Established in 1903 under the will of Cecil Rhodes, The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious scholarship program in the world. The Scholarship board selects 100 scholars annually from a list of participating countries. While there are numerous global scholarships available, 19 of these scholarships are slotted scholarships for Africans from various countries and regions.
The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-around students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals. The Rhodes Trust provides the Rhodes Scholarships in partnership with Second Century Founder, John McCall MacBain, and other generous benefactors.
Cecil Rhodes’s vision in founding the Scholarship was to develop outstanding leaders who would be motivated to fight ‘the world’s fight’ and to ‘esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim’ and to promote international understanding and peace.
At the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Rhodes Scholars join just over 20,000 students from more than 140 countries currently studying at the University and are enriched by the stimulating and rigorous education and the vibrant cultural and community life. Nearly 8,000 Rhodes Scholars have gone on to serve at the forefront of government, the professions, commerce, the arts, education, research, and other domains. They are well-known advocates for expanded social justice and have advanced the frontiers of science and medicine.
A Rhodes Scholarship covers all University and College fees, a personal stipend, and one economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the Scholarship, as well as an economy flight back to the student’s home country at the conclusion of the Scholarship.
The Eligibility criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship:
How to Apply
The Rhodes Oxford University Scholarship website provides country-specific information where one makes their application. In broad terms, all constituencies will require the following materials in differing forms:
Rhodes selection criteria
The selection criteria, as found in the Will of Cecil Rhodes, govern selection across all Rhodes constituencies. They are:
Selection in each Rhodes constituency is by committees comprised of Rhodes alumni and distinguished non-Scholar members of the community. The committees select applicants of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service. The Rhodes Trust warmly welcomes applications from talented young women and men of diverse backgrounds. Selection of Rhodes Scholars is made without regard to gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, social background.
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