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Find out more about applying for the Rhodes Scholarship

Find out more about applying for the Rhodes Scholarship

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A group of seven Rhodes Scholars talking outside the steps of Rhodes House, in front of the colourful hoardings.

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 outlined in the navigation below.

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Application Process

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.

West Africa

You can use the Eligibility Checker below to find out if you are eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship for this constituency.

The ‘Your Constituency’ box will have been automatically completed for you based on the country you selected on the previous page. You should then answer 'Yes' or 'No' to each of the eligibility questions. Once you have answered each question please click continue to find out if you are eligible and what to do next!

Step 1 / 6

Your Constituency

West Africa

Step 2 / 6

Your Nationality or citizenship

Are you a citizen of one of the following countries?

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, the island of Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Principe and Togo.

Inter-jurisdictional Scholarship

If you have a strong connection to two or more Rhodes constituencies, but don't meet the Nationality or Citizenship criteria, you may be able to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship via Inter-Jurisdictional Consideration. To find out more please visit our page here.

If you have read our information page about Inter-Jurisdictional Consideration and meet the requirements, please choose 'Yes' below. If you don't, click 'No'.

Step 3 / 6

Your Education / residency

Have you been resident in one or more of the countries listed above for at least five of the last ten years?

Inter-jurisdictional Scholarship

If you have a strong connection to two or more Rhodes constituencies, but don't meet the Education/Residency criteria, you may still be able to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship via Inter-Jurisdictional Consideration. To find out more please visit our page here.

If you have read our information page about Inter-Jurisdictional Consideration and meet the requirements, please choose 'Yes' below. If you don't, click 'No'.

Step 4 / 6

Your Age Criteria

Do you meet either of the below criteria?

i. You must be aged 18-24 on 1st October 2023 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1998 and before 2 October 2005).

OR for medical, dental, pharmaceutical, law and engineering students, to allow you to complete your professional internship

ii. You must be aged 18-25 on 1st October 2023 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1997 and before 2 October 2005)

OR for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual

iii. You must be under the age of 27 on 1st October 2023 (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1996) AND you must also have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2022*.

* A university's policy determines the date of completion of academic requirement for a degree and this may be different from when a degree is considered awarded by the university or the date of a graduation ceremony. In ambiguous cases, the decision of the National Secretary is final.

Step 5 / 6

Your Academic Achievement

Have you completed an undergraduate degree (normally a Bachelor’s degree) with an academic background and grade that is a First Class Honours Degree or equivalent which meets or exceeds the specific entry requirements of your chosen full-time course at the University of Oxford?

• in the case of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy courses, the highest classification your University awards, e.g. a Distinction would be considered equivalent to a First Class Honours Degree.

Given the very intense international competition for places at the University of Oxford, candidates will have a greater chance of successful admission to Oxford if you have:

• an Honours degree (or have taken an Honours year) from a University outside of your country or if you have studied to Masters level within your country (with the exception of those studying in Nigeria and Ghana, and, for some countries, those studying medicine). Candidates may wish to consider applying to the Rhodes Trust’s sister Foundation, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, to pursue an Honour’s year or a Master’s degree prior to making an application for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Step 6 / 6

English Language Criteria

Do you have a sufficiently high standard of English to meet the University of Oxford's English language proficiency requirements (at the Higher Level listed)?

Alternatively, if you meet the University of Oxford’s requirements for an English Language test waiver, you may request a waiver.

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