Gates Cambridge Scholarship

About the opportunity

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established through a landmark donation from the Gates Foundation to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. Each year, around 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue full-time or part-time PhD, full-time MLitt, or eligible one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards are allocated to PhD students. Scholars join a vibrant, diverse community across various departments and Colleges at Cambridge, alongside an extensive international alumni network spanning over 110 countries. Selection is based on outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for choice of course, leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of others.

Funding and benefits

• University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate
• Maintenance allowance for a single student (£22,050 for 12 months at the 2025-26 rate; pro rata for shorter courses; up to 4 years for PhD scholars)
• One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
• Inbound visa costs and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge
• Academic development funding ranging from up to £750 to up to £4,000 depending on course length to attend conferences and courses
• Dependent Children Allowance of up to £12,793 per annum for one child and up to £18,244 per annum for two or more children (no funding for partners)
• Fieldwork support allowing PhD scholars to keep up to their normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork
• Maternity and paternity funding allowing scholars to intermit studies for up to 6 months while continuing to receive the maintenance allowance
• Hardship funding for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar

Who can apply?

• Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
• Applying to pursue a full-time or part-time PhD, full-time MLitt, or a full-time one-year postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge
• Current students at Cambridge may apply for a new postgraduate course, and current Gates Cambridge Scholars may apply for a second scholarship for a new degree (must be considered in the international round; cannot fund the remainder of a course already underway)

Required documents

• Application form via the University of Cambridge graduate application portal, including admission application and college choice
• Gates Cambridge reference statement addressing intellectual ability, leadership potential, commitment to improving the lives of others, and suitability for the course
• Graduate admission supporting documents such as transcripts, academic references, and test scores as required by the course

When to apply

• Applications open in September 2026 for entry in the academic year 2027/8
• US Round (US citizens resident in the USA): Application deadline is Wednesday 14th October 2026 by 12:00 am midnight GMT
• International Round (All other eligible applicants): Application deadlines depend on the course – either Tuesday 8th December 2026 or Wednesday 6th January 2027 by 12:00 am midnight GMT

How to apply

• Apply for admission and funding via the University of Cambridge graduate application portal by selecting the graduate course and completing the Gates Cambridge section (including the required Gates Cambridge reference)
• Ensure all admission and scholarship application components are submitted by the applicable application deadline for your selection round

Additional information

• Undergraduate degrees, part-time degrees other than the PhD, Master of Business (MBA), Executive MBA, Master of Finance (MFin), PGCE, MBBChir Clinical Studies, MD, Graduate Course in Medicine, and certain professional courses are excluded from consideration.
• If a student secures a fee award from public authorities such as UKRI, they must accept it, and the Trust will share or adjust fee and maintenance payments accordingly.
• The Trust reserves the right to reduce or withhold the standard maintenance allowance if a scholar receives a salary from an employer or another substantial scholarship.
• Bench fees, scientific equipment, and similar core academic resource costs are not covered by the Trust and are expected to be provided by the Cambridge academic department.