Why it fits you

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Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study
United Kingdom · Cambridge
Accepted nationalities
All except: United Kingdom
Target level
Doctorate and Master’s
Fields of study
All fields
Other conditions
  • Apply for a PhD (full-time or part-time), an MLitt (full-time) or a one-year full-time postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge, with some exceptions.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: 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.
  • Not funded: undergraduate degrees (BA), MASt courses, part-time degrees other than the PhD, and professional development courses or non-standard degrees (MBA, EMBA and Global EMBA, MFin, Executive Master of Accounting, BusD, PGCE, MBBChir Clinical Studies, MD, Graduate Course in Medicine A101, Master of Conservation of Easel Painting).RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Courses which Gates Cambridge does NOT consider: any undergraduate degree, such as BA (undergraduate) or BA affiliated (a second BA) MASt courses part-time degrees other than the PhD professional development courses and non-standard degrees such as:
  • A course you have already started (for example a PhD in progress) cannot be funded for the remainder.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: However, if you have already started a course (for example, you are currently part way through a PhD) you cannot apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to fund the remainder of it.
  • The scholarship has no English test requirement, but the University of Cambridge does.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not have an English language test score requirement, but the University of Cambridge does.
  • US citizens resident in the USA have a separate round (October deadline) and are not eligible for this round.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Students meeting these criteria must apply in October and submit all their documents by this date (including references). They are not eligible for the later round.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

Paid
Tuition, plane ticket and visa fees
What is left for you to pay
  • The University of Cambridge application fee (fee waivers are handled by the Postgraduate Admissions Office).
  • Bench fees and scientific equipment, which the department is expected to cover.
  • A partner's costs: no funding is provided for a partner.

Dates

Applications open
11 September 2026 at 00:00 BST (Europe/London)
Applications close
8 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT (Europe/London)Courses whose funding deadline is 8 December 2026 (see the University Course Directory)
Other deadlines
  • 6 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT (Europe/London)Courses whose funding deadline is 6 January 2027 (see the University Course Directory)
Results announced
Scholarships offered by early April 2027

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

  1. Step 1: On the University's Graduate Application Portal, complete the application for admission to the course and a College place, and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section (four questions on academic excellence, choice of course, commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership). PhD applicants add a research proposal.
    With whom
    The University of Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge Trust
    By when
    8 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT (Europe/London) — Your course's funding deadline: either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course (see the Course Directory), at 11:59 PM UK time
    Documents to provide
    • Answers to the four Gates Cambridge selection questions
    • Research proposal (PhD applicants)
    • Two academic references and one Gates Cambridge reference on how you meet the scholarship criteria, all submitted by the deadline
  2. Step 2: Departments rank the applicants (December to February). All applicants are told the outcome by 8 March 2027; shortlisted applicants go before panels on 22 and 23 March 2027.
    With whom
    Cambridge departments, then Gates Cambridge panels
  3. Step 3: If you are offered a scholarship: accept it within 72 hours.
    With whom
    The Gates Cambridge Trust
    By when
    72 hours after the offer

Where to apply

Gates Cambridge Trust (opens in a new tab) · Gates Cambridge Scholarships · University of Cambridge

Official title (in English): Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Edition 2027-2028 · Verified on 30 October 2026

Apply on the official website (opens in a new tab)

Official website of Gates Cambridge Trust: graduate.study.cam.ac.uk

See the official page of the opportunity(opens in a new tab)