Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026-2027 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026-2027, a prestigious, fully-funded opportunity for outstanding international students to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. This scholarship supports PhD, MLitt, and select one-year postgraduate courses across all subjects offered at Cambridge. It is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, with approximately 80 scholarships awarded annually (25 in the US round, 55 in the International round). Deadlines are 15 October 2025 for US citizens resident in the USA, and 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 for other eligible applicants, depending on the course.

The scholarship covers full tuition, a maintenance allowance, travel costs, visa fees, and more, with additional discretionary funding available. There is no application fee, as applications are submitted through the University’s Graduate Application Portal. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Eligible Courses: PhD (full-time/part-time), MLitt, select one-year postgraduate courses
• Eligibility: Citizens of any country outside the UK
• Number of Awards: ~80 annually (25 US round, 55 International round)
• Funding:
  • University Composition Fee (tuition)
  • Maintenance allowance (£21,000 for 12 months, 2024-25 rate)
  • One economy return airfare
  • Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs
  • Discretionary: Academic development (£500–£2,000), Dependent Children Allowance, fieldwork, maternity/paternity, hardship funding
• Application Deadlines:
  • US citizens in USA: 15 October 2025 (23:59 GMT)
  • International applicants: 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (23:59 GMT, course-dependent)
• Application Fee: None

Scholarship Benefits

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, with additional discretionary funding to support your academic and personal needs.

Core Funding

• University Composition Fee: Covers tuition at the appropriate rate (varies by course; check the Graduate Studies prospectus for details).
• Maintenance Allowance: £21,000 for 12 months (2024-25 rate, pro-rated for shorter courses; up to 4 years for PhD students).
• Travel Costs: One economy single airfare to and from Cambridge.
• Visa and Health Costs: Covers inbound visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Discretionary Funding

• Academic Development: Up to £500–£2,000 for conferences and courses (amount depends on course length).
• Dependent Children Allowance: Up to £11,604 for one child or £16,548 for two or more children (2024-25 rate; no funding for partners).
• Fieldwork (PhD only): Maintains your allowance during fieldwork (other fieldwork costs covered by the University Composition Fee).
• Maternity/Paternity Leave: Up to 6 months of continued maintenance allowance during study intermission.
• Hardship Funding: Support for unforeseen financial difficulties.

Check Also: East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship in USA (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must:

• Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
• Apply for one of the following full-time courses at Cambridge:
  • PhD (full-time or part-time)
  • MLitt
  • One-year postgraduate course (some exceptions apply; see below).

Check Also: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

Ineligible Courses

The scholarship does not cover:

• Undergraduate degrees (e.g., BA or second BA)
• MASt courses
• MBA, Executive MBA, Global EMBA
• Master of Finance (MFin)
• Executive Master of Accounting
• Business Doctorate (BusD)
• PGCE
• MBBChir Clinical Studies
• MD Doctor of Medicine (6 years, part-time, Home students only)
• Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
• Non-degree courses
• Part-time degrees (except PhD)

See also: Yenching Academy Scholarship in China (Fully Funded)

Current Cambridge Students

If you’re studying at Cambridge (e.g., MPhil) and want to pursue a new postgraduate degree (e.g., PhD), you can apply for the scholarship in the International round. Current Gates Cambridge Scholars may apply for a second scholarship for a new degree. However, you cannot apply to fund a course you’ve already started.

Application Process

Applications for the 2026-27 academic year open on 10 September 2025. You apply through the University of Cambridge’s Graduate Application Portal, completing both the admission and funding sections.

Check this: CERN QUEST Program 2025/26 (Fully Funded)

Key Application Components

1. Admission Section: Provide details about your academic background, proposed course, and suitability for it.
2. Funding Section: Apply for Gates Cambridge and other funding. For Gates Cambridge, you must answer four selection questions (each tied to the scholarship’s criteria):
   • Academic excellence (200 words)
   • Reasons for choosing the course and its role in your future plans (200 words)
   • Commitment to improving lives, why it matters, and its relevance to your goals (300 words)
   • Leadership examples and their future impact (300 words)
3. Research Proposal (PhD applicants only): Submit a research proposal, typically included in your admission application. Contact a potential supervisor to develop your project.
4. Gates Cambridge Reference: Arrange for a referee to submit a letter assessing your fit for the scholarship’s criteria (intellectual ability, course choice, commitment to others, leadership). This is separate from the two academic references required for admission.

Choosing a Referee

Select someone familiar with your personal qualities and the Gates Cambridge criteria, such as an academic advisor, employer, or volunteer supervisor. Do not ask friends or family. Ensure your referee uses specific examples and focuses on the scholarship’s criteria.

Also check: Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) PhD Programme in Germany

Application Timeline

US Citizens Resident in the USA

• Applications Open: 10 September 2025
• Deadline: 15 October 2025 (23:59 GMT, including references)
• Departmental Ranking: 20 October–20 November 2025
• Outcome Notification: By 10 December 2025
• Panel Review: 23–24 January 2026
• Offers Made: By 2 February 2026
• Acceptance Deadline: 72 hours after offer

Also check: France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program (2026)

All Other Eligible Applicants (International Round)

• Applications Open: 10 September 2025
• Deadline: 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (23:59 GMT, course-dependent)
• Departmental Ranking: December 2025–February 2026
• Outcome Notification: By 4 March 2026
• Panel Review: 23–24 March 2026
• Offers Made: By 6 April 2026
• Acceptance Deadline: 72 hours after offer