The Rhodes Scholarship is more than just a financial award; it’s an opportunity to join a community of inspired leaders and scholars at one of the world’s leading universities, the University of Oxford. Established in 1902, this prestigious scholarship is the oldest international scholarship program, allowing students from around the world to pursue their academic dreams in the United Kingdom.
Overview of the Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Trust administers the fully-funded scholarship, offering it to over 100 exceptional candidates each year. This award supports full-time postgraduate studies at Oxford, covering various fields of study.
Scholarships Available for Southern Africa
For the 2025 academic year, the Rhodes Trust invites applications from students in Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, and eSwatini. The scholarships are specifically for postgraduate studies commencing in October 2025.
Types of Awards
- South Africa: 4 scholarships
- KwaZulu-Natal Province: 1 scholarship
- Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, eSwatini: 1 scholarship
- Specific Schools: 1 scholarship for students or past pupils from certain partner schools
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the Rhodes Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini (including refugees or asylum seekers in South Africa).
- Residency: Must have lived in one of the above countries for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
- Education: Must hold or be completing an undergraduate degree by July 2025.
- Age: Must be between 19 and 25 years old on 1 October 2025 (born between 1 October 2000 and 1 October 2006). Specific exceptions apply for older candidates with recent degrees or health sciences graduates.
- English Proficiency: Must meet Oxford’s English language requirements.
- Academic Excellence: Preference for candidates with a First Class Honours Degree, a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, or equivalent qualifications.
Application Process
To apply, follow these steps:
- Applications must be submitted online at: Rhodes Trust Scholarship Application 2025
- Applications will be required to Register and Account before they can Login and apply.
- Candidates should read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates before applying.
- Prepare Documentation: Ensure you have all required documents ready for upload:
- Birth certificate
- ID document or passport
- Proof of citizenship or residency status
- Full academic transcript
- Degree certificates
- Matric/school leaving certificate
- Completed Rhodes Trust CV template
- Head-and-shoulders photograph
- Personal statement (up to 750 words)
- Academic statement of study (up to 350 words)
- Four referee letters
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 1 August 2024, 23:59 (applications submitted after this date will not be considered).
- Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a social engagement and final interview by the end of November.
Contact Information
For any questions or further assistance, please reach out to:
National Secretary for Southern Africa
Contact Person: Ndumiso Luthuli
Email: [email protected]
Embark on this transformative journey with the Rhodes Scholarship and take the first step towards an illustrious academic career at the University of Oxford. Apply today!