Rhodes Scholarships for the Academic Year 2013-14

Applications have been invited from young women and men of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service for the award of Rhodes Scholarships for the Academic Year 2013-14.

The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals.

A class of 83 Scholars is selected each year from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica & the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland), United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Rhodes scholarship covers University and College fees and a stipend for living expenses for two and possibly three years of study at the University of Oxford. The stipend is set at £13,000 (UK pounds) per annum (2012-13). The Scholarship also covers travel to and from Oxford at the commencement and conclusion of tenure (subject to certain conditions), and private health insurance. In some cases, fees for a fourth year of doctoral study are underwritten.

Eligibility criteria for the Rhodes scholarship (India):

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 2014.

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.

Method of Selection:

1. Candidates should make and submit an application before 31st July, 2013. The preferred means of application is online via the link to be published on the Rhodes Trust website .

2. 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 31st July 2013, and all references (must be received by 20 August 2013)

3. 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.

4. The granting of an interview is entirely within the discretion of the Selection Committee. Travelling 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, 2013 must assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

What to submit?

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.

Applications:
Applications are now open for the Rhodes Scholarships for 2014 for India.
The closing date is 31 July 2013.
To apply online, please click on https://apply.embark.com/scholarship/RhodesTrust/18

Alternatively, candidates may apply via the form available at http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/about/rhodes-countries/rhodes-india
This application must reach the The Secretary, The Rhodes Scholarships (India), International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology, PO Box 10504, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067, India