Scholars are chosen based on four main criteria:

• Exceptional academic ability
• Strong reasons for their chosen course
• A commitment to improving the lives of others
• Leadership potential

Currently, about 250 scholars from 50+ countries are studying at Cambridge under this program. There’s also a strong alumni community of more than 1,700 Gates Cambridge graduates worldwide.

For US citizens (living in the US):

• Applications open: September 10, 2025
• Deadline: October 15, 2025 (23:59 GMT)
• Results announced: by December 10, 2025
• Interviews: January 23–24, 2026
• Offers made: by February 2, 2026

For all other applicants:

• Applications open: September 10, 2025
• Deadline: December 2, 2025 or January 7, 2026 (depending on your course)
• Results announced: by March 4, 2026
• Interviews: March 23–24, 2026
• Offers made: by April 6, 2026

Tip: Always double-check the official Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory for your program’s exact deadline.

You can apply if you:

• Are a citizen of any country outside the UK
• Are applying for one of these courses at Cambridge:
  • PhD (full-time or part-time)
  • MLitt (full-time)
  • One-year postgraduate course (full-time) — with some exceptions

Not eligible: MBA, EMBA, MFin, MASt, PGCE, undergraduate courses, part-time degrees (except PhD), Graduate Medicine (A101), and certain clinical/medical degrees.

All countries except the United Kingdom

The scholarship covers all study costs at Cambridge plus additional support.

Core funding includes:

• Full tuition (University Composition Fee)
• Living allowance (£21,000 per year at the 2024–25 rate, up to 4 years for PhD)
• One return economy flight
• Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees

Extra (discretionary) funding may include:

• Academic development funds (£500–£2,000 for conferences/courses)
• Family/children allowance (up to £11,604 for one child, £16,548 for two or more)
• Fieldwork allowance (maintenance continues while away)
• Maternity/paternity leave (up to 6 months with allowance)
• Hardship support in case of unexpected difficulties

• Apply through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal
• In the funding section, make sure you select Gates Cambridge Scholarship
• You’ll be considered for admission to your chosen program, a college place, and the scholarship all in one process

• If you are receiving a salary from an employer or have another substantial scholarship, the Trust reserves the right to reduce or not pay the standard maintenance allowance. You should let the Trust know ASAP if you are awarded any funding towards your degree at Cambridge.
• Most costs are covered by the Scholarship but Gates Cambridge does not cover bench fees or the costs of scientific equipment or similar academic resources. The Trust expects such core course costs to be covered by the academic department at Cambridge.