Study Abroad ScholarshipVerified for 2026

Rhodes Scholarship

Rhodes Trust

All India

Deadline: 7 Oct 2026

About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Rhodes Scholarship. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

Total scholarship amount

£20,400/mo (approx. ₹64.0 Lakh+)

The Rhodes Scholarship for the 2026/2027 academic year is a fully funded postgraduate award covering all Oxford University course fees, regardless of discipline or college, as there is no tuition cap. It provides an annual stipend of £20,400 (approximately ₹2,611,200 based on an exchange rate of 1 GBP = 128 INR) for living expenses, including accommodation, food, and personal costs. Scholars also receive a settling-in allowance, coverage for student visa fees and the associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), and two economy-class return flights (one at the start and one at the conclusion of studies). Additional support, such as emergency financial assistance and grants for research, travel, and creative opportunities, may be available. The annual stipend of £1,700 per month is generally not sufficient to cover partners or dependents.

Inclusions

Age:
You must be aged 18-23 on 1 October 2026 (i.e., born after 1 October 2002 and before 2 October 2008); OR
You must be under the age of 27 on 1 October 2026 (i.e., born after 1 October 1999) AND you must have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2025.
Nationality/Residency:
You must belong to an eligible Rhodes constituency. The scholarship is open to students from over 60 countries and regions.
If you have strong and demonstrable connections to two or more Rhodes Constituencies but do not meet all nationality/residency eligibility criteria for any, you may be eligible to apply for inter-jurisdictional consideration.
For the USA constituency, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, a lawful permanent resident for at least 5 years as of 1 October 2026, or a DACA recipient with active status.
Academic Achievement:
You must have completed an undergraduate degree (normally a Bachelor's degree) by July 2027.
Your academic background and grades must, at a minimum, meet or exceed the specific entry requirements of your chosen full-time course at the University of Oxford.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70/4.0 (unweighted, no rounding) or a First Class Honours Degree (or equivalent) is typically expected. Competitive applicants often have a GPA above 3.9.
Degree Level:
The Rhodes Scholarship is for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford (second Bachelor's degree, Master's, or DPhil/PhD).
You cannot apply for the Rhodes Scholarship to cover the final year(s) of a current postgraduate course at Oxford.
English Language Proficiency:
If English is not your first language, you must meet Oxford University's higher-level English language requirements (e.g., IELTS 7.5 overall with 7.0 in each component, or TOEFL iBT 110 overall with 25 in each section). Evidence is not required for the Rhodes application, but for Oxford admission.
Application Attempts:
You may apply for the Rhodes Scholarship a maximum of two times through the same constituency.
Work Experience:
For some professional degrees at Oxford, such as the MBA, candidates are required to have at least two years of full-time work experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Masters, PhD

Must be enrolled in Masters, PhD. Minimum 70% marks required in previous exam.

Financial & Category

Income LimitNo Income Bar

Applicable CategoryGeneral, OBC, SC, ST

Selection Process

The selection process for the Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive and rigorous, evaluating candidates based on four main criteria established by Cecil Rhodes:
Academic Excellence:Demonstrated through outstanding scholastic achievements, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking. Applicants are expected to thrive in challenging academic environments.
Energy to use one's talents to the full:Evidenced by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, theatre, artistic pursuits, or other sustained engagements and accomplishments beyond the classroom.
Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness, and fellowship: Reflecting moral force of character, integrity, empathy, and a commitment to justice.
Moral force of character and instincts to lead: Demonstrated by leadership potential, the ability to inspire others, and a genuine interest in the well-being of fellow human beings and a commitment to public service.
The process typically involves an initial application review, shortlisting of candidates, and an interview stage conducted by selection committees comprising Rhodes Scholars and community leaders. Interviews for the 2027 intake for the US constituency will be held in November 2026.

Renewal Policy

The basic tenure of the Rhodes Scholarship is two years
For Scholars undertaking a DPhil (PhD), funding may be extended to a third year, subject to academic progress and approval
The exact duration of study covered depends on the chosen course and is outlined in the detailed Conditions of Tenure document
Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford will also receive assistance for visa renewal and further application for IHS fees.

Application Process

1
Check Eligibility and Constituency
Review the detailed eligibility criteria (age, nationality, academic achievement, degree level, etc.) for your specific Rhodes constituency on the official website.
2
Prepare Application Documents
Gather all required documents, including your personal statement, academic statement, CV, transcripts, and identify your referees for letters of recommendation.
3
Submit Online Application
Complete and submit the online Rhodes Scholarship application form through your constituency's portal by the deadline (e.g., 23:59 Eastern Time, 07 October 2026 for the USA constituency). There is no application fee.
4
Ensure Referee Submissions
It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees submit their confidential letters of recommendation online by the application deadline.
5
Application Review and Interview
Your application will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews (typically October-December 2026).
6
Scholar Election and Oxford Application
If selected as a Rhodes Scholar-Elect (typically announced December 2026 – March 2027), you will then proceed to apply for your chosen full-time postgraduate course at the University of Oxford, with support from the Rhodes Trust team.
7
Commence Studies
Successful Scholars will begin their studies at Oxford in October 2027.

Documents Required

Online application form

Personal statement (maximum 1,000 words)

Academic statement of study (maximum 450 words), outlining your academic plan for the full two years at Oxford

Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 2 pages), detailing principal college activities and honors

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended

Five to eight letters of recommendation (at least four from individuals who have provided college-level academic instruction, speaking to academic abilities, character, and leadership potential)

Proof of age and nationality (implied by eligibility requirements)

Proof of English language proficiency (if required by Oxford University for admission, not for the Rhodes application itself)

Important Dates

Application Deadline

7 October 2026

While applications for the Rhodes Scholarship for the 2027 academic intake generally opened in June 2026, specific final deadlines vary significantly by constituency. For example, the East Africa constituency deadline is August 27, 2026, and the national deadline for the U.S. constituency is often in early October, with some institutions citing October 7, 2026.

Dates are subject to change as per the provider's official notification. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the closing date.

Scholarship Quick Facts

Provider TypeStudy Abroad

Education LevelMasters, PhD

Application Mode

State/RegionAll India

Income LimitNo Limit

Last Verified2026

Common Questions (FAQs)

Q.Can I defer my Rhodes Scholarship to a later academic year?

No, the Rhodes Scholarship cannot be brought forward or deferred to a later academic year. Scholars are expected to commence their studies at Oxford in October of the year following their selection (e.g., October 2027 for those selected in 2026). If you cannot take up the Scholarship in the designated year, you forfeit the award.

Q.Does the Rhodes Scholarship cover all my expenses at Oxford?

Yes, the Rhodes Scholarship is fully funded and considered one of the most comprehensive scholarships. It covers all University of Oxford course fees, a generous annual stipend for living expenses (including accommodation), return economy flights, student visa costs, the International Health Surcharge, and a settling-in allowance. However, the stipend is generally not designed to cover the expenses of partners or dependents.

Q.What minimum GPA or academic marks are required to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship?

While there is no universally published official GPA cutoff by the Rhodes Trust, most successful applicants typically have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.70/4.0 (unweighted, with no rounding) or its equivalent, such as a First Class Honours Degree. Competitive candidates often have GPAs closer to 4.0. Academic excellence is one of four core selection criteria.

Q.Can I reapply for the Rhodes Scholarship if my first application is unsuccessful?

Yes, you are permitted to reapply for the Rhodes Scholarship a maximum of one additional time (two lifetime attempts in total), provided you still meet all eligibility criteria, including age, and you apply through the same constituency. You cannot switch constituencies to reset your application count.

Help & Contact Support

Official Support

WebsiteVisit Official Portal

HelplineCheck portal for email/phone support

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Legal Disclaimer

IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. However, scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Rhodes Trust website before final submission.