Rhodes Scholarship

• Internal StFX application deadline (email submission only, see below) – September 3, 2025 (23:59 ADT)
• Interviews for StFX short-listed candidates (by invitation only) - September 9-10, 2025
• StFX Rhodes candidates notified - September 12, 2025
• Rhodes Trust online application deadline - September 23, 2025 (23:59 PDT)
• Referee letters online submission deadline (referee letters must be written in English) - September 29, 2025 (23:59 PDT)
• StFX Rhodes Scholarship Internal Selection Committee assists candidates with interview preparation through practice interviews - Late October - Mid November 2024
• Maritime Regional Selection Committee (MRSC) interviews (by invitation only). The MRSC contacts candidates directly with the date, time and location of the interview - November 2025
• Rhodes Canada scholars announced - Late November/Early December, 2025

The 2026 Rhodes Scholarship Competition is now open and accepting applications. Up to 11 Rhodes Scholarships are awarded annually in Canada, including 2 (two) in the Maritime Region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island). It is also possible to apply for a scholarship in your home province of residence if you live outside of the Maritimes. Note: Please review the criteria on the Which Scholarship page to ensure you are applying for the most appropriate Rhodes Scholarship. Information regarding the Rhodes Scholarship opportunities here: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/

A Rhodes Scholarship is tenable at the University of Oxford, UK. The scholarship is normally held for two years, but may be held for one year only, depending on the degree program pursued. A scholarship may also be renewed, at the discretion of the Trustees, for a third year for Scholars admitted to Oxford to pursue a doctoral degree. Scholars may choose any course for which they can gain admission at Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students in all Faculties. The scholarship provides all university and college fees, a personal stipend, living/accommodation expenses, and two economy class flights (one at the start of the scholarship and one at the end of the scholarship) to study at Oxford University.

Important: To proceed with a Rhodes Scholarship application at StFX, you must first earn the endorsement of the university (regardless of the province you are applying for). The Rhodes Scholarship uses an online application portal that requires an authorization code available through my office. A letter of endorsement from the President of StFX is also required and will be arranged for successful nominees. All qualified student candidates interested in pursuing this opportunity are encouraged to apply.

Note: Please review the criteria on the Which Scholarship page to ensure you are applying for the most appropriate Rhodes Scholarship.

All applicants must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
• Be domiciled in Canada.
• Must be aged 18-23 on 01 October 2025 (must have been born after October 1, 2001 and before October 2, 2007) or for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual, must be under the age of 27 on October 1, 2025 (must have been born after October 1, 1998) AND your first undergraduate degree must be completed on or after October 1, 2024.
• Have completed or will have completed by June/July 2026, an undergraduate degree from a college or university (normally a Bachelor's degree) to a sufficiently high standard (e.g. First Class Honours or Distinction) to be admitted to postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Please note the requirements for your chosen course at Oxford.

The complete application requirements can be found at this link: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/canada/eligibilitycriteria/

Additional details can be found at the following link: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/media2/clefvna2/canada_ifc-final.pdf 

Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future. The broad selection criteria are:

• Academic excellence
• Energy to use talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, including where teamwork is involved).
• 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 fellow human beings.

The process for applying for a Rhodes Scholarship at StFX has two parts: an internal screening process by the StFX Rhodes Scholarship Internal Selection Committee and an external application submitted to The Rhodes Trust online portal.

Applications are initially submitted to Dr. David Young, Director, Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership. Any other route will not be considered. If you have questions about the StFX internal selection process for the Rhodes Scholarship, please contact Dr. David Young, Director, Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership (dyoung@stfx.ca).  

1. Candidates are to email the following documents (before the internal deadline of September 3, 2025 (23:59 ADT), in English, (preferably in one PDF document) to Dr. David Young (dyoung@stfx.ca)
   1. a full curriculum vitae (should not exceed two A4 (12pt) pages).
   2. a 750 word personal statement.
   3. a 350 word academic statement of study.
   4. unofficial transcripts from all universities attended.

Please note: birth certificate, valid passport, written statement from the President, official transcripts, photograph and referee letters are not required for StFX's internal process. 

Note about the referee letters: you should contact your six referees well in advance of the deadline for submission and provide them with guidance on the reference letter requirements. At least three or more of your referees should be for academics and two or more of your six referees should testify to your character.  You should also provide them with the Guidance for Referees: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/media2/ehdftiab/canada-guidance-for-referees_25.pdf

2. Only institutionally endorsed candidates will be provided with letters of endorsement signed by the President of StFX. All applicants judged to be qualified for the Rhodes Scholarships will be endorsed.  

If you have any additional questions, please contact the National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships in Canada, Richard Pan (canada.secretary@rhodestrust.com)