SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in UK

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in UK gives outstanding students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine the chance to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford with comprehensive financial support. The scholarship is offered by the Rhodes Trust in partnership with the Saïd Foundation, and only two SJLP Rhodes Scholarships are available each year—with one reserved specifically for a Syrian candidate.

For the 2027 intake, applications opened on 1 June 2026 and close at 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026. Successful scholars are expected to begin their studies at Oxford in October 2027.

This is an exceptionally competitive award, but the selection process isn’t based on grades alone. Oxford-level academic ability matters, yet Rhodes selectors also look closely at leadership, character, service, initiative, and the potential to create meaningful change.

SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 at a Glance

The official SJLP candidate information confirms that the 2027 award is specifically for entry to Oxford in October 2027.

What Is the SJLP Rhodes Scholarship?

The Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine (SJLP) Rhodes Scholarship is a regional Rhodes constituency established in partnership with the Saïd Foundation. The programme was announced in 2016, and its first scholars arrived at Oxford in October 2017.

The scholarship is part of the wider Rhodes Scholarship, one of the world’s best-known postgraduate awards. Its aim goes beyond funding a degree. Rhodes seeks talented young people who combine academic excellence with the ability and determination to contribute to their communities and the wider world.

For SJLP candidates, this means your application needs to answer two questions clearly:

Can you succeed academically at Oxford?

And just as importantly:

What will you do with that opportunity?

How Many SJLP Rhodes Scholarships Are Available?

There are two scholarships available each year for candidates from the SJLP constituency.

One of those two scholarships is specifically reserved for a Syrian candidate. The other can be awarded to a qualifying Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian candidate.

That makes the award highly competitive, so meeting the minimum eligibility rules should be viewed as the starting point rather than a guarantee of selection.

Eligibility Criteria for the SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027

Applicants should carefully check every requirement before beginning the application.

1. Nationality, Citizenship, or Residency

You must meet one of the following conditions:

• You are Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, or Palestinian; or
• You are a legal permanent or temporary resident in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, or Palestine.

The Rhodes Trust also provides an inter-jurisdictional route for certain applicants with strong connections to more than one Rhodes constituency. Special rules apply, so applicants in unusual circumstances should contact the relevant National Secretary before applying.

2. Education or Residency Requirement

You must have been resident and/or educated in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza, or Israel for at least five years.

The Rhodes Trust acknowledges that conflict and displacement can create exceptional circumstances. Applicants affected by these issues are encouraged to contact the National Secretary early so their circumstances can be considered individually.

3. Age Requirement

For the 2027 scholarship, you must meet one of these routes:

Standard age route: You must be aged 18 to 25 on 1 October 2026. This means you must have been born after 1 October 2000 and before 2 October 2008.

Older candidate route: You must be under 27 on 1 October 2026, and either:

• have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after 1 October 2025; or
• have experienced significant disruption to your undergraduate education because of the national context, resulting in a longer period of study.

The second route is assessed carefully, and applicants who are unsure whether their circumstances qualify should contact the National Secretary.

4. Undergraduate Degree

You must have completed an undergraduate degree, normally a Bachelor’s degree, by July 2027.

Your academic background must also meet or exceed the specific entry requirements for the Oxford course you intend to study.

The official SJLP guidance states that candidates generally have a stronger chance of successful Oxford admission with a First Class Honours degree or equivalent, or a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher. This should not be treated as a universal replacement for the actual entry requirements of your chosen Oxford course.

5. English Language Proficiency

You must satisfy the University of Oxford’s English-language requirements.

Unless you qualify for an Oxford-approved waiver, you will need recognized English test results meeting the University’s higher-level requirement.

The 2027 SJLP application guidance notes that IELTS is one example of an accepted test, while applicants who qualify for a waiver may submit a request explaining why they meet Oxford’s waiver conditions.

See Also: PhD Position Scholarship 2026 in Norway

What Can You Study at Oxford?

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship supports full-time postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Rhodes scholars normally come to the UK for two or more years, and eligible courses can cover a wide range of academic fields.

Importantly, not every Oxford graduate programme is automatically covered.

The 2027 SJLP guidance states that the scholarship covers at least two years of study, so applicants need to select a course or combination of courses that fits the required period.

The scholarship can support routes such as master’s-level study and, where permitted by the Rhodes Conditions of Tenure, research degrees such as the DPhil. The exact funding duration depends on the course combination. For example, the broader Rhodes scholarship information states that up to three years of fees and stipend can be available for a DPhil.

Before selecting a course, check both:

1. the Oxford graduate course requirements, and
2. the Rhodes Conditions of Tenure.

This matters because winning the scholarship does not automatically guarantee admission to Oxford.

SJLP Rhodes Scholarship Benefits and Funding

The Rhodes Scholarship is described by the Rhodes Trust as a fully funded postgraduate award.

The core funding package includes:

Oxford University Course Fees

The scholarship covers the University of Oxford course fees for eligible study.

Annual Living Stipend

The Rhodes Trust currently lists a stipend of £20,400 per year (£1,700 per month) for the 2025–26 academic year. Scholars use this to meet living expenses, including accommodation. The Trust notes that this published figure is not sufficient to cover partners or dependents, and the amount may be updated for future academic years.

Oxford Application Fee

After selection, the Rhodes Trust covers the fee required to apply to study at Oxford.

Student Visa and International Health Surcharge

The Trust covers eligible student visa fees and the associated International Health Surcharge (IHS).

Flights to and from the UK

The scholarship includes two economy-class flights to and from the UK for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford.

Settling-In Support

Scholars receive a settling-in allowance after arriving in Oxford. Additional support can apply when a scholar moves to a second course and needs visa/IHS renewal assistance.

Scholar Support and Additional Grants

The Rhodes Trust also provides broader scholar support, including pastoral and financial assistance. Its scholar support programmes can include emergency financial assistance and grants related to research, travel, and creative opportunities.

What Does the Rhodes Trust Look For?

A common mistake is to build a Rhodes application around grades and awards alone.

Academic excellence is important, but the selection framework goes much further.

The Rhodes Trust identifies four major qualities:

Academic Excellence

Selectors want evidence of intellectual ability, academic curiosity, critical thinking, and sustained high performance.

Energy to Use Your Talents Fully

This can be demonstrated through areas such as:

• Sports
• Music
• Debate
• Theatre
• Dance
• Artistic pursuits
• Team-based achievements

The important point is sustained excellence and commitment—not collecting activities simply to make a CV look busy.

Character, Service, and the Rhodes Virtues

The selection framework values truth, courage, devotion to duty, compassion, fellowship, kindness, and a commitment to protecting and serving others.

Leadership and Moral Character

Rhodes looks for people with the courage to act, take initiative, influence others, and show genuine interest in their fellow human beings.

Documents Required for the SJLP Rhodes Scholarship

The 2027 SJLP application requires more than a standard university application.

You should prepare:

• Birth certificate
• Valid passport, refugee travel document, or national identity card
• University transcript
• High school marks or graduation certificate/Tawjihi results
• Proof of English-language proficiency, or evidence supporting a test waiver
• Evidence showing at least five years of education or residence in the relevant region
• CV
• Personal statement
• Academic statement
• At least three and no more than six referees
• A head-and-shoulders colour photograph

Documents must be submitted in English. Where official documents are not in English, official English translations are required.

CV Requirements

The SJLP guidance places a strict limit on the CV.

Your CV should be no more than two A4 pages.

The suggested content can include:

• Academic qualifications
• Publications
• Awards and scholarships
• Leadership positions
• Employment
• Research or internship experience
• Voluntary and community work
• Cultural, musical, or sporting achievements
• Skills and extracurricular activities

Do not assume that adding more pages makes an application stronger. The official guidance explicitly says selectors will not read beyond the two-page CV limit.

Personal Statement: What You Need to Write

The personal statement can be up to 1,000 words.

This is not supposed to be a second CV. The Rhodes Trust describes it as the place to present an authentic picture of who you are, while your transcript, CV, references, and academic statement provide evidence of your achievements.

For 2027, SJLP applicants are asked to weave three questions into one coherent narrative:

1. Which Rhodes Scholar quality do you demonstrate most strongly, and how are you developing the others?
2. How will your previous community engagement shape what you contribute to and learn from communities at Oxford?
3. From your own position in the world, how will you use your talents and energy to address major human challenges?

The statement should sound like you.

Avoid turning it into a list of leadership titles, volunteering hours, and prizes. Instead, show the experiences that changed how you think, what you learned, what you did differently afterward, and where you want that journey to lead.

Academic Statement

The academic statement has a maximum of 450 words.

It should provide a clear academic plan for the full two years of the Rhodes Scholarship and explain:

• Your academic direction
• Your motivation
• Your long-term goals
• Why your chosen Oxford course is necessary
• How the proposed courses fit together
• How your academic background has prepared you
• Your research direction, where relevant

For MPhil or DPhil applicants, the statement should briefly identify the proposed research area, relevant department, and one or more Oxford academics you may wish to work with.

References and Referees

You need to nominate three to six referees.

At least three should be academic referees who have formally taught and graded you and can speak meaningfully about your academic ability, subject motivation, and suitability for Oxford. Academic referees are also asked to provide an estimated class ranking.

You may also use character referees who know you through service, extracurricular, leadership, or other non-academic activities.

Choose people who know your work well. A famous professor who barely remembers you is usually a weaker choice than someone who can provide specific examples of your academic ability and character.

Referees must submit their references online by 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026.

See Also: Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program 2027

SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 Application Process

Step 1: Confirm Your Constituency

Use the Rhodes Trust eligibility checker and make sure the SJLP constituency is the correct route for you.

Step 2: Research Oxford Courses

Before submitting your application, investigate the graduate programmes available at Oxford.

Check course requirements, academic prerequisites, duration, research expectations, and whether the course is covered under the Rhodes Conditions of Tenure.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Collect your transcript, identity documents, school records, English-language evidence, regional residency/education evidence, CV, photograph, and other required materials well before the deadline.

Step 4: Choose Your Referees Early

Get permission from your referees before entering their details into the application.

Give them enough time to write a detailed reference. The official guidance specifically recommends registering referees early and monitoring the progress of their submissions inside the application system.

Step 5: Write the Personal Statement

Build one strong narrative around your experiences, character, community contribution, leadership development, and future ambitions.

Keep the statement within the 1,000-word limit.

Step 6: Write the Academic Statement

Create a focused 450-word plan explaining your academic direction, course choices, preparation, and long-term objectives.

Step 7: Complete the Online Rhodes Application

The application must be submitted online. There is no application fee for the Rhodes Scholarship application. Paper or alternative application formats are not accepted.

Step 8: Submit Everything Before the Deadline

Your application and references must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Thursday, 27 August 2026.

Step 9: Attend the Selection Process

Applications are checked for eligibility and completeness before a longlist is created.

For the SJLP constituency, final interviews and the social engagement event are scheduled for October 2026. The official guidance states that in-person attendance is expected, subject to travel approvals and visa requirements.

Step 10: Wait for the Outcome

Applicants should receive their outcome by December 2026.

Step 11: Apply to Oxford After Selection

Winning the Rhodes Scholarship is not the same as receiving admission to Oxford.

Selected candidates must then apply formally to the University of Oxford, with support from the Rhodes House team. The Rhodes guidance stresses that Oxford admission remains extremely competitive.

Apply Here

Important SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 Deadlines

The official schedule is:

These dates come from the official 2027 SJLP candidate guidance and Rhodes Trust constituency page.

Tips to Make Your SJLP Rhodes Application Stronger

Don’t Chase Activities Just for the Application

Selectors can usually tell when a candidate has built a CV specifically for a scholarship.

A stronger application shows consistent involvement over time. One meaningful community project where you solved a real problem can tell selectors far more than ten unrelated certificates.

Make Your Leadership Concrete

Don’t simply write, “I am a leader.”

Show what happened.

Explain what problem existed, what you did, how other people responded, what changed, and what you learned.

Leadership doesn’t always mean being president of a club. It can come through research, community work, entrepreneurship, advocacy, mentoring, sport, caregiving, or solving a problem within your university or local community.

Connect Oxford to Your Long-Term Goal

Your course choice should make sense.

The SJLP guidance specifically says selectors will consider whether your Oxford course choices connect logically to your prior education, aspirations, and intended impact.

Let Your References Add New Evidence

A reference that simply repeats your CV wastes an opportunity.

Your referees should provide specific examples of your academic ability, character, leadership, motivation, and potential that the selection committee might not otherwise see.

Don’t Leave References Until the Final Week

A technically excellent application can still create problems when referees haven’t submitted their documents.

Because the applicant is responsible for ensuring references arrive on time, register your referees early and monitor their progress.

Treat the Deadline as Earlier Than the Deadline

The official closing time is 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026. Still, uploading everything on the final evening creates unnecessary risk.

Aim to have the application substantially complete several days ahead of schedule.

Who Should Apply?

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship is particularly worth considering if you are:

• A high-achieving student from the SJLP region
• Preparing for demanding postgraduate study
• Interested in creating measurable social, academic, professional, or community impact
• Able to demonstrate leadership or initiative beyond grades
• Comfortable explaining your values and long-term ambitions
• Ready to compete for a place at Oxford

You don’t need to fit a stereotypical “future politician” profile. Rhodes states that there is no single type of successful scholar; the programme values diversity alongside rigorous selection criteria.

Why the SJLP Rhodes Scholarship Is Worth Applying For

There is no question that this is a difficult scholarship to win. Only two SJLP awards are available each year.

But that should not automatically be a reason to walk away.

A scholarship at this level can change your academic trajectory, expose you to exceptional researchers and peers, and connect you with a lifelong international community. Rhodes scholars also have access to leadership, career-development, cultural, and networking activities through Rhodes House.

The bigger opportunity isn’t simply spending two or more years at Oxford. It’s developing the knowledge, relationships, confidence, and practical experience needed to do something significant afterward.

Conclusion

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in UK is a rare opportunity for exceptional Syrian, Jordanian, Lebanese, and Palestinian candidates to study at the University of Oxford with extensive financial support.

The application demands serious preparation. You need to meet the nationality or residency rules, satisfy the five-year regional education/residency requirement, meet the age and academic conditions, prepare strong references, and submit thoughtful personal and academic statements.

Most importantly, don’t reduce your application to a collection of achievements. Rhodes wants to understand who you are, what you care about, how you serve others, how you lead, and what you intend to do with your potential.

With the deadline set for 27 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT, now is the time to start—not the final week.

Dream beyond admission, prepare with purpose, and let your impact speak for itself.