Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world’s most prestigious international scholarship programs. Its founder, Cecil John Rhodes, wanted to promote unity among English-speaking nations and instill a sense of civic-minded leadership and moral fortitude in future leaders, irrespective of their chosen career paths.
Initially restricted to male applicants from countries that are today within the Commonwealth, Germany, and the United States, the scholarship is now open to applicants from all backgrounds and genders around the world.
Rhodes Scholars have achieved distinction as politicians, academics, scientists and doctors, authors, entrepreneurs, and Nobel Prize winners. Many scholars have become heads of state or heads of government, including President of the United States Bill Clinton, President of Pakistan Wasim Sajjad, Prime Minister of Jamaica Norman Manley, Prime Minister of Malta Dom Mintoff, and Prime Ministers of Australia Tony Abbott, Bob Hawke, and Malcolm Turnbull.
To assess candidates, Rhodes specified a 200-point scale, unequally applied to each of the four areas (3/10 to each of the first and third areas, 2/10 to each of the other two areas). The first area was to be judged by examination, the second and third by ballot from the candidate’s fellow students, and the fourth by the headmaster of the candidate’s school. The results for each candidate would be sent to the trustees of Rhodes’s will, or their appointees, who would then give a final assessment by averaging the marks for each candidate. Except for the candidates submitted by the four schools in southern Africa, the trustees were vested with the final decisions.
Rhodes Scholars may study any full-time postgraduate course offered by the university, whether a taught master’s program, a research degree, or a second undergraduate degree (senior status). The scholarship’s basic tenure is two years. However, it may also be held for one year or three years. University and college fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust.
According to the Wikipedia
