The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world’s most prestigious fully funded international postgraduate awards, offered by the University of Cambridge through the Gates Cambridge Trust. Each year, approximately 80 exceptional scholars from outside the UK are selected to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree — PhD, MSc/MLit, or one-year postgraduate course — at one of the world’s leading universities. Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year open in September 2026.
Key Details
- Host Institution: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Eligible Degrees: PhD (up to 4 years), MSc/MLit (1–2 years), one-year postgraduate courses
- Number of Awards: ~80 scholarships per year (approximately 25 for US citizens; ~55 for all other international applicants)
- Stipend / Coverage: University Composition Fee (full tuition), maintenance allowance of £21,000/year for 12 months (pro rata for shorter courses), one economy-class return airfare at start and end of course, inbound visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge, and additional discretionary funding (e.g., for academic development, family allowance)
- Eligibility: Any citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom; must be applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge; must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of others
- Excluded Programmes: MBA, MFin, PGCE, part-time degrees, and certain medical qualifications
- Application Deadlines:
– US Citizens resident in the US: 16 October 2026
– All other international applicants: 3 December 2026 or 7 January 2027 (depending on course) - Applications Open: September 2026
- Official Website: www.gatescambridge.org/apply
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Cambridge’s Applicant Portal simultaneously with your Cambridge course application. You must nominate yourself for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship during your Cambridge application. Your application is assessed on four criteria: academic excellence, reasons for choice of course, commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership capacity. Two references and a research proposal (for research degrees) are also required.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship represents an extraordinary opportunity to join a global community of scholar-leaders at one of the world’s finest universities, fully supported to pursue research that matters.
Always verify deadlines and details on the official Gates Cambridge website before applying.