Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027: Fully Funded Study at Cambridge University

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027 is now open for applications. This is a fully funded postgraduate award for international students at the University of Cambridge. The program was founded in October 2000 with a donation of US$210 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world and one of the largest gifts ever made to a UK university.

Each year, about 80 scholarships are awarded to outstanding candidates outside the UK. Most awards go to PhD students, but master’s students are also eligible. According to Reuters, the scholarship is known for its global reach and strong focus on leadership and impact.

What the Gates Scholarship Covers

The scholarship pays full University Composition Fees at the appropriate rate. It also provides a maintenance allowance of £21,000 for 12 months for a single student. PhD students can receive funding for up to four years.

Additional support includes one economy airfare at the start and end of the course. It also covers inbound visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge. Discretionary support is available for academic development, fieldwork, maternity or paternity leave, and hardship funding.

Students with dependent children can apply for extra allowance. For example, £11,604 is provided for one child, with more for additional children. However, spouses or partners are not funded.

Who Can Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The scholarship is open to all citizens outside the United Kingdom. Eligible applicants must apply to one of the following:

A full-time or part-time PhD.

A full-time MLitt.

A one-year full-time postgraduate course.

Certain professional degrees such as MBA and MFin are not eligible. Undergraduate and some executive courses are also excluded.

Applicants are judged on four main criteria. These are academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential. Strong references and a clear personal statement are key.

Application Timeline and Process

Applications for the 2026/2027 session open on 10 September 2025. The deadline for US citizens resident in the United States is 15 October 2025. For all other applicants, deadlines fall on 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026, depending on the course.

All applications must be made through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Applicants must complete both the admission form and the Gates Cambridge funding section. Departmental ranking and selection panels will follow. Notifications will be sent after review stages are complete.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is more than financial aid. It builds a global community of leaders committed to making a difference. For students worldwide, this is a rare chance to study at Cambridge without financial burden.

Info at your fingertips-

Q1: What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover?

It covers tuition fees, a £21,000 annual stipend, airfare, visa costs, and health surcharge. Extra support is offered for fieldwork, children, and hardship cases.

Q2: Who is eligible to apply?

Citizens of any country outside the UK who apply for a PhD, MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course are eligible, with some course exceptions.

Q3: How many scholarships are awarded each year?

About 80 awards are given annually. Two-thirds of them go to PhD students, with the rest awarded to master’s courses.

Q4: What is the application deadline?

For US citizens, the deadline is 15 October 2025. For all other students, deadlines are either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026.

Q5: What are the main selection criteria?

Applicants are assessed on academic excellence, course choice, commitment to improving lives, and leadership potential.