Everything about Rhodes Scholarships totally explained
The
Rhodes Scholarship is an international award for study at the
University of Oxford and was the first large-scale program of international scholarships. Rhodes Scholars may study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the University – whether a taught Master’s programme, a research degree, or a second undergraduate degree (senior status).
The Scholarship is for two years in the first instance, though may be held for one year only; applications for a third year are considered during the course of the 2nd year.
University and College fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust. In addition, Scholars receive a monthly maintenance stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses. Although all scholars become affiliated with a
residential college while at Oxford, they also enjoy access to
Rhodes House, an early
20th century mansion with numerous public rooms, gardens, a library, study areas, and other facilities.
The scholarships are administered and awarded by the
Rhodes Trust which was established in 1902 under the terms and conditions of the will of
Cecil John Rhodes, and funded by his estate. Scholarships have been awarded to applicants annually since 1904 on the basis of academic achievement and strength of character. There have been more than 7,000 Rhodes Scholars since the inception of the Trust. More than 4,000 are still living.
Standards
Rhodes' legacy specified four standards by which applicants were to be judged:
- literary and scholastic attainments;
- energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports;
- 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 one's fellow beings.
This legacy originally provided for scholarships for the
British colonies, the
United States, and
Germany. These three were chosen so that "an understanding between the three
great powers will render war impossible."
Rhodes, who attended Oxford University, chose his
alma mater as the site of his great experiment because he believed its
residential colleges provided the ideal environment for intellectual contemplation and personal development.
Rhodes' original aim with the Scholarship, and subsequent changes
There has been some controversy over the
original aim of the scholarships, as it has been alleged that Rhodes held
racist opinions about the superiority of the
Anglo race, and that his intention was to use the scholarships to educate future foreign leaders in
Britain so that they could help spread British influence when they returned to their home countries. The Secretary of the Rhodes Trust 1925-1939 was
Philip Kerr, 11th Marquess of Lothian who was a progressive imperialist, and an ex-member of
Milner's Kindergarten.
An early change was the elimination of the scholarships for
Germany during World Wars
I and
II. No German scholars were chosen from 1914 to 1932, nor from 1939 to 1970. Also, between the wars, for political and propaganda reasons
Erich Vermehren was prevented by the German government from taking up a Rhodes Scholarship.
Rhodes' bequest was whittled down considerably in the first decades after his death, as various scholarship trustees were forced to pay taxes upon their own deaths. A change occurred in 1929, when an
Act of Parliament established a fund separate from the original proceeds of Rhodes's will. This made it possible to expand the number of scholarships. For example, between 1993 and 1995, scholarships were extended to other countries in the
European Community.
Because the
Sex Discrimination Act 1975 in the United Kingdom didn't affect wills, it took another Act of Parliament to change the Rhodes' will to extend selection criteria in 1977 to include women.
For at least its first 75 years, scholars usually studied for a
Bachelor of Arts degree. While that remains an option, more recent scholars usually study for an
advanced degree.
Allocations
There were originally 52 scholarships. During the ensuing 100 years, the Trustees added at one time or another approximately another 40 scholarships, though not all have continued. Some of these extended the scheme to Commonwealth countries not mentioned in the Will. Complete details can be obtained from the nominating countries.
Currently, scholars are selected from citizens of 14 specified geographic constituencies, namely: Australia; Bermuda; Canada; Germany; Hong Kong; India; Jamaica & Commonwealth Caribbean; Kenya; New Zealand; Pakistan; Southern Africa (South Africa and neighbours Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland); USA; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.
From 2006, 11 scholarships were suspended for a period of 5 years. The scholarships for
Hong Kong were abolished in July 1997 following its withdrawal from the
Commonwealth (due to the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the
People's Republic of China). However, with the benefaction from the
Lee Hysan Foundation (described by the Rhodes Trust as "substantial and generous"), the Rhodes Scholarships for Hong Kong are to be reintroduced.
Notable Rhodes Scholarship recipients
A table of Notable Rhodes Scholarship recipients can be found at
Notable Rhodes Scholars.
» See also: category
Centenary degrees
In recognition of the centenary of the foundation of the Rhodes Trust in 2003, four scholars were awarded honorary
degrees by the University of Oxford:
John Brademas (Indiana & Brasenose 1950), President of New York University, U.S. Congressman (Indiana), 1959-1981
Robert J. L. (Bob) Hawke (Western Australia & University 1953), Prime Minister of Australia, 1983-1991
Rex Nettleford (Jamaica & Oriel 1957), Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, author, dance director
David R. Woods (Rhodes & University 1963), Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University
Current trustees
The Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees:
Lord Waldegrave of North Hill (Chairman)
Professor Sir John Bell (Alberta & Magdalen 1975)
Lord Butler of Brockwell
Sir Rod Eddington (Western Australia & Lincoln 1974)
Professor Elizabeth Fallaize
Lord Fellowes
Rosalind Hedley-Miller
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
Julian Ogilvie Thompson
Thomas W. Seaman
Professor Sir John Vickers
The business of the Trust is administered by the Warden of Rhodes House and Secretary to the Trust, Sir Colin Lucas.
Former trustees
Albert Henry George Grey, 4th Earl Grey
Douglas Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham
Rudyard Kipling
References and notes
Further Information
Get more info on 'Rhodes Scholarships'.
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