Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme 2027/2028 for Study at the University of Cambridge, UK (Fully Funded) Apply Now
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Gates Cambridge Trust – Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme – University of Cambridge, UK
Complete guide to eligibility, benefits, selection criteria, and application process
Quick Highlights
| Parameter | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Organization | Gates Cambridge Trust | |
| Scholarship | Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/2028 | |
| Location | University of Cambridge, UK | |
| Duration | Full course (up to 4 years for PhD) | |
| Eligibility | Citizens of any country outside the UK | |
| Fields | Any subject at Cambridge (PhD, MLitt, one-year courses) | |
| Benefits | Full tuition + Maintenance + Airfare + Visa + Discretionary | |
| Number of Scholarships | ~80 per year | |
| Application Deadlines | US round: 16 Oct 2026 | International: Dec 2026/Jan 2027 |
| Official Website |
Opportunity Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Organisation | Gates Cambridge Trust |
| Opportunity Category | Scholarship |
| Location | University of Cambridge, UK |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Language | English |
About the Gates Cambridge Scholarship
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 80 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 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round .
Why You Should Apply
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Fully Funded | Full cost of studying at Cambridge |
| Prestigious | University of Cambridge |
| Global Network | 250+ Scholars, 1,700+ Alumni |
| Leadership Development | Focus on social leadership |
| Any Subject | All postgraduate courses eligible |
Eligibility Criteria
You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:
| Criteria | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom |
| Course | Applying to pursue PhD (full-time/part-time), MLitt (full-time), or one-year postgraduate course (full-time) |
| Exceptions | MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE, MD, MASt, and other professional/non-standard degrees are not eligible |
Note: Dual citizens of the UK and another country are eligible .
Funding
A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional discretionary funding .
Core Components
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| University Composition Fee | Full tuition at appropriate rate |
| Maintenance Allowance | £22,050 for 12 months (2025-26 rate; pro rata for shorter courses) – up to 4 years for PhD |
| Airfare | One economy single airfare at beginning and end of course |
| Visa Costs | Inbound visa costs & Immigration Health Surcharge |
Discretionary Components
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Development Funding | Up to £500 to £2,000 for conferences/courses |
| Dependent Children Allowance | Up to £12,184/year for one child; up to £17,375/year for two or more |
| Fieldwork | Keep normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork |
| Maternity/Paternity | Up to 6 months intermission with maintenance |
| Hardship Funding | For unforeseen difficulties |
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria are :
| Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Outstanding Intellectual Ability | Academic excellence |
| Reasons for Choice of Course | Justification for selected programme |
| Commitment to Improving Lives | Demonstrated social impact |
| Leadership Potential | Capacity for leadership |
Application Process
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Apply for admission to an eligible University of Cambridge course via the Graduate Application Portal |
| 2 | Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section (4 selection questions) |
| 3 | Arrange a Gates Cambridge reference (separate from academic references) |
| 4 | PhD applicants: submit research proposal if not already required for admission |
| 5 | Submit complete application by course funding deadline |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| US Round Deadline | 16 October 2026 |
| International Round Deadline | December 2026 or early January 2027 (course-dependent) |
| Departmental Ranking | December – February |
| Application Outcome Notified | By early March 2027 |
| Review and Selection by Panels | 22-23 March 2027 |
| Scholarships Offered | By early April 2027 |
| Scholarships Accepted | 72 hours after offer |
Important Links
| Description | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Website | |
| How to Apply | |
| Timeline | |
| Course Directory |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1. Who can apply? | Citizens of any country outside the UK |
| Q2. What courses are eligible? | PhD (full/part-time), MLitt, one-year postgraduate courses |
| Q3. What is the scholarship value? | Full tuition + £22,050 maintenance + airfare + visa |
| Q4. Is there a GPA requirement? | No minimum GPA, but academic excellence is a selection criterion |
| Q5. How many scholarships? | Approximately 80 per year |
| Q6. What is the US round deadline? | 16 October 2026 |
| Q7. What is the International round deadline? | December 2026 or early January 2027 (course-dependent) |
| Q8. Can I apply for part-time PhD? | Yes, Gates Cambridge is piloting part-time PhD funding |
| Q9. Is an English test required? | No Gates Cambridge requirement, but University requirements apply |
| Q10. Can I hold other scholarships? | Yes, but shared funding arrangements may apply |
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, offering full funding for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. With approximately 80 scholarships awarded annually, the programme seeks outstanding applicants who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential .
The scholarship covers all core costs including tuition, maintenance, airfare, and visa fees, with additional discretionary funding available for academic development, dependent children, fieldwork, and hardship . The programme's emphasis on building a global network of future leaders makes it particularly valuable for those seeking to create meaningful social impact.
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| PhD Applicants | Yes |
| Master's Applicants | Yes |
| International Students | Yes |
| Social Leaders | Yes |
| Early-Career Researchers | Yes |
| Future Change-Makers | Yes |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | Very High |
| Selection Difficulty | Highly Competitive |
| Application Complexity | High |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Value | Excellent |
| Career Growth | Very High |
| Application Difficulty | High |
| Apply Early | Strongly Recommended |
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme 2027/2028 before the deadline.
Visit the official Gates Cambridge website: https://www.gatescambridge.org
Review the eligibility requirements and course directory
Apply for admission to an eligible Cambridge course
Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section
Arrange your Gates Cambridge reference
Submit before your course-specific deadline (US: 16 Oct 2026 | International: Dec 2026/Jan 2027)
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