United Kingdom · Master's · PhD · Fully funded · No return requirement
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
A full-cost scholarship for citizens of any country outside the UK to study a PhD, MLitt or one-year postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge, with about 70 awards a year.
At a glance
- Deadline
- Varies
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Duration
- One-year courses; PhD awards up to 4 years
- Return home
- No return requirement
01
Mission
Gates Cambridge selects postgraduate students on four criteria: outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for choice of course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential.
02
What you get
A scholar receives the University composition fee, maintenance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, one economy single airfare at the start and the end, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. A Dependent Children Allowance of up to GBP 12,793 a year for one child, or up to GBP 18,244 for two or more, is available, and no funding is provided for a partner. Discretionary funding can add GBP 750 to 4,000 for academic development, maintenance during PhD fieldwork, parental leave and hardship. PhD awards run for up to 4 years.
03
Who can apply
You must be a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom. Eligible courses are a full-time PhD, a full-time MLitt and a full-time one-year postgraduate course, with some exceptions. Undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, MBA, EMBA, MFin and PGCE are not eligible. The page sets no age limit or work requirement. Current Cambridge students can apply for a new course, such as a PhD after an MPhil, but not to fund the rest of a course they have started.
04
What they look for
Around 70 full-cost scholarships are offered each year, and about two thirds go to PhD students.
05
The fine print
Applications open on 11 September 2026. Applicants outside the US must apply by 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course, and hear the outcome by 8 March 2027.
06
How to apply
- 01Choose your Cambridge course and check its Course Funding Deadline in the Course Directory.
- 02Apply to Cambridge and for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship before that deadline.
- 03Wait for the panel selection on 22 and 23 March 2027.
- 04If selected, accept the award and take the visa and travel steps the scholarship covers.
Documents
- Cambridge course applicationRequired
- Gates Cambridge scholarship application within itRequired
07
Timeline
- Applications open11 September 2026
- US citizens resident in the USA, deadline14 October 2026
- Other applicants, deadline8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course
- Outcome for other applicantsBy 8 March 2027
- Panel selection22 and 23 March 2027
- Scholarships offeredBy early April 2027, with 72 hours to accept
08
Amounts
- Maintenance for 12 months, 2026-27GBP 23,152
- Dependent Children Allowance, one childUp to GBP 12,793 a year
- Dependent Children Allowance, two or more childrenUp to GBP 18,244 a year
- Awards a yearAround 70