Selection Criteria

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.

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How to apply

Navigate below to understand each stage of the application process.

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.

What Makes A Rhodes Scholar?

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

➜ Literary And Scholastic Attainments (Academic Excellence)

• You are intellectually curious, with a deep love of learning and can think critically about a range of subjects.

You are intellectually curious, with a deep love of learning and can think critically about a range of subjects.

• You are consistently one of the top performers in your class.

You are consistently one of the top performers in your class.

• You thrive in academically challenging and rigorous courses.

You thrive in academically challenging and rigorous courses.

➜ 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, Particularl

• Your passion for developing yourself extends outside the classroom.

Your passion for developing yourself extends outside the classroom.

• You have worked hard to develop mastery in your skills, whether competitive, cultural or creative.

You have worked hard to develop mastery in your skills, whether competitive, cultural or creative.

• You can demonstrate sustained and outstanding achievement in your chosen pursuit.

You can demonstrate sustained and outstanding achievement in your chosen pursuit.

➜ Truth, Courage, Devotion To Duty, Sympathy For And Protection Of The Weak, Kindliness, Unselfishness And Fellowship

• You seek to live out your values in all that you do.

You seek to live out your values in all that you do.

• Serving others is a duty you take seriously, whether your community is large or small, local or international.

Serving others is a duty you take seriously, whether your community is large or small, local or international.

➜ Moral Force Of Character And Instincts To Lead, And To Take An Interest In One's Fellow Beings

• You have the courage to act on your initiative and inspire others to follow.

You have the courage to act on your initiative and inspire others to follow.

• You demonstrate leadership in both thought and action.

You demonstrate leadership in both thought and action.

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.

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