Gates Cambridge

Gates Cambridge (All Other Eligible Applicants)

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£35,000 ~ £66,000 (annual)
Fees (International) , Maintenance , Student visa cost , Student immigration health surcharge , Other (see below)
Course length
Prospective applicant
Masters, PhD
Full Time, Part Time
255 nationalities, See full list
Nationality
Same as funding deadline for the course
2026/27

About

Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.75 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. These awards are split between two rounds, one for US citizens residing in the US, and another for all other eligible applicants. Approximately 20 of the 75 awards are available in the US round, and the remaining 55 are available in the international round. In terms of the split between PhD and MPhil students, about two-thirds of the total 75 awards are offered to PhD students.

There are at least 225 Gates Cambridge Scholars from c. 50 countries studying in Cambridge at any one time who pursue the full range of subjects available at the University and are spread across its departments and Colleges.

The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with support at one of the world’s leading universities and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge.


If your application form does not have a question for your research proposal, please complete the form here: https://forms.office.com/e/1f3tRgn2uW This will have to be done after you have submitted your application, as you will need an application number which is available within the applicant portal 24 hours after submission.

Award details

£35,000 ~ £66,000 (annual)
Course length
Fees (International) Maintenance Student visa cost Student immigration health surcharge Other (see below)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides funds to fully cover a scholars' non-controllable study costs. In addition to covering the University Composition Fee and a maintenance stipend, the Scholarship provides a wide range of funding beyond fees and maintenance which could add up to a total funding package of around £66,000 per year. This includes covering travel costs into and out of the UK at either end of your course, as well as visa costs and the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge.

There are also discretionary components in the scholarship award such as Academic Development Funding, which can be used to attend conferences, and Dependant Children Allowance, if scholars bring their child(ren) with them to Cambridge. 

Full details can be found at https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/

Please note that research costs (such as consumables) are not included as these should be covered by the University fee paid by the Trust.

55 (approximately)
2026/27
Yes

Discretionary extensions available under extenuating circumstances when the academic case has been approved by the University.

Academic merit Other (see below)

Candidates are assessed based on four criteria:

  1. Academic excellence
  2. Reasons for choice of course
  3. A commitment to improving the lives of others
  4. A capacity for leadership

More information can be found at https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/criteria/

During the tenure of their award, students will be required to sign in with the Trust each quarter to receive their maintenance payment and they will be asked to provide an annual progress report.

Eligibility

Prospective applicant
Masters PhD
Full Time Part Time
255 nationalities, See full list
Nationality
256 countries, See full list
Country of residence
276 courses, See full list
Course

Application Process

Yes

There is a additional form for applicants who have not got to submit a research proposal as part of their application form. If this applies to you please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/1f3tRgn2uW If you have submitted a research proposal please disregard this additional step. This will have to be done after you have submitted your application, as you will need an application number which is available within the applicant portal 24 hours after submission.

Key dates

Same as funding deadline for the course

Successful candidates from this round will be informed by 6 April 2026. 

Last updated: 19 Dec 2025 14:32:43