Rhodes Class of 2018 Selected

The Rhodes class of 2018 has been selected after a rigorous global process. The biographies of the new Scholars are listed on the Rhodes House website - click on 'Class of 2018'.

The class of Scholars is selected each year from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica and Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, SJLP region (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine), Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and Swaziland), United Arab Emirates, United States, West Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This year we have 95 Rhodes Scholars which is the largest number in the history of the Rhodes Scholarships. This is the first cohort which will include Scholars from West Africa.

Four criteria are used in the selection of Scholars:

• Literary and scholastic attainments
• Energy to use one's talents to the full, for example through achievement 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.

Rhodes Scholarship selection committees around the world sought young women and men of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service. The Rhodes Scholarships support students who demonstrate a strong propensity to emerge as 'leaders for the world’s future'. Talented young people from varying backgrounds continue to be awarded for their scholastic achievements and leadership potential.

This year the Scholars are very diverse and extremely talented. Nick Kristof (Oregon & Magdalen 1981), columnist at the New York Times, powerfully described the 2018 American Scholars-elect cohort: "The newly selected Rhodes Scholars offer a reminder that meritocracy and diversity are not at odds. The 32 new US Rhodes Scholars picked this month were chosen by 16 selection committees working independently, making selections purely on merit. And they chose a record 10 blacks, an Alaskan native, several immigrants, plus a transgender man. Diversity can be strength."

At 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.