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Applications will open for the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship in UK 2027. This prestigious scholarship is offered by the Rhodes Trust for outstanding students from eligible West African countries who wish to pursue full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most respected international scholarship programmes in the world. It is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship that supports talented young people with strong academic ability, leadership potential, commitment to service, and the desire to make positive impact in the world.

For the West Africa constituency, there are 3 Rhodes Scholarships available each year. The scholarship is offered in conjunction with the Oxford-Morland-West Africa Graduate Scholarship.

Summary

• Scholarship Name: Rhodes West Africa Scholarship
• Host Institution: University of Oxford
• Scholarship Provider: Rhodes Trust
• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Study Level: Postgraduate
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Number of Scholarships: 3 scholarships available each year for West Africa
• Eligible Region: West Africa
• Eligible Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Senegal, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Principe, and Togo
• Application Opens: 1 June 2026
• Application Deadline: 27 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT
• Study Destination: University of Oxford, United Kingdom
• Official Website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/west-africa/

About the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship

The Rhodes West Africa Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for exceptional young people from West Africa. The scholarship gives successful applicants the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s leading universities.

The Rhodes Scholarship is not only focused on academic excellence. It also seeks candidates who show strong leadership qualities, commitment to service, moral character, courage, and the desire to contribute meaningfully to society.

The West Africa Scholarship was announced in 2017, and the first scholar under this constituency arrived at Oxford in October 2018. Before the creation of the West Africa constituency, some countries in the region, including Nigeria and Ghana, had separate Rhodes Scholarship arrangements.

Scholarship Benefits

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship. Successful applicants may receive support that covers major costs related to studying at the University of Oxford.

The scholarship benefits generally include:

• Full Oxford University course fees
• Annual stipend for living expenses
• Support for full-time postgraduate study at Oxford
• Economy class airfare to the United Kingdom at the start of the scholarship
• Economy class airfare from the United Kingdom at the end of the scholarship
• Visa-related support where applicable
• Access to the Rhodes Scholar community
• Leadership development opportunities
• Academic and professional networking opportunities
• Opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious universities in the world

Applicants should carefully check the official Rhodes Trust Conditions of Tenure to confirm the courses covered and the exact scholarship conditions.

Eligible Countries for West Africa

Applicants may apply through the West Africa constituency if they are from one of the eligible countries or territories listed under the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship.

Eligible countries and territories include:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Cabo Verde
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Liberia
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• São Tomé and Principe
• Togo

Applicants should confirm their eligibility through the official Rhodes House West Africa page before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for the West Africa constituency.

Applicants should generally meet the following requirements:

• Be from an eligible West African country or territory
• Meet the citizenship or residency requirements for the West Africa constituency
• Have completed or be on track to complete an undergraduate degree before taking up the scholarship
• Meet the academic requirements for admission to the University of Oxford
• Be able to demonstrate academic excellence
• Show evidence of leadership potential
• Demonstrate commitment to service and positive impact
• Meet the age requirements stated by the Rhodes Trust
• Apply within the official application period
• Submit all required documents before the deadline

Age Requirements

Applicants must meet the age criteria for the West Africa constituency.

The official Rhodes Trust eligibility information states that applicants must meet one of the accepted age categories.

Generally, applicants must:

• Be aged 18 to 24 on 1 October 2026

OR

• For medical, dental, pharmaceutical, law, and engineering students who need to complete a professional internship, be aged 18 to 25 on 1 October 2026

OR

• For older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual, be under the age of 27 on 1 October 2026 and have completed their first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2025

Applicants should carefully read the official Information for Candidates document to confirm the full age requirement before applying.

Selection Criteria

The Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive. Applicants are selected based on more than academic performance alone.

The selection process generally considers:

• Academic excellence
• Leadership potential
• Energy to use one’s talents fully
• Commitment to service
• Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak
• Moral force of character
• Interest in making a positive difference in the world
• Ability to contribute to the Rhodes community and beyond

Applicants should ensure that their application clearly reflects their academic strength, leadership experience, community involvement, and future goals.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare all required documents before starting the application.

Commonly required documents may include:

• Completed online application form
• Valid passport or official identification document
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate or proof of expected graduation
• Curriculum Vitae or résumé
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Academic statement of study
• Evidence of leadership, service, or extracurricular involvement
• Reference letters
• Proof of citizenship or residency, where required
• Any additional document requested in the Information for Candidates document

Applicants should read the official Information for Candidates document for West Africa to confirm the exact document requirements.

Courses Covered by the Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship supports full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. However, not every course may be covered.

Applicants must check the official Courses Covered by the Rhodes Scholarship document before choosing a programme.

Applicants should ensure that:

• Their chosen course is eligible under the Rhodes Scholarship
• They meet the Oxford admission requirements for the course
• The course fits their academic background and career goals
• They can submit a strong Oxford application if selected

How to Apply for Rhodes West Africa Scholarship 2027

Interested applicants should apply through the official Rhodes Trust application system when the application portal opens.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Visit the official Rhodes West Africa Scholarship page.
2. Read the Information for Candidates for West Africa carefully.
3. Check the Conditions of Tenure to confirm that your proposed course is covered.
4. Review the Guidance for Referees and share it with your referees.
5. Confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements.
6. Prepare all required documents.
7. Complete the online application form when the portal opens.
8. Submit your application before the deadline.
9. If shortlisted, prepare for the selection process and interview.
10. Follow all instructions from the Rhodes Trust and the National Secretary for West Africa.

Application Deadline

The application timeline for the Rhodes West Africa Scholarship 2027 is:

• Application Opens: 1 June 2026
• Application Deadline: 27 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Applicants should submit their application early and avoid waiting until the final day.

National Secretary for West Africa

Selection for the Rhodes Scholarship is handled by each constituency. For the West Africa constituency, the selection process is overseen by the National Secretary and the selection team.

• National Secretary: Mr Ike Chioke
• Email: westafrica.secretary@rhodestrust.com

Applicants should only contact the National Secretary when necessary and should first read the official application documents carefully.

Important Notes for Applicants

• The Rhodes West Africa Scholarship is fully funded.
• There are 3 scholarships available each year for West Africa.
• The scholarship is for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
• Applicants must apply through the West Africa constituency if eligible.
• Applicants must read the Information for Candidates carefully.
• Applicants must check the Conditions of Tenure before choosing a course.
• Applicants should share the Guidance for Referees with their referees.
• The application portal will not be available outside the official opening and closing dates.
• Selection is highly competitive.
• Applicants should prepare early and submit a strong application.

Official Application Link

Applicants should visit the official Rhodes House West Africa Scholarship page for complete details and updated application instructions:

Final Note from AK Travels LTD

The Rhodes West Africa Scholarship 2027 is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarship opportunities for outstanding students from West Africa who want to study at the University of Oxford.

At AK Travels LTD, we advise interested applicants to begin early by reviewing the official Rhodes Trust documents, confirming their eligibility, selecting an eligible Oxford course, and preparing strong academic and leadership-based application materials.

Since the Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive, applicants should ensure that their application clearly shows academic excellence, leadership capacity, service to society, and a strong vision for future impact.