Rhodes Trust Scholarship South Africa 2025

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER – RHODES TRUST

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship programme, allowing candidates from around the world to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. The first Rhodes Scholarship was awarded in 1902.

The fully-funded scholarship is administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, and is awarded to more than 100 candidates every year, for full-time postgraduate studies at one of the world’s leading universities – the University of Oxford.

ABOUT THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Rhodes Trust is inviting students to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships for Southern Africa, for the 2025 academic year.

Scholarship will be awarded to students from Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and eSwatini), for Postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, in the UK, commencing in October 2025.

Candidates should read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Conditions of Tenure (.pdf) for courses covered.

MORE ABOUT THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – TYPES OF AWARDS & SELECTION

The following scholarships will be awarded:

4 scholarships for applicants from South Africa
1 scholarship for an applicant from KwaZulu-Natal province
1 scholarship for an applicant from these countries: Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi and eSwatini
1 scholarship for an applicant from these schools/ past pupils: Bishops Diocesan College (and its partner schools: St Cyprian’s School, St George’s Grammar School, Herschel Girls School and LEAP 1 School), Paul Roos Gymnasium (and its partner schools: Rhenish Girls’ High School and Bloemhof Girls’ High School), South African College School (and its partner schools: Sans Souci Girls’ High School and Rustenburg High School for Girls), St Andrew’s College (and its partner school: Diocesan School for Girls)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a social engagement and a final interview. The interviews will take place by the end of November, in the region you have applied at (except for the Selection Committees for KwaZulu-Natal, BLMNS, regions and schools that will meet in September and October).

Successful candidates will received feedback by email (unsuccessful candidates will not be contacted).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

You must be a citizen or legal permanent resident in any of these countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, eSwatini (refugees or asylum seekers in South Africa may also be considered)
You must have lived in any of the above countries for a minimum period of 5 years of the last 10 years
You must intend on studying towards a postgraduate qualification at Oxford University
You must intend on studying on a full time basis, for a minimum period of 2 years
You must meet the English language proficiency requirements
You must be between 19 and 25 years old on 1 October 2025, when entering Oxford (ie born between 1 October 2000 and 1 October 2006)
- Candidates who are older than 25 years old on 1 October 2025, and have completed their first undergraduate degree: you must not be older than 28 years old on 1 October 2025 and you must have met or will meet the academic requirements for completing your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2023
- Candidates who are MBBCh or MBChB graduates: you must not be older than 28 years old on 1 October 2025
- Candidates who are other health sciences graduates and are required to complete their internship and/or community service: you must not be older than 28 years old on 1 October 2025
You must have completed an undergraduate degree or will complete an undergraduate degree by no later than July 2025 (generally a Bachelor’s degree)
You must have satisfy the specific entry requirements of your full-time course at the University of Oxford (view the Oxford course list here)
Preference will be given to applicants who have either of the following: a First Class Honours Degree or equivalent, a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, an Honours degree (or have taken an Honours year) from a University outside of their country, or have studied to Masters level within your country

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

Applications must be submitted online at: Rhodes Trust Scholarship Application 2025

Applications will be required to Register and Account before they can Login and apply.

Candidates should read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates before applying.
Submitting clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

Birth certificate (copy)
ID document or passport (copy)
Proof of citizenship, legal permanent residency or refugee status (if not born in one of the above countries)
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 (to be completed on the editable Rhodes Trust Scholarship CV Template (.pdf))
Photograph (head-and-shoulders colour, in jpg format)
Personal statement (maximum 750 words) (see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 5, for further information)
Academic statement of study (maximum 350 words) (see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 5 and 6, for further information)
4 referees (read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Guidance for Referees (.pdf) and see the “Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates” document above, page 6 and 7, for further information)

CLOSING DATE FOR THE RHODES TRUST SCHOLARSHIP

1 August 2024 (at 23:59).
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Rhodes Trust directly:
National Secretary for Southern Africa
Contact person: Ndumiso Luthuli
Email: southernafrica.secretary@rhodestrust.com
Please read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship FAQ’s before making any enquiries.
Please do NOT contact the Rhodes Trust if this scholarship has already closed.