ELIGIBILITY:

You must be a citizen of one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, the island of Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Principe and Togo.

You must have been resident in one or more of the countries listed above for at least five of the last ten years.

You must be aged 18-24 on 1st October 2025 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 2000 and before 2 October 2007)

OR for medical, dental, pharmaceutical, law and engineering students, to allow you to complete your professional internship,you must be aged 18-25 on 1st October 2025 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1999 and before 2 October 2007)

You must have completed an undergraduate degree (usually a Bachelor’s) by the application deadline, and you must have an academic background and grade that is a First Class Honours Degree or equivalent.

In the case of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy courses, the highest classification your University awards, e.g. a Distinction would be considered equivalent to a First Class Honours Degree. Candidates must also have achieved a distinction in at least three of the five following subject areas: Medicine&surgery, Pathology, Pharmacology, Gynaecology, Paediatrics

You must meet the University of Oxford’s English language requirements. This means that unless you qualify for a test waiver, you must provide English test results with scores that meet the University’s higher level requirement

A certified copy of your birth certificate (or an affidavit of birth). A National Identity Card. A valid passport (with translation, if necessary) . A voter’s card . An affidavit notarised by a competent authority confirming that you are a bonafide citizen of your country

An official transcript from the college or university at which you are studying, or have studied, showing grades achieved (to date).

Evidence of residency within the region for at least five of the last ten years, for example official school records.

Evidence that you meet the University of Oxford’s English language requirements

A CV

A Personal Statement

 A total of four (minimum) to six (maximum) referees

BENEFIT:

The Rhodes Scholarship covers University of Oxford course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend. For the 2024/25 academic year, the stipend is £19,800 per annum (£1,650 per month) from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Please note: this is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents. 

The fee required to apply to study at the University of Oxford 

Fees for a student visa and associated International Health Surcharge (IHS), which enables international students to access the UK’s National Health Service 

Two economy class flights to and from the UK, for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford. 

On arrival in Oxford, Scholars receive a settling in allowance, and Scholars who transition to a second course of study in Oxford will receive assistance to cover the fees for visa renewal and further application for IHS.