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Rhodes Trust Scholarship 2027

The Rhodes Trust Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate opportunity for talented students to study at the University of Oxford. The 2027 scholarship is intended for students who want to begin their postgraduate studies at Oxford in October 2027.

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The Rhodes Scholarship can support most full-time postgraduate courses offered by the University of Oxford. It is therefore not restricted to one academic field.

  • Engineering and Technology
  • Information Technology and Computer Science
  • Medical and Health Sciences
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Business and Economics
  • Law
  • Education
  • Other eligible postgraduate fields offered by Oxford

The specific Oxford course must be one that is covered by the Rhodes Scholarship’s Conditions of Tenure. Applicants should therefore check the eligibility of their intended Oxford course before applying.

SIMILAR BURSARIES

Students looking for funding in related areas can also explore these Grads24 categories.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP?

Eligibility for South African applicants is assessed through the Rhodes Scholarship’s Southern Africa constituency, which covers South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Eswatini. Applicants must meet the constituency’s nationality, residency, age and academic requirements.

  • Applicants must be citizens or legal permanent residents of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia or Eswatini. Refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa may also be considered.
  • Applicants must normally have been resident in one or more of the Southern African constituency countries for at least five of the last ten years.
  • Applicants entering Oxford on 1 October 2027 must normally be at least 19 and not yet 25 years old.
  • Applicants who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual may qualify under the older-candidate provision, subject to the stated age and degree-completion requirements.
  • Specific provisions apply to MBBCh or MBChB graduates who need to complete compulsory internship or community service.
  • Applicants must have completed, or be due to complete by July 2027, an undergraduate degree with academic results that meet or exceed the entry requirements of their intended Oxford course.
  • A First Class Honours degree or equivalent, or a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, gives applicants a stronger chance of successful admission to Oxford.
  • Applicants are assessed against the Rhodes selection criteria, including academic excellence, achievement outside the classroom, commitment to service, character and leadership.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP?

Applications are submitted online via Rhodes Trust Scholarship 2027 official page.

  • Check eligibility for the Southern Africa constituency.
  • Review the Information for Candidates and the eligible Oxford courses.
  • Prepare the required application materials and arrange the required referees.
  • Complete and submit the online Rhodes Scholarship application before the constituency deadline.
  • If selected as a Rhodes Scholar, apply separately to the University of Oxford for the approved postgraduate course.

Winning the Rhodes Scholarship does not by itself constitute admission to Oxford. Successful scholarship candidates must still satisfy the University’s admissions requirements for their chosen course.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP?

The Southern Africa application requires academic, personal and supporting information that allows selectors to assess the candidate against the scholarship criteria.

  • Birth certificate
  • Valid passport or identity document
  • Official academic transcript showing grades achieved to date
  • Copies of degree certificates
  • School-leaving certificate
  • Rhodes Scholarship CV using the prescribed template
  • Academic Statement
  • Personal Statement
  • Details of the Oxford course or courses the applicant intends to study
  • Four referee submissions
  • Head-and-shoulders colour photograph

Documents must be submitted in English. Where official documents are issued in another language, the Rhodes Trust requires official English translations.

WHAT DOES THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The Rhodes Scholarship provides funding for postgraduate study at Oxford together with support for the major costs associated with relocating to and studying in the United Kingdom.

  • University of Oxford course fees
  • An annual stipend for living expenses
  • The Oxford application fee
  • Student visa fees
  • International Health Surcharge
  • Two economy-class flights between the United Kingdom and the Scholar’s home country
  • A settling-in allowance when the Scholar arrives in Oxford

The scholarship normally supports a coherent postgraduate programme for two years, although additional conditions apply to certain professional and doctoral pathways.

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP?

The closing date for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 for Southern Africa was 3 August 2026 at 23:59 South African Standard Time.

  • The application period opened on 1 June 2026.
  • The 2027 scholarship is for entry to the University of Oxford in October 2027.

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER?

The Rhodes Scholarship for Southern Africa is administered by the Rhodes Trust’s regional secretariat in Johannesburg.

  • Southern Africa National Secretary: Mr Ndumiso Luthuli
  • Email: southernafrica.secretary@rhodestrust.com
  • General scholarship queries: scholarship.queries@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
  • Rhodes Trust: Rhodes House, Oxford, United Kingdom

WHAT DOES THE RHODES TRUST DO?

The Rhodes Trust is an educational charity that administers the Rhodes Scholarship and supports an international community of Scholars studying at the University of Oxford.

  • Administers the Rhodes Scholarship programme.
  • Selects Scholars through constituency-based application and selection processes.
  • Funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
  • Supports Scholars during their studies at Oxford.
  • Provides leadership, professional and community-focused programming.
  • Builds an international community of Rhodes Scholars, alumni and Fellows.

The Trust’s purpose extends beyond financial support. Its scholarship programme is designed to develop a global community of Scholars committed to leadership, service, academic excellence and international understanding.

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