Apply For The Bermuda Rhodes Scholarship 2019

Isabelle Stone - 2019 Scholar

The Rhodes Scholarship was established in 1902 by the will of Cecil John Rhodes, a British financier and statesman, and is now the most prestigious scholarship in the world.  Rhodes had the vision of bringing students from the English speaking world to Oxford University with a view to increasing understanding and tolerance among nations.  He anticipated that young students would return to their home countries and, with the benefit of their education at Oxford, would be valuable and contributing participants.

Rhodes prescribed the countries that should benefit from scholarships and the number of scholarships to which each named country should be entitled.  Over the years, the Trustees, on occasion with the support of the United Kingdom Parliament, have varied the terms of the bequest to alter the allocation of scholarships.  Today, approximately 100 scholarships are awarded annually to Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean, Germany, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and neighbours (Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland),  United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.  Bermuda enjoys one annual Rhodes Scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship covers university and college fees and a stipend for living expenses (approximately £13,000 per annum) for two, and possibly three, years of study at the University of Oxford. 

Rhodes wanted young students who would fight the "world's fight".  Reflecting this ideal, Rhodes specified the criteria for candidates in the following terms: (1) literary and scholastic attainments; (2) fondness for and success in sports; (3) truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship; (4) moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.  Particularly, Rhodes directed that no candidate for a scholarship should be qualified or disqualified on account of race or religious opinions.

Academic excellence is, of course, important.  However, Rhodes was keen that candidates should not simply be "book worms".  Accordingly, the Selection Committee will pay particular attention the extra curricular activities, both in sport and in the community, as well as to a candidate's leadership characteristics.

The deadline for applications is generally in October the year before and the interviews will be held in Bermuda. 

Application materials are available on line at the Rhodes House website. Should potential candidates have any questions, they should feel free to contact the Secretary:

Christie Hunter Arscott
Secretary, Bermuda Rhodes Scholarship

Hamilton, Bermuda
Email: christiehunterarscott@gmail.com
Website: www.rhodes.bm