Rhodes Scholarship — Master's Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship, administered by the Rhodes Trust at Oxford, is the oldest international postgraduate scholarship in the world. It brings outstanding young people from more than 20 country constituencies to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. More than 100 Scholars are selected each year — 127 across the active constituencies for the 2027 cohort — joining a global community of over 4,500 living Rhodes Scholars in more than 100 countries. Scholars may pursue most full-time postgraduate courses in almost any field Oxford offers, with a minimum commitment of two years.

Benefits & funding

University fees for the chosen Oxford postgraduate course
Annual living stipend of £20,400 (about £1,700 per month) for 2025-26, covering accommodation and living costs
Oxford application fee, student visa and the UK International Health Surcharge
Two economy flights to and from the UK, at the start and end of the award
A settling-in allowance on arrival, plus visa-renewal and IHS support for a second degree
Funding runs up to three years (fees and stipend) for a DPhil; other courses follow the Conditions of Tenure
Note: the stipend is not sufficient to support partners or dependents

Eligibility

Open to citizens of, or those educated in, one of the Rhodes constituencies — including Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE, the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the regional constituencies of Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, the Commonwealth Caribbean, and Syria-Jordan-Lebanon-Palestine
The “Global” constituency is currently suspended
Hold, or be about to complete, a strong undergraduate degree; a First Class Honours degree or a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher improves the chance of Oxford admission
Age limits are set by each constituency and are immovable — check your constituency’s Information for Candidates document for the exact age window
Applicants must meet the entry and English-language requirements of their chosen Oxford course (the MBA additionally requires at least two years’ full-time work experience)

Application process

1
Use the Rhodes eligibility checker to confirm which constituency you may apply through (dual citizens choose the country of strongest connection)
2
Submit the online application for that constituency, with transcripts, a personal statement, references, and proof of age and citizenship
3
Shortlisted candidates attend constituency interviews, often including a social event and a panel
4
Selected Scholars secure an Oxford course place and begin study in October 2027

Application tips

Strong applications show sustained excellence across all four selection criteria — academic distinction, energy in extracurricular pursuits, character and values, and moral force and leadership — rather than a single standout achievement. Selection committees look for evidence of using one’s talents to the full and a genuine concern for others, so a personal statement that links past action to a clear sense of purpose tends to read more convincingly than a list of accolades. Because admission to Oxford is decided separately from the Scholarship, candidates who research a specific course and explain why Oxford fits their goals are better positioned. References that speak concretely to character and leadership carry more weight than generic praise, and applications that miss a constituency’s immovable deadline or age window cannot be considered.

Program timeline

Applications open for most constituencies
Jun 1, 2026
United States applications open
Jul 1, 2026
Southern Africa constituency closes (23:59 SAST)
Aug 3, 2026
East Africa and West Africa constituencies close
Aug 27, 2026
Commonwealth Caribbean constituency closes (23:59 AST)
Sep 18, 2026
United States constituency closes (23:59 ET)
Oct 7, 2026
Most other international constituency deadlines
December 2026 – January 2027
Scholars begin postgraduate study at Oxford
2027-10