Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
The information contained on this web page pertains to the 2025 Rhodes Scholarship for Canada competition.
This website includes the steps required for applicants seeking institutional endorsement through the University of Waterloo.
The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest (established 1903) international scholarship programme in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the programme offers 100 fully-funded Scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom - one of the world’s leading universities. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future. Two scholarships are allocated to the province of Ontario.
The broad selection criteria are:
The Rhodes Scholarship covers tuition, college fees and living-expenses for two years (with a possibility of extension to a third year) of full-time study towards a bachelors, master’s or doctoral degree at the University of Oxford. Most degrees offered by Oxford University are covered by the Rhodes Scholarship, with some exceptions.
Applicants currently studying at a Canadian university can choose to apply in either their region of residence or in the region where their university is located.
All candidates currently attending a University must earn the endorsement of their University President or equivalent representative. Applicants seeking endorsement through the University of Waterloo must submit the required documentation by July 2, 2024; 10:00 AM ET to be considered for institutional endorsement.
Date | Deadline/Event |
---|---|
July 2, 2024; 10:00 AM ET |
Waterloo institutional deadline (application and reference letters) |
July to August 2024 |
Waterloo selection committee will review applications and make selections for institutional endorsement |
September 1, 2024 | Applicants will receive an email from GSPA regarding a whether or not they were selected for institutional endorsement |
September 27, 2024; 23:59 PT | National deadline for endorsed applicants to submit application via Rhodes portal |
October 4, 2024; 23:59 PT |
National deadline for referees of endorsed applicants to submit reference letters via Rhodes portal; National deadline for institutions to upload endorsement letter via Rhodes portal |
November 2024 | National interviews and social engagement |
October 2025 | Successful scholars begin study at the University of Oxford* |
*The Rhodes Scholarship is confirmed only upon successful admission to the University of Oxford. Students must apply separately to the University of Oxford for admission. Successful applicants will need to apply to the University of Oxford very soon after selection.
Read the Information for Candidates document for full eligibility criteria.
Applicants should not create an online Rhodes portal application before receiving institutional endorsement as this can cause issues later.
2. Select referees and request reference letters
Applicants must select six referees to write letters of recommendation. For full details about the requirements of referees, refer to the Information for Candidates document.
3. Submit application materials to GSPA
Institutional endorsement is required from the institution in order for the applicant to formally apply via the Rhodes portal.
Applicants must email the following application materials to GSPA (gsoaward@uwaterloo.ca) by 10:00 AM ET on July 2, 2024:
Applicants do not need to submit transcripts with their application. Official transcripts will be automatically produced internally and used for institutional endorsement assessment purposes. Official transcripts will be provided to the applicant if they are selected for institutional endorsement in order to submit their application through the Rhodes portal.
Additional materials (colour photograph, copy of birth certificate, copy of passport) will be required if selected to receive institutional endorsement.
Applicants must receive institutional endorsement from Waterloo before they are able to formally apply to Rhodes. Applicants should not create an online Rhodes portal application/profile before receiving institutional endorsement as this can cause issues later.
Waterloo’s institutional selection committee will review the application packages to determine whether they are competitive enough to warrant institutional endorsement, taking into consideration the selection criteria. Applicants will receive an email from GSPA by September 1 regarding a decision.
Applicants who are selected for institutional endorsement will be invited to submit their application to the online portal. Endorsed applicants will be provided with an official transcript by GSPA. Referees of endorsed applicants will be required to submit their letters of recommendation via the Rhodes application portal. An institutional endorsement letter, signed by the President of the University, will be written in support of the endorsed applicant(s) and will be uploaded by GSPA to the Rhodes application portal.
Applicants are expected to be of the highest caliber as the Rhodes scholarship competition is exceptionally fierce. Below is a sampling of contributions that would be expected of competitive Rhodes applicants:
Questions about the Rhodes scholarship application process can be emailed to the Co-ordinator, Graduate Financial Aid and Awards in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA).
Last updated April 16, 2024
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.