A detailed guide to the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/27 – funding, eligibility, deadlines, required documents and application strategy for international students who want to study a master’s or PhD at the University of Cambridge.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most competitive postgraduate awards in the world. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it supports outstanding applicants from outside the UK to pursue a full-time master’s or PhD at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship covers the full cost of study – including tuition fees, a generous maintenance allowance, visa costs and flights – plus extra funding for research, conferences and family support.
Official Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 apply links
Always rely on the official University of Cambridge and Gates Cambridge Trust pages for the most up-to-date information:
- Gates Cambridge homepage: https://www.gatescambridge.org/
- The scholarship – funding & benefits: The Scholarship
- Eligibility & selection criteria: Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- How to apply + Graduate Application Portal: How to apply – explains the combined admission and funding form.
- Timeline & deadlines: Timeline – opening date and course-based funding deadlines.
Scholarshiplisting.com explains the process in simple language. We do not collect application fees – you always apply through the official University of Cambridge portal.
What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 cover?
The scholarship is designed as a fully funded package so you can focus on your course and research instead of finances.
Core funding
- Full University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate for your course.
- A maintenance allowance for a single student (recently around £21,000 per year for 12 months, higher for longer PhD funding periods).
- One economy airfare to Cambridge at the start of the course and one return flight at the end.
Additional support
- Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs in most cases.
- Academic development funding to attend conferences, training courses or fieldwork.
- Discretionary hardship funding if you face unexpected difficulties.
Family & research extras
- Dependants’ allowance for children (for PhD scholars who bring their family).
- Fieldwork and thesis support for PhD students where required by the course.
- Maternity/paternity funding in specific situations during your time at Cambridge.
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Who is eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Gates Cambridge is open to exceptional applicants from almost every country outside the UK. In addition to academic excellence, the Trust looks for leadership potential and a strong commitment to improving the lives of others.
Basic eligibility
- Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
- Applying to study a full-time master’s or PhD at the University of Cambridge.
- Applying for a new course (current students can apply for a new degree, e.g. from MPhil to PhD).
Academic & personal profile
- Outstanding academic record – usually in the top ranks of your cohort.
- Clear intellectual fit with your chosen programme and supervisor.
- Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of others in your community or field.
- Evidence of leadership potential – leading teams, initiatives, campaigns or research projects.
Eligibility is strict for certain courses and immigration routes. If your situation is unusual (for example, dual nationality or previous Cambridge study), check the official Gates Cambridge FAQ before applying.
Eligible degrees – and courses Gates Cambridge does not fund
Gates Cambridge supports most full-time postgraduate degrees at Cambridge, but there are some important exceptions.
Degrees you can apply for
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy – up to 4 years of funding).
- MPhil, MLitt or other one-year postgraduate master’s courses (such as LLM, MASt-equivalent programmes may be excluded – check details).
- Some research-based master’s leading into a PhD, depending on department structure.
Degrees that are normally not funded
- Any undergraduate degree (e.g. BA).
- Most part-time courses (apart from some specific part-time PhDs – check the latest rules).
- Short non-degree courses and professional certificates.
To avoid disappointment, always confirm your exact course in the University of Cambridge course directory and check whether it is listed as eligible for Gates Cambridge funding in the current cycle.
How Gates Cambridge selects scholars
Every year, thousands of candidates compete for around 80–90 places. The Trust uses four core selection criteria:
- Academic excellence – proven by grades, references, publications, prizes and research potential.
- Reasons for choice of course – a convincing case for why your Cambridge programme is the right platform for your goals.
- Commitment to improving the lives of others – demonstrated through sustained work, volunteering, leadership or advocacy.
- Leadership potential – capacity to influence others, build organisations, and drive change over the long term.
When drafting your application, keep these four criteria in front of you. Each section of the form – from your research proposal to your references – should quietly support at least one of them.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/27 timeline
The University manages two rounds: a US round for US citizens and a global round for all other eligible applicants. Dates are confirmed each year, but the pattern is similar.
| Stage | Expected period (2026/27) | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | 10 September 2025 | Open the Graduate Application Portal, shortlist your course and start drafting your answers to the Gates Cambridge questions. |
| US round deadline | Mid-October 2025 | US citizens resident in the USA must submit their full application (admission + funding) by the US round deadline. |
| Global funding deadlines | 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (course dependent) | All other applicants must apply by the course funding deadline shown in the Cambridge course directory. |
| Departmental ranking | December 2025 – February 2026 | Academic departments review applications and nominate the strongest candidates to the Gates Cambridge Trust. |
| Shortlisting & interviews | March 2026 | Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview (usually online). Final decisions are made after the interview panels. |
| Offers released | Late March – April 2026 | Successful candidates receive a provisional Gates Cambridge offer, subject to meeting all academic and immigration conditions. |
| Arrival at Cambridge | September / October 2026 | Secure your visa, arrange housing and take part in orientation with other new Gates Cambridge Scholars. |
Because deadlines depend on your course, always check your programme’s “funding deadline” in the official Cambridge course directory and work backwards at least four weeks.
Documents you need for a strong Gates Cambridge application
Your application to Gates Cambridge is submitted through the same Graduate Application Portal used for admission and other funding. You’ll typically need to prepare:
- Academic transcripts for all university-level study.
- Degree certificates where already awarded.
- An up-to-date CV or résumé highlighting academic achievements, leadership and community impact.
- A detailed research proposal (for PhD and some MPhil programmes) or statement of academic interests.
- Two or three references, usually academic, completed via the portal.
- Answers to the Gates Cambridge application questions (formerly the “Gates Cambridge statement”), showing alignment with the selection criteria.
- Proof of English language proficiency if required by your department (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).
Before you press submit, open each section and ask: “Does this help them see me as a future Gates Cambridge Scholar – or is it just filler?” Remove anything that doesn’t add clarity or evidence.
How to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 (step-by-step)
Here is a simple workflow you can follow from first research to final submission.
- Choose your course and supervisor. Start from your long-term impact goals, then browse the Cambridge course directory and departmental pages. Shortlist two or three programmes that clearly fit your interests.
- Study the Gates Cambridge criteria. Read the official eligibility and selection pages carefully. Highlight phrases such as “improving the lives of others” and “leadership potential” – these are hints for your answers.
- Draft your research or study plan. For PhD and research master’s courses, sketch the question you want to explore, why it matters, what methods you will use and why Cambridge is the right place.
- Contact potential supervisors (for research degrees). A short, focused email with your CV and a one-page proposal can start a conversation and help you refine your plan.
- Complete the admission section of the portal. Provide accurate academic history, test scores and course details. This is where departments decide whether to recommend you for admission.
- Answer the Gates Cambridge questions. Use specific examples from your life to show your leadership, service and vision, rather than repeating your CV in prose.
- Request strong references. Choose referees who know your work well and can comment on your research potential and character. Give them enough time and share your draft answers.
- Review for consistency and submit early. Check that your references, research plan and Gates answers all tell the same story. Submit several days before the funding deadline.
Project mindset: treat your application like a mini research project – schedule weekly tasks (reading, drafting, supervisor contact, references) instead of cramming in the final week.
Essay & interview tips for Gates Cambridge
Your written application gets you shortlisted; your interview confirms whether you truly fit the programme. Both should feel like different chapters of the same story.
Writing strong answers
- Use the STAR approach (Situation – Task – Action – Result) when describing leadership or impact stories.
- Connect your personal experience to a bigger question or problem in your field or country.
- Show depth: it’s better to describe two or three projects in detail than list ten superficial activities.
- Avoid grand promises about “changing the world” without a realistic path or track record.
Performing well at interview
- Be ready to explain your research or study plan in simple language – as if to a smart friend from another discipline.
- Prepare 3–4 concrete examples that show leadership, resilience and long-term commitment.
- Expect questions about why Cambridge, why this department and what you will do afterwards.
- Practice answering aloud, but avoid memorised speeches – panels prefer genuine conversation.
If you feel tempted to copy sample essays from the internet, stop and instead have a friend interview you about your work. Use that conversation to capture your real voice and stories.
Visa sponsorship & funding extras
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is effectively a visa-sponsored, fully funded route to a master’s or PhD in the UK, but immigration rules still apply.
- The University of Cambridge issues the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) you need for your UK student visa.
- Gates Cambridge normally reimburses visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, reducing your upfront expenses.
- Your maintenance allowance is calculated to cover typical living costs in Cambridge for a single student; PhD scholars are funded for up to four years.
- You must comply with UK visa conditions, including limits on part-time work, and you are expected to leave the UK or move onto a different valid visa route after your course.
For detailed immigration information, combine official guidance from the University’s international student office with the UK government’s student-visa pages.
Related fully funded UK scholarships on Scholarshiplisting.com
To build a strong “study in UK 2026” strategy, combine Gates Cambridge with these other fully funded scholarships:
- Chevening Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Master’s in the UK
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Master’s for Commonwealth Countries
- Clarendon Scholarship 2026 – Fully Funded Graduate Study at the University of Oxford
- UK Fully Funded Scholarships 2026 – Round-up for International Students
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 – Frequently asked questions
Yes. It normally covers the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance, flights at the beginning and end of the course, visa and health surcharge costs, plus extra funding for research, conferences and family support in some cases.
Yes. Many scholars already hold a master’s when they start a Cambridge PhD. What matters more is your academic excellence and the fit between your proposed programme and your long-term goals.
The exact number varies, but in recent years around 80–90 scholars have been selected annually from thousands of applicants worldwide. The acceptance rate is very low, so a clear, coherent application is essential.
The scholarship itself funds your studies; it does not guarantee long-term immigration status. Some scholars later move on to other visa routes, but your application should focus on your research and global impact, not on migration.
No. You submit a single online application through the University’s Graduate Application Portal, which includes both the admission section and the funding section where you indicate that you wish to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
This guide summarises public information for the 2026/27 entry cycle. Always confirm the latest eligibility rules, funding levels, deadlines and course lists on the official Gates Cambridge and University of Cambridge websites before you apply.
