Find out more about applying for the Rhodes Scholarship

Find out more about applying for the Rhodes Scholarship

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Rhodes House By John Cairns 271021 182

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest (first awarded in 1902) international scholarship programme, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

The application process is explained as you navigate through the pages below.

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125th Anniversary Strategic Plan

A group of seven Rhodes Scholars alternately sitting on chairs and standing in a row facing the camera. They are outside, on a lawn under a tree in the sun.
A group of eight scholars are gathered around a wooden table in a circle smiling and talking to each other. They are indoors next to several windows in a stone wall.
A picture of a crowd at a conference. In the foreground two women are talking and smiling.
We are the home of the world’s pre-eminent graduate fellowship, the Rhodes Scholarship, based at the University of Oxford since 1903. In our second century, we are expanding the Rhodes Scholarships globally and broadening our impact through partnerships that develop exceptional leaders across different life stages and areas of focus.

Our Mission

The Trust builds a better world through global fellowship programmes that develop and connect compassionate, innovative, and public-spirited people committed to solving humanity’s challenges.

Our Theory of Change

The world needs leadership from ethical, creative and courageous people who are able to bridge cultures and disciplines. We therefore:

  • Help people of talent from all walks of life realise their potential to build a better world;
  • Foster leadership through diverse and inclusive learning communities;
  • Amplify impact through lifelong fellowships of mutual support, inspiration and collaboration.

The Rhodes Scholarship

Based at the University of Oxford, brings together and develops exceptional young people from all over the world, and in all fields of study, who are committed to being of service, impatient with the way things are and have the courage to act.

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Selection And Outreach

Be the world’s most respected and prestigious graduate fellowship, known for world-class global outreach and selection processes that identify the next generation of public-spirited young people committed to solving humanity’s challenges.
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Scholar Experience

Sustain our globally competitive position among graduate scholarships by ensuring parity in and excellence across all dimensions of the experience for all Scholars.
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Lifelong Fellowship

Become a vibrant lifelong fellowship that meaningfully and measurably contributes to Scholars’ learning, service and impact across every stage of their lives and careers and that fosters cross-generational mentoring and support.
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Global Expansion

Achieve our 125th anniversary goal (125 endowed Scholarships per year) by fully funding 25 new Scholarships and endowing 4 that are currently ‘flow’ funded; become a more diverse and impactful global community by connecting the Rhodes Scholar community with Atlantic Fellows, Schmidt Science Fellows, Mandela Rhodes Scholars and other partner programmes.
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Impact

Amplify and accelerate the impact of our Scholars and Fellows, helping them lead lives of service and achieve positive and lasting change in the world.It will find innovative ways to answer the question ‘how is the world different and better because of the Rhodes Trust’?
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Resources

Secure all the necessary resources and infrastructure to deliver the 125th anniversary strategy.

The Rhodes Scholarships in 2028

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Our Partnership Programmes

The Trust also engages in joint programming and collaborative learning activities with other fellowship programmes.

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation

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Transforming Africa by shaping a visionary community of future African leaders, who share a life-changing programme of learning in a South African university.

Part of Nelson Mandela’s legacy

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Read More

The Atlantic Institute

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Connecting and supporting a global community of Atlantic Fellows and staff from seven programs, who collaborate across diverse contexts and settings to accelerate the eradication of inequities and bring lasting improvements, locally and globally.

With The Atlantic Philanthropies 

The Atlantic Institute Read More

Schmidt Science Fellows

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Unleashing the potential of science by creating a global community of interdisciplinary scientists, making new discoveries for the benefit of society

With Schmidt Futures

Schmidt Science Fellows Read More

Rise

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Finding brilliant young people who need opportunity and supporting them as they work to serve others.

With Schmidt Futures

Rise Read More

Oxford Next Horizons

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Realising what’s next - by forming a community of highly experienced people, who reflect, explore and imagine what’s next for them and the world

With Harris Manchester College

Oxford Next Horizons Read More

The Rhodes Scholarship

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The world's pre-eminent international scholarship. We fight the world's fight by forming an incredibly diverse lifelong community of exceptional people from across the planet, who share a transformational postgraduate experience at Oxford University.

The Rhodes Scholarship Read More

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