Deadline: August 1, 2025.

When different people come together in a shared spirit, an exciting new journey begins. The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing postgraduate opportunity to join outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.

There are:

• eight Scholarships every year for applicants from South Africa-at-Large,
• one for applicants from KwaZulu-Natal,
• one for an applicant from one of: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and eSwatini.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Be a citizen or legal permanent resident of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia or eSwatini.
2. Applications from refugees/asylum seekers in South Africa will also be considered in this constituency.
3. Been resident in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia or eSwatini for at least five of the last ten years.
4. Upon entry to Oxford on 01 October 2026, you must be at least 19 years old and not have passed your 25th birthday (which means you must have been born after 01 October 2001 and on or before 01 October 2007).
5. For older candidates who will have passed their 25th birthday on 01 October 2026, and completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual: Candidates must have completed their first undergraduate degree within the last 2 years, i.e. after 1 October 2024*; and may not have passed their 28th birthday on 01 October 2026 (which means they must have been born after 01 October 1998).
6. Have completed, or will have completed by July 2026, an undergraduate degree (normally a Bachelor’s degree) with an academic background and grade that – at a minimum – meets or exceeds the specific entry requirements of your chosen full-time course at the University of Oxford.

BENEFITS

Following selection for the Scholarship, the Rhodes Trust will also cover: 

• The fee required to apply to study at the University of Oxford 

• Fees for a student visa and associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), which enables international students to access the UK’s National Health Service 

• Two economy class flights to and from the UK, for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford. 

On arrival in Oxford, Scholars receive a settling in allowance, and Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford will receive assistance to cover the fees for visa renewal and further application for IHS. 

Find more information on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE