The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and best-known international awards in the world, created in 1902 from the will of Cecil Rhodes. It funds exceptional all-round students to pursue full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, and is administered through the Rhodes Scholarship Fund.
For African applicants, this is a rare chance to study at one of the world’s leading universities with the entire financial burden lifted. The Rhodes is open through specific country and regional constituencies, and several of these cover Africa — including East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi), Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and eSwatini), 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 and Togo), plus Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Each year a class of 95 Scholars is selected worldwide. Subject to limited restrictions, Rhodes Scholars may read for almost any full-time postgraduate degree at Oxford, with courses beginning in October 2026.
Scholarship benefits
- All University and College fees covered
- A living stipend of £20,400 per annum (academic year 2025/26)
- A settling-in allowance
- Health insurance
- Visa costs
- Two economy-class flights — to and from the UK — for the start and end of your studies at Oxford
- The Conditions of Tenure document sets out permitted degree combinations and how many years of study the Scholarship covers
Eligibility checklist
- ✔ You must meet the citizenship and residency requirements of the specific Rhodes constituency you apply through.
- ✔ You must normally be aged 18–24 on 1 October 2026 (born after 1 October 2001 and on or before 2 October 2008).
- ✔ For medical, dental, pharmaceutical, law and engineering students completing a professional internship, the age range extends to 18–25 (born after 1 October 2000 and before 2 October 2008).
- ✔ For older candidates who finished their first undergraduate degree later than usual, you must be under 27 on 1 October 2026 (born after 1 October 1999) AND have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2025.
- ✔ You must hold an undergraduate degree (normally a Bachelor’s) with results at First Class Honours level or equivalent that meet or exceed the entry requirements of your chosen Oxford course.
- ✔ For Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, the highest classification your university awards (e.g. a Distinction) is treated as equivalent to a First Class Honours.
- ✔ You must meet Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements at the Higher Level.
- ✔ Applicants with an Honours degree (or Honours year) from a university outside their own country, or who have studied to Masters level at home, tend to be more competitive for admission.
Application tips for African students
- Find your constituency page first. Eligibility, criteria and deadlines differ for each Rhodes region or country. Confirm whether you apply through East Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe or another route before doing anything else.
- Plan your English test early. If your degree wasn’t taught in English, book IELTS or TOEFL months ahead so you can meet Oxford’s Higher Level requirement without last-minute stress.
- Get transcripts and certificates ready. Have official, certified copies of your academic records prepared early — and translated if they aren’t in English — so you don’t lose time chasing documents close to the deadline.
- Show you’re an all-rounder. The Rhodes rewards more than grades. Document your leadership, service, sport and character clearly, because selection committees look for impact beyond the classroom.
- Line up strong recommenders now. Approach referees who know your academic and personal strengths well, and give them plenty of lead time and context to write detailed, specific letters.
- Write a focused statement. Be precise about why your chosen Oxford course fits your goals, and how you intend to use the opportunity. Avoid generic ambition statements.
- Prepare for admission and visa steps in parallel. Because places at Oxford are fiercely competitive, strengthen your academic profile, and keep visa and supporting paperwork in order so you’re ready once selected.
How to apply
There is no single global application. Each candidate must apply through the constituency that matches their citizenship and residency, so start on your country-specific page to read the exact criteria, eligibility rules and deadline. Deadlines vary by country and generally fall between July and October. Review the constituency’s “how to apply” guidance carefully and follow it step by step. For full details and to find your constituency, visit the official website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/
Frequently asked questions
Which African countries can apply?
African applicants can apply through several constituencies, including East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi), Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, eSwatini), West Africa (covering Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone and many others), as well as Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Check your constituency page to confirm your eligibility.
What does the Rhodes Scholarship cover?
It covers all University and College fees, a living stipend of £20,400 per year (2025/26), a settling-in allowance, health insurance, visa costs, and two economy-class flights to and from the UK at the start and end of your studies.
What level of study does it fund?
The Rhodes supports full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Subject to limited restrictions, Scholars may pursue almost any postgraduate degree, including Masters and PhD programmes.
What are the age and academic requirements?
Most applicants must be aged 18–24 on 1 October 2026, with extended limits for certain professional courses and older candidates who graduated later. Academically, you need an undergraduate degree at First Class Honours level or equivalent that meets your chosen Oxford course’s entry requirements.
When is the deadline?
The deadline varies by constituency and generally falls between July and October. You must check your specific country or regional page for the exact date.
How many scholarships are awarded?
A class of 95 Scholars is selected each year from across all the participating constituencies worldwide.