholar community

There is no such thing as a ‘type’ when considering who gets selected for a Rhodes Scholarship. Rhodes Scholars come from all backgrounds and we welcome applications from talented young persons of diverse backgrounds. Selection is made without regard to gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, social background, caste, or disability.

We are looking for young people of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service. 

About University of Oxford

Oxford is an independent and self-governing institution consisting of the University, its divisions, departments and faculties, and the colleges.

Did you know?

• Oxford was ranked first in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 – a record eight consecutive years.
• There are more than 26,000 students at Oxford, including 12,470 undergraduates and 13,920 postgraduates.
• Entry to undergraduate courses at Oxford continues to be very competitive: there are usually only around 3,300 places, and over 23,000 people applied to start in 2022.
• The majority of Oxford’s UK undergraduates come from state schools. Over 68% of UK students admitted in 2022 were from the state sector.
• 450 postgraduate courses received applications for year of entry 2022/23 (including part-time variants).
• For 2022/23 entry, over 37,500 applications were received for some 6,056 postgraduate places.
• International students make up 46% of our total student body – around 12,075 students. Students come to Oxford from more than 160 countries and territories (as of 1 December 2022). 
• According to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, which assesses the quality of research in UK Higher Education Institutions, Oxford’s submission had the highest volume of world-leading research¹. 
• The University of Oxford contributes around £15.7 billion to the UK economy, and supports more than 28,000 full time jobs (2018/19).