The oldest and one of the most prestigious international postgraduate scholarships in the world, the Rhodes Scholarships fully fund postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in England. Each year, one Rhodes Scholar from Hong Kong is selected on the basis of intellect, character, leadership and commitment to service, to join 99 other Rhodes Scholars from around the world. Past Rhodes Scholars include US President Bill Clinton, US National Security Advisor Susan Rice, and Pulitzer Prize-winner Siddharta Mukherjee.
The Rhodes Scholarships, instituted under the will of Cecil Rhodes in 1903, provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford, and may allow funding in some instances for four years. Each year scholars are selected from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, East Africa, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica and the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), SJLP (including Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine), United Arab Emirates, United States, West Africa (from 2018), Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as the introduction of two new Global Rhodes Scholarships, available to students from any country in the world.
The Rhodes Scholarship aspires to create outstanding leaders who would be motivated to fight ‘the world’s fight’, to ‘esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim’ and to promote international understanding and peace. Studying at the University of Oxford will give the chosen Scholars access to world-class academicians in their field as well as a 7000 strong Rhodes alumni network, many of whom are well known advocates for expanded social justice and have advanced the frontiers of science and medicine.
The first Rhodes Scholar for Hong Kong entered Oxford in 1986. To date, there have been 31 Rhodes Scholars for Hong Kong, who have pursued a variety of careers in fields including public service, academia, business, law and medicine.
The applications for the Rhodes Scholarship for Hong Kong for entry in October 2019 is now open. Apply here before the deadline of midnight, Hong Kong time, Saturday, 30 September 2018.
The Scholarship is open to permanent residents of Hong Kong who have received no less than 5 of the last 10 years of education in Hong Kong, or citizens of the People's Republic of China who are studying at (or have obtained an Honours degree from) a university in Hong Kong. It is also open to those who have lived in Hong Kong for no less than 7 years, who have received no less than 5 of the last 10 years of education in Hong Kong and can demonstrate a strong personal connection with Hong Kong. Candidates must have reached their 19th and not have passed their 25th birthday on 1 October of the year of entry. Candidates must also have completed (or be due to complete by August of the year of entry) an Honours degree or equivalent qualification in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
Please note that candidates who are eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship in Hong Kong as well as the Rhodes Scholarship for China or Scholarships for other constitutes must select only one scholarship to apply for, as applications in more than one constituency is not permitted.
Details of the Scholarship can be obtained from the Hong Kong Rhodes Scholarship webpage. Applicants are required to make online application and submit all the supporting documents by the application deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.