Applications for the Rhodes Scholarship 2027 are now open for candidates from Southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and eSwatini. The scholarship supports outstanding young people to pursue full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford, with applications closing at 23:59 SAST on 3 August 2026.
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the world’s oldest and most competitive international scholarship programmes. It gives exceptional candidates the chance to join a global community of scholars while studying at one of the world’s leading universities.
For ambitious graduates with strong academic results, leadership experience and a desire to make an impact, this is one of the biggest postgraduate opportunities available.
What Is The Rhodes Scholarship 2027?
The Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate scholarship that enables outstanding young people from around the world to undertake full-time study at the University of Oxford.
For the Southern Africa constituency, the 2027 scholarship is for entry to Oxford in October 2027.
The Southern Africa constituency covers:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Namibia
- eSwatini
The scholarships for these countries are administered by a regional secretariat based in Johannesburg.
When Do Applications Open And Close?
Applications opened on 1 June 2026.
The closing date is 23:59 SAST on 3 August 2026.
Candidates should also note that the reference deadline is 23:59 SAST on 17 August 2026.
This means applicants should contact referees early and not wait until the final week to start preparing.
Who Can Apply For The Rhodes Scholarship?
Applicants must meet the Southern Africa eligibility criteria before applying.
Candidates must be citizens or legal permanent residents of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia or eSwatini. Refugees and asylum seekers in South Africa may also be considered under this constituency.
Applicants must also have been resident in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia or eSwatini for at least five of the last ten years.
The age rules are detailed, but in general, candidates entering Oxford on 1 October 2027 must be at least 19 years old and must not have passed their 25th birthday, meaning they must have been born after 1 October 2002 and on or before 1 October 2008. Some older candidates may qualify under specific conditions.
What Academic Requirements Must Applicants Meet?
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree, usually a Bachelor’s degree, by July 2027.
They must also meet or exceed the entry requirements for their chosen course at the University of Oxford.
The Rhodes Trust notes that candidates have a stronger chance of admission to Oxford if they have a First Class Honours degree or equivalent, a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, or an appropriate honours or postgraduate academic background, depending on their country and study path.
Strong academic performance matters, but the Rhodes Scholarship is not based on marks alone.
What Does The Rhodes Scholarship Look For?
The Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive and looks for candidates with more than academic excellence.
Applicants should be able to show leadership, service, character, energy and a clear sense of purpose.
Strong candidates usually demonstrate:
- Excellent academic achievement
- Leadership potential
- Commitment to service
- Involvement beyond the classroom
- Strong communication skills
- Courage, integrity and character
- A serious plan for postgraduate study
The selection criteria have guided the Rhodes Scholarship since the first Rhodes Scholars were selected in 1902.
What Documents Are Needed For The Application?
The online application requires candidates to provide personal details, eligibility evidence, education history, university transcripts, preferred Oxford course choices, a CV, an Academic Statement, a Personal Statement and four referees.
Key documents may include:
- Birth certificate
- Valid passport or ID document
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates, where applicable
- Final Grade 12 or Matric results
- Evidence linked to the applicant pool, where required
- Rhodes CV template
- Head-and-shoulders colour photograph in JPG format
- Academic Statement
- Personal Statement
All documents must be submitted in English. If official documents are not in English, official English translations must also be uploaded.
How Many Referees Are Required?
Applicants must nominate four referees.
Three should be academic referees who have formally taught and graded the candidate at undergraduate or postgraduate level. One should be a character referee who can comment on the applicant’s character, leadership, service and broader involvement.
Applicants should ask referees for permission before listing them.
A strong referee is someone who knows your work and character well, not simply someone with an impressive title.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Start with your referees before polishing the final wording of your application. A brilliant personal statement cannot rescue a rushed reference. Give each referee your CV, study goals, leadership examples and deadline early.
Is There An Application Fee?
No. There is no application fee for submitting the Rhodes Scholarship application.
Applications must be submitted online before the deadline. The Rhodes Trust states that no other form of application can be accepted.
Should Applicants Apply To Oxford First?
Candidates should apply for the Rhodes Scholarship before applying for their proposed course at the University of Oxford.
Applicants who are selected for the Rhodes Scholarship will then be required to apply for their chosen Oxford course through the University of Oxford graduate application form, with support from Rhodes House.
This is important because the Rhodes application and Oxford course application are connected but not the same process.
How Can Candidates Apply Online?
Candidates must read the official guidance carefully before starting their application.
Applications must be submitted through the official Rhodes Scholarship Southern Africa application page.
Before applying, candidates should review the Information for Candidates, Conditions of Tenure, CV template and Guidance for Referees available on the official page.
For support, the Southern Africa National Secretary is Mr Ndumiso Luthuli, and the listed contact email is southernafrica.secretary@rhodestrust.com.
What Should Applicants Do Before Submitting?
Before submitting, applicants should check that their application is complete, accurate and aligned with the correct constituency.
Applicants should:
- Confirm they are applying through the correct constituency
- Check their eligibility before starting
- Choose suitable Oxford courses
- Prepare a focused Academic Statement
- Write a personal statement with real examples
- Use the official CV template
- Contact referees early
- Upload all required documents
- Submit before 23:59 SAST on 3 August 2026
The Rhodes Trust also warns that application details may be checked for inaccuracies, embellishments or misrepresentation.
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Final Thoughts
The Rhodes Scholarship 2027 is a major postgraduate opportunity for outstanding Southern Africa candidates who want to study at the University of Oxford.
Applications opened on 1 June 2026 and close at 23:59 SAST on 3 August 2026.
Candidates who meet the academic, age, residency and citizenship requirements should begin early, prepare their documents carefully and give referees enough time to submit strong references.
