Rhodes Scholarship Oxford 2023: A life-changing opportunity to study at Oxford University

When different people come together in a shared spirit, exciting new things begin. The Rhodes scholarship oxford is a life-changing opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

Studying at Oxford is a wonderful experience! Rhodes Scholars may read for any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, subject to the few Rhodes requirements outlined below. The basic tenure of the Scholarship is two years, subject always to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct.

In certain cases, at the discretion of the Academic Committee of the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Trustees, Scholars may apply for a third year of Scholarship to complete the DPhil, see Notes below. The Rhodes scholarship is for not less than two years.

Permitted degrees/degree combinations:

– A BA with Senior Status (ie done over two years, rather than the normal three) : Scholars who read for a 2nd BA may not apply for a third year of Scholarship

 – A one-year taught Master’s course (MSc, MSt, BCL), followed in the second year by another one-year taught Master’s course (subject to successful completion of the first course) : Scholars who read two consecutive one-year Master’s courses may not apply for a third year of Scholarship

– A one-year taught Master’s course (MSc, MSt, BCL) : Scholars who read for a one-year taught Master’s course may progress to DPhil, and subsequently apply for a third year of Scholarship, subject to the Notes below. This progression is not open to Scholars in the Maths, Physical & Life Sciences Division (see below)

 – A two-year MPhil or BPhil (or BCL/MPhil) : Scholars taking the MPhil/BPhil (or the two-year BCL/MPhil route) may apply for a third year of Scholarship to read for DPhil, subject to the Notes below.

 – A two-year MSc by research (or MLitt) : Scholars who read a two-year MSc by research may not apply for a third year of Scholarship

 – A three-year DPhil : Scholars entering Oxford direct to DPhil follow the same application process for a third year, as described in the Notes below. Please note candidates for a DPhil within the Maths, Physical & Life Sciences Division may not take the Master’s route to DPhil, and must apply to start the DPhil in their first year in Oxford Exceptions:

 – The MFE (Masters in Financial Economics) and the MBA (Masters in Business Administration) : Scholars may only read these degrees in the second year of the Scholarship

 – The MPP-MBA or MPP-MFE combination is not available (that is, neither the MBA nor the MFE may be pursued in the second year for those who take the MPP (Masters in Public Policy) in their first year

– The four-year Accelerated Graduate-Entry course in Medicine is not tenable on the Rhodes scholarship

 – Four-year DPhil programs, eg the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and the Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) programs. Scholars may pursue these programs only if alternative funding is obtained for the final (4th) year of the program.

 Interested Scholars or applicants should contact registrar@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk before applying. Notes on the discretionary third year of Scholarship Scholars may apply to progress to DPhil via a one or two-year Master’s degree.

Interested Scholars will be required to make a competitive application, in their first or second year, demonstrating a sound academic rationale and a clear academic plan. The proposed doctoral thesis must be clearly an outgrowth of work done in the Master’s course since beginning a wholly new topic inescapably leads to unfunded overruns.

 Decisions on progression to DPhil are made at the discretion of the Academic Committee of the Rhodes Trust. The Academic Committee will look for outstanding academic performance, combined with a strong rationale for DPhil, in the context of the intended career path.

The DPhil rarely makes sense for a Scholar who intends to obtain a terminal professional or another degree. Scholars who take the Master’s route to DPhil should expect to spend at least four years in Oxford. The total University fee liability for any Scholar progressing to DPhil from a Master’s course (one-year or two-year) is four years (12 terms) in total, whereas the maximum duration of full funding (fees & stipend) on the Rhodes Scholarship is three years (nine terms).

Please note, therefore, the differing arrangements for Scholars pursuing doctoral work in the four academic divisions at Oxford. i) Humanities Division & Social Sciences Division – Most departments within the Humanities and Social Sciences insist on the Master’s route to DPhil. In view of this insistence, if a Scholar is awarded a third year of Scholarship, the Trust may underwrite the fourth (final) year of fees for Scholars within these two Divisions only.

 The word “underwrite” is used deliberately. Fourth-year fees present a substantial additional financial burden on the Trust and it can only be seen as a funder of last resort for year four. Scholars are expected to make all reasonable efforts to secure alternative funding1 and any access to Rhodes underwriting will be means-tested and competitive. ii) Medical Sciences Division – From time to time, Scholars opt to take the Master’s route to DPhil within the Medical Sciences Division (subject to the approval of the Academic Committee of the Rhodes Trust, as above).

If such a route is approved, the fourth (final) year of fees is borne by the Medical Sciences Division, under an arrangement the Trust has with the Division. If a Scholar enters Oxford for a four-year DPhil (under one of the Doctoral Training Centres) the same provision applies. iii) Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division – Because direct entry is possible, the Master’s route to DPhil is not open to candidates in the Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences Division (unless funding for the fourth year comes from other sources1 ).

Candidates within these disciplines should apply directly to DPhil. However, Scholars or candidates interested in a 4-year program within one of the Centres for Doctoral Training in this Division should contact registrar@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk. PLEASE NOTE: Under no circumstances does the Rhodes Trust pay stipend (living expenses) beyond the third year of the Scholarship. Alternative sources of funding could include self-financing, grants, other external scholarship support, loans or family support. The Rhodes Trust will require appropriate evidence of alternative funding. The Rhodes Trust reserves the right to vary these conditions at any time without notice. For the latest, definitive,

What is the Rhodes scholarship?

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded, full-time, postgraduate award that enables talented young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

Applying for the Scholarship is a challenge, but it is an experience that has helped generations of young people to succeed. We encourage applications from talented students everywhere. 

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

What does the Rhodes scholarship cover?

The Rhodes Scholarship covers Oxford University course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend. For the 2022/23 academic year, the stipend is £18,180 per annum (£1,515 per month) from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Please note – this is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents.

The detailed Conditions of Tenure document outlines permitted combinations of degrees, and how many years of study are covered by the Scholarship, as the latter depends on course choice – for example up to three years of fees and stipend is available to Scholars who choose to undertake a DPhil (PhD) at Oxford.

Following selection for the Scholarship, the Rhodes Trust will cover the fee required to apply to study at the University of Oxford. The Trust will cover the fee for a student visa and the associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), which enables international students to access the UK’s National Health Service. The Rhodes Trust will cover two economy-class flights – to and from the UK – for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford.

On arrival in Oxford, Scholars receive a settling-in allowance and for those Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford, they will again receive assistance to cover the fee for visa renewal and further application for IHS.

The history of Rhodes scholarship

Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the Rhodes Scholarship was a truly visionary project for its time.  Over a hundred years later, the Rhodes Scholarship oxford is the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship program in the world, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, (ranked first internationally in the Times Higher Education rankings for 2017 and 2018). 

One of the founding aims of the Scholarship was to identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind.

Our reputation as the world’s most distinguished academic scholarship rests not on the controversial life of our founder Cecil Rhodes. Still, on the enormous contributions our Scholars have made to the world. The qualities sought in a Rhodes Scholar – intellectual distinction combined with concern for others, energy to lead, and a focus on public service – remain as compelling as they were over a century ago.

Application Overview

The Rhodes Scholarship oxford supports outstanding young people to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, and actively fosters lifelong learning and fellowship.

Eligibility

The broad eligibility criteria of the Rhodes Scholarship; definitive eligibility criteria are listed in the relevant Information for Candidates document for your country/region. Check your eligibility using our eligibility checker.