Rhodes Canada Scholarship
Each year, up to 11 students from across Canada are selected as Rhodes Scholars, including two from the Maritime region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island).
The scholarship allows you to study at the University of Oxford and is typically awarded for two years. Depending on your program, it may be held for one year. In some cases, and at the discretion of the Trustees, it may be extended to a third year for students pursuing a doctoral degree.
As a Rhodes Scholar, you can pursue the graduate program that best matches your academic and career goals.
The scholarship covers:
- Full university tuition fees
- A living stipend to cover accommodation and daily expenses
- Two economy-class flights (to Oxford at the start of your studies and home at the end)
Before applying, check your eligibility on the Rhodes Trust website to make sure you apply for the correct scholarship.
To apply through the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (students studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible)
- Be currently living in (domiciled in) Canada
- Meet one of the following age requirements as of October 1, 2026:
- Be 18–23 years old (born after October 1, 2002 and before October 2, 2008), OR
- Be under 27 (born after October 1, 1999) and have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1, 2025
- Complete (or be on track to complete) your undergraduate degree by July 2027
- Meet or exceed the academic entry requirements for your chosen Oxford program.
Rhodes Scholars are selected not only for academic achievement, but also for their character, leadership, and potential to make a difference.
Selection is based on four key areas:
- Academic excellence
- Energy and engagement outside the classroom (e.g., sports, arts, leadership, or community involvement)
- Character and integrity, including compassion and a commitment to others
- Leadership potential and a desire to contribute positively to society
Get details about the selection criteria on the Rhodes Trust website.
If you're a Dalhousie student, your application has three stages:
1. Internal application (Dalhousie)
Email your application (ideally as one PDF) to Rhodes@dal.ca
You’ll need to include:
- A CV (maximum two pages, minimum 12-point font)
- A personal statement (maximum 1,000 words)
- An academic statement of study (maximum 350 words)
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions you’ve attended
- View the Rhodes Scholarship for Canada Information for Candidates on the Rhodes Trust website
Tips:
- You don’t need referee letters yet for the internal stage
- Start thinking early about your six referees. Review the Rhodes Trust’s guidance for referees before reaching out
- Aim to contact referees before mid-September
2. Application status
You’ll be notified by email about the outcome of the Dalhousie internal selection process.
3. External application
If you are endorsed by Dalhousie, you will be able to submit your application to the Rhodes Trust online portal.
Here’s what to expect during the application process:
- Monday, June 1, 2026
- Applications open
- September 2026
- Rhodes information session (details to follow)
- September 11, 2026
- Dalhousie internal deadline (email your application to Rhodes@dal.ca) by 23:59 (Atlantic Time)
- Week of September 14, 2026
- Interviews for short-listed candidates (by invitation only)
- Notification of Dalhousie nominees
- Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Final submission deadline to Rhodes Trust (23:59 PDT)
- Monday, September 28, 2026
- Referee letters due (23:59 PDT)
- November 12–16, 2026
- Regional interviews and social events
- December 2026
- Scholarship recipients announced
Rhodes Global Scholarship
Important notice: The Board of Trustees has decided to suspend the awarding of Global Rhodes Scholarships with immediate effect due to shifting strategic priorities.
We understand this may be disappointing if you were planning to apply through the Global route.
