ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

The oldest international scholarship program, the Rhodes Scholarship, enables applicants from all over the world to attend the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. In 1902, the inaugural Rhodes Scholarship was given out.

The Rhodes Trust in Oxford oversees the fully-funded scholarship, which is given to over 100 applicants annually for full-time postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, one of the top universities in the world.

FIELDS COVERED

For a list of courses covered, students should refer to theConditions of Tenure

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD AND SELECTION  

The scholarships listed below will be given out:

• Four scholarships are available to South African applicants.
• One scholarship for a candidate from the province of KwaZulu-Natal
• A single scholarship is available to applicants from Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, and eSwatini.
• Bishops Diocesan College (and its partner schools: St Cyprian's School, St George's Grammar School, Herschel Girls School, and LEAP 1 School), Paul Roos Gymnasium (and its partner schools: Rhenish Girls' High School and Bloemhof Girls' High School), South African College School (and its partner schools: Sans Souci Girls' High School and Rustenburg High School for Girls), and St Andrew's College (and its partner school: Diocesan School for Girls) are one scholarship available to applicants from these institutions or former students.

Those that make the short list will be invited to a final interview and social event. With the exception of the KwaZulu-Natal, BLMNS, regions, and school selection committees, which will convene in September and October, the interviews will take place by the end of November in the region where you applied.

Email feedback will be sent to successful candidates; unsuccessful candidates won't be contacted.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Before applying, candidates must meet the following minimal standards:

• You must be a citizen of one of the countries that follows or a lawful permanent resident: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, and eSwatini (South African refugees or asylum seekers may also be taken into consideration).
• You must have spent at least five of the previous ten years residing in one of the aforementioned nations.
• You must plan on attending Oxford University to pursue a postgraduate degree.
• You must plan to pursue your studies full-time for at least two years.
• You have to fulfil the standards forEnglish language proficiency
• To be admitted to Oxford, you must be between the ages of 19 and 25 on October 1, 2026 (that is, born between October 1, 2001, and October 1, 2007).

• Candidates who have earned their first undergraduate degree and are older than 25 on October 1, 2026, must be no older than 28 on that date and must have fulfilled or be expected to fulfil the academic requirements for earning their first undergraduate degree by October 1, 2024.
• Candidates who have earned an MBBCh or MBChB degree must be under 28 years old on October 1, 2025.
• By July 2026 at the latest, you must have earned an undergraduate degree—typically a bachelor's degree—or plan to do so.
• The particular prerequisites for your full-time course at the University of Oxford must be met (see theOxford course list).
• Candidates with any of the following will be given preference: a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or above, a First-Class Honours Degree or its equivalent, an Honours degree (or having completed an Honours year) from a foreign university, or having completed a Master's degree in your own country.

 if you don't meet them all, your application won't be taken into consideration.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

Submit your application online via the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Application 2026 portal.

 Together with your application, please send clear copies of the supporting paperwork listed below:

• A copy of the birth certificate
• Passport or identification document (copy)
• Evidence of citizenship or, if not born in one of the aforementioned nations, legal permanent residency or refugee status
• A copy of your official, complete academic transcript from the school you are or were enrolled in
• Certificates of degree (copy)
• A copy of your matriculation or school leaving certificate
• The whole curriculum vitae must be filled up using theeditable CV Template
• Picture (in jpg format, head and shoulders)
• Personal statement (maximum 750 words) (see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 5, for further information)
• Academic statement of study (maximum 350 words) (see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 5 and 6, for further information)
• 4 referees (readthe Refereesand see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 6 and 7, for further information)

submitting these documents is required; failing to do so could result in your application being rejected

CLOSING DATE: 31 August 2025, 23:59.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

Please get in touch with the Rhodes Trust directly if you have any questions about this bursary program:
Southern Africa's National Secretary

Contact person:Ndumiso Luthuli

 Email:southernafrica.secretary

For more bursaries visit: view more bursaries here