The Cambridge University Gates Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and fully funded awards available to international students. Established in 2000 through a generous donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship supports outstanding applicants from outside the United Kingdom who wish to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. Each year, around 80 scholarships are awarded across all disciplines, providing not only tuition and living costs but also travel, visa, and additional funding for academic development, family needs, and research. With a focus on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship gives talented students the opportunity to study at one of the world’s leading universities without financial barriers.
Summary
- Host Country: UK
- Host University: Cambridge University
- Eligible Country: All Countries
- Scholarship Category: Master’s Scholarship | PhD Scholarships
- Scholarship Benefits: Tuition Fee, Accommodation, etc.
Benefits of Cambridge University Gate Scholarship 2026
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers a very generous funding package. Key benefits include:
- Full payment of the University Composition Fee (tuition) at the appropriate rate for your course.
- A maintenance allowance for a single student. For example, for the 2024-25 year this was about £21,000 for 12 months; for shorter courses it’s prorated. For PhD scholars, this can be for up to 4 years.
- One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course.
- Visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge are covered.
Discretionary/additional funding may be available for:
- Academic development (e.g. attending conferences or additional courses).
- Dependent children allowance (for scholars who have children) under certain conditions.
- Fieldwork funding (or maintaining maintenance allowance during fieldwork) for PhD candidates.
- Maternity/paternity funding (up to a limit) to allow intermission but still continue receiving maintenance under some conditions.
- Hardship funding for unforeseen difficulties.
See Also:
- Ireland Fellows Programme 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship in Europe
- DAAD Alfried Krupp Fellowships 2026 | Fully Funded Scholarship In Germany
- 2026 Georg Forster Research Fellowship in Germany | Fully Funded
Eligibility Requirements for Cambridge University Gates Scholarship 2026
To be eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must satisfy certain criteria:
- Be a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom.
- Apply to pursue one of the following at Cambridge full-time:
- Doctorate (PhD)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time)
Not eligible: certain courses are excluded. These include undergraduate degrees (BA), MBA, Executive MBA, Master of Finance, PGCE, and clinical degrees.
- If you are already at Cambridge, you can apply for a new postgraduate course or for a new degree (e.g. from MPhil → PhD). But you cannot apply for Gates Cambridge to fund the remainder of a PhD you’ve already started.
- Applicants are assessed against four main criteria:
- Academic excellence
- A clear reason for choosing the course at Cambridge and alignment with future goals
- Commitment to improving the lives of others
- Leadership potential
Documents Required for Cambridge University Gates Scholarship 2026
When applying for Gates Cambridge you will need to prepare several documents. The list may vary depending on your course and degree level:
- Application for admission to the postgraduate course at Cambridge (submitted through the Graduate Application Portal).
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates from all universities attended.
- Two academic references for admission.
- An additional reference specifically for Gates Cambridge (“Gates reference”).
- Statements addressing Gates Cambridge selection criteria.
- For PhD applicants: a research proposal.
- CV / Resume.
- Proof of English language qualification (if your native language is not English and your course requires it).
- Any required supporting documents specific to your course (e.g. sample of written work, portfolio).
Scholarship Deadline
- Applications open: 10 September 2025
- Deadline for US citizens resident in the USA: 15 October 2025
- For all other applicants: course-based funding deadline — either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026
All parts of the application, including references, must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on the relevant deadline date.
Detailed Steps on How to Apply
- Choose an eligible course (PhD, MLitt full-time, or one-year postgraduate course).
- Check the course-specific funding deadline in the Cambridge Course Directory.
- Prepare required documents (transcripts, certificates, CV, statements, research proposal if PhD, etc.).
- Apply online through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal — you will apply for admission, a College place, and funding.
- Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section, including answers to selection criteria and submission of the Gates reference.
- Ensure your referees submit their reference letters by the deadline.
- Submit all supporting documents before the deadline.
- If shortlisted and successful, formally accept the scholarship offer and complete any conditions.
- Arrange visa, travel, and accommodation (these costs are covered by the scholarship).
- Maintain academic progress and fulfill scholarship obligations once enrolled.
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10 FAQs About the Cambridge University Gates Scholarship 2026
1. What is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
It is a fully funded scholarship for international students to study a full-time postgraduate course (PhD, MLitt, or one-year Master’s) at the University of Cambridge.
2. Who funds the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
The scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
3. How many scholarships are awarded each year?
Around 80 scholarships are awarded annually, covering all academic fields offered at Cambridge.
4. Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom and must apply for an eligible postgraduate course at Cambridge.
5. What costs are covered by the scholarship?
It covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, visa costs, immigration health surcharge, airfare, and additional discretionary funding (such as for academic development, family allowance, or fieldwork).
6. What courses are not eligible?
Courses such as undergraduate degrees, MBA, Master of Finance, PGCE, and certain clinical courses are not eligible for funding.
7. What are the main selection criteria?
Selection is based on academic excellence, leadership potential, a strong commitment to improving the lives of others, and a good academic fit with Cambridge.
8. What documents are required for the application?
Applicants need academic transcripts, references, a research proposal (for PhD), a CV, a Gates-specific reference, and answers to selection-related questions.
9. What is the deadline to apply?
For 2026 entry:
- US citizens resident in the USA: 15 October 2025
- All other applicants: either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026, depending on the course deadline.
10. How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online via the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. You apply for admission, a College place, and the scholarship at the same time, completing the Gates Cambridge section and arranging for the required references.