Emirati students are invited to apply for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarships, which offer fully funded, full-time postgraduate awards at the University of Oxford.
The United Arab Emirates has been allocated two scholarship places, with successful candidates due to begin their studies at Oxford in October 2027. Rhodes Scholars are selected annually from 25 global constituencies, with the UAE constituency established in partnership with the Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.
The scholarships enable recipients to pursue any full-time postgraduate degree at Oxford, subject to programme requirements and a limited number of exceptions. Applicants are encouraged to consult the university’s Conditions of Tenure and its A–Z course directory to explore available graduate programmes.
Successful applicants must also apply separately to the University of Oxford for admission to their chosen course and meet the university’s graduate admissions requirements.
The Rhodes Scholarship covers full university and college fees and provides an annual stipend to support living expenses and accommodation. For the current academic year, the stipend was £20,400 per annum (approximately £1,700 per month or $2,295). Applicants should note that this amount is intended for individual support and is not sufficient to cover dependants.
Applications for the scholarship open on 1 June 2026, with a closing deadline of 23 September 2026.
The scholarship is typically awarded for two years, with the possibility of extension for a third year in some cases. One-year postgraduate programmes are also eligible.
In addition to tuition coverage and the living stipend, the scholarship includes a settling-in allowance, health insurance, visa costs, and economy-class return flights between the UAE and the United Kingdom at the start and end of the programme.
Applicants must be citizens of the United Arab Emirates who have completed or will complete a bachelor’s degree by July 2027, or non-Emirati graduates of UAE institutions by the same date. Candidates must also meet strict age criteria, hold a first-class degree or equivalent, and satisfy Oxford’s English language proficiency requirements.
Applicants are required to submit an online application including academic transcripts, a CV, an academic statement, a personal statement, and references from academic and character referees. Full guidance on application preparation is available through the Rhodes application overview.
The Rhodes Scholarships remain one of the world’s most competitive academic awards, offering Emirati students a pathway to advanced study at one of the most prestigious universities globally.