Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge, open to citizens of any country outside the UK. Established in 2000 with a US$210m donation from the Gates Foundation. Around 80 scholarships per year across all subjects; approximately 55 available in the international round.
Host University
University of CambridgeQuick info
Application status
Opens Sep · closes ~DecOpens the provider's official website
Info sourced from official providers. Always verify deadlines, requirements, and eligibility directly before applying.
What you get
- University Composition Fee (tuition) in full
- Maintenance allowance: £22,050/year for single student (2025/26 rate)
- One economy single airfare at start and end of course
- Inbound visa costs + Immigration Health Surcharge
- Academic development funding: up to £2,000 (discretionary)
- Dependent children allowance: up to £12,184/year for one child (discretionary)
- Fieldwork allowance (PhD, discretionary)
- Maternity/paternity funding up to 6 months (discretionary)
- Hardship funding for unforeseen difficulties (discretionary)
Requirements
Detailed requirements
- - Must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
- - Applying for a full-time PhD, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge
- - Part-time PhD pilot scheme also available
- - Outstanding academic achievement (nominated by Cambridge department as among most academically excellent applicants)
- - Strong reasons for course choice - PhD applicants must identify a potential supervisor and develop a research project
- - Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of others
- - Evidence of leadership potential
- - Needs-blind process - financial circumstances not considered
- - Cannot fund: undergraduate degrees, MBA/EMBA, MFin, PGCE, MBBChir, part-time degrees (except PhD pilot), MASt
Who can apply
Outstanding non-UK citizens from any country pursuing postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Fields of study
Application window
Dates are based on data sourced from official providers (2025–2026 cycle). Deadlines may shift between intake years. Always verify on the official website before applying.
Important dates
How to apply
- 1Apply for graduate admission to the University of Cambridge via the Cambridge applicant portal
- 2Within the same application, indicate you wish to be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- 3PhD applicants must first identify and be in contact with a potential supervisor
- 4Apply by the relevant Course Funding Deadline for your course (December or early January)
- 5US citizens resident in USA must apply by the October deadline instead
- 6Departmental ranking: December–February
- 7Panel review and scholarships offered: March–April
- 8Contact: info@gatescambridge.org
Provider
Gates Cambridge Trust / University of Cambridge
United Kingdom