Rhodes Scholarship Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Rhodes Scholarships were created by Cecil John Rhodes. They have been awarded annually since 1903 by the Oxford-based Rhodes Trust, on the basis of academic qualities as well as those of character. They provide the successful candidate with two years of study at the University of Oxford in England, possibly extended for a third year.
When Rhodes died in 1902, his will stipulated that the greater part of his fortune was to go towards the establishment of a scholarship fund. The scholarships, originally worth £300, would reward those applicants who exhibited worthy qualities of intellect, character, and physical ability with the aim of promoting cross-cultural understanding and peace between nations.
The universities of Harvard, Yale and Princeton hold the top three spots (in that order) in terms of largest numbers of Rhodes Scholarships won.
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2 Changes 3 Allocations 4 Notable Rhodes Scholarship recipients 5 Former Trustees 6 External links |
Rhodes' will 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, 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.
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 and from 1939 to 1970.
In 1977, after the passage of the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 in the UK, the selection criteria was extended to include women.
For at least its first 75 years, scholars usually read for a Bachelor of Arts degree. While that remains an option, more recent scholars usually read for an advanced degree.
Another change came in 1929, when an act of Parliament established a separate fund from the proceeds of the original. This made it possible for changes and expansions to the number of scholarships. For example, between 1993 and 1995, scholarships were extended to other countries in the European Community.
Standards
With such lofty aims in mind, the requirements for applicants are equally high. Rhodes' will specified four standards by which applicants were to be judged:
Rhodes' aim in setting these stringent standards was his hope that his Scholars
would be physically, intellectually and morally capable of leadership, and that
wherever their future careers might take them, they would seek to improve the
lot of humanity.Changes
The program has evolved over its century of existence.Allocations
Approximately 90 Scholars are selected worldwide each year.
| Country | 2003 allocation | 1903 allocation |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 32 | 32 |
| Canada | 11 | 2 |
| Newfoundland (originally separate) | - | 1 |
| Southern Africa (originally South Africa) | 10 | 5 |
| Australia | 9 | 6 |
| India | 6 | - |
| Germany | 4 | 5 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 1 |
| Caribbean Commonwealth | 2 | - |
| Kenya | 2 | - |
| Pakistan | 2 | - |
| Zimbabwe (originally Rhodesia) | 2 | 3 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | - |
| Bermuda | 1 | 1 |
| Hong Kong | 1 | - |
| Jamaica | 1 | 1 |
| Malaysia | 1 | - |
| Singapore | 1 | - |
| Uganda | 1 | - |
| Zambia | 1 | - |
Notable Rhodes Scholarship recipients
In recognition of the centenary of the foundation of the Rhodes Trust, four scholars were awarded honorary degrees to Oxford:
Former Trustees
External links
- Oxford's Rhode Scholarships Summary
- The American Secretary, Rhodes Scholarship Trust
- The Australian Rhodes Scholarship
- Bermuda Selection Committee
- The Rhodes Trust in Germany
- Indian Rhode Scholarships
- Committee for Jamaica and the Commonwealth Caribbean
- New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee page on Rhodes Scholarships
- The Mandela Rhodes Foundation in South Africa
- Southern African Rhodes Scholarships
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