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 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 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. 

*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 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.

• Applicants must ensure that their referees email their letters directly to GSPA (gsoaward@uwaterloo.ca) by 10:00 AM ET on July 2, 2024 in order to be considered for institutional endorsement.
• 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. 
• Six reference letters are required:
  • Academic Referees: 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 Referees: You will also need two or more character referees who should write about your character and involvement in extra-curricular, service or leadership activities. These referees should be able to comment critically on whether you fulfil the extra-curricular, non-academic requirements of the Scholarship and who can speak in detail to your character.
• Applicants should forward the Guidance for Referees 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 institutional endorsement from Waterloo will be asked to submit their letters of recommendation again via the Rhodes application portal. 

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:

1. Include in body of email: Full name, Waterloo ID
2. Attachments:
   • Full curriculum vitae (CV) which should include specific details about academic qualifications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment positions, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments. This 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 350 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 of six referees: Separate the list by indicating who is your academic vs. 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 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:

• 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 - information about past winners
• Information for Candidates [PDF - Rhodes website]
• Guidance for Referees [PDF - 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 choosing your referees and 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. 

Last updated April 16, 2024