By: Hammad Ishaq | AI/ML Engineer & Data Scientist
Last verified on: October 8, 2025

Overview

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships for international postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship is funded by a large endowment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated to Cambridge in 2000. (Gates Cambridge)

Each year, roughly 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK, enabling them to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject offered at Cambridge (with certain exclusions). (Gates Cambridge)

The selection is based not just on academic excellence, but also on leadership potential and commitment to improving the lives of others. (Gates Cambridge)

The program’s mission is to foster a global network of future leaders committed to positive change. (Gates Cambridge)

Benefits / Funding

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship is “full-cost,” meaning it covers the principal expenses for study at Cambridge, plus additional support. (Gates Cambridge)

Core coverage

• University Composition Fee (i.e. tuition / registration fees) at the appropriate rate for the student’s program. (Gates Cambridge)

• Maintenance allowance (living stipend): approximately £21,000 (UK) per 12 months (2024–25 rate), pro rata for shorter courses. (Gates Cambridge)

• Travel: one economy single airfare at the start and end of the course. (Gates Cambridge)

• Visa / immigration health surcharge / inbound visa costs: covered (i.e. standard student visa and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge) (Gates Cambridge)

Discretionary / additional funding

• Academic development funding (for conferences, courses) — up to £500 to £2,000, depending on course length. (Gates Cambridge)

• Dependent children allowance: for one child up to ~£11,604; for two or more children ~£16,548 (2024–25 rates) (Gates Cambridge)

• Fieldwork (for PhD): you may apply to maintain your normal maintenance allowance during fieldwork (though core fieldwork expenses are not funded) (Gates Cambridge)

• Maternity / Paternity leave funding: up to 6 months’ intermission with maintained stipend. (Gates Cambridge)

• Hardship funding: for unforeseen financial difficulties facing scholars. (Gates Cambridge)

Caveats / exceptions

• The Trust does not cover bench fees, large equipment, or academic resource costs; those are expected to be covered by the relevant Cambridge department. (Gates Cambridge)

• If a scholar receives a fee award from a public authority (e.g., UKRI), the Trust may decline to pay fees or may share the burden. (Gates Cambridge)

Eligibility

Citizenship / nationality

• Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom. (Gates Cambridge)

Academic level / courses

You can apply for Gates Cambridge if you are applying to one of these courses at Cambridge:

• PhD (full-time or, in pilot cases, part-time) (Gates Cambridge)

• MLitt (full-time) (Gates Cambridge)

• One-year postgraduate course (full-time) — with some exceptions allowed by fields. (Gates Cambridge)

Excluded / ineligible courses
You cannot apply if your intended course is any of the following:

• Undergraduate / BA / second BA

• MASt (Master of Advanced Studies)

• MBA, EMBA, MFin, Executive accounting degrees

• PGCE, non-degree courses

• The long clinical medical degrees (e.g. MBBChir six-year courses)

• MD (in many cases)

• Part-time degrees other than PhD (in most years) (Gates Cambridge)

Other restrictions

• You must apply at the start of a new course; you cannot apply to fund the remainder of a course you have already begun (e.g. mid-PhD). (Gates Cambridge)

• Current Cambridge students may apply for a new degree under the international round but are not eligible to continue funding on the existing program. (Gates Cambridge)

Timeline & Deadlines

The timeline for the 2026–27 entry (i.e. applying in 2025) is as follows (based on the official Timeline page) (Gates Cambridge)

US Round (for US citizens resident in the USA)

• Applications open: 10 September 2025 (Gates Cambridge)

• Full application deadline: 15 October 2025 by 23:59 GMT (Gates Cambridge)

• Departmental ranking: 20 October – 20 November 2025 (Gates Cambridge)

• Applicants notified: by 10 December 2025 (Gates Cambridge)

• Panel review: 23–24 January 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• Scholarships offered: by 2 February 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• Offers accepted by scholars: within 72 hours (Gates Cambridge)

International Round (for other eligible applicants)

• Applications open: 10 September 2025 (Gates Cambridge)

• Deadline: either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (depending on the course) (Gates Cambridge)

• Departmental ranking: December–February (Gates Cambridge)

• Applicants notified: by 4 March 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• Panel review: 23–24 March 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• Scholarships offered: by 6 April 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• Offers accepted: within 72 hours (Gates Cambridge)

Note: Some courses have course-specific funding deadlines; always refer to your chosen course’s page in the Cambridge Course Directory and check which funding deadline applies. (Postgraduate Study)

Result timeline

• For international round, offers usually go out by early April 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

• For US round, offers by early February 2026 (Gates Cambridge)

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Prepare early

Begin at least one to two years ahead of your planned start date to identify supervisors, gather documents, and meet departmental requirements. (Postgraduate Study)

2. Apply for postgraduate admission + funding via Cambridge’s Graduate Applicant Portal

• Use the Graduate Application Portal (Graduate Admissions) to submit your admission application. (Gates Cambridge)

• Within that application, opt in for funding consideration (tick “Yes – I wish to apply for funding” or equivalent in funding section). (Postgraduate Study)

• In the funding section, complete the Gates Cambridge funding subsection (the “Gates Cambridge part” of the application). (Gates Cambridge)

3. Complete the Gates Cambridge selection questions

In the portal, answer four short questions (word-limited) aligned with Gates Cambridge’s criteria: (Gates Cambridge)

• Academic excellence: describe how your education and experience reflect excellence (≈200 words)

• Course motivation: why this particular course at Cambridge, and how it fits your future plans (≈200 words)

• Commitment to improving lives: examples of how you have contributed to society, why it matters to you (≈300 words)

• Leadership capacity: leadership experience and how that will help you make impact (≈300 words)

4. Indicate / submit a Gates Cambridge reference

You must arrange for a Gates Cambridge referee in addition to your standard two academic referees. The Gates referee should specifically comment on how you meet the four criteria (intellectual ability, choice of course, improving others, leadership) and rank your suitability. (Gates Cambridge)

5. Submit your full application (including references) by the relevant deadline

Ensure that your referees submit their letters before the portal deadline. (Postgraduate Study)

6. Departmental ranking / nominations

Applications are reviewed by Cambridge departments. They nominate a limited subset of applicants who best satisfy both academic and Gates criteria to move to the next stage. (Gates Cambridge)

7. Selection / interview stage

If shortlisted, you will be invited to a 25–30 minute interview either virtually or in person. Interview panels are subject-based (e.g. arts, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences) and include academics, alumni, and Gates representatives. (Gates Cambridge)

8. Receive and accept offer

Successful applicants receive a conditional / unconditional offer. You must formally accept via a decision form (within 72 hours). (Gates Cambridge)

9. Meet any offer conditions, apply for visa, arrange travel & arrival

Upon acceptance, submit required documentation, apply for student visa (the scholarship reimburses visa and health surcharge), and coordinate travel. (Gates Cambridge)

Required Documents Checklist

• Completed Cambridge graduate admission application (via portal)

• Gates Cambridge funding / scholarship section (answers to four selection questions)

• Academic transcripts (bachelor’s, any postgraduate)

• CV / resume

• Two academic references (standard)

• One Gates Cambridge reference specific to the scholarship criteria

• Research proposal (for PhD applicants; optional or as required for research MPhil)

• Proof of English language competence (if required by department)

• Any additional departmental materials (e.g. writing samples, portfolios)

• Passport / identification

• Additional forms requested via the portal

As of last verification, the official pages do not specify GRE/GMAT requirements universally; such requirements depend on individual departments.

Selection Criteria & What Reviewers Look For

Cambridge and Gates use four key criteria. (Gates Cambridge)

1. Academic excellence

   • Outstanding prior academic record, transcripts, awards, publications, etc.

   • Fit for the proposed course and ability to succeed in Cambridge’s rigorous environment

   • Departments only nominate academically top-tier candidates (Gates Cambridge)

2. Reasons for choice of course

   • Clear intellectual rationale for the course you choose

   • Strong alignment between your past preparation, proposed project / course, and future goals

   • Engagement with potential supervisors (for research degrees) (Gates Cambridge)

3. Commitment to improving the lives of others

   • Demonstrated past and ongoing social impact, service, volunteerism, initiatives

   • Genuine, reflective narrative about how your work or goals tie to broader societal benefit (Gates Cambridge)

4. Leadership capacity

   • Examples of taking initiative, mobilizing others, sustained leadership roles

   • Potential to grow as a leader and ‘take others with you’ in future work (Gates Cambridge)

Selection goes through a two-stage process: departmental nomination, followed by shortlisting by Gates committees and interviews. (Gates Cambridge)

During interviews, panels may probe both your motivations, your academic plans, and your values/ethics. (Gates Cambridge)

Practical Tips to Strengthen an Application

• Start early: Secure strong referees, refine your proposal or statement, and align with department deadlines well in advance.

• Engage supervisors: For PhD or research MPhil courses, reach out to potential supervisors, discuss your proposal, and cite their work in your application.

• Tailor the Gates questions: Do not reuse a generic personal statement. Address each of the four criteria with specific examples and reflection.

• Brief your Gates referee: Ensure they know the four criteria and can speak precisely to them, rather than submitting a generic reference.

• Demonstrate impact, not just activity: It is better to have fewer initiatives with deeper effect than many shallow involvements.

• Balance ambition and realism in your plan: Your proposed research / course should be bold but also feasible.

• Show intellectual curiosity and clarity: Use clear writing, avoid jargon, and explain sophisticated ideas simply.

• Practice interview questions: Be able to talk about your research, motivation, leadership, and ethics under pressure.

• Check departmental deadlines: Some course deadlines may be earlier than funding deadlines; missing them disqualifies you. (Postgraduate Study)

• Backup funding plans: Even if applying for Gates, explore other Cambridge / external scholarships in case Gates does not succeed.

Official Links & Apply Now

• Official Gates Cambridge Programme page: “International Scholarship at the University of Cambridge” (Gates Cambridge) (Gates Cambridge)

• How to Apply (official instructions) on Gates Cambridge website (Gates Cambridge)

• Timeline page (2026 entry) on Gates Cambridge site (Gates Cambridge)

• Criteria / Selection page on Gates Cambridge site (Gates Cambridge)

• Graduate Admissions / Funding – Cambridge (Applying for University Funding) (Postgraduate Study)

• Postgraduate Supporting Documents Guidance (Cambridge) (Postgraduate Study)

• Apply via the Graduate Applicant Portal (Cambridge): the portal link is the Cambridge Graduate Admissions Applicant Portal (accessible from Cambridge’s postgraduate opportunities pages). (As of last verification, the exact public URL is through Cambridge’s “Applicant Portal” link in the course pages; e.g. see Cambridge’s course page “Apply Now” button) (Postgraduate Study)

Apply now via the Cambridge Graduate Applicant Portal (access through Cambridge’s course pages, typically clicking “Apply Now” → applicant portal). (Postgraduate Study)

FAQ

Q1: Can I combine the Gates Cambridge Scholarship with another funding source?
Yes, in many cases you can hold additional awards (e.g. departmental funds or external scholarships), but if you receive a public authority fee award (e.g. from UKRI) the Trust may adjust or decline paying your fees. (Gates Cambridge)

Q2: If I’m a US citizen but living abroad, which round should I apply in?
US citizens resident in the USA must apply in the US round (deadline 15 October). US citizens living overseas should apply in the international round. (Gates Cambridge)

Q3: If I’m already registered in a PhD at Cambridge, can I apply to extend funding?
No, you cannot apply for Gates Cambridge to fund an ongoing degree. Applicants must begin a new course. (Gates Cambridge)

Q4: Are part-time students eligible?
Usually not, except the Trust is piloting part-time PhD funding in select cases. non‐PhD part-time courses are generally excluded. (Gates Cambridge)

Q5: Do I need GRE / GMAT?
The Gates program itself does not mandate GRE/GMAT; individual departments may require it. As of last verification, official pages do not specify a universal requirement.

Call to action: If you meet the eligibility and wish to apply, start by visiting the Gates Cambridge official programme page (International Scholarship at University of Cambridge) and then use the Cambridge Graduate Applicant Portal to begin your application.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Always double-check the latest deadlines, requirements, and funding amounts on the official Gates Cambridge and University of Cambridge pages before applying, as details may change.