Scholarship

Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026 for Southern Africa students - Apply Now

The Rhodes Trust invites exceptional students from Southern Africa to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships for the 2026 academic year, offering a life-changing opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Scholarship Application Closing Date: 1 August...

ScholarshipOpen
RT
Rhodes Trust Southern Africa
ProviderRhodes Trust Southern Africa
Closing date31 Oct 2026
ProvinceKwaZulu-Natal
LevelPostgraduate
Fields of study
Law
Fast answer

Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026 for Southern Africa students - Apply Now is a scholarship offered by Rhodes Trust Southern Africa in KwaZulu-Natal. Applications close on 31 Oct 2026.

Who can apply

  • To qualify, applicants must:
  • Be a citizen or legal resident of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini
  • Have lived in one of these countries for at least 5 of the past 10 years
  • Be aged 19 to 25 on 1 October 2026 (some exceptions up to 28 years for professional degree holders)
  • Hold (or expect to hold) a completed undergraduate degree by July 2026
  • Meet Oxford University’s English language and academic entry requirements
  • Plan to study full-time postgraduate studies at Oxford for at least two years

Documents you will need

  • Applicants must submit:
  • Birth certificate and ID/passport
  • Proof of citizenship or residency status
  • Official transcripts and degree certificates
  • School leaving certificate
  • Rhodes Trust CV Template
  • Passport-style photo (JPG format)
  • Personal statement (max 750 words)
  • Academic statement of study (max 350 words)
  • 4 referee letters

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Rhodes Trust Southern Africa - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Go to the application page
Always verify the details on the official page before applying - closing dates, eligibility and required documents can change without notice. This page summarises publicly available information to help you decide.

Full details

The Rhodes Trust invites exceptional students from Southern Africa to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships for the 2026 academic year, offering a life-changing opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Scholarship Application Closing Date: 1 August 2025Study Location: University of Oxford, United KingdomCommencement Date: October 2026

About the Rhodes Trust Scholarships

The Rhodes Scholarships are prestigious, fully funded awards supporting outstanding students from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and eSwatini for postgraduate study at Oxford. Candidates are selected based on academic excellence, leadership, commitment to service, and strength of character.

Types of Rhodes Trust Awards

The following scholarships are available:

  • 4 scholarships for applicants from South Africa
  • 1 scholarship for an applicant from KwaZulu-Natal
  • 1 scholarship for an applicant from Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini
  • 1 scholarship for alumni of the following schools: Bishops Diocesan College (and partner schools: St Cyprian’s School, St George’s Grammar School, Herschel Girls School, LEAP 1 School) Paul Roos Gymnasium (and partner schools: Rhenish Girls’ High School, Bloemhof Girls’ High School) South African College School (and partner schools: Sans Souci Girls’ High School, Rustenburg High School for Girls) St Andrew’s College (and partner school: Diocesan School for Girls)

Shortlisted candidates will attend a social engagement and final interview in the region where they applied.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen or legal resident of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini
  • Have lived in one of these countries for at least 5 of the past 10 years
  • Be aged 19 to 25 on 1 October 2026 (some exceptions up to 28 years for professional degree holders)
  • Hold (or expect to hold) a completed undergraduate degree by July 2026
  • Meet Oxford University’s English language and academic entry requirements
  • Plan to study full-time postgraduate studies at Oxford for at least two years

Preference Will Be Given To Applicants Who:

  • Have a First Class Honours Degree or equivalent
  • Hold a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher
  • Completed an Honours or Master’s outside their home country
  • Completed Master’s study within their country

Documents Required

Applicants must submit:

  • Birth certificate and ID/passport
  • Proof of citizenship or residency status
  • Official transcripts and degree certificates
  • School leaving certificate
  • Rhodes Trust CV Template
  • Passport-style photo (JPG format)
  • Personal statement (max 750 words)
  • Academic statement of study (max 350 words)
  • 4 referee letters

How to Apply

Submit your application online here:Apply for Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026

Be sure to carefully read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates before applying.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026 for Southern Africa students - Apply Now?

The Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026 for Southern Africa students - Apply Now is a scholarship offered by Rhodes Trust Southern Africa for South African students and applicants interested in Law. The Rhodes Trust invites exceptional students from Southern Africa to apply for the Rhodes Scholarships for the 2026 academic year, offering a life-changing opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Scholarship Application Closing Date: 1 August... You can read the full details, eligibility criteria, and application steps on this page before you apply.

Who qualifies for the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship?

To qualify for the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship, applicants generally need to meet a few key conditions. These include To qualify, applicants must:, Be a citizen or legal resident of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Malawi, or eSwatini, and Have lived in one of these countries for at least 5 of the past 10 years. It is open to applicants at Postgraduate and Undergraduate level. Read every requirement carefully on the official listing, because meeting all of them improves your chances of being shortlisted.

When does the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship close?

According to our sources, the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship closes on 2026-10-31. Applications are currently open, but it is wise to submit well before the deadline. We always recommend verifying the closing date on the official listing, as providers sometimes extend or bring forward their deadlines.

What documents do I need to apply?

For the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship you will typically need to prepare Applicants must submit:, Birth certificate and ID/passport, Proof of citizenship or residency status, and Official transcripts and degree certificates. Make sure any copies you submit are certified and clearly legible, as incomplete applications are often rejected. It also helps to scan everything in advance so you can upload or attach the documents quickly when you apply.

How do I apply for the Rhodes Trust Southern Africa scholarship?

Submit your application online here:Apply for Rhodes Trust Scholarships 2026 Be sure to carefully read the Rhodes Trust Scholarship Information for Candidates before applying. You can start your application using the official link provided on this page. Apply early and keep a copy of any reference number or confirmation you receive, in case you need to follow up.

Sources

This page summarises information published by: