Apply For Rhodes Scholarship 2026 To Study University of Oxford, UK

The Rhodes Scholarship is an opportunity available for young outstanding international students, wishing to study at the University of Oxford. Application for the Scholarship is now open and will run for over two months until August 2025. 

Established through the Will of Cecil John Rhodes in 1902, the scholarship identifies and gives young academically excelling individuals the opportunity to study at Oxford.

Key Scholarship Details

Scholarship Benefits

At the core of the Rhodes Scholarship program is its Character, Service and Leadership Programme (CSLP). This affords students the opportunity to learn, connect, and engage in community building.

It offers both pastoral and financial benefits including the following:

• Annual stipend of at least £19,800 per annum (£1,650 per month). This is expected to cover for accommodation and living expenses.
• Fees required to apply to study at the university.
• A settling in allowance after arriving in Oxford.
• Fees for student visa International Health Surcharge (IHS) coverage which grants awardee access to the UK’s National Health Service.
• If a scholar is transitioning into a second course of study in Oxford, an assistance will be offered to cover for renewal of visa and IHS application.
• Economy flight fee to and from the UK after your studies.

Eligibility Criteria for Nigerians

The scholarship follows a rigorous selection criteria and is strictly merit base. To meet this criteria, one must be a consistent top performer and attain academic excellence. More so, a scholar is expected to have intellectual curiosity and a deep love for learning.

Here are some of the main criteria for Rhodes Scholarship 2026:

1. Citizenship and Residency

• An applicant must be a citizen of Nigeria or another West African country.
• People who have also resided in West Africa for at least five of the last ten years will also stand eligible.

2. Age Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following age criteria as of 1 October 2025

• Standard Track: Aged 18–24, which means that an applicant must be born between 2 October 2000 and 1 October 2007).
• Professional Degrees: For students who obtained degrees in courses such as Medicine, Law, and Engineering, the age range is from 18 to 25 and must be born between 2 October 1999 and 1 October 2007).
• Late Degree Completion: This is allowed for those under 27 years old; applicants must be born after 1 October 1998, and must have completed first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2024.

3. Academic Qualifications

• Must have completed or be on track to complete an undergraduate degree by the deadline of scholarship application date
• Must have graduated with First Class Honours or equivalent.
• You should have an academic record that demonstrates excellence and the ability to thrive in Oxford’s rigorous academic environment.
• For Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy courses, a distinction or any other highest classification of your University award will be considered as equivalent of a First Class Honours degree. To be eligible, you must obtain at least 3 distinctions of the five following subjects- Medicine & surgery, Pathology, Pharmacology, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics.

4. English Proficiency

Another important criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship is for an applicant to have a high standard of English proficiency. Students need to meet the standard of Oxford language proficiency level at the higher listed level.

You may qualify for an English proficiency test waiver if you have completed a degree level course of at least a nine-moth duration as a full-time student. Teaching and assessment must be undertaken entirely in English language.

Requirements for Rhodes Scholarship 2026

Some of the important documents you need to register for this scholarship are as follows:

• A copy of your birth certificate
• A copy of a valid passport confirming that you meet the citizenship criteria.
• All official transcripts from universities you have addended for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. This is expected to show the grades you have achieved.
• Your secondary school certificate or transcripts.- West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
• Proof of English Proficiency or request for a waiver.
• Ahead and shoulder photograph with a clear and high resolution.
• CV/ Resume and list of principal activities.
• A Personal statement/essay of 1,000 words.

Apart from the above documents, you will be required to provide information in the following sections; Preliminary screen, personal details and contact information, nationality & residence, education history, CV/resume/list of principal activities & academic statement of study, equity and inclusion, final confirmation, and review.

Ensure that all information submitted are not only properly submitted, but also accurately so.

How to Apply for the Rhodes Scholarship 2026

To apply for the 2026 Rhodes Scholarship, go to the scholarship application portal, create an account and begin the process if you meet the eligibility criteria through this link.

If you are not sure of you qualify to apply, kindly follow the link, and enter your details on the scholarship website to check your eligibility.

As you begin the application, you will be required to create an account by inputting your email, creating a password, putting in your first name, last name, country, and phone number.

Duration of Application

Opening date: 2 June 2025
Closing date: 23:59 GMT 28 August 2025

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP