Applying for the Scholarship is a challenge, but it is an experience which has helped generations of young people to succeed. We encourage applications from talented students everywhere. 

Rhodes Scholars come to the UK for two or more years and can apply to study most full-time postgraduate courses offered by Oxford University.

The Selection Criteria

There is no such thing as a 'type' when considering who gets selected for the Rhodes Scholarship. In fact the strength of the Scholarship comes from its diversity.

The criteria which determined the first Rhodes Scholars in 1902 still guide them today:

• literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
• energy to use one's talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
• truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
• moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

The detailed eligibility criteria varies slightly depending on which constituency you are applying for. You can use our eligibility checker tool to find out if you meet the criteria and are eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

Requirements to Apply​

​Citizenship: 

• You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person of Canada 
• Students who are attending a Canadian university on a student visa are not eligible to apply.
  • International students can see if they are eligible to apply through another region or may want to consider the Global application.​
• Other regions may not require endorsement. Please review requirements on the website.​

Age:

• You must be aged 18-23 on 1st October 2025 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 2001 and before 2 October 2007).

OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual)

• You must be under the age of 27 on 1st October 2025 (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1998) AND you must also have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2024*.

Academic:  

• You must have completed an undergraduate degree (usually a Bachelor’s) by July 2026, and you must have an academic background and grade that - at a minimum - meets or exceeds the specific entry requirements of your chosen course at the University of Oxford

• Must obtain the endorsement of the (undergraduate) university ("President's letter").​

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​Application Process​

To be eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, you must receive official university endorsement from the institution. ​You must complete Laurier’s internal application to be considered for Laurier’s endorsement of your application for the Rhodes Scholarship Program.​​

Requirements:​

1. Cover page​

CV

Statement of Interest

In your personal statement of up to 1000 words, we ask you to address each of the following prompts by weaving them into the narrative of your statement (the word allocation across the three is up to you):

1. Which Rhodes Scholar quality do you display most strongly, and how are different contexts and people helping you to develop the other qualities?
2. What would you like to learn from and contribute to the Rhodes community in Oxford?
3. From your place in the world, how will you use your energy and talents to address humanity’s pressing challenges? Every statement is individual; there is no single, “right” model.

Your academic transcript and academic statement of study, your curriculum vitae, and your reference letters will provide the substantive detail of your commitments and accomplishments, whereas the personal statement gives you the opportunity to cast an overarching narrative for the selection committee.

The three prompts are set within the Rhodes leadership development framework that informs the Scholar Programme at Rhodes House in Oxford. They ask you to consider your candidacy for and the opportunity of the Scholarship within three interrelated spheres in your own voice: ‘self, others, and world’: 

1st “self”:

Which Rhodes Scholar quality do you display most strongly, and how are other contexts and people helping you to develop the others? – this asks you to reflect on which of the Rhodes selection criteria you best exemplify. But we don’t expect you to be the ‘finished product’, we want to hear how you intend to evolve further.

2nd “others”:

What would you like to learn from the Rhodes and wider community in Oxford? – this asks you toreflect on the relationship between self and community, on how you want to learn from the Rhodes and othercommunities when you come to Oxford, and how you hope to grow through that experience.

3rd “world”:

From your place in the world, what is humanity’s greatest need? – this asks you to look at the world from the place that you are now and to reflect on what is missing in society, whilst considering the complexity and nuance of the world’s challenges. We are seeking in Rhodes Scholars people who aspire to make a difference and contribute in some way to “fighting the world’s fight.” Here we want to know your thoughts on what is most needed in the world.

You can find further guidance on the personal statement on the ‘Application Overview’ page of rhodes website. By definition, each statement is individual; there is no single, “right”, model for the personal statement. ​​

*Note that the fourth selection criterion of “Literary and scholastic attainments” are evidenced in your transcript, academic statement of study and academic reference letters.

References 

A good referee is one who knows you well, rather than a well-known person who only knows you
superficially. Rhodes Scholarship referees are not typically personal friends, contemporaries or relatives. If a referee fits into one of these categories, they should make the connection clear within the reference. You should forward the Guidance for Referees to your referees. This includes key instructions for your referees on what they will need to write about in their letter. 

Tip: Choose reliable people who are likely to respond to your request for a detailed reference, as their letters will be crucial to your application.

You must submit a total of six references; at least three of your references must be academic referees, and you will also need two or more characterreferee.

Three Academic References:​

At least three of your referees should be academics who have formally taught and graded you in your undergraduate (or, if relevant, postgraduate) studies and who can comment in detail on your academic ability and how well they think you would fare at Oxford.

Character References:​

Institutional endorsement

​In order to receive a letter of endorsement from the President applicants are vetted internally by the scholarships committee. The selection committee will review the application packages, taking into consideration the selection criteria.

The institutional selection committee is comprised of (but is subject to change):

• President
• Vice President
• ​Student Awards Officer

If you are endorsed, you will receive support from our campus partners to ensure that your package is as strong as possible.

• Writing support from Teaching & Learning regarding your personal statement.​
• Career and Co-op provide feedback to strengthen your resume.
• A faculty mentor will support the preparation of your package and provide feedback to your references.