If you dream of studying at the University of Cambridge, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship could be your golden opportunity. Each year, the program awards about 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from outside the UK. Roughly two-thirds of these awards support PhD students, with 25 scholarships offered in the US round and 55 in the International round.
Since its launch in 2001, the program has funded over 2,000 scholars from more than 100 countries. Today, around 250 Gates Cambridge Scholars are studying at Cambridge at any one time, forming a vibrant community of future leaders.
Why Choose the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Unlike many scholarships, Gates Cambridge covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge while also providing additional support. The program doesn’t just fund education—it also builds a global network of leaders dedicated to improving lives worldwide.
The selection process is competitive, focusing on:
- Outstanding intellectual ability
- Strong reasons for choosing a course
- Leadership potential
- A genuine commitment to improving the lives of others
What the Scholarship Covers
The scholarship is comprehensive and designed to remove financial barriers.
Core Components
- University Composition Fee (varies by course and student type)
- Maintenance allowance – £21,000 for 12 months (2024–25 rate), with support for up to 4 years for PhD students
- One economy airfare at the beginning and end of your studies
- Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs
Discretionary Components
- Academic development funding (£500–£2,000) for conferences and courses
- Dependent Children Allowance – up to £11,604 for one child and £16,548 for two or more
- Fieldwork funding – continuation of maintenance allowance while conducting research
- Maternity/Paternity leave support for up to six months
- Hardship funding for unexpected challenges
Note: Gates Cambridge does not cover bench fees, lab equipment, or similar academic costs.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if you:
- Are a citizen of any country outside the UK
- Are applying to Cambridge for one of the following:
- PhD (full-time or part-time)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time, with exceptions)
Current Cambridge students applying for a new degree (e.g., moving from MPhil to PhD) are also eligible.
However, Gates Cambridge does not fund:
- Undergraduate degrees (BA, BA Affiliated)
- MBA, EMBA, MFin, MASt, or similar professional business programs
- Medicine degrees like MBBChir or MD
- Part-time degrees (except PhD)
- Non-degree courses
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers more than financial support; it empowers you to join a diverse community of global changemakers. By covering tuition, living costs, and extra academic expenses, the scholarship removes barriers so you can focus on your research and leadership journey.
If you meet the criteria and share the mission of improving lives worldwide, this program could be your path to Cambridge and beyond.
For more information, check Cambridge Student Funding.
