Overview / About the Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international awards, providing full-cost funding for outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. Established in 2000 by a historic donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the program aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.
Backed by a US$210 million donation from the Gates Foundation, the program was created to support exceptional students with strong leadership potential. It currently supports a community of approximately 250 scholars studying in Cambridge at any given time, with over 1,700 alumni worldwide.
Scholarship Value / Benefits
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost award that covers both academic and living expenses.
- University Composition Fee: Covers all tuition and college fees at the appropriate rate.
- Maintenance Allowance: Provides a stipend of £22,050 (at 2025-26 rates) for 12 months for single students.
- Travel Costs: One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course.
- Visa & Health Surcharge: Covers inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Discretionary Funding: Includes academic development funding (£500–£2,000), family allowances for children, and maternity/paternity support.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must:
Nationality: Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
Academic Application: Be applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
Selection Qualities: Demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for the choice of course, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Level & Field of Study
Eligible Levels: PhD (full-time or part-time), MLitt (full-time), or one-year postgraduate courses such as MPhil, LLM, or MASt.
Ineligible Courses: Undergraduate degrees (BA), MBA, Master of Finance (MFin), PGCE, and clinical doctorates (MD) are not eligible.
Host University / Provider Info
The University of Cambridge is the sole provider of this scholarship. While this specific award is exclusive to Cambridge, it is worth noting that approximately 160 UK higher education institutions currently accept international students. In the 2024/25 academic year, over 685,000 international students were studying across the UK.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit materials through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal, including:
Gates Cambridge Statement: A personal statement (approx. 500 words) describing your fit with the scholarship criteria.
Academic Transcripts: Records of all previous post-secondary education.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) / Resume: Outlining educational and professional achievements.
References: Three letters of recommendation, two academic references for admission, and one specifically for the Gates Cambridge application.
Research Proposal: Mandatory for PhD applicants.
How to Apply
Select a Course: Choose an eligible postgraduate program at Cambridge.
Portal Submission: Apply for admission to the university and a College place via the Graduate Application Portal.
Complete the Funding Section: Within the same portal, complete the dedicated Gates Cambridge section.
Shortlisting: Academic departments nominate top candidates based on academic excellence.
Interview: Shortlisted candidates are invited for a 25–30 minute interview (in person or virtually).
