Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the University of Cambridge’s major international postgraduate scholarship programmes. It was established through a donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

For the 2027/28 academic year, approximately 75 full-cost scholarships are expected to be available. Around 20 awards are allocated to the US round and approximately 55 to other eligible international applicants.
Around two-thirds of Gates Cambridge awards are normally offered to PhD students, with the remaining scholarships supporting eligible Master’s-level study.

The scholarship covers major study costs at Cambridge, including the University Composition Fee, maintenance support, travel at the beginning and end of the course, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge where applicable.

Additional discretionary support may also be available for academic development and dependent children.
Applicants do not normally submit a completely separate standalone scholarship application. Gates Cambridge consideration is integrated into the University of Cambridge postgraduate application process through the Applicant Portal.

Applicants must meet both the admission requirements for their chosen Cambridge course and the Gates Cambridge selection criteria.

• Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom.
• Applicants must apply for an eligible postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
• Eligible levels of study include Master’s and PhD programmes listed as eligible for Gates Cambridge funding.
• Applicants must meet the academic entry requirements of their chosen Cambridge postgraduate course.
• Applicants should demonstrate outstanding academic excellence.
• Applicants should provide compelling reasons for choosing their proposed Cambridge course.
• Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others.
• Applicants should demonstrate capacity for leadership.
• Applicants must submit a complete Cambridge postgraduate application by the applicable Gates/funding deadline.
• US citizens currently resident in the United States must apply through the US round.
• Other eligible applicants apply through the main international round.

• Full University Composition Fee at the applicable rate.
• Maintenance allowance for living expenses.
• Economy airfare to the UK at the beginning of the course.
• Economy airfare from the UK at the end of the course.
• Student visa costs where applicable.
• Immigration Health Surcharge costs where applicable.
• Academic Development Funding may be available for activities such as conferences.
• Dependent Children Allowance may be available to eligible scholars.
• Funding normally covers the duration of the eligible course.
• Access to the Gates Cambridge scholar community.
• Academic and professional development opportunities.
• Networking with scholars from a wide range of countries and disciplines.

The University of Cambridge currently lists an estimated Gates Cambridge award value of approximately £35,000–£68,000 per year, depending on the course, fees and applicable support.

Cambridge course requirements vary, but applicants may normally need:

• Online postgraduate application.
• Academic transcripts.
• CV/résumé where required by the chosen course.
• Academic or professional references required for admission.
• Evidence of English-language competence where required.
• Course-specific supporting documents.
• Gates Cambridge personal statement/additional funding responses.
• Gates Cambridge reference.
• Research proposal for PhD applicants where required for Gates Cambridge consideration.
• Additional documents specified by the chosen academic department.

Gates Cambridge assesses candidates against four main criteria:

• Academic excellence.
• Reasons for choice of course.
• Commitment to improving the lives of others.
• Capacity for leadership.

Applicants must also be academically suitable for admission to their selected University of Cambridge postgraduate programme.

Academic departments first assess applications and identify strong candidates for funding consideration. Gates Cambridge selection is highly competitive, and meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee nomination or a scholarship.

• Study at the University of Cambridge with comprehensive financial support.
• Join an international community of high-achieving scholars.
• Pursue postgraduate study across a wide range of academic disciplines.
• Develop leadership capacity alongside academic expertise.
• Build international academic and professional networks.
• Access Cambridge’s research, teaching and academic resources.
• Receive support for major study, travel, visa and living costs.
• Join a global alumni network focused on positive social impact.
• Gain opportunities for academic and professional development.