I. General Regulations
A Rhodes Scholarship is tenable at the University of Oxford. Confirmation of the Scholarship at election is however, subject to the Scholar-elect’s acceptance by a college and by the concerned faculty in case of a research degree. The Scholarship is initially for a period of two years but if necessary, can be extended to a third year. The Rhodes Trustees would consider granting a third year only if it is clear that the additional year is eminently in the interest of a scholar’s studies and future career. It is essential to have a satisfactory conduct and general record for this. Two years is the minimum period (and three years the maximum) for which a Rhodes Scholarship can be awarded.
A Rhodes Scholarship covers approved university and college fees for which payment is made directly to the Scholar’s college. It also covers living expenses sufficient to enable a Scholar to meet the necessary expenses for term-time and vacations. The Trust will also meet the cost of a Scholar’s air travel, economy class, to the United Kingdom and of return to India on completion of studies at Oxford. Tenure of other awards in conjunction with a Rhodes Scholarship is not permitted without prior consultation with the Secretary to the Trust in Oxford.
The Scholarship for which application is to made in 2011 will be tenable from October 2012.
II. Conditions of Eligibility
1. The Scholarships are open to citizens of India.
2. Candidates must be of such an age that they will have passed their 19th and not have passed their 25th birthday on the 1st October 2012.
3. Candidates must have at least a first class degree in Humanities, Sciences, Law, Engineering, Agriculture or Medicine from an Indian University. Candidates who are in the final year of a degree course and have exceptionally bright academic record may also apply.
4. Candidates for medical studies should consult the Secretary, as well as the Medical School Offices at Oxford, before submitting an application. Particular difficulties may arise for those wishing to do research in clinical departments.
5. Marriage is not a bar to applying for, or holding, a Rhodes scholarship. However, married candidates should bear in mind that the scholarship stipend is sufficient only for one person, and that the Trust takes no financial responsibility for the support of a scholar’s spouse. Moreover, spouses who are not British citizens will find it very difficult to obtain permission to undertake paid work in England.
6. Subject to ratification by the Rhodes Trustees, the Committee of Selection for India is responsible for deciding whether candidates comply with forgoing conditions, and for making the nominations.
III. Basis of Selection
In making nominations, the Selection Committee will have regard to those qualities which Cecil Rhodes listed in that section of his will in which he attempted to define the type of Scholar he was seeking; literary and scholastic attainments; fondness of and success in outdoor sports, qualities of truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship, exhibition of moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in one’s contemporaries.
Qualities of intellect, character and leadership are what the committee will be looking for in a candidate. A Rhodes Scholar should not be one-sided or selfish. Intellectual ability must be founded upon sound character and integrity of character upon sound intellect. Cecil Rhodes regarded leadership consisting of moral courage and interest in one’s fellow beings, as in the more aggressive qualities. It was his hope that a Rhodes Scholar would come to esteem the performance of public duties as the highest aim. Continuing physical vigor to enable a Scholar to make an effective contribution to society is as important as prowess in a particular sport.
Financial need gives no special claim to a Rhodes Scholarship. The will lays down that no student shall be qualified or disqualified for election to a Scholarship on account of race or religious opinion.
IV. Method of Selection
Candidates should make and submit an application before 31st July, 2011. The preferred means of application is on-line via the link to be published on the Rhodes Trust websites from the end of May 2011 www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/section/rhodes-countries or http://www.rhodesscholarships-india.com/Candidates who have difficulty submitting on-line should submit by registered post to the Secretary of the Selection Committee, using the application form attached to this Memorandum. The material specified must be furnished before July 31, 2011.
In the normal course, applicants are short listed for a preliminary, personal interview, held at four regional centres including Mumbai (Pune), Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Candidates selected from these regional interviews are then called for the final interview in December. No candidate can be selected without appearing for the final interview.
The granting of an interview is entirely within the discretion of the Selection Committee
.
Traveling expenses (2nd class return rail fare) of candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust. Candidates for interview must bring with them their original certificates. Candidates who do not receive any communication by December 1, 2011 must assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
V. Material To Be Submitted By the Candidates
Candidates applying online may upload electronic copies of the following documents. However, all candidates for interview must bring with them their original certificates, as indicated below.
1. Either a School leaving certificate or an extract from a University Register signed by the Registrar, as evidence of age (attested copy only, which will not be returned.)
2. Evidence of Courses taken and degrees, honour and other academic distinctions obtained. This evidence must be formally certified by the Registrar or any other responsible officer of the candidate’s University (attested copies of certificates only, which will not be returned).
3. (a) A signed essay (preferably typed) by the candidate detailing the proposed course of study at Oxford, general interests and activities, including sports and future aims of the candidate.
(b) The essay should not exceed 1000 words and should be in simple and direct English.
(c) Please take time and write this essay carefully because it essentially forms the basis for the candidate’s interview. The essay will be read not only by the Selection Committee but also by the Oxford Colleges to which the successful candidates apply for admission.
4. The names and addresses of six persons well acquainted with the candidate, under at least three of whom he/she must have studied. Please ensure that at least three of the six referees write about the candidate’s academic ability and attainments. These references will be used in making application to Oxford Colleges. It is neither necessary nor desirable to include names of prominent persons in the country, if they do not know the candidate well. Such references often go waste. Instead include names of those who know the candidates well and know their strengths and weaknesses.
5. One unmounted passport size photographs.
6. A medical certificate on a special form provided by the Rhodes Trust, from an approved doctor will be required from the candidates short listed. The Rhodes Trustees reserve the right to cancel the selection of any candidate with an adverse report.
VI. Procedure After Selection
Immediately after election, a Scholar will be given the necessary information to make an application to the University of Oxford. Those applying for postgraduate courses will need to make application to Oxford in early January (in the case of the 2nd BA, application must reach Oxford at the latest by 3 December 2011).
The Scholar will come into residence at Oxford in October, 2012. Postponement will not be sanctioned save in exceptional circumstances, and with the express permission of the Rhodes Trustees. The first installment of the Scholarship will be paid at the beginning of the Scholar’s first term at Oxford. No request for earlier payment will be considered.
VII. Courses Open to Rhodes Scholars
A Scholar may apply for any full-time graduate degree offered by the University of Oxford - MSc, MSt, MLitt, BCL, MPhil, BPhil (Philosophy only), DPhil or for a second undergraduate degree over 2 years*. The following exceptions apply: a Scholar may only read for the Masters in Financial Economics (MFE) or for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the second year of the tenure of the Scholarship. For D.Phil in mathematical, physical and life sciences and in some medical sciences subjects the support will be provided for a maximum of three years. For detailed Conditions of Tenure, please see http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/page/applying-for-the-rhodes-scholarship
It is expected that all candidates who are invited to interview will have spent time exploring the Oxford University prospectus (www.ox.ac.uk) and will have a clear idea of the degree for which they intend to apply if elected. Candidates should also have familiarised themselves with the materials that will need to be submitted with their application to the University of Oxford. These requirements are set out clearly in the Notes of Guidance to the application forms for postgraduate study and for the 2nd BA (http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/application_guide.html). For example, 2 pieces of written work** are required for most Humanities and Social Sciences applications and GRE certificate is required for applications for Economics subjects.
Copies of this Memorandum may be obtained from the Secretary, Rhodes Scholarships (India), International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi-110 067. For more information visit: http://www.rhodesscholarships-india.com
Please note that successful candidates will apply to Oxford via a special Rhodes online graduate application form (and not via the University of Oxford website).
*A Scholar may apply to read for a second BA degree (with senior status) over two years. A first class honours degree from an Indian University following a course of at least three years qualifies the holder to apply for Senior Status at Oxford, and to take the BA in two years (six terms).
**Clear guidelines for written work can be found in the Notes of Guidance (see link above). Written work must be typed and in English.
For further information on the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships, please visit www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
You can download the application form here.
The Secretary, Rhodes Scholarships (India)
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB),
Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi – 110 067
Before or on July 31, 2011
