The Rhodes Scholarship
Established in 1903 The Rhodes Scholarship is perhaps the oldest and perhaps most prestigious international scholarship programme, enabling outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Rhodes foundation award at least 102 scholarships a year. The scholarship covers all fees and stipend for two to three years , with almost 300 scholars residing at a time. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.
Scholarship with Difference
The Scholarship is not just a financial bursary, it is a life-changing opportunity for exceptional young people with the potential to make a difference for good in the world. Rhodes Scholars are people who have a vision of how the world could be better and the energy to make a difference – whatever their sphere of interest. Rhodes alumni have distinguished themselves in every field – see Scholar Stories and the ways in which Scholars are standing up for the world.
As Selection Committees select on the basis not only of intellect, but also of character, leadership and commitment to service, the Scholar Programme in Oxford aims to build on these Rhodes Scholar qualities, with the first and second-year retreats, workshops and conferences, in addition to social and discussion events, hosted at Rhodes House. There are also many Scholar organised groups.
The fellowship of Rhodes Scholars, worldwide and across generations, is active and over 4,500 strong. Rhodes Scholars therefore enter a life-long fellowship with ongoing opportunities to connect with current and Senior Scholars and, beyond that, a warm and engaging community within Scholars typically develop enduring friendships. The Rhodes Scholarship opens up opportunities for Scholars before, after and during their time in Oxford.
Benefits of Rhodes Scholarship
In most cases, the Rhodes Scholarship covers the costs of two years of study at Oxford. If awarded a Rhodes, you can expect to receive the following:
- All Oxford University and College fees covered, including the University application fee
- A living stipend (during the 2021–2022 academic year, the stipend is £17,310 which converts to approximately $23,700 USD)
- A settling-in allowance of £250 (~$350 USD), received upon arrival in Oxford
- Roundtrip economy airfare to and from the United Kingdom
- Fees covered for visas and healthcare
You may also receive research grants that pay for you to attend conferences or conduct extra fieldwork. And, as discussed earlier, if you end up earning a DPhil while a Rhodes Scholar, you’ll be eligible for a third year of funding, with certain costs potentially covered during your fourth year as well.
While the exact monetary value of the scholarship varies, it typically averages around $70,000 per year, and can climb as high as $250,000 total (over four years) for candidates who pursue a DPhil.
Eligibility Criteria: Could you be a Rhodes scholar
Rhodes Selection Committees are looking for young people of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.
The four criteria which governed the selection of Rhodes Scholars in 1902 are still the guiding criteria for the selection of Rhodes Scholars:
- literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
- energy to use one’s talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
- truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
- moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.
a. Nationality/citizenship: You must be a citizen of India, holding an Indian passport, or equivalent proof of citizenship; PIO or OCI card holders do not satisfy the Indian citizenship criteria for this purpose.
b. Education/residency: You must have undertaken formal study at an educational institution in India for a minimum of 4 of the last 10 years, and have either (i) completed a school leaving exam (10th or 12th standard or equivalent) at a school in India, or (ii) have received, or be in the final year of, an undergraduate degree at a university in India.
c. Age: You must meet either of the below criteria: i. Upon 1 October 2021, you must be at least 18 and have not reached your 24th birthday (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1997 and on or before 1 October 2003). OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual) ii. Upon 1 October 2021, you must have not reached your 27th birthday (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1994) AND you have met or will meet the academic requirements for completing your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2020*
* A university’s policy determines the date of completion of academic requirement for a degree and this may be different from when a degree is considered awarded by the university. In ambiguous cases, the decision of the National Secretary is final.
d. Academic achievement: You must have completed (or will have completed by June / July 2022) your undergraduate degree with First Class, or equivalent. Successful candidates typically feature within the top few ranks of their graduating classes. Please note: only one of the five available Scholarships (and, in exceptional cases, two) may be awarded in aggregate to (i) candidates who are pursuing, or have pursued, their undergraduate studies at a university located outside India and (ii) inter-jurisdictional Candidates.
e. If unsuccessful in your first application to the Rhodes Scholarships, you may subsequently re-apply only once more (and this must be in the same constituency), subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Application Process
- The application can be made online from between june to August.
- In preparation for making your application, you should read carefully the general information, particularly that held on the Scholarships tab, on the Rhodes House website, the Conditions of Tenure for the Rhodes Scholarship, the information in this document and the graduate admissions pages of the University of Oxford: www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate.
- If you are longlisted you will be invited to attend a preliminary interview, which may be held in person or via video conference.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a social engagement (a tea or dinner with the selection committee hosted by the Chairman) and a final interview. You must be available to attend both, in person, as no accommodations can be made on date and time, or mode, of these events. Interviews will be held in October or November 2021 No candidate will be selected without an interview. The granting of an interview is entirely within the discretion of the Selection Committee. A domestic travel allowance for candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust. International travel will not be reimbursed.
- All applicants will be emailed with the outcome of their application.
- Along with the application following documents supporting documents other than academic transcripts need to be submitted;
i. An Academic statement of more than 750 words
ii.A personal statement of more than 1000 words
iii. A list of 4 referees who have known you and are willing to submit references on your behalf. Out of 4 3 referees must be academic referees.
Selection procedure
Rhodes Scholars are selected by Rhodes constituencies. A Rhodes constituency is the organization that administers the scholarship in a particular country or region. Each constituency has a specific number of scholarships that they are responsible for awarding. India has quota for 5 Rhodes scholars.
After submitting the application the candidate is invited for interview the final selection is based on overall application and interview results.
