Best Rhodes Scholarship 2028: Fully Funded Study at Oxford for Pakistani Students

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship in the world, and it funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Pakistan has its own Rhodes constituency, with two scholarships available each year. The first Rhodes Scholar from Pakistan took up residence at Oxford in 1951, and since then more than 70 citizens of Pakistan have won this award.

If you are a Pakistani student who wants to study a Master’s or a PhD at Oxford without paying for it, the Rhodes Scholarship is the award to aim for. It pays your full Oxford course fees, gives you a living stipend of £21,060 a year, covers your visa and health surcharge, and pays for your flights to and from the UK. The 2027 cycle has closed, but the next cycle reopens in 2027 for entry in October 2028, so now is the time to prepare.

1. Introduction

The Rhodes Scholarship was established in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, and it is the oldest international scholarship programme in the world. It funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford for outstanding students from around the world. The Rhodes Trust, which runs the scholarship, selects scholars on the basis of academic excellence, character, and leadership.

The scholarship is organised by constituency. Each constituency is a country or a group of countries, and each one has its own number of scholarships, its own eligibility rules, and its own selection committee. Pakistan is one of those constituencies, and it has two scholarships available each year. That is a small number, which makes the Rhodes Scholarship one of the most competitive awards a Pakistani student can apply for, but it is also one of the most respected.

The first Rhodes Scholar from Pakistan took up residence at Oxford in 1951. Since that time, more than 70 citizens of Pakistan have been awarded the scholarship. They have gone on to work in government, law, medicine, business, academia, and public service, in Pakistan and around the world. The Rhodes network is a global community, and a Rhodes Scholar from Pakistan joins a group that includes former presidents, prime ministers, judges, and Nobel Prize winners.

For a Pakistani student, the Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity. It pays for a full postgraduate degree at Oxford, it gives you a monthly living allowance, and it puts you in a community of outstanding people from every part of the world. The selection is based on merit, and the Trust looks for people who have the academic ability, the character, and the leadership to make a difference.

This guide explains everything you need to know about the Rhodes Scholarship for Pakistan: what it covers, who can apply, the documents you need, how the selection works, and the deadlines. Every fact here comes from the official Rhodes Trust website, and the official apply link is at the end of the article.

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Quick Facts

Scholarship Name	Rhodes Scholarship
Host Country	United Kingdom
Host University	University of Oxford
Study Level	Master’s and PhD (full-time postgraduate)
Funding Type	Fully funded: full Oxford course fees, living stipend £21,060 per year (2026-27, £1,755 per month), visa fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, economy flights, settling-in allowance
Eligible Nationalities	Pakistan constituency; 2 scholarships per year for Pakistan
Study Duration	Depends on the course; typically 1-2 years (Master’s) or 3 years (PhD)
Number of Awards	2 scholarships per year for Pakistan
Application Deadline	5 August 2026, 23:59 PKT (2027 cycle, closed); next cycle reopens in 2027 for October 2028 entry, exact dates not yet announced
Scholarship Year	October 2028 entry
Official Website	rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk – Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded award. It pays your full Oxford course fees, and it gives you a living stipend of £21,060 a year at the 2026-27 rate, which is £1,755 a month. It also covers your visa fee, your Immigration Health Surcharge, your economy flights to Oxford at the start of your course and back home at the end, and a settling-in allowance.

The scholarship is paid for the full length of your course. That is typically one to two years for a Master’s degree and three years for a PhD. The exact length depends on the course you choose, and the Trust confirms it when it makes the award.

2. Types of Scholarship

There is one Rhodes Scholarship, and it funds full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. You do not choose a separate scholarship type when you apply. You apply for the Rhodes Scholarship in the Pakistan constituency, and if you are selected, the same award covers your degree, whether it is a Master’s or a PhD.

Pakistan has two Rhodes Scholarships available each year. That number is fixed for the Pakistan constituency. The two scholars are chosen by the selection committee for Pakistan, which is led by the National Secretary for Pakistan, Dr Ali Cheema. The Deputy Secretaries for Pakistan are Ms Sana Naeem and Dr Saman Malik.

The scholarship is for full-time postgraduate study only. It does not fund undergraduate degrees, part-time courses, or courses that are not covered by the Rhodes Scholarship. The Trust publishes a list of courses covered by the scholarship, called the Conditions of Tenure, and you should check that your course is on that list before you apply.

3. Degree Level

The Rhodes Scholarship funds full-time postgraduate degrees at the University of Oxford. That covers two levels:

• Master’s degree: A full-time Master’s degree at Oxford, which normally lasts one to two years. The scholarship covers the full length of the degree.
• PhD (DPhil): A full-time doctorate at Oxford, which normally lasts three years. The scholarship covers the full length of the degree.

You must be applying for a full-time postgraduate course that is covered by the Rhodes Scholarship. Not every Oxford course is covered, so check the Conditions of Tenure and the list of courses covered by the scholarship before you apply. If your course is not on the list, you cannot use a Rhodes Scholarship for it.

There is no requirement for work experience, and there is no restriction on the subject you study, as long as the course is covered. What matters is your academic record, your character, and your leadership, which are the qualities the Trust has looked for since the scholarship was founded.

4. Available Subjects

The Rhodes Scholarship is open to most postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford. There is no fixed list of subjects, and there is no quota for any one field. The scholars study across the university, from the sciences and medicine to the humanities, law, and the social sciences.

That said, not every Oxford course is covered by the Rhodes Scholarship. The Trust publishes a list of courses covered by the scholarship, and you should check it before you apply. The list is called the Conditions of Tenure, and it is available on the Rhodes Trust website. If your course is not on the list, you cannot use a Rhodes Scholarship for it.

For Pakistani applicants, the subject you choose should reflect your own interests and your own plans. The Trust looks for people who will use what they learn to make a difference, whether in Pakistan or elsewhere. If your subject relates to a need in Pakistan, such as public health, education, law, energy, or technology, say so in your application. But you do not have to pick a development subject. The Trust funds scholars in every field, and what matters is that you can show academic excellence, character, and leadership in the field you choose.

5. Scholarship Benefits

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded award. It covers the full cost of your degree and gives you a living stipend on top. The benefits are:

• University and college fees: The full Oxford course fees, for the full length of your degree.
• Living stipend: £21,060 a year at the 2026-27 rate, which is £1,755 a month. The stipend is paid to cover your living costs in Oxford.
• Visa fee: The cost of your visa to enter the UK.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: The cost of the health surcharge, which gives you access to the UK National Health Service.
• Economy flights: An economy flight to Oxford at the start of your course, and an economy flight back home at the end.
• Settling-in allowance: A payment to help you settle in when you first arrive at Oxford.

The scholarship is paid for the full length of your course. That is typically one to two years for a Master’s degree and three years for a PhD. The Trust also supports its scholars with mentoring, events, and the global Rhodes community, which is a network of more than 8,000 scholars from around the world.

6. Eligible Nationalities

The Rhodes Scholarship for Pakistan is open to Pakistani citizens. Pakistan has its own constituency, which means there is a separate selection process for Pakistan, with its own National Secretary and its own committee. Two scholarships are available each year for Pakistan.

To be eligible in the Pakistan constituency, you must have undertaken formal study in Pakistan for at least four of the last ten years. That is a specific rule for Pakistan, and it means the scholarship is for people who have a real connection to Pakistan through their education.

There is no quota for any part of Pakistan, and there is no limit on which university you studied at. The selection is based on merit, and the committee looks for the best applicants from across the country. If you meet the eligibility rules and you have a strong application, you have the same chance as anyone else in the Pakistan constituency.

7. Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship in the Pakistan constituency, you must meet these conditions:

• Age: You must be aged 18 to 23 on 1 October 2026 for the 2027 cycle. That is the age rule for the Pakistan constituency.
• Study in Pakistan: You must have undertaken formal study in Pakistan for at least four of the last ten years.
• Degree: You must have completed an undergraduate degree, or be on track to complete one, by July 2027. That is the deadline for the 2027 cycle.
• Course: You must be applying for a full-time postgraduate course at the University of Oxford that is covered by the Rhodes Scholarship.
• English language: You must meet the English language requirement set by the University of Oxford for your course.

Beyond those formal conditions, the Trust judges every applicant against the qualities set out in the will of Cecil Rhodes. These are the qualities the Rhodes Scholarship has looked for since 1902:

• Outstanding academic achievement and literary and scholastic attainments.
• Energy to use your talents to the full.
• 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 your fellow human beings.

These qualities are judged from your application, your references, and your interview. The Trust looks at the whole person, not at one exam result. That is why your personal statement and your references matter so much.

8. English Language Requirements

The Rhodes Trust does not set its own English language test. The English requirement comes from the University of Oxford, and it applies to your admission to the course, not to the scholarship itself.

Oxford sets an English language requirement for each postgraduate course. If you have not studied in English before, you will normally need to take an approved test such as IELTS or TOEFL and meet the score required by your course. The required score varies by course, so check the Oxford graduate admissions page for the course you want to apply for.

If you have already studied a degree in English, you may not need to take a test. Oxford decides this when it reviews your application. You should check the Oxford English language requirements page for the exact rules that apply to you.

For Pakistani applicants, the practical advice is simple. Take the IELTS or TOEFL early, so you have your score before the deadline. Do not leave it to the last minute, because test dates fill up and results take time to arrive.

9. Required Documents

You apply for the Rhodes Scholarship through the online application system on the Rhodes Trust website. The Trust publishes an Application Checklist for Pakistan, and you should read it carefully before you start. The documents you will need include:

• Online application: You complete the Rhodes Scholarship application form online, and you choose the Pakistan constituency.
• Academic transcripts: Transcripts from every university you have studied at, showing your grades and the courses you took.
• Degree certificates: Proof of any degree you have already completed.
• CV: The Trust provides a PDF CV template for the Pakistan constituency, and you should use that template.
• Personal statement: A written statement where you explain why you want to be a Rhodes Scholar, and how you meet the qualities the Trust looks for.
• References: Letters from people who know your work well. The Trust publishes Guidance for Referees for Pakistan, and you should share that document with your referees so they know what to write.
• English language test result: Your IELTS or TOEFL score, if Oxford requires one for your course.
• Proof of eligibility: Documents that show you meet the age, study in Pakistan, and degree requirements for the Pakistan constituency.

Do not invent or exaggerate anything in your application. The Trust checks your documents, and a false claim will end your application. If a document is not ready yet, say so honestly and explain when it will be available.

10. Selection Criteria

The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded on the basis of the qualities set out in the will of Cecil Rhodes. The Trust states them clearly, and every part of your application should speak to them:

• Academic excellence: Your academic record should show that you are among the best students in your field. The Trust looks for outstanding literary and scholastic attainments.
• Energy: You should show that you use your talents to the full, whether in your studies, your work, or your other activities.
• Truth, courage, and devotion to duty: You should show that you are honest, brave, and committed to doing what is right.
• Sympathy and fellowship: You should show sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness, and fellowship with other people.
• Moral force and leadership: You should show moral force of character and the instincts to lead, and to take an interest in your fellow human beings.

The selection for Pakistan is led by the National Secretary, Dr Ali Cheema, and the committee. The process has several stages. First, the committee reviews all the applications. Then it invites a shortlist of applicants to an interview. The interviews are held in Pakistan, and the final selection is made after the interviews.

11. How to Apply – Step by Step

Follow these steps to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship in the Pakistan constituency.

• Step 1: Read the Information for Candidates. Go to the Rhodes Trust website and read the Information for Candidates that is specific to Pakistan. This document explains the eligibility rules, the application requirements, and the selection process for the Pakistan constituency. Read it carefully before you do anything else.
• Step 2: Check the courses covered. Check the Conditions of Tenure and the list of courses covered by the Rhodes Scholarship. Make sure the Oxford course you want to study is on that list.
• Step 3: Prepare your documents. Gather your transcripts, degree certificates, and your CV, using the PDF CV template provided by the Trust. Ask your referees early, and share the Guidance for Referees document with them so they know what to write.
• Step 4: Write your personal statement. Write about why you want to be a Rhodes Scholar, and how you meet the qualities the Trust looks for. Be specific and honest. Use real examples from your own life.
• Step 5: Submit your application. Submit your application through the Rhodes Trust online application system by the closing date. For the 2027 cycle, the closing date was 5 August 2026 at 23:59 PKT. For the next cycle, check the official website for the exact date when it is announced.
• Step 6: Interview. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview with the selection committee in Pakistan. The interviews are the final stage of the selection.
• Step 7: Offer. If you are selected, the Trust will offer you a Rhodes Scholarship. You will then need to apply for admission to the University of Oxford for your chosen course, if you have not already done so.

If you need support with your application, you can contact the National Secretary for Pakistan, Dr Ali Cheema, at pakistan.secretary@rhodestrust.com. The Deputy Secretaries, Ms Sana Naeem and Dr Saman Malik, can be reached at pakistan.deputy@rhodestrust.com.

12. Deadline

The Rhodes Scholarship for Pakistan is closed for the 2027 cycle. The application opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 5 August 2026 at 23:59 PKT. That cycle is now finished, and no new applications are being accepted for it.

The next cycle will reopen in 2027, for entry to the University of Oxford in October 2028. The exact opening and closing dates for that cycle have not been announced yet. Do not trust any website that gives a specific date for the next cycle, because the Trust has not published one. The official Rhodes Trust website is the only source for the dates, and you should check it in 2027 when the new cycle is announced.

Stage	Date
2027 cycle opens	1 June 2026 (closed)
2027 cycle closes	5 August 2026, 23:59 PKT (closed)
Next cycle reopens	In 2027, for October 2028 entry; exact dates not yet announced
Sign up for updates	Join the Rhodes Trust mailing list to be notified when applications reopen

If you want to apply in the next cycle, use the time between now and 2027 well. Check that you meet the age and study rules, prepare for the IELTS or TOEFL, build your application, and ask your referees early. When the application opens in 2027, you will be ready.

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest international scholarship in the world, and it is open to Pakistani students. It pays your full Oxford course fees, gives you a living stipend, covers your visa and flights, and puts you in a global community of scholars that includes some of the most respected leaders in the world. The 2027 cycle is closed, but the next cycle reopens in 2027 for October 2028 entry. Use the time well, prepare your application, and apply when it opens. For the official information, visit the Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan page. Good luck with your application.

APPLY HERE – Rhodes Scholarship (Pakistan)

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