Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious, highly competitive scholarship program that provides full funding for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. The program is open to students from any country outside of the United Kingdom who are applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.

Since its establishment in 2000, the scholarship has funded education for more than 2,000 international students, and the count continues every year. Around 80 scholarships are awarded annually, of which 25 are for US students and 55 for students from other countries (except the UK).

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What are the benefits of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?

The scholarship includes a maintenance allowance for a single student, which is £18,744 for 12 months (pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months).

For PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years.

The scholarship covers one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course.

The scholarship also covers inbound visa costs and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge.

The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students and applicants should see the Graduate Studies prospectus for full details.

The Trust also evaluates applications for various forms of additional funding at its own discretion, including:

Academic development funding, which can range from £500 to £2,000 based on the length of the applicant's course, for attending conferences and courses.

Dependent Children Allowance, which offers up to £10,944 for one child and up to £15,612 for two or more children. However, the Trust does not provide funding for a partner.

Fieldwork funding, which allows PhD students to retain their regular maintenance allowance while on fieldwork (excluding other fieldwork expenses that should be covered by the University Composition Fee).

Maternity/Paternity funding, which enables scholars to take a break from their studies for up to six months while still receiving their maintenance allowance.

Hardship funding, which helps scholars overcome unforeseen difficulties.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?

The applicant must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.

Must be applying for one of the following courses at the University of Cambridge: Full-time or part-time PhD* Full-time MLitt Full-time one-year postgraduate course, with some exceptions (check website for details)

Full-time or part-time PhD*

Full-time MLitt

Full-time one-year postgraduate course, with some exceptions (check website for details)

Current Cambridge students can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a new postgraduate course, but not for funding the remainder of an ongoing course.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not consider: Any undergraduate degree, such as BA or BA affiliated Business Doctorate (BusD) Master of Business (MBA) Master of Finance (MFin) MASt courses PGCE MB, BChir Clinical Studies MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time, Home students only) Graduate Course in Medicine  Part-time degrees other than the PhD.

Any undergraduate degree, such as BA or BA affiliated

Business Doctorate (BusD)

Master of Business (MBA)

Master of Finance (MFin)

MASt courses

PGCE

MB, BChir Clinical Studies

MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time, Home students only)

Graduate Course in Medicine 

Part-time degrees other than the PhD.

General funding at Cambridge is available for those who may not be eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. More information is available on the University of Cambridge's student funding website.

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What is the application process for Gates Cambridge scholarship?

Submit the application for admission and funding on the university’s Application Portal.

Complete the Gates Cambridge part of the funding in the application form. 

Answer the section asking why you should be considered for the scholarship within 500 words. 

Two academic references plus a personal reference is mandatory. The third reference must prove the applicant is exceptional.

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What is the selection process for the Gates Cambridge scholarship?

The Gates Cambridge scholarship selection process consists of two stages:

Departmental nomination

1. Applicants who meet all four of the scholarship’s criteria to a high level are nominated by academic departments in Cambridge. This ensures that those nominated are academically outstanding and demonstrate evidence of meeting the selection criteria. Only a small number of applicants are nominated and then invited to interview.

Interview

1. All applicants nominated by academic departments are invited to a short interview to assess how they meet all four Gates Cambridge criteria. 

If you are called to interview, you will receive full details about the format and arrangements. If you are not invited to interview, it means you have not been nominated by a department.

How can you contact Gates Cambridge scholarship?

Gates Cambridge Trust, Ground Floor, The Warehouse, 33 Bridge Street
Cambridge, CB2 1UW, United Kingdom

Email: [email protected]

Disclaimer: The information published on this page is taken from the official website of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Refer to the original site for queries and concerns.

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