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Rhodes Canada Competition

2024 Scholarship

Up to eleven Rhodes Scholarships are awarded annually in Canada, including two in Ontario. A Rhodes Scholarship is tenable at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1903, is the oldest international scholarship programme in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the programme offers over 100 fully-funded scholarships each year for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom - one of the world’s leading universities. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.

The Rhodes Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all faculties. The scholarship covers all university course fees, a personal stipend from which Scholars pay all living/accommodation expenses, and two economy-class flights (one at the start of the scholarship and one at the end of the scholarship) to study at Oxford University. More details on what the scholarship covers can be found on the Rhodes Scholarship website (external link, opens in new window) .

Deciding to Apply

Before applying for a Rhodes Scholarship, you should research the academic programs at Oxford University to determine which program best fits your goals and interests. For further information, visit the University of Oxford (external link, opens in new window)  website.

Eligibility Criteria

Note: Please review the criteria on the Rhodes Scholarship Eligibility and Criteria page (external link, opens in new window)  to ensure you are applying for the most appropriate scholarship.

  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada (students who are attending a Canadian university on a student visa are not eligible to apply)
  • Be domiciled in Canada
  • Must be aged 18-23 on October 1, 2023 (i.e. you must have been born after October 1, 1999, and before October 2, 2005). OR for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual, must be under the age of 27 on October 1st, 2023 (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1996) AND you must also have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2022.
  • Have completed or will have completed by July 2024, an undergraduate degree from a college or university (normally a bachelor's degree) with an academic background and grade that - at a minimum - meets or exceeds the specific entry requirements of your chosen full-time course at the University of Oxford

The Rhodes Trust focuses on four criteria that are used in the selection of Scholars:

  • Academic excellence
  • Energy to use your talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
  • 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 one's fellow human beings

The detailed eligibility criteria vary slightly depending on which constituency you are applying for. You can use the eligibility checker tool (external link, opens in new window)  to find out if you meet the criteria and are eligible to apply for the Scholarship.

How to Apply through Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

The process for candidates has two parts: an internal screening process by the TMU Awards and Ceremonials Committee (AWCC) and an external application submitted to the Rhodes Trust online portal. 

All candidates currently attending a university must earn the endorsement of their university President or equivalent representative. TMU has an internal screening process that must be followed to receive a written endorsement from the President.

To be eligible for a presidential endorsement, students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 4.0.

  1. Candidates are to submit an application by August 1, 2023 at 4 p.m. ET. Applications submitted through any other route will not be considered. If you have questions about the TMU internal selection process, please contact the Student Awards and Scholarships Office at awards@torontomu.ca.

     (google form)  Submit Application  (external link, opens in new window) 

    You will be required to include the following on the form:

    • 350-word academic statement
    • Full curriculum vitae
    • 750-word personal statement
    • Full names and emails of your six referees

    Please review the  (PDF file) Rhodes Scholarship for Canada Information for Candidates (external link, opens in new window)  document for full details.

    Note: Referee letters
    You should contact your six referees (at least three or more of your referees should speak to your academics and two or more of your six referees should testify to your character) and provide them with the two-paged  (PDF file) Guidance for Referees (external link)  document. Referees may submit a copy of their reference letters to awards@torontomu.ca.

    Note: Document Submission
    Birth certificate, valid passport, official transcripts and photographs are not required for TMU’s internal process. 

  2. Your application will be reviewed by the AWCC which will provide a recommendation to the President for endorsement.

  3. Candidates will be emailed on the status of their application during the university’s internal screening process.

  4. Only institutionally endorsed candidates will be able to submit their online application to the Rhodes Trust.

  5. If you have any questions about the  (PDF file) Rhodes Scholarship for Canada Information for Candidates (external link, opens in new window) , please contact the National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships in Canada: Richard Pan.

Important Information