Scholarships
Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford: Your Path to a World-Class Postgraduate Degree in the UK
The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award, enabling exceptional students worldwide to study at the University of Oxford. Available for the 2026 intake, this scholarship covers all tuition, provides a generous stipend, and includes additional support such as visa, healthcare, flights, and settlement expenses.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full university fees for your postgraduate degree.
- Annual stipend (around £19,800 for recent academic years) to cover living costs.
- Application fee, visa and healthcare surcharge, and return economy flights to and from the UK.
- Settling-in allowance and assistance with visa renewals if continuing into another course.
Step-by-Step Guide to Securing the Rhodes Scholarship
- Choose your course and apply to Oxford
- Identify your preferred postgraduate program, such as the MPhil in International Relations. Submit your application directly to Oxford, meeting both departmental and college requirements.
- Determine your Rhodes constituency and eligibility
- The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based and constituency-specific. Confirm you qualify and understand the nomination rules for your region.
- Prepare your academic application
- Gather transcripts, reference letters, and a strong research proposal. Academic excellence and intellectual clarity are critical.
- Submit your Rhodes application
- Apply within the Rhodes Trust cycle for 2026. Complete all required forms, essays, and meet the deadlines.
- Institutional endorsement and shortlisting
- Your application will be reviewed by your constituency and then considered by the Rhodes Trust shortlisting committees.
- Attend interviews
- If shortlisted, attend a panel interview assessing your leadership, character, and commitment to public service.
- Acceptance and scholarship award
- Successful candidates receive the Rhodes Scholarship along with conditional or confirmed admission to Oxford.
- Arrange logistics and travel
- Once selected, support is provided for your visa, flights, and settling in at Oxford.
Illustration: Applying for an MPhil in International Relations
Imagine pursuing an MPhil in International Relations—a one-year postgraduate course closely tied to global policy-making.
- Admission process: Submit a strong academic record and a compelling research proposal. Obtain approval from both the department and your college at Oxford.
- Why it strengthens your application: Demonstrates alignment between your academic goals and your commitment to making an impact, which are core Rhodes values.
- Post-selection: You’ll benefit from Oxford’s rich political science environment, the Rhodes community, and access to leadership and networking programs.
Key Things You Must Know
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scholarship scope | Fully funded postgraduate studies at Oxford, including stipend, fees, and additional support. |
| Competitiveness | Extremely selective—only top applicants succeed. |
| Who can apply | Exceptional graduates or early-career professionals with leadership potential and a vision for service. |
| Selection criteria | Academic excellence, leadership, commitment to public service, and strong personal character. |
| Post-award support | Access to the Rhodes Scholar network, mentoring, travel assistance, and emergency financial grants. |
| Timeline | Applications open for 2026; nomination and interviews follow; studies begin autumn 2026. |
Final Thoughts
The Rhodes Scholarship offers a transformational opportunity: world-class education at Oxford, access to a global network of leaders, and a lifelong commitment to service. Focusing on the MPhil in International Relations provides a vivid example of how this journey unfolds—from choosing your course to navigating each stage of the application, all the way to thriving as a Rhodes Scholar.
