Rhodes Kenya Scholarships 2027 for Postgraduate Study at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom (Fully Funded – Scholarship Opportunities

1

Application Deadline: 23:59 Eastern Africa Time, 27 August 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 Rhodes Kenya Scholarships. The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded postgraduate award which enables talented young people from around the world to study full-time at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is merit-based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders, and to promote international understanding and peace through an international community of Scholars. 

The Rhodes Scholarship programme is the oldest (established 1902), and perhaps the most prestigious, international scholarship in the world.

The selection criteria for the scholarship are as follows:

• Academic excellence: the University of Oxford is one of the most competitive graduate environments in the world and applicants must, at minimum, meet the entry requirements of their chosen course. Most successful applicants will exceed these minimums. (candidates will have a greater chance of successful admission if they have a First Class Honours or GPA of 3.70/4.00 or higher, or equivalent).
• Energy to use their talents to the full: as demonstrated by success in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, including where teamwork is involved
• The Virtues: truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.
• Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in their fellow human beings.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality/citizenship: You must be a citizen of Kenya. Applications from refugees/asylum seekers currently residing in Kenya will also be considered in this constituency.
• Residency: You must have been resident in Kenya for at least five of the last ten years.
• Age: You must meet either of the below criteria:

i. You must be aged 18-23 on 1st October 2026 (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 2002 and before 2 October 2008).
OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual)
ii. You must be under the age of 27 on 1st October 2026 (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1999) AND you must also have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2025*.

• A university’s policy determines the date of completion of academic requirement for a degree and this may be different from when a degree is considered awarded by the university or the date of a graduation ceremony. In ambiguous cases, the decision of the National Secretary is final.
• Academic achievement: You must have completed, or will have completed, an undergraduate degree (usually a Bachelor’s) by July 2027, and you must have an academic background and grade that – at a minimum – meets or exceeds the specific entry requirements of your chosen course at the University of Oxford.
  Candidates will have a higher chance of successful admission to Oxford if they have:
  o A First Class Honours Degree or equivalent, or,
  o A GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher*

• English language proficiency: If English is not your first language, you must check that you meet Oxford University’s English language requirements at the higher level.

Benefits

• The Rhodes Scholarship covers University of Oxford course fees, as well as providing an annual stipend.
• For the 2026-27 academic year, the stipend is £20,400 per annum (£1,700 per month) from which Scholars pay all living expenses, including accommodation. Please note: this is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents. 

Following selection for the Scholarship, the Rhodes Trust will also cover: 

• 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 assista

How to Apply

• To apply for the Rhodes Scholarship, you must complete and submit the online application form before 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT), 27 August 2026.
• You should apply for the Rhodes Scholarship before applying for your proposed course at the University of Oxford. Candidates selected for the Rhodes Scholarship are then required to apply for their chosen course via the University of Oxford’s graduate application form, with support from the team at Rhodes House.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Rhodes Kenya Scholarships