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Foundation scholarship, Gates Cambridge Trust (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation endowment), University of Cambridge

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Full scholarship for citizens of any country outside the UK to do a PhD, MLitt or one-year postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.
Official page for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship (opens in a new tab)

What it pays

Full cost of study at Cambridge: University Composition Fee, maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 rate, pro rata for shorter courses), economy airfare at the start and end of the course, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Discretionary extras include up to GBP 12,793 per year for one dependent child (up to GBP 18,244 for two or more) and academic development funding of up to GBP 750 to 4,000.

Fields: Any field

Who can apply

Open to most nationalities

  • Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom (UK dual citizens are also eligible).
  • Applying for a full-time PhD (part-time PhD under a pilot scheme), a full-time MLitt, or a full-time one-year postgraduate course at Cambridge.
  • Not eligible: undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, MBA, PGCE, MBBChir Clinical Studies, the Graduate Course in Medicine and other professional or non-standard degrees.
  • Assessed on four criteria: academic excellence, reasons for choice of course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a capacity for leadership.
  • Must also hold or receive an offer of admission to the Cambridge course.

Deadline

Applications for 2027 entry opened on 11 September 2026. US citizens resident in the US closed on 14 October 2026. All other applicants, including Africans, must apply by the University course deadline: either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course. Panel interviews are on 22 and 23 March 2027 and offers are made by early April 2027.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

Documents you will need

  • University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal application (course and College section)
  • Gates Cambridge part of the funding section, with four short written answers (about 200 to 300 words each)
  • Research proposal (PhD applicants only)
  • Two academic references for admission
  • One Gates Cambridge reference addressing the selection criteria
  • Transcripts and other documents your Cambridge course requires

How to apply, step by step

  1. Step 1: Choose an eligible course

    Find a PhD, MLitt or eligible one-year master's course in the Cambridge Course Directory and check whether its funding deadline is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027.

  2. Step 2: Apply through the University portal

    Submit one combined application for admission and funding through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. There is no separate Gates form.

  3. Step 3: Complete the Gates Cambridge section

    In the funding section, tick Gates Cambridge and answer the four questions on academic excellence, course choice, improving the lives of others and leadership.

  4. Step 4: Line up your referees

    Ask two academic referees and one Gates Cambridge referee early. All references must arrive by the course deadline or the application is weaker or incomplete.

  5. Step 5: Shortlisting and interview

    Departments rank applicants, shortlisted candidates are told by 8 March 2027 and interviewed in late March. Offers must be accepted within 72 hours.
Official page for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship (opens in a new tab)

Conditions if you accept

  • Must take up and stay on the Cambridge course the award was made for.
  • The Trust may reduce or stop the maintenance allowance if you earn a salary or hold substantial other funding.
  • No funding is provided for a partner; child allowances are discretionary.
  • Bench fees, scientific equipment and similar research costs are not covered.
  • You may hold another award alongside Gates Cambridge, but duplicate funding (for example two maintenance payments) is not allowed.

Tips for a stronger application

  • The award is highly competitive worldwide and Gates gives no feedback on unsuccessful applications, so apply for other funding at the same time.
  • Your commitment to improving the lives of others should show concrete past actions, not only future plans.
  • Pick a Gates Cambridge referee who knows your leadership and service, not a third academic reference repeating your grades.
  • Apply to the course early: if the department does not rank you highly, you will not reach the Gates shortlist.

Student visa guides

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

Common questions

Sources

Checked against these official pages on 16 Oct 2026.

What we can and cannot promise

Jandify Global gives guidance and prepares documents. We do not decide visas, admissions or scholarships, and we cannot promise an outcome. Those decisions belong to embassies, universities and funders. Read the no guarantee policy.

This result uses the general rules. Your own documents, finances and history can change it. Have an advisor check your exact case.

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