Rhodes Australia At Large Scholarships to Oxford

The 2010 Australia-At-Large Rhodes Scholars are:

• Jessica Panegyres - Degree of Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Political Science and the Degree of Bachelor of Laws with Honours from the University of Western Australia. Proposes to undertake an MPhil in Politics (Political Theory) at Oxford. 
• Daniel Norman, Victoria - Degree of Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours from The University of Melbourne. Proposes to undertake an MSc in Financial Economics at Oxford.
• Andreas Heger, New South Wales - Degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours in Law from The University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from The Australian National University. Proposes to undertake the Degree of Bachelor of Civil Laws and MPhil in Law at Oxford.

Background

Each year, nine Rhodes Scholarships are available for outstanding Australians to study at the University of Oxford. One Rhodes scholarship is offered in each of the States (NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and TAS) and three for Australia At Large.

Value

Fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust directly to the College and Rhodes Scholars receive a monthly stipend and assistance with travel expenses to the United Kingdom.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship, candidates must:

• be Australian citizens and have been resident in Australia for at least five of the past ten years;
• be under 25 years on 1 October in the year of application;
• have completed (or expect to complete in the year of application) their degree with first class honours.

Candidates must apply in the State in which they received (or will receive) their first degree.

Competition for Rhodes Scholarships is extremely competitive and candidates selected for interview are of outstanding quality. Before candidates submit an application, they should realistically assess their ability to meet all the qualification and eligibility criteria and to compete at this elite level. Entry to Oxford is also extremely competitive.

All candidates are strongly advised to refer to the national website of the Rhodes Trust in Australia to view a list of the State Honorary Secretaries and more detailed information for the preparation of applications and the selection of referees.

Australia At Large Scholarships

Following the selection of their Rhodes Scholar, each State may then nominate up to two candidates to automatically progress to the Australia At Large round to compete for the three Australia At Large Scholarships.

Candidates who receive/d their first degree in the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory must apply directly for the Australia at Large Rhodes Scholarships. These applications are considered by the Territories Selection Committee in Canberra and following the interviews (usually in October), the Committee may nominate up to two candidates to progress to the Australia At Large round.

The State and Territory Selection Panels may only nominate candidates to progress to the Australia At Large round whom they regard as fully worthy of appointment to a Rhodes Scholarship.

The Australia At Large Selection Panel will invite the candidates who have been nominated to progress to the next round by the State or Territory Panels to attend a formal dinner and interview at the ANU in Canberra in early December. Following the interviews, up to three scholars-elect will be announced.

The list of Australia At Large Rhodes Scholars since 1977 is available in pdf.

Application Process

Candidates from the Territories must contact the Honorary Secretary for Australia At Large to discuss their application. Application forms are only available from the Secretary and usually available from July onwards. As candidates are required to also submit a personal statement, resume, original academic transcripts, birth certificate, ten photographs and the names and contact details of six referees, they are advised to begin the process early.

Application Due Date

Applications must be received by the Honorary Secretary no later than 1st September 2010.

Referee Reports 

Candidates applying directly for the Australia at Large Rhodes Scholarships are required to ensure that each of their six referees has a copy of the Referee Report Form and the Instructions for Referees. Candidates must contact the Honorary Secretary to check that their reports have been received by the due date. The Secretary does not contact referees seeking reports.

All referee reports are due to be with the Honorary Secretary by 1st September 2008. The Selection Committee may not be in a position to make use of reports received after this date. 

Qualities of a Rhodes Scholar

Cecil Rhodes listed in his Will, the qualities that he was seeking in his scholars, including:

‘Literary and scholastic attainment; 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 take an interest in one's contemporaries.’

Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, strong leadership qualities, community mindedness and a willingness to help those less fortunate. The Committee also seeks candidates who are determined to succeed in life and have the strength of character, stamina and energy to fulfill their ambitions. These qualities may be demonstrated through such things as, involvement in extra-curricular activities, community or volunteer work and participation in sport and physical activity.

Candidates are advised to frame their resume into the following or similar categories: academic prizes and scholarships; leadership positions; community and voluntary work; sporting activities and achievements; other extra-curricular activities. Also include employment experience, publications, languages and other interests, if relevant.

Oxford University

Candidates intending to apply for a research degree are strongly advised to contact the relevant department at Oxford. The Selection Committee will expect to see evidence that the planned project is of interest to and can be supported by that department.

Steps to Follow to Apply for an Australia At Large Rhodes Scholarship

1. Read the information on the Rhodes Trust in Australia website;
2. View the Oxford University Graduate Studies Prospectus or Undergraduate Prospectus  and information on admissions; then
3. Contact the Honorary Secretary to check your eligibility to apply for a Rhodes. You will need to make an appointment to discuss your application and collect a copy of the Application Form.

For Further Information Contact:

Ms Karen Holt
Honorary Secretary, Rhodes Australia at Large
Council and Boards Secretariat
1.09 Chancelry Building 10
The Australian National University
CANBERRA ACT  0200

Telephone: (02) 6125 2825
Fax: (02) 6125 8524
Email: cabs.admin@anu.edu.au