Funding

Fully Funded

Program dates

Oct 1, 2027

Master's Scholarship•UK · Oxford

Rhodes Scholarship for East Africa

The Rhodes Trust (University of Oxford)

Application Deadline

August 27, 2026

Official Page

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international postgraduate scholarship in the world, administered by the Rhodes Trust at Oxford. The East Africa constituency selects outstanding young people who are citizens of Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, in almost any field the University offers. Selection is overseen by the National Secretary, Dr Samson Kironde. Scholars join a global community of more than 4,500 living Rhodes Scholars across over 100 countries. The minimum commitment is two years of study at Oxford, beginning in October 2027.

Benefits & funding

  • University of Oxford course fees for the chosen 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 fees and the UK International Health Surcharge
  • Two economy-class flights to and from the UK, at the start and end of studies
  • A settling-in allowance on arrival, plus visa-renewal and IHS support for a second course
  • Funding runs up to three years (fees and stipend) for a DPhil (PhD); other courses follow the Conditions of Tenure
  • Note: the stipend is not intended to support partners or dependents

Eligibility

  • Citizen of Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania or Uganda (Kenyan citizens apply through the separate Kenya constituency)
  • Must have been resident in one or more of those five countries, or in Kenya, for at least 5 of the last 10 years
  • Standard age: 18 to 24 on 1 October 2026 (born after 1 October 2001 and before 2 October 2008); an older-candidate route admits those under 27 (born after 1 October 1999) who completed their first undergraduate degree on or after 1 July 2025. Age limits are set by the constituency and are immovable
  • Must have completed, or be about to complete, an undergraduate degree (normally a Bachelor’s) by July 2027 and meet the entry requirements of the chosen Oxford course; a First Class Honours degree or GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher improves the chance of Oxford admission
  • Must meet Oxford’s English-language proficiency requirements at the higher level

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

Sign in and add your profile to check this against your nationality, residency, and studies.

  • Eligible nationalities

    Burundi · Rwanda · South Sudan · Tanzania · Uganda

    Not in your profile yet

  • Residence required

    Burundi · Rwanda · South Sudan · Tanzania · Uganda · Kenya

    Not in your profile yet

  • Education required

    Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor

    Not in your profile yet

  • Age requirement

    18–26 yrs

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Sign in to check eligibility

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility against the East Africa constituency criteria and the Information for Candidates document
  2. 2
    Submit the online application through the Rhodes Trust portal, with transcripts, a CV, a personal statement, references, and proof of age and citizenship
  3. 3
    References are submitted shortly after the candidate deadline; ensure referees are briefed early
  4. 4
    Shortlisted candidates attend interviews overseen by the National Secretary and their team
  5. 5
    Selected Scholars secure an Oxford course place and begin study in October 2027

Program timeline

  1. Applications open for the East Africa constituency

    Jun 1, 2026

  2. Candidate application deadline (23:59 East Africa Time)

    Aug 27, 2026

  3. References due

    Early September 2026

  4. Shortlisting and interviews

    Autumn 2026

  5. Scholars begin postgraduate study at Oxford

    2027-10