Key Facts
- Status
- Check Provider for Dates
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2028
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship of, or a genuine and substantial connection to, a Southern Africa constituency country (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, or eSwatini)
- Completed or nearly completed undergraduate degree, with strong academic results
- Evidence of leadership ability and extracurricular achievement
- Demonstrated commitment to service to others
- Specific age and other eligibility criteria are confirmed directly via the Rhodes Trust's online eligibility checker
Documents Needed
- Birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship/connection to the constituency
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Letters of reference
- English translations of any documents not originally in English
About The Rhodes Trust Scholarship Postgraduate
The Rhodes Scholarship, administered by the Rhodes Trust at the University of Oxford, is the world's oldest international postgraduate scholarship, established in 1902 under the will of Cecil John Rhodes. Around ten Rhodes Scholarships are awarded annually to graduates from the Southern Africa constituency - South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and eSwatini - to pursue fully-funded Master's or Doctoral study at Oxford in most disciplines.
The scholarship funds university and college fees, a personal stipend, and return flights to Oxford, and is intended for candidates who combine strong academic achievement with leadership, character, and a demonstrated commitment to service, in line with the criteria set out by Cecil Rhodes' original will.
Applications are submitted directly to the Rhodes Trust online, are reviewed by a Southern Africa selection committee, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed in South Africa later in the year.
Funding Details
The Rhodes Scholarship is fully funded, covering university and college fees, a personal stipend to cover living costs, and return airfare to Oxford. Exact stipend amounts are set annually by the Rhodes Trust and confirmed directly on its website.
Where You Can Study
The scholarship funds Master's or Doctoral study at the University of Oxford; scholars are placed at one of Oxford's constituent colleges.
About Rhodes Trust
The Rhodes Trust was established in 1902 under the will of Cecil John Rhodes and administers the Rhodes Scholarship, the world's oldest international postgraduate scholarship programme, based at the University of Oxford …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
- Citizens of, or applicants with a genuine and substantial connection to, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, or eSwatini (the Southern Africa constituency)
- Applicants who have completed, or are in their final year of, an undergraduate degree with strong academic results
- Applicants who can demonstrate leadership, character, and a commitment to service, alongside academic excellence
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Rhodes Scholarship cover?
University and college fees at Oxford, a personal stipend, and return flights - it is a fully-funded scholarship.
Which countries are part of the Southern Africa constituency?
South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and eSwatini.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
Around ten Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to the Southern Africa constituency annually.
When do applications open and close?
Applications typically open around June and close in early August each year, for study starting the following October. Check the Rhodes Trust website for the current cycle's exact dates, as the window for a given intake year closes well before the study year begins.
Where do I apply?
Applications are submitted online through the Rhodes Trust's application system, after confirming eligibility through its online eligibility checker. There is no application fee.
