Rhodes Scholarships are awarded for a period of study at Oxford University. A Rhodes Scholarship covers all University and College fees, a personal stipend and one economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the Scholarship, as well as an economy flight back to the student’s home country at the conclusion of the Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship is normally for two years, but the Scholarship may be held from one to three years, depending on the degree program pursed by the scholar.
Selection criteria include proven intellectual and academic achievement, integrity of character, interest in and respect for others, the ability to lead, and the energy to use talents to the full.
The criteria were established by the will of Cecil Rhodes, the founder of the Scholarships, which specified the following four standards:
- Literary and scholastics attainments;
- Energy to use one’s talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
- 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.
The stereotype of the Rhodes Scholar as a student-athlete-politician presents the obstacle that potentially strong candidates who do not consider themselves the Rhodes type may not apply for the Scholarship. The variety of winners in recent years suggests that there is no uniform Rhodes type. Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead.
Some Rhodes constituencies requires an institutional endorsement. If you intend to apply, make sure to let DSAO know early if an endorsement is required.