The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most celebrated awards a postgraduate student can win. Funded through the legacy of Cecil Rhodes and administered by Rhodes House, it has supported exceptional students at the University of Oxford since 1902, making it the oldest international scholarship programme of its kind.
Each year a class of about 95 Scholars is selected from constituencies around the world. For African applicants, that includes dedicated regional competitions for East Africa, West Africa and Southern Africa, alongside named country awards such as Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Scholars can pursue almost any full-time postgraduate degree Oxford offers, subject to a few restrictions.
This is more than financial support. The Rhodes brings together a global community of scholars and looks for people who combine academic excellence with character, leadership and a commitment to using their talents for the good of others.
Scholarship benefits
- All University and College fees covered.
- A living stipend of £20,400 per year (academic year 2025/26).
- A settling-in allowance.
- Health insurance.
- Visa costs.
- Two economy-class flights — to and from the UK — at the start and end of your studies at Oxford.
- Duration and permitted combinations of degrees are set out in the official Conditions of Tenure document.
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You meet the citizenship and residency requirements of the Rhodes constituency you are applying through.
- ✔ You are a national of an eligible constituency — for African applicants this includes East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi), West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Togo), Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, eSwatini), Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- ✔ You meet the age rules: generally aged 18–24 on 1 October 2026 (born after 1 October 2001 and on or before 2 October 2008); 18–25 for medical, dental, pharmaceutical, law and engineering students completing a professional internship; or under 27 (born after 1 October 1999) if you completed your first undergraduate degree later than usual, on or after 1 October 2025.
- ✔ You hold (or will hold) an undergraduate degree, normally a Bachelor’s, at First Class Honours level or equivalent that meets or exceeds the entry requirements of your chosen Oxford course.
- ✔ For Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, the highest classification your university awards (such as a Distinction) is treated as equivalent to a First Class Honours degree.
- ✔ You meet Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements at the Higher Level.
Application tips for African students
- Start with your country-specific page. Each African constituency has its own deadline, eligibility detail and application route — confirm yours before doing anything else.
- Plan your English test early. If you need IELTS or TOEFL to satisfy Oxford’s Higher Level requirement, book it well in advance so your scores are ready when you apply.
- Get transcripts and degree certificates certified, and translated into English if necessary, since you’ll need clean academic documentation to prove your First Class or equivalent standing.
- The Rhodes selects all-rounders — show leadership, service and impact, not just grades. Build a statement that connects your academic goals to how you intend to use your education.
- Approach recommenders early. You want referees who know you well and can speak to both your intellect and your character.
- Prepare for visa and proof-of-funds steps in good time; the scholarship covers visa costs, but you must still complete the process to study in the UK.
- Submit ahead of your constituency’s deadline. Competition for Oxford places is intense, and a rushed application rarely impresses.
How to apply
There is no single global form — applications run through each Rhodes constituency. Read your country or regional page carefully for the specific criteria, eligibility rules and deadline, then follow the official “how to apply” guidance. Deadlines vary by country and fall roughly between July and October each year. For full, current details, visit the official scholarship website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/
Frequently asked questions
Which African students can apply?
Applicants from the East Africa, West Africa and Southern Africa constituencies, as well as Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are eligible, provided they meet the citizenship and residency rules of the constituency they apply through.
What does the scholarship cover?
It covers all University and College fees, a £20,400 annual living stipend (AY 2025/26), a settling-in allowance, health insurance, visa costs, and two economy-class flights to and from the UK.
What can I study?
Subject to limited restrictions, Rhodes Scholars may pursue any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Oxford, with the course starting in October 2026.
What are the age limits?
The standard range is 18–24 on 1 October 2026, with extensions to age 25 for certain professional fields and up to age 27 for those who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual (on or after 1 October 2025).
What is the deadline?
The deadline varies by constituency but generally falls between July and October 2026. Check your country-specific page for the exact date.
Is there an English language requirement?
Yes. You must meet the University of Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements at the Higher Level. Country-specific guidance is available through the official site.