Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 in the UK

About

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the best-known international scholarships in the world. It pays the full cost of postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge for students from any country outside the UK. The programme was set up in October 2000 with a US$210 million gift from the Gates Foundation, and the first scholars arrived in 2001.

About 70 new scholarships are offered each year, and roughly two-thirds go to PhD students. The Trust looks for people who combine strong academic ability with leadership potential and a real commitment to improving the lives of others.

Host institution / country

The scholarship is run by the Gates Cambridge Trust and is held at the University of Cambridge, in the historic city of Cambridge in the east of England. Every scholar studies in a University department and is also a member of one of its Colleges.

Financial benefits

The scholarship covers the full cost of study for a single student:

• The full University Composition Fee (tuition) at the rate that applies to you
• A maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 rate), paid pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months. PhD awards can run for up to 4 years
• One economy airfare at the start of your course and one at the end
• Inbound visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge

Extra funding may also be available, decided case by case:

• Academic development funding of £750 to £4,000, depending on course length, for conferences and short courses
• A dependent children allowance of up to £12,793 a year for one child, or up to £18,244 a year for two or more children (there is no funding for a partner)
• Continued maintenance during PhD fieldwork (other fieldwork costs are not covered)
• Up to 6 months of paid maternity or paternity leave
• Hardship support for unexpected difficulties

Bench fees and equipment are not covered. Maintenance may be reduced if you also receive a salary or another large scholarship.

Eligibility criteria

• You are a citizen of any country other than the United Kingdom
• You are applying for one of these courses at Cambridge: a PhD (full-time, or part-time as a pilot scheme), a full-time MLitt, or a full-time one-year postgraduate course such as an MPhil
• Not eligible: undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, part-time degrees other than the PhD, the MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE and some medical and professional degrees
• You are starting a new course (current Cambridge students may apply for a new one, such as an MPhil student moving to a PhD)
• You meet the four selection criteria: academic excellence, a strong reason for your choice of course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a capacity for leadership
• Gates Cambridge has no English test requirement of its own, but you must meet the University’s English language requirements for admission

Required documents

• A complete University of Cambridge graduate application for your chosen course, made through the Graduate Application Portal
• Answers to the four Gates Cambridge questions: academic excellence and choice of course (about 200 words each), commitment to others and leadership (about 300 words each)
• A research proposal if you are applying for a PhD
• Two academic references for admission
• One Gates Cambridge reference from someone who can speak to the scholarship criteria, such as a former academic adviser, an employer or a senior person at an organisation where you volunteered (not a friend or family member)

How to apply

1. Choose your Cambridge course and look up its funding deadline in the University’s Course Directory.
2. Start one combined application for admission and funding in the Graduate Application Portal.
3. Complete the admission section, then the Gates Cambridge sub-section of the funding section.
4. Upload a research proposal if you are applying for a PhD, and enter your three referees.
5. Submit by your course’s deadline: Tuesday 8 December 2026 or Wednesday 6 January 2027, depending on the course. US citizens living in the USA had an earlier round that closed on 14 October 2026.

Selection process and timeline

Selection has two main stages. First, your Cambridge department reviews and ranks eligible applicants and nominates a small number of the strongest for interview. This happens between December and February for the international round. You will be told by 11:59 pm UK time on Monday 8 March 2027 whether you have been invited to interview.

Interviews take place on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 March 2027. Each lasts 25 to 30 minutes, in person or online, in front of a subject panel (Arts, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences or Social Sciences). It covers your motivation and your academic and career plans. Scholarships are offered by early April 2027, and you must accept within 72 hours. Admission and funding decisions are separate, so you may get a place at Cambridge before you hear about the scholarship. The Trust does not give feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Tips for a strong application

• Brief your Gates referee on the four criteria and ask them to give specific examples, not a general academic letter.
• Use real, concrete examples in your answers about leadership and helping others. Small, local actions with clear results count.
• Explain clearly why this exact Cambridge course is the right step for your future plans.
• Check your course deadline early. It may be 8 December, which is earlier than many people expect.