SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in UK | Fully Funded

SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK | Fully Funded at Oxford

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK is a prestigious fully funded postgraduate opportunity for outstanding students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine to pursue a Master’s or PhD at the University of Oxford. The scholarship is offered by the Rhodes Trust in partnership with the Saïd Foundation and provides comprehensive financial support to selected scholars.

For the 2027 intake, applications opened on 1 June 2026 and will close at 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026. Two scholarships are available each year through the SJLP constituency, with one scholarship reserved exclusively for Syrian candidates.

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the world's most prestigious postgraduate awards. It offers successful candidates the opportunity to study at Oxford while becoming part of an international community of scholars and future leaders.

What Is the SJLP Rhodes Scholarship?

The Rhodes Scholarship in partnership with the Saïd Foundation for Syria, Jordan, Lebanon & Palestine (SJLP) supports exceptional young people from the region who wish to undertake postgraduate study at Oxford.

The partnership was established to provide opportunities for talented candidates from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. For the 2027 scholarship, successful applicants will enter the University of Oxford in October 2027.

The scholarship is intended for candidates who demonstrate strong academic achievement alongside qualities such as leadership, character, commitment to service, and the potential to make a positive contribution to society.

SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 - Key Details

The Rhodes Trust confirms that two scholarships are available each year for the SJLP constituency, with one specifically available only to Syrian candidates.

Financial Benefits

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 provides comprehensive funding for selected scholars. According to the published scholarship information, the award includes:

• Full University tuition fees.
• Oxford college fees.
• University application fee.
• Annual living stipend of £16,218.
• Economy-class airfare to Oxford at the beginning of the scholarship.
• Economy-class return airfare to the scholar's home country after completion.
• Funding for the standard two-year scholarship tenure.
• Potential extension for a third year for eligible students following a recognised route to the DPhil.

The scholarship tenure is normally two years and remains subject to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct. A third-year extension is possible through an additional application process for eligible DPhil routes.

Who Can Apply?

The scholarship is specifically designed for candidates connected to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, or Palestine. Applicants must meet the constituency's nationality or connection requirements and satisfy the academic and age criteria.

For the 2027 scholarship, candidates generally need to meet the following requirements:

• Be from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, or Palestine.
• Meet the applicable age requirement on 1 October 2026.
• Normally be at least 18 and under 24 years old.
• Older applicants may qualify under specific provisions if they completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual.
• Have completed or expect to complete an undergraduate degree by June/July 2027.
• Have a First Class degree or equivalent academic performance.
• Alternatively, candidates should normally have a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, or equivalent.
• Meet the University of Oxford's required English language standard.
• Demonstrate outstanding academic potential and broader leadership qualities.

The official eligibility information states that candidates with a First Class Honours degree or equivalent, or a GPA of 3.70/4.0 or higher, have a stronger chance of successful Oxford admission.

Eligible Study Areas

The Rhodes Scholarship supports a wide range of postgraduate programmes available at Oxford, provided the selected course is covered by the scholarship's Conditions of Tenure.

Potential areas can include:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Economics
• Business and Management
• Public Policy
• International Relations
• Law
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Education
• Public Health
• Environmental Studies
• Sciences
• Research-based postgraduate disciplines

Applicants should check whether their intended Oxford course is eligible before submitting the scholarship application.

It is also important to understand that winning the Rhodes Scholarship does not automatically mean admission to Oxford. Successful scholarship candidates must subsequently apply for admission to their chosen Oxford postgraduate programme.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare their documents carefully before starting the online application. The published SJLP requirements include:

• Birth certificate.
• Valid passport copy.
• Official university transcripts.
• Evidence of English language proficiency.
• Full CV.
• Head-and-shoulders colour photograph.
• Personal statement of no more than 1,000 words.
• Supporting references.

Applicants should also provide their referees with the official Guidance for Referees so that references can be prepared according to the scholarship requirements.

The personal statement is an important part of the application and should present the applicant's experiences, ambitions, leadership qualities, and reasons for pursuing postgraduate study.

How to Apply for SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027?

The application process should be completed carefully because the Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

First, confirm that you meet the nationality, age, academic, and English-language requirements for the SJLP constituency.

Step 2: Review Official Documents

Read the Information for Candidates, Conditions of Tenure, and other official guidance before preparing the application.

Step 3: Prepare Documents

Gather your transcripts, passport, birth certificate, CV, photograph, English-language evidence, personal statement, and referee information.

Step 4: Select Referees

Choose suitable referees who can provide strong evidence of your academic ability, character, leadership potential, and achievements.

Step 5: Submit Online Application

Complete and submit the Rhodes Scholarship application through the official Rhodes Trust website before the deadline.

The official Rhodes Trust confirms that applicants for the SJLP constituency must submit their applications by 23:59 GMT on 27 August 2026.

Selection Process

After the application deadline, submitted applications are checked for eligibility and completeness. A longlist is then prepared, followed by further selection stages.

For the 2027 SJLP scholarship, final interviews and a social engagement event are scheduled for October 2026, with the exact location to be confirmed closer to the time. In-person attendance is expected, subject to travel approvals and visa requirements. Applicants should receive the outcome of their application by December 2026.

The selection process looks beyond academic results. Candidates are expected to demonstrate qualities that indicate their potential to become impactful leaders and contributors.

Important Deadline

The most important date for applicants is:

Application Deadline: 27 August 2026 at 23:59 GMT

Applications opened on 1 June 2026. Since the application requires several supporting documents and references, candidates should not wait until the final day to submit their applications.

Why Should You Apply?

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship offers an exceptional opportunity to study at one of the world's leading universities without the usual financial burden associated with studying in the UK.

In addition to covering tuition and college fees, the scholarship provides a substantial annual living stipend and international travel support. Scholars also become part of the global Rhodes community, which includes more than 4,500 living Rhodes Scholars across more than 100 countries.

For talented students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, the programme can provide access to world-class postgraduate education, an international professional network, and opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Final Thoughts

The SJLP Rhodes Scholarship 2027 in the UK is a fully funded opportunity for exceptional postgraduate students from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine to study at the University of Oxford. The award covers university and college fees, a £16,218 annual living stipend, university application costs, and return airfare.

With only two scholarships available each year, competition is expected to be extremely strong. Applicants should therefore focus on presenting a clear academic record, meaningful achievements, leadership potential, community contribution, and strong future goals.

Eligible candidates should complete their applications well before the 27 August 2026 deadline and carefully follow all official instructions.