Information for Academic Advisors

Full Job Description

Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 are open! Click here to learn more.

Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 are open!

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The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest 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.

Navigate below to understand each stage of the application process.

• 1. The Rhodes Scholarship

Find out more about what the Rhodes Scholarship is, the costs covered, and what makes it special.

• 2. The Selection Criteria

What makes a Rhodes Scholar? Learn about the selection criteria which determined the first Rhodes Scholars in 1902, and still guide us today.

• 3. Check Your Eligibility and Apply

Find out if you are eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, which constituency you should apply through, and start your application!

• Frequently Asked Questions

Consult our comprehensive list of FAQs about the Scholarship, funding, eligibility criteria, application process and more.

1. The Rhodes Scholarship

Find out more about what the Rhodes Scholarship is, the costs covered, and what makes it special.

2. The Selection Criteria

What makes a Rhodes Scholar? Learn about the selection criteria which determined the first Rhodes Scholars in 1902, and still guide us today.

3. Check Your Eligibility and Apply

Find out if you are eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, which constituency you should apply through, and start your application!

Frequently Asked Questions

Consult our comprehensive list of FAQs about the Scholarship, funding, eligibility criteria, application process and more.

You are here : Scholarships > Information for Academic Advisors

As an academic advisor, you are uniquely placed to help your students pursue the Rhodes Scholarship — a life-changing postgraduate opportunity to join outstanding people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

What is the Rhodes Scholarship?

A life-changing opportunity for postgraduate study at Oxford University

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award which enables talented people from around the world to study full-time at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders and promoting international understanding and community.

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

Selection Criteria

What makes a Rhodes Scholar?

The Rhodes Scholarship is a merit scholarship, and there is no such thing as a 'type' when considering who gets selected. In fact, the strength of the Scholarship comes from its rigorous selection criteria and diversity.

The selection 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.

Why encourage students to apply?

A rewarding opportunity for students and institutions alike

Broadening Student Horizons

Supporting your students in applying for the Rhodes Scholarship opens the door to an exceptional academic experience at the University of Oxford. Scholars benefit from exposure to world-leading research, diverse perspectives, and an intellectually stimulating environment that will shape their thinking and ambitions for life.

Institutional Reputation & Outreach

A Rhodes Scholar represents not only themselves, but the institution that helped shape them, and producing a Rhodes Scholar is a mark of distinction that students and staff alike can take pride in. The recognition that comes with the Scholarship, including significant media coverage, raises your university's profile and can inspire the next generation of high-achieving, public-minded students to follow in their footsteps.

Culture Of Excellence & Ambition

Encouraging students to pursue the Rhodes Scholarship fosters a culture of high aspiration that extends beyond individual applicants. Producing successful candidates demonstrates that your academic programmes are rigorous and internationally regarded — a compelling endorsement for accreditation and rankings — while inspiring a broader cohort of students to push themselves to the highest levels of academic and personal achievement.

Supporting Rhodes Scholarship applicants

Practical ways to support your students through the application process

Enquire

Before encouraging a student to apply, take the time to explore whether the Rhodes Scholarship is the right opportunity for them. Consider whether they meet the eligibility and selection criteria, what they hope to achieve through the Scholarship, and whether there are alternative opportunities that may be a better fit.

Explain

Once you have identified a strong candidate, help them understand what the application process involves. Advise them on selecting appropriate referees and reaching out in good time, encourage them to explore the resources available on the Rhodes Trust website, and prompt them to begin thinking early about their personal statement.

Prepare

For shortlisted students, the interview stage can be both exciting and daunting. Help them build confidence by working together to develop a clear personal narrative, practising their interview technique, and conducting mock interviews to prepare them for the questions they are likely to face.

Constituency Information

Find information relevant to specific constituencies

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to students from around the world, who apply through specific constituencies. A constituency is a country, a group of countries, and/or territories, regions or states, grouped together for the purposes of administering scholarships.

Each constituency has their own eligibility criteria, detailed information for candidates, guidance for referees, and application dates. Prospective applicants can determine which constituency they should apply through by using our eligibility checker tool, and you can refer to the list of all constituencies on our website.

Key Facts About The Rhodes Scholarship

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