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Rhodes Trust Scholarship

Provided by:Rhodes Trust

EducationOther

Description

The Rhodes Trust Scholarship is an esteemed scholarship program initiated in 1902 that allows candidates from Southern Africa to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. For the 2026 academic year, the scholarship is open to students from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and eSwatini. The scholarship covers a range of expenses including tuition fees and living costs, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder talented students from accessing a world-class education. Applicants must meet several eligibility criteria, including citizenship or residency status in one of the aforementioned countries, residency requirements, full-time study intentions, and specific age limits. The application process requires submitting a variety of documentation, ensuring the candidate meets academic standards and possesses adequate English proficiency for a successful study experience. Detailed conditions and requirements, including the need for personal statements and referee letters, are crucial components of the application. The deadline for applications is set for 1 August 2025, requiring candidates to act promptly and efficiently in gathering necessary documents and completing the online application process. Overall, the Rhodes Trust Scholarship remains a significant opportunity for aspiring postgraduate students from across Southern Africa to advance their studies and contribute meaningfully to their fields of interest.

Funding & Program Benefits

Fully funded postgraduate studies

Tuition fees

Living expenses

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini
  • Must have lived in the above countries for a minimum of 5 years out of the last 10 years
  • Must intend to study towards a full-time postgraduate qualification at Oxford University for a minimum period of 2 years
  • Must meet the English language proficiency requirements
  • Must be between 19 and 25 years old as of 1 October 2026
  • Older candidates must meet specific age criteria depending on their qualifications
  • Must have completed an undergraduate degree by July 2026
  • Must satisfy specific entry requirements of the course at the University of Oxford

Required Documents

  • Birth certificate (copy)
  • ID document or passport (copy)
  • Proof of citizenship, legal permanent residency or refugee status
  • Official full academic transcript from the institution you are studying, or have studied at (copy)
  • Degree certificates (copy)
  • Matric/school leaving certificate (copy)
  • Full Curriculum Vitae (using the Rhodes Trust Scholarship CV Template)
  • Recent photograph (head-and-shoulders colour, in jpg format)
  • Personal statement (maximum 750 words)
  • Academic statement of study (maximum 350 words)
  • 4 referees

Key Details

Application Deadline

Aug 01, 2025

Fields of Study

Various postgraduate programmes at the University of Oxford

Study Levels

Postgraduate

Submission Information

Applications can be submitted online through the website.

Via Website:

Apply Now

Support Information

For any queries or support regarding this opportunity, please use the contact details below:

Ndumiso Luthuli, southernafrica.secretary@rhodestrust.com