The Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is a prestigious postgraduate award that supports exceptional students from around the world to pursue graduate study at the University of Oxford. Established in 1903, the Scholarship was first awarded in Canada in 1904. To date, the University of Manitoba has had the privilege of supporting and developing 100 Rhodes Scholars.

Up to 11 Rhodes Scholarships are awarded annually in Canada, including three designated for the Prairie Region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba). The Scholarship is tenable for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford in England, beginning each October. Selection is made by committee following personal interviews and is based on the candidate’s record and demonstrated potential.

Eligibility Criteria

For the 2026 competition (for the 2027 Rhodes Scholarship), it is anticipated that the following eligibility criteria will apply:

  1. Nationality/Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Applications from refugees or asylum seekers currently residing in Canada will also be considered.

  2. Residency: You must be domiciled in Canada.

  3. Age: You must meet one of the following criteria:

i. You must be aged 18–23 on October 1, 2026 (i.e., born after October 1, 2002, and before October 2, 2008).

OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual)

ii. You must be under age 27 on October 1, 2026 (i.e., born after October 1, 1999) and must have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2025.

  1. Academic Achievement: You must have completed an undergraduate degree (usually a Bachelor’s) by July 2027, and you must meet or exceed the entry requirements for your chosen Oxford program. Course requirements can be found here:
    https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/courses-a-z-listing

Candidates will have a stronger chance of admission to Oxford if they have:

Rhodes Selection Criteria

The Rhodes selection criteria are longstanding and have remained largely unchanged for more than a century, based directly on the founder’s Will:

  • Academic excellence
  • Energy to use your talents to the full, demonstrated through achievement in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits (including teamwork)
  • Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness, and fellowship
  • Moral force of character, including instincts to lead and a genuine interest in others

In short, Rhodes Scholars are young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges and committed to serving others. They show strong promise as principled, value-driven leaders, regardless of career path or field of study.

Guidelines and Further Information

The 2026 Rhodes Scholarship guidelines are anticipated to be released in May 2026. Last year’s guidelines are available here:
https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/canada/#apply-now

For more information, please visit the Rhodes Trust website:
https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/

How to Apply Through the University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba conducts an annual internal selection process to identify a limited number of applicants who will be formally endorsed to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship.

Further information about the University of Manitoba’s internal selection process will be available in May 2026.

For enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Brent Deere
Associate Director, Research Awards
Office of the Vice-President (Research and International)
brent.deere@umanitoba.ca
 

Revised on January 29, 2026