The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international awards for postgraduate study. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it enables outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in any subject.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full cost of tuition fees
- Maintenance allowance for a single student (approximately £18,744 per year)
- One economy class return airfare
- Inbound visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Academic development funding for conferences and workshops
- Family allowance for scholars with dependents
- Fieldwork allowance (where applicable)
Eligibility
You can apply if you are a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom and are applying to one of the following full-time residential courses: PhD, MSc/MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course. Selection is based on outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, commitment to improving the lives of others, and a strong fit between the applicant’s qualifications and their chosen course at Cambridge.
How to Apply
You apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship at the same time as you apply for admission to the University of Cambridge through the university’s Graduate Admissions portal. There is no separate application form — simply select “Gates Cambridge” as a funding source during the admissions process. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
Approximately 80 scholarships are awarded each year from a pool of over 6,000 applicants, making it highly competitive but immensely rewarding for those selected.