Information for Academic Advisors

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award which enables talented young people from around the world to study full-time at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders and promoting international understanding and community.

Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years and can apply to study most full-time postgraduate courses in almost any field offered by Oxford University.

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.

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

➜ Literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)

➜ 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, 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.

Broadening Student Horizons

Supporting your students in applying for the Rhodes Scholarship opens the door to an exceptional academic experience at the University of Oxford. Scholars benefit from exposure to world-leading research, diverse perspectives, and an intellectually stimulating environment that will shape their thinking and ambitions for life.

Institutional Reputation & Outreach

A Rhodes Scholar represents not only themselves, but the institution that helped shape them, and producing a Rhodes Scholar is a mark of distinction that students and staff alike can take pride in. The recognition that comes with the Scholarship, including significant media coverage, raises your university's profile and can inspire the next generation of high-achieving, public-minded students to follow in their footsteps.

Culture of Excellence & Ambition

Encouraging students to pursue the Rhodes Scholarship fosters a culture of high aspiration that extends beyond individual applicants. Producing successful candidates demonstrates that your academic programmes are rigorous and internationally regarded — a compelling endorsement for accreditation and rankings — while inspiring a broader cohort of students to push themselves to the highest levels of academic and personal achievement.

Enquire

Before encouraging a student to apply, take the time to explore whether the Rhodes Scholarship is the right opportunity for them. Consider whether they meet the eligibility and selection criteria, what they hope to achieve through the Scholarship, and whether there are alternative opportunities that may be a better fit.

Explain

Once you have identified a strong candidate, help them understand what the application process involves. Advise them on selecting appropriate referees and reaching out in good time, encourage them to explore the resources available on the Rhodes Trust website, and prompt them to begin thinking early about their personal statement.

Prepare

For shortlisted students, the interview stage can be both exciting and daunting. Help them build confidence by working together to develop a clear personal narrative, practising their interview technique, and conducting mock interviews to prepare them for the questions they are likely to face.

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to students from around the world, who apply through specific constituencies. A constituency is a country, a group of countries, and/or territories, regions or states, grouped together for the purposes of administering scholarships.

Each constituency has their own eligibility criteria, detailed information for candidates, guidance for referees, and application dates. Prospective applicants can determine which constituency they should apply through by using our eligibility checker tool, and you can refer to the list of all constituencies on our website.