The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious full-cost award for outstanding postgraduate applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom. The 2027/28 cycle supports eligible Master’s and PhD study at the University of Cambridge. Around 75 scholarships are normally offered across the US and international rounds. Applicants are assessed for academic excellence, course choice, leadership capacity and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Applications for Cambridge courses beginning in 2027 are now open, and funding deadlines depend on the applicant and course. The US round has an earlier October deadline, while most other applicants must meet their course funding deadline, commonly in December or early January. The award can cover university fees, maintenance and several immigration and travel costs. Applicants should use the Cambridge course directory to confirm the exact deadline for their chosen program.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Details
The scholarship is administered by the Gates Cambridge Trust and is tied to admission to an eligible postgraduate course at Cambridge. Candidates submit the scholarship components as part of the University’s postgraduate application rather than through a completely separate admissions process.
Funding information published by Cambridge for 2027/28 describes an annual package that can include fees, maintenance, travel, visa costs and the immigration health surcharge. Some discretionary support may also be available depending on individual circumstances.
Host | University of Cambridge / Gates Cambridge Trust |
|---|---|
Study level | Eligible postgraduate Master’s and PhD courses |
Location | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
Award year | 2027/28 |
US deadline | 14 October 2026 for the US round |
International deadline | Course funding deadline, commonly 8 December 2026 or early January 2027 |
Funding | Full-cost scholarship with core and discretionary components |
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Gates Cambridge Scholarship Benefits
The core award covers the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate and provides a maintenance allowance for the scholar. It also supports one economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Depending on circumstances, scholars may be considered for additional academic development, family, fieldwork or hardship support. The exact package varies by course length and the scholar’s circumstances, so applicants should read the current Trust guidance before budgeting.
Also Check: Students comparing international opportunities can also review the University of Porto Scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom and must apply for an eligible postgraduate course at Cambridge. The scholarship is available across a broad range of academic disciplines, but not every Cambridge qualification is eligible.
Selection focuses on four areas: academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership capacity. Meeting minimum course requirements does not guarantee scholarship selection.
Required Documents
Prepare the documents required by the selected Cambridge course, which commonly include transcripts, references, a CV and evidence of English proficiency where required. All required references must arrive by the applicable funding deadline for the application to be complete.
Gates Cambridge applicants also provide scholarship-specific responses and a Gates Cambridge reference. PhD applicants may additionally need a research proposal according to the course and scholarship instructions.
How to Apply
Choose an eligible Cambridge postgraduate course and review its application and funding deadlines in the official course directory. Complete the postgraduate application and indicate that you want to be considered for Gates Cambridge funding.
Submit every required document, scholarship response and reference before the relevant funding deadline. After submission, shortlisted candidates progress through departmental nomination and the Trust’s selection process.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Deadline
For US citizens resident in the United States, the 2027/28 Gates Cambridge funding deadline is 14 October 2026. Other eligible applicants use the funding deadline attached to their chosen Cambridge course.
Many courses list 8 December 2026 as the main funding deadline, while some use an early January 2027 deadline. Always rely on the exact date shown for your course because a later general admissions deadline does not preserve scholarship eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
These frequently asked questions cover the funding scope, applicant profile and application timing for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. They are intended as a quick reference after reviewing the detailed sections above.
Applicants must also check the University of Cambridge course directory because funding deadlines can vary by course and applicant route. The official Gates Cambridge guidance should be used for the final scholarship requirements.
Is this opportunity funded?
Yes. Gates Cambridge is a full-cost postgraduate scholarship with core funding for fees and maintenance plus specified travel and immigration costs.
Who should apply?
Strong postgraduate candidates from outside the UK who meet an eligible Cambridge course’s requirements and can demonstrate the Trust’s four selection criteria should consider applying.
Conclusion
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship gives international postgraduate students an opportunity to study at Cambridge with comprehensive financial support. Its combination of academic funding and leadership-focused selection makes preparation well before the funding deadline important.
Applicants should select their course carefully, prepare strong references and scholarship responses, and verify the exact course funding deadline on the official Cambridge system. Submit a complete application early enough to resolve any missing-document or reference issues before the deadline.
