Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Full-cost postgraduate scholarships for applicants from outside the UK studying eligible full-time degrees at the University of Cambridge.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s, PhD
Destination
United Kingdom
Funding
Full-cost scholarship
Eligible applicants
Applicants from outside the United Kingdom
Overview
Gates Cambridge funds eligible applicants from outside the United Kingdom who are applying for an eligible full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
Application checklist
What you’ll need
The confirmed essentials for this application. Always check the official source before applying.
- Cambridge postgraduate applicationRequired
- Gates personal statementRequired
- Gates Cambridge referenceRequired
What this scholarship covers
University Composition Fee
Included
Maintenance allowance (£23,152 for 12 months, 2026–27)
Included
Economy airfare at the start and end of the course
Included
Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge
Included
Discretionary family, fieldwork, and hardship funding
May be included
Cambridge describes Gates Cambridge as funding the scholar’s non-controllable study costs. Check the current programme terms for the full award and discretionary funding details.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Checked against the official criteria on October 10, 2026
International students
Conditional
Domestic students
No
Scholarship scope
Foundation scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 10, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: International (outside UK).
- International eligibility
- Open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom. US citizens living in the US apply in the earlier October round.
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Applying for a full-time PhD (part-time PhD also accepted), a full-time MLitt, or an eligible one-year postgraduate course at Cambridge. Undergraduate and MASt courses are not eligible.
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Study restrictions and coverage
- Countries
- United Kingdom
Official eligibility summary
Applicants from outside the UK applying to an eligible full-time postgraduate degree at Cambridge. The funding deadline varies by applicant group and course.
Nationality
- Applicant from outside the United Kingdom
Study route
- Eligible full-time Cambridge postgraduate degree
Application
- Gates funding section, personal statement, and Gates reference
Required documents
The required documents are summarized above. Confirm the final checklist with the official provider before you apply.
How to apply
- 1
Apply for an eligible Cambridge course through the Applicant Portal.
- 2
Select Gates Cambridge in the funding section.
- 3
Submit the Gates statement and reference by the applicable funding deadline.
Application timeline
Application cycle
December 8, 2026
2027/28 entry: US residents applied by October 14, 2026; all other applicants by December 8, 2026 or January 6, 2027, depending on the course. Confirm dates on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
University of Cambridge Postgraduate Funding Search
Official university funding listing
Last checked October 10, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Check that your degree is eligible.
- 02Confirm the deadline for your applicant group and course.
- 03Complete the funding section and Gates materials in the Applicant Portal.
Frequently asked questions
Why was the previous source replaced?
The former Gates Cambridge URL was unavailable. This listing now uses a current University of Cambridge funding page that links to the official application process.