Rhodes Scholarship

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 over 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:

• Academic excellence
• Energy to use talents to the fullest (as demonstrated by success in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, including 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 fellow human beings

The Rhodes Scholarship covers University of Oxford course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend. The detailed Conditions of Tenure document outlines permitted combinations of degrees, and how many years of study are covered by the scholarship.

Applicants currently attending the University of Waterloo must obtain institutional certification from the University as part of their Rhodes application. To be considered for certification, applicants must first complete Waterloo's institutional review process and submit all required materials by the institutional deadline.

Waterloo's institutional review committee will review application packages to confirm eligibility and determine whether the application will receive institutional certification from the University of Waterloo. Applicants will receive an email from GSPA by September 1 regarding the outcome of the review.

Applicants who receive institutional certification will be asked to register the University's designated certifying official in the Rhodes application portal. GSPA will then complete and submit the Rhodes institutional certification form. Certified applicants will also be provided with an official transcript for use in their Rhodes application.

*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. 

1.  Determine eligibility

• Read the Information for Candidates document for full eligibility criteria.

• Applicants should not create an online Rhodes portal application before receiving institutional certification as this can cause issues later.

• Applicants may also find the Rhodes Scholars Guide for Applicants useful when preparing their application.

2. Select referees and request reference letters

Applicants must select six referees to write letters of recommendation. At least three letters must be from academic referees and two or more must be considered character referees. For full details about the requirements of referees, refer to the Information for Candidates document.

• Applicants must ensure that their referees email their letters directly to GSPA (gspa-awards@uwaterloo.ca) by 10 a.m. ET on July 6, 2026 in order to be considered for institutional certification.
• GSPA will not send request letters to referees; applicants are responsible for informing their referees of the deadline and for following up to ensure they have submitted their letter on time. 
• Applicants should forward the guidance for referees webpage to their referees. This includes key instructions for your referees on what they will need to write about in their letter.
  
  Note: Referees of applicants who receive certification from Waterloo will be asked to submit their letters of recommendation again via the Rhodes application portal. 

3. Submit application materials to GSPA

Applicants seeking certification must email the following application materials to GSPA (gspa-awards@uwaterloo.ca) by 10 a.m. ET on July 6, 2026:

1. Include in body of email: Full name, Waterloo ID
2. Attachments:
   • Full curriculum vitae (CV). For a full description of the required contents of your CV, refer to the Information for Candidates document. Please do not include a photograph in this document. Your CV should not exceed two letter size pages in length, with a minimum 12 pt font. Submit as PDF.  
   • Personal statement of no more than 1000 words. For a full description of the required contents of the personal statement, refer to the Information for Candidates document. Submit as word file.
   • Academic statement of study of no more than 450 words. For a full description of the required contents of the academic statement of study, refer to the Information for Candidates document. Submit as word file.
   • List the names of your six referees: Clearly indicate which referees are academic referees and which are character referees; Include full names, employer, job title, and email addresses. Submit as word file. Reference letters must be submitted directly by your referees in addition to this list (see step 2 above). 

Applicants do not need to submit transcripts with their application. Official transcripts will be produced internally and used for assessment purposes. Applicants who receive institutional certification will be provided with an official transcript for use in their Rhodes application.

Supplementary documents are only required for applicants who receive institutional certification. These documents must be submitted through the Rhodes portal and include a colour photograph, a copy of the birth certificate, a copy of the passport, and proof of domicile in Canada.

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:

• Participant on committees such as social services, student governance, cultural diversity associations, community associations, city council, youth summit in the roles of representative, volunteer, secretary, director
• Public interest research group leader
• Program volunteer/assistant for student enrichment
• Student ambassadors/dons
• Volunteer at human rights centres
• Missionary/humanitarian work
• Presenter/delegate at international conferences, United Nations annual meeting
• Workshop facilitator
• Panel member in speaker series
• Recipients of governance/volunteer/sportsmanship awards

• Rhodes website - complete details about the scholarship [Rhodes website]
• Information for Candidates - [Rhodes website]
• Guidance for referees [Rhodes website]
• Rhodes Scholars Guide for Applicants [Rhodes website]
• A-Z List of graduate courses at Oxford University [Rhodes website]
• Conditions for Tenure - permitted degrees/degree combinations while holding a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University.
• Referees - visit the University Affairs website for help on how to ask for a reference letter 
• Centre for Career Action website - for pointers on resume/CV writing and interview skills
• Writing and Communication Centre website - for writing and communication support

Questions about the Rhodes scholarship application process can be emailed to the GSPA Awards team.