Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme 2027/2028 for Study at the University of Cambridge, UK (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline: 6th January 2027

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme. Gates Cambridge is an international scholarship programme at the University of Cambridge for outstanding postgraduate students who share a potential for social leadership and a desire to improve the lives of others. 

Each year Gates Cambridge offers around 70 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. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately a third of awards available in the US round and the rest available in the International round.

The selection criteria are:

• outstanding intellectual ability
• reasons for choice of course
• a commitment to improving the lives of others
• leadership potential

There are approximately 250 Scholars 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, as well as forming their own distinctive community.

Eligibility Requirements

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:

• a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
• applying to pursue one of the following courses at the University of Cambridge:
  • PhD (full-time or part-time*)
  • MLitt (full-time)
  • one-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions – see below.

Gates Cambridge is continuing to pilot a scheme which allows applicants to apply for funding for a part-time doctoral degree (PhD).

Funding

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional discretionary funding.

Core components

• the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate*
• a maintenance allowance for a single student (£22,050 for 12 months at the 2025-26 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months) – for PhD scholars the award is for up to 4 years
• one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
• inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge

* The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students; applicants should see the Graduate Studies prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student has been successful in gaining a fee award from public authorities (such as the UKRI) they should accept this award and the Trust will not pay their fee or may share their fee and maintenance costs.

Discretionary components

The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:

• academic development funding – from up to £750 to up to £4,000, dependent on the length of your course, to attend conferences and courses.
• Dependent Children Allowance – up to £12,793 per annum for one child and up to £18,244 per annum for two or more children. No funding is provided for a partner.
• fieldwork – you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs as these should be funded by the University Composition Fee).
• maternity/paternity funding – should you require it, you may apply to intermit your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time
• hardship funding – for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar

Application Timeline:

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme