What is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are funded by a donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. They fund outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, or in some cases a one-year master's) in any subject available at Cambridge.
What does it cover?
- Full tuition fees at the University of Cambridge
- A maintenance allowance to cover living costs for the duration of the course
- A discretionary Airfare Allowance to travel to and from Cambridge once per year of the award
- A Family Allowance for scholars with dependent children living with them in Cambridge
Who is eligible?
- Be a citizen of any country outside the UK (this scholarship is specifically for non-UK citizens)
- Apply for full-time study for a PhD, or for a small number of one-year master's courses, at the University of Cambridge
- Demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others, alongside strong academic ability
- Meet Cambridge's general admissions requirements for your chosen course
Application timeline (2027/28 entry)
- September 2026 – Applications reopen for 2027/28 entry
- 14 October 2026 – Deadline for US citizens resident in the USA (earlier round)
- 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 – Deadline for all other eligible applicants, depending on course (main round)
- 14 December 2026 – Results announced for the US earlier round
- 8 March 2027 – Results announced for the main round
Because deadlines vary by course, always confirm your specific course's funding deadline in Cambridge's official Course Directory before you apply.
How to apply
- Apply for admission to your chosen course at the University of Cambridge through the Applicant Portal — there is no separate Gates Cambridge application form.
- Select "Gates Cambridge Scholarship" as a funding option within your Cambridge application before the relevant funding deadline.
- Submit all required admissions documents (references, transcripts, research proposal if applicable) by the course's funding deadline.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview (in Cambridge or by video call, depending on your round and location).
Application tips
- Because the scholarship application is embedded in your Cambridge course application, get your admissions documents finished well before the funding deadline — not the later general admissions deadline.
- Gates Cambridge looks for evidence of leadership and a commitment to improving others' lives, so your personal statement should go beyond academic achievement alone.
- Ask your referees early; strong, specific references matter more for this award than for ordinary admission.
FAQs
Can UK citizens apply? No, Gates Cambridge Scholarships are only open to citizens of countries outside the UK.
Do I need a separate scholarship application form? No — you apply through your Cambridge course application and tick the Gates Cambridge funding option.