Rhodes Trust

So, what exactly is the Rhodes Scholarship? ⭐ The world’s oldest international scholarship programme ⭐ Fully-funded award to study almost any postgraduate course at the University of Oxford ⭐ Develop your skills to lead with integrity and purpose, and create meaningful impact. Swipe to find out more ➡️

Wondering what's covered by the Rhodes Scholarship? Let's break it down: ✅ University of Oxford application and course tuition fees ✅ Annual stipend to cover accommodation & living expenses ✅ Fees for student visa and health insurance ✅ Flights to & from the UK at the beginning and end of your studies Head to our website (link in bio) to learn more, and keep an eye on our social media channels for more information and application advice in the coming weeks!

We are thrilled to announce the selection of our #RhodesScholars Class of 2026! This year, 108 exceptional individuals from 25 constituencies will join us at the University of Oxford in October. These Scholars have demonstrated academic excellence, energy to use their talents to the fullest, outstanding character, and a commitment to solving humanity's challenges. We look forward to witnessing the impact they'll make during their studies and beyond. 🎓🌍 🔗 Learn more about the Class of 2026 at the link in our bio!

Phemelo Amanda Matie is a Rhodes Scholar from South Africa (South Africa-at-Large & Merton 2025.) She is currently reading for the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL). She is interested in how businesses can be a force for positive social impact and development, particularly within the mining sector and mining-affected communities. Before coming to Oxford, Phemelo worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Private Law department at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Prior to that, she completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degree at UCT. Outside of academics, Phemelo has a keen interest in entrepreneurship and is an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow. She can usually be found on a call with someone back home, has a slight obsession with BMWs, and enjoys making custom WhatsApp stickers for every possible occasion. Catch Phemelo tomorrow for an Instagram takeover and a glimpse into her everyday life as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford! @pamanda_m @oxfordlawfac @mertoncollegeoxford @allangrayorbis

The Rhodes Scholarship is so much more than just funding for a degree and living costs. Our dedicated Scholar team is there to support our Rhodes Scholars pastorally and financially at every stage of their journey. The team supports them with settling in and thriving in a new, often high-pressure environment, with regular check ins to ensure their academic and personal wellbeing. Watch 10 of our Scholars discuss the different forms of support available for Scholars from the Rhodes Trust, including shoutouts to Mary and Chloe from the Scholar Affairs team!

When we ask our Rhodes Scholars what their favourite thing about being a Rhodes Scholar is, there's one word that appears in their answers the most: 'community.' Watch 16 of our Scholars talk about the warm, diverse and inspiring community they have found through the Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award to study at the University of Oxford. Applications open on 1 June 2026!

You are warmly invited to join us for a guided tour of the beautiful gardens of Rhodes House, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Oxford, with our Head Gardener, Neil Wigfield. Take a moment to decompress in nature and learn some tips for your own garden 🌷 The tours will take place on Thursday 21 May, Thursday 4 June, Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 2 July, Wednesday 15 July, Wednesday 29 July, Thursday 13 August, Thursday 27 August and Thursday 3 September, all starting at 14:00. Please choose your preferred slot. The tours are free and open to everyone. Book now at the link in our bio!

For #EarthDay, Scholars recently gathered at Rhodes House to celebrate our planet and the shared responsibility we have towards it. 🌍 Acknowledging the strides made in the environmental movement, including contributions by the #RhodesScholar community, as well as the enormous work that still lies ahead, the event allowed Scholars to reflect on their relationship with the natural world and how they hope to incorporate this into future careers across various sectors. 🌱

References are an integral part of the Rhodes Scholarship application. The referees you select should know you personally and should be able to speak about your academic ability or your character. It’s up to you to approach suitable referees and guide them through the process. There is guidance for your referees on our website. Watch three of our South African Rhodes Scholars, Wonderful Khumalo, Jacob Lund and Mary Gouws, share their top tips for securing your Rhodes references! The Rhodes Scholarship supports outstanding young people ready to lead and create meaningful change. Applications open on 1 June 2026 for entry to Oxford University in 2027.

Lana Alabbasi is a #RhodesScholar from Saudi Arabia (Keble & Saudi Arabia 2025.) She is currently a first-year DPhil student in Astrophysics, where her research explores the dynamics of black hole mergers and their gravitational-wave signatures. She is particularly interested in how these signals arise from dense stellar environments such as globular clusters, and in theoretically explaining the sources behind gravitational waves detected by LIGO. Before coming to Oxford, Lana studied Physics at King Abdulaziz University, graduating with First Class Honours. She conducted research at Caltech and Chalmers University, with topics ranging from neutron stars to supermassive black holes. Beyond her research, Lana is a National Geographic Young Explorer, recognised for founding and directing Saudi Arabia’s first space research mentorship programme. Outside of her work, she enjoys exploring art history and painting, often recreating Starry Night-inspired swirls of the night sky, and can usually be found wandering Oxford’s gardens, especially when peonies are in bloom. Catch Lana on Tuesday for an Instagram takeover and a glimpse into her everyday life as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford! @kebleoxford @physics_oxford

Come and visit Rhodes House as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks, an annual celebration of art and artists across Oxfordshire each May. Visit our current exhibition on Black poppies & Other seeds by our Artist in Residence Rebecca Korang @beccy.korang and curated by Maitha AlSuwaidi @maithriarch . Explore the artworks and architecture around Rhodes House and our beautiful gardens. Refreshments and colouring activities will be available. Responding to the theme of 'Radical Joy,' Korang centres the stories of Black soldiers in the Second World War, in particular the Tirailleurs Sénégalais, colonial troops recruited by the French from their West African colonies, and soldiers recruited by the British from East and West Africa to fight in the Burma Campaign. The exhibition follows artistic and material explorations of Korang’s archive of photographs sourced from eBay. The photos are interwoven with mediums including textile, weaving, painting and videography, as well as VR (Virtual Reality) activations. Rhodes House will be open on Sunday 17 May. Drop in between 10:00 and 16:00, no booking required. @oxfordshireartweeks

From application to announcement, here's what Rhodes Scholarship selection process looks like. In each of the 24 constituencies, National Secretaries and their teams of selectors oversee selection in various stages: ⭐ Your application is reviewed for completeness and eligibility. ⭐ Top candidates are shortlisted and invited to interview, with exact dates varying by constituency. ⭐ The new class of Scholars Elect is announced! After being selected, Rhodes Scholars prepare and submit their applications to Oxford University, and arrive at Oxford the following year. Want to make a real impact in the world? The Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity to join an international community of exceptional leaders. Applications open on 1 June 2026!