Rhodes West Africa Scholarships 2026 for Postgraduate Study at the University of Oxford (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: August 28, 2025

The Rhodes Trust has officially opened applications for the 2026 Rhodes West Africa Scholarships, offering a prestigious and fully funded opportunity for exceptional young leaders from West Africa to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Established in 1903, the Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s oldest international scholarship program and remains one of the most distinguished academic awards globally.

Every year, 100 fully funded scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from various regions, including West Africa, providing access to advanced academic resources, an inclusive international community, and world-class education at Oxford.

About the Rhodes Scholarship

Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the program seeks candidates who display:

• Academic excellence
• Leadership potential
• Commitment to service
• Moral character
• Drive to engage with global challenges

Successful applicants are expected to be intellectually capable, principled, compassionate, and energetic leaders who aspire to make a meaningful impact in their communities and the world.

Eligibility Criteria for West Africa Applicants

To qualify for the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Nationality and Residency

• Be a citizen of one of the following countries:
  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, or Togo.
• Have resided in one or more of the eligible countries for at least five of the last ten years.

Age Criteria

• Be aged between 18 and 24 as of October 1, 2025 (born after October 1, 2000 and before October 2, 2007)
  OR
• Be aged between 18 and 25 (born after October 1, 1999) if applying from professional fields like medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, or pharmacy.
  OR
• Be under 27 years of age (born after October 1, 1998) and have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2024.

Academic Qualifications

• Possess a completed undergraduate degree by the application deadline.
• Have an academic record equivalent to a First Class Honours Degree or its local equivalent.
• In health-related fields (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy), a distinction in at least three of five core subjects (e.g., Surgery, Pharmacology, Pathology) is required.

Preference is given to candidates who:

• Have studied abroad at the Honours or Master’s level.
• Have strong academic references and a demonstrated history of leadership and service.

What the Rhodes Scholarship Covers

Successful candidates will receive full financial support, including:

• Full tuition fees at the University of Oxford.
• An annual stipend of £19,800 (£1,650 per month) for living expenses.
• Visa fees and the UK’s International Health Surcharge (IHS) for access to the NHS.
• Application fees for the University of Oxford.
• Two economy-class flights (to and from the UK) at the start and end of the academic program.

Note: The scholarship does not support dependents or family members.

Required Documents

Applicants are required to upload the following documents during the application process:

1. Proof of citizenship, residency, and age (any two):
   • Birth certificate
   • National ID card
   • Valid passport
   • Voter’s card
   • Notarized affidavit confirming citizenship
2. Academic transcripts from universities attended.
3. Proof of residency in an eligible country for five of the past ten years (e.g., school records).
4. Proof of English proficiency, either via standardized tests (TOEFL/IELTS) or a waiver letter if your degree was taught in English.

All documents must be submitted in English. Certified translations must accompany any documents in other languages.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their application online via the official Rhodes Trust application portal by August 28, 2025. It’s essential to read through the detailed West Africa applicant guide and prepare your materials well in advance.

The Rhodes West Africa Scholarship is more than just a financial award—it is a gateway to an elite academic environment and a global network of changemakers. If you are a driven and visionary young African leader ready to challenge yourself academically and lead with integrity, this is an unmissable opportunity.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE