PhD scholarship 2025, the Rhodes- fully funded path to Oxford University

This international scholarship program, funded by the Rhodes Trust in the UK, enables exceptional students to study at the University of Oxford. It covers:

University of Oxford Course fees (up to three years of fees for the scholar who undertakes DPhil/PhD)
Annual Stipend of 19,800 Euros (1,650 per month to pay the living expenses including accommodation)
Flight to and from(at the end of studies) Oxford
Fee for Student Visa and International Health Surcharge (IHS)
On arrival in Oxford settling-in allowance and further assistance.

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality and residency
Applicants must be citizens of a Rhodes-eligible country, each region has its own specific application requirements. Candidates should apply through the constituency where they hold citizenship or permanent residency.
Age requirements
Applicants must generally be between 18 and 24 years old as of 1 October 2025. In some cases, the age limit is extended to 27 for those who completed their undergraduate degree later than usual. Age requirements may vary slightly depending on the constituency.
Education requirements
Candidates must have completed, or be on track to complete, an undergraduate degree (typically a four-year bachelor’s) by July 2026. The degree must meet the academic qualifications required for admission to the chosen postgraduate course at the University of Oxford.
Academic achievement
Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record. While the program does not set a minimum GPA, successful candidates typically have a first-class honours degree or a GPA of 3.7 out of 4.0 or higher.
Language proficiency
Applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements of the University of Oxford for their selected course. This usually involves submitting IELTS (overall 7.0) or TOEFL (overall 100) scores unless exempted by Oxford’s waiver policy.

You can check your eligibility here: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/

How to apply

Applying for the Rhodes Scholarship requires two coordinated applications: one to the Rhodes Trust and one to the University of Oxford for your chosen DPhil program. Here’s a streamlined summary:

Confirm deadline & opening dates

Rhodes applications open 2 June 2025 and close on 31 July 2025 for the Global constituency.
For Pakistan, deadline to apply: 05 August 2025

Choose & check a PhD program

Research Oxford’s graduate directory to find a program matching your academic background and interests.

Prepare required documents
Applications typically request:

Academic transcripts and degree certificate
Detailed research proposal (for Oxford)
Personal statement (aligned with Rhodes criteria)
Curriculum Vitae
Proof of age and nationality
English language test scores (if required by Oxford)
4–6 letters of recommendation (Rhodes typically specifies 4, Oxford may require fewer)

Submit Rhodes application

Apply via the Rhodes portal before the specified deadline. Late submissions are not accepted.

NOTE:

First, you must apply for the Rhodes Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive conditional confirmation as a Rhodes Scholar. Only after this, you will apply to your chosen DPhil (PhD) program at the University of Oxford. Your final admission to Oxford is subject to meeting the university’s entry requirements and securing acceptance into your selected course.

DPhil/PhD courses at the Oxford University

Medical Sciences Division (clinical medicine, neuroscience, oncology, cardiovascular science)
Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division (computer science, engineering science, physics, chemistry)
Social Sciences Division (public policy, law, international development, economics)
Humanities division (history, theology, philosophy, modern languages)
Interdisciplinary and Area Studies (migration studies, environmental research, area studies)

You can explore the research areas here : https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/departments