ELIGIBILITY:

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:

A citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom

Applying to pursue one of the following courses at the University of Cambridge:

PhD (full-time or part-time*)

MLitt (full-time)

One-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions—see below.

Gates Cambridge is continuing to pilot a scheme that allows applicants to apply for funding for a part-time doctoral degree (PhD).

Academic excellence: To be competitive for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, candidates must show evidence of academic excellence (through their transcripts, references, experience, and the potential to succeed in their chosen course).

Academic departments at the University of Cambridge nominate only the most academically outstanding applicants for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, which ensures that those whom we select will thrive at Cambridge.

A combined application form: Applicants submit their application for admission and funding (Gates Cambridge and any other funding) via the University’s Graduate Application Portal.

To be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship you must complete the admission to a course and a College place section and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section. Gates Cambridge has access to the full application for admission and funding when reviewing applications.

Gates Cambridge selection questions: In the funding application form, we ask four questions that each relate to a point on the Gates Cambridge Selection Criteria. Full details of the criteria can be found at: Criteria for Cambridge University Funding | Gates Cambridge. These four questions are:

Please describe how, through your education and past experiences, you have displayed academic excellence. (approx. 200 words, up to 1,400 characters)

Please explain why you want to study this specific course at the University of Cambridge and how it will facilitate your future plans. (approx. 200 words, up to 1,400 characters)

Please provide an example, or examples, of how you have demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others. Please explain why this is important to you and how it is relevant to your future plans. (approx. 300 words, up to 2,100 characters)

Please provide an example, or examples, of how you have demonstrated a capacity for leadership. This could be by initiating a change or bringing others together to achieve a goal. How will this help you make an impact in the future? (approx. 300 words, up to 2,100 characters)

BENEFIT:

Funding:

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional discretionary funding.

Core components

The University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate

A maintenance allowance for a single student (£22,050 for 12 months at the 2025-26 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months)—for PhD scholars the award is for up to 4 years

One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course

Inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge

The University Composition Fee varies for different types of students; applicants should see the Graduate Studies prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student has been successful in gaining a fee award from public authorities (such as the UKRI), they should accept this award, and the Trust will not pay their fee or may share their fee and maintenance costs.

Discretionary components

The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:

Academic development funding—from up to £500 to up to £2,000, dependent on the length of your course—to attend conferences and courses.

Dependent Children Allowance – up to £12,184 per annum for one child and up to £17,375 per annum for two or more children. No funding is provided for a partner.

Fieldwork—you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs, as these should be funded by the University Composition Fee).

Maternity/paternity funding—should you require it, you may apply to intermit your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time.

Hardship funding—for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar

Receiving a salary or substantial other scholarship?

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.