Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholars are elected for 2 years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, are paid on the Scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trustees. In addition to this, each Scholar receives a maintenance allowance adequate to meet necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Rhodes Trustees cover the necessary costs of travel to and from Oxford, and upon application, may approve additional grants for research purposes or study-related travel.
Applications are accepted from students who will graduate (or those that have recently graduated) by the start of the scholarship tenure according to specific criteria (including program start date, citizenship and date of birth) outlined in The Rhodes Scholarship for Canada Information for Candidates. Competition is exceptionally rigorous. [ Students who register part-time in their final semester(s) of their undergraduate degree are also advised to consult admission criteria at Oxford University. ]
The deadline to participate in the Internal Selection Process to gain a nomination from the University of Guelph (which is required by the external process) is August 1, 2025. Due at that point are the following:
- A personal statement of no more than 1000 words. The personal statement is your chance to tell your story in your own voice: Who are you?
- List of activities
- A minimum of 3 letters from academic references. 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.
Applications submitted to the internal process are reviewed by committee to determine which (if any) will be supported institutionally. Following the outcome of the Internal Selection Process the University works with its nominee(s) to prepare application packages to be forwarded to the appropriate Canadian Rhodes Committee with the University's recommendation.
For the fall 2026 scholarship cycle
Online Application Information: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/media2/clefvna2/canada_ifc-final.pdf
Online Applications Open: 00:01 Pacific Time, Monday June 2, 2025
INTERNAL SELECTION PROCEES
Internal Submission Deadline: 16:00 Eastern Daylight Saving Time, Friday August 1, 2025.
Internal Submission: Include personal statement, list of activities and a minimum of 3 letters from academic references. The student submits the personal statement and the list of activities via email attachment to avpa@uoguelph.ca. The academic references should be sent directly from the Professor on letterhead with a signature to avpa@uoguelph.ca. Please do not send submissions to the President's office directly.
EXTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS
** Please note that to participate in the External Selection Process you need to have been granted an institutional endorsement through the Internal Selection process. **
External Submission Deadline (for Endorsed Candidate) 1st Deadline: 23:59 Pacific Time, Tuesday September 23, 2025 (all supporting documents, excluding Presidential Endorsement and the letters of reference)
External Submission Deadline (for Endorsed Candidate) 2nd Deadline: 23:59 Pacific Time, Monday September 29, 2025 (Presidential Endorsement and the letters of reference)
Finalist Selection Weekend: TBD in November, finalists must attend the social engagement and their respective interview in-person
CONTACT
Please contact Internal Selection Process Coordinator avpa@uoguelph.ca for more information.
Links of interest:
Canadian Association of Rhodes Scholars
Youtube Video on Studying at Oxford
Rhodes Trust - educational charity whose principal activity is to support scholars selected from 14 specified constituencies in order to study at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Resources for Personal Statement and List of Activities:
Rhodes Scholarships for Canada
Information for Candidates
Guidance for Referees
Rhodes Scholar Bios
Rhodes Scholarship outlines and examples
More Essay Examples
Rhodes Scholarship Tips