The Rhodes Scholarships-University of Oxford 2017

What is The Rhodes Scholarships-University of Oxford 2017?

The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals.The Rhodes Scholarship, named for the British mining magnate and South African politician Cecil John Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for non-British students to study at the University Of Oxford. The award is widely considered to be one of the world's most prestigious scholarships. Established in 1902, it was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships inspiring creation of other awards like the Kennedy Scholarships for British nationals, the fullbright program for citizens of over 150 countries, the Marshall scholarship for Americans, and more recently the international Gates Scholarships at Cambridge Universityand two programs in China (namely, the Yenching Scholarship and Schwarzman Scholarship).

Who can apply for this scholarship ?

a. You must be a citizen of India, holding an Indian passport, or equivalent proof of citizenship; PIO or OCI card holders are not eligible
b. You must have completed, or be due to complete by 1 October 2017, your undergraduate degree with First Class, or equivalent.
c. You must have undertaken formal study at an educational institution in India for a minimum of 4 of the last 10 years, and have either

(i) completed a school leaving exam (10th or 12th standard) at a school in India, or

(ii) have received, or be in the final year of, an undergraduate degree at a university in India. Please note that only one of the five available Scholarships (and in exceptional cases, two) may be awarded to candidates who are pursuing, or have pursued, their undergraduate studies abroad.
d. You must have reached your 19th birthday, and not have passed your 25th birthday at 1 October 2017, i.e., you must have been born after 30 September 1992 and on or before 1 October 1998.
NB: For medical students and medical doctors who are pursuing, or who have completed, their one-year internship (CRRI), the age limit is extended by one year; in these cases, you must have been born after 30 September 1991 and on or before 1 October 1998.

How can you apply ?

a. All applications must be submitted by 31 July 2016. The preferred means of application is on-line via the link to be published on the Rhodes Trust website from
THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS 2017
INDIA
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
For election for 2017 only
(This Memorandum cancels those issued for previous years)early June 2016. Candidates who have difficulty submitting the application on-lineshould submit applications by registered post to the National Secretary after
completing and printing the online application in full and attaching copies of allrelevant documents. The completed application may be sent to the following address:
The Secretary, Rhodes Scholarships (India)
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB),
PO Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi – 110 067
b. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a preliminary, personal interview at regional centres, which may include Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Candidates not ordinarily resident in India may be interviewed preliminarily by video conference or telephone. Candidates selected from these preliminary interviews will be called for a final in-person interview, on a date between October and December 2016. No candidate can be selected without appearing in person for the final interview. The granting of an interview is entirely within the discretion of the Selection Committee. The final selection is confirmed by the Rhodes Trustees, who rely on
selection procedures undertaken by selection committees in each constituency.
c. A selection committee will make no nomination if it is of the opinion that there is no sufficiently qualified candidate.
d. Travel expenses (2nd class return rail fare) for candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust. International travel will not be reimbursed.
e. Candidates for interview must bring with them original certificates and documents submitted online.
f. Candidates who do not receive further communication by 1 December 2016 should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
g. Selection panels recommend, the National Secretary endorses, and the Warden of Rhodes House approves the nomination of a scholar elect. Where there is doubt, the Trustees reserve complete discretion to determine the eligibility or otherwise of the candidate.

Terms and Conditions

Information to be submitted with application:
 All documents must be in English or English translations must be provided. Please note that whilst candidates applying online may upload electronic documents, those candidates invited for interview will be required to submit original documents.
a. Evidence of Indian citizenship, and of age: A copy of the information pages of the applicant’s passport (or other proof of Indian citizenship and age).
b. Transcript/Evidence of academic record: Evidence of courses taken and degrees, honours and other academic distinctions obtained. This evidence must be formally certified by the Registrar or any other responsible officer of the candidate’s school (or school board) and University. Please note, if you are invited to interview you will need to bring originals with you. These originals will not be returned. Where the applicant is neither a graduate of a university in India nor in the final year of undergraduate study at a university in India, evidence will be required of the applicant otherwise meeting the eligibility criteria specified at 2b above (proof of formal study at an educational institution in India for at least 4 of the last 10 years (as of the date of application) and completion of a school leaving exam (10th or 12th standard) at a school in India.
c. CV/resume: Curriculum vitae, showing details of what you have achieved: anyemployment or enterprise you have undertaken during your studies or thereafter; your high school career; your college or university career; your involvement in student or community affairs, cultural, sporting or political activities; your leadership roles; and any other significant achievements or involvements. This should not exceed two pages of 12-point Times font and should not include supporting documents.
d. Personal Statement/Essay: Your personal statement is a very important part of your application. It is very important for you to have considered what course and degree you wish to follow at Oxford before you submit your application. It is a good idea to discuss your proposed course of study with your professors or lecturers in that field, and, if possible, with someone who has knowledge of United Kingdom universities. You should study carefully the Oxford University Graduate Studies pages online at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions, as well as departmental websites.
(i) The statement should be no more than 1,000 words and should include,
(ii) Details of your proposed course of study at Oxford, and your ability to meet its entry requirements;
(iii) Your general interests, activities, and future aims;
(iv) The statement must be in simple and direct English;
(v) Take time to write this essay carefully. It is your opportunity to tell us not just what you have achieved and hope to achieve, but who you are. The essay will assist the Selection Committee in determining who to invite for interview.
e. Photograph: A photograph of yourself. This must be a head and shoulder colour photograph of good quality and a standard size of 15cm x 10cm (6” × 4”). It will not be visible to selectors until after candidates have been shortlisted for final interview.
f. References: The names and contact details of six people (your referees) who are well acquainted with you: 
(i) At least three of your referees should be academics who have taught you in your undergraduate (or graduate) studies, who can comment on your academic ability and how well they think you would fare at Oxford. These references will be used to support your application to the University of Oxford, should you be selected for the Scholarship. 
(ii) Choose reliable people who are likely to respond to requests for written reports as their reports will be crucial to your application. Ask their permission before listing them as referees. 
(iii) Other referees can include teachers and other persons who are able to comment critically on whether you fulfil the requirements Rhodes set out in his Will. A good referee is one who knows you well, rather than a well-known person who only knows you superficially. Do not choose close contemporaries or personal friends to be referees.
(iv) Candidates should note that it remains the candidate’s responsibility to ensure his/her referees submit their references by the deadline provided to the referees (preferably by 31 July, and by 20 August at the latest). If you have been notified of your shortlisting for a preliminary interview, please remain in contact with your referees to ensure they submit their references in a timely manner. g. It is neither necessary nor desirable to include certificates or testimonials other than those required.

Important documents

IndiaRefereeGuidance-3938.pdf

IndiaMemorandum-4010.pdf

Important Links

• Original website
• Apply online link