Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan Students, a Global Opportunity for You

The Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan is a partnership program between the Rhodes Trust and the Founder of the Second Century, John McCall MacBain O.C. Each year Pakistan has one scholarship available. The first Pakistani Rhodes scholar took up residence in Oxford in 1951 and this prestigious scholarship has been awarded to over 70 Pakistani citizens since that time.

Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan Overview

The Rhodes Scholarship program is the world’s oldest (established in 1903), and one of the most prestigious, international scholarship programs. The program is administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford and offers 100 full-funded scholarships every year for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom – one of the renowned universities in the world. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of exceptional intellect and character who are motivated to face global challenges, committed to serving others, and promising to become value-driven, steadfast leaders for the future of the world. The broad selection criteria are:

• Academic excellence (specific academic requirements can be found under ‘Eligibility Criteria’ below)
• Energy to use your talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theater, and artistic pursuits, including where teamwork is involved).
• Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in your fellow human beings
• Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan, all applicants must comply to the eligibility criteria below.

• You must be a citizen of Pakistan, holding a Pakistani passport.
• You must have undertaken formal study at an educational institution in Pakistan for a minimum of 4 of the last 10 years, and have either (i) completed a school or college leaving exam (12th standard, A-level or equivalent) at a school or college in Pakistan, or (ii) have received or would receive an undergraduate degree or mark-sheet establishing eligibility to receive an undergraduate degree at a university in Pakistan.
• On 1 October 2020, you must meet either of the below criteria: (i) You must be at least 18 and have not reached your 24th birthday (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1996 and on or before 1 October 2002) or (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual), (ii) You must have not reached your 27th birthday (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1993) and you have met or will meet the requirements for completion of your first degree on or after 1 October 2019.
• You must have completed (or will have completed by June / July 2021) an undergraduate degree from a college or university (normally a Bachelor’s degree) to a sufficiently high standard to be admitted to postgraduate study at the University of Oxford (but not in any event with a GPA below 3.7). In this respect, please note carefully the requirements for your chosen course at Oxford.
• If unsuccessful in your first application to the Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan, you may subsequently re-apply only once more (and this must be in the same constituency), subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

Requirements

You must submit a completed application form online with copies of the documents and information detailed below. All documents must be submitted in English, or with English translations included. Please note that, if you are invited to interview, you may be asked to bring the originals of all documents with you:

1. Your birth certificate confirming that you meet the age criterion.
2. A copy of a valid NADRA issued CNIC or passport issued by the Government of Pakistan.
3. An official transcript from the college or university at which you are studying, or have studied, showing grades achieved (to date). All evidence must be formally certified by the Registrar, or other responsible officer, of the school, college or university.
4. A copy of Matriculation Result Sheet (or equivalent i.e. Ordinary Levels Statement of Result), Higher Secondary School Result Sheet (or equivalent i.e. Advanced Levels Statement of Result), Undergraduate Result Sheet, formally certified by the School, College or University.
5. If English is not your first language, please also see the University’s English language requirements: http://www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/englishproficiency.
6. A full curriculum vitae which should include details about academic qualifications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment positions, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments.
7. A head-and-shoulders color photograph (.jpg format).
8. A personal statement of no more than 1,000 words.
9. You will need to provide a list of four people (your referees) who are willing to submit references on your behalf.

All applications must be submitted online. No alternate method of application is accepted.

How to Apply

Follow the steps below if you wish to apply for Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan.

1. You can apply online from 01 June 2020 at http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/apply via the scholarships tab.
2. You must submit your application online, with all supporting documents, by 23:59 PKT, 01 August 2020.
3. In preparation for making your application, you should read carefully the general information, particularly that held on the Scholarships tab, on the Rhodes website, the Conditions of Tenure for the Rhodes Scholarship, the information in this document and the graduate admissions pages of the University of Oxford: ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate.
4. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to a social engagement and a final interview. You need to be available to attend both of these events, in person, as no accommodations can be made on the date and time, or mode. Interviews usually will take place in early October in Islamabad. No candidate is chosen without an interview. The Rhodes Trust will pay travel expenses and will cover a First Class rail ticket’s round trip cost, but excluding hotel expenses. International travel can not be financed for those who attend from overseas.
5. All applicants will be emailed with the outcome of their application.

After the selection, successful applicants will have to apply to the University of Oxford very soon. Upon selection complete details will be given. The full application of successful candidates will be available to Rhodes House, Oxford, where the references to the scholarship may be reused, if applicable, in support of the subsequent application of the successful candidate to the University of Oxford. An application form may be obtained from the Registrar at Rhodes House by applicants invited to the final interview or by newly selected scholars who intend to do a second BA at Oxford (registrar@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk). The completed form must reach the Registrar by no later than noon GMT Friday, November 27, 2020.

Successful candidates will be compelled to specify any medical condition or special needs that may require academic or personal support in Oxford, in confidence. This disclosure is completely voluntary and is only requested to enable Rhodes House to provide appropriate support in Oxford and to make the transition to Oxford as simple as possible.

Closing Date

Applications must be submitted online by 23:59 PKT, Saturday, August 1, 2020.

Contact Person

For further information about the Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan, please contact Mr. Babar Sattar at rhodes_pk@yahoo.co.uk or babar.sattar@gmail.com.

Link to Official Website

The Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan