Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Gates Cambridge Scholarship at the University of Cambridge is a highly competitive, fully funded postgraduate scholarship for outstanding students from outside the UK. It supports study across a range of graduate programmes, including PhD, MLitt, MPhil, MSc, MBA, and LLM.

The scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is designed for applicants with exceptional academic ability, strong leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others. It is suitable for students seeking research-oriented or taught postgraduate study in the UK, especially those interested in advanced study at one of the world’s leading universities.

Funding includes full tuition fees, a maintenance allowance of £21,000 GBP per year, return economy airfare, Immigration Health Surcharge, and discretionary support for academic development, conferences, and family allowance. This makes it one of the most comprehensive funding packages for international postgraduate students.

Eligibility highlights include being a citizen of any country outside the UK, holding a first-class UK honours degree or equivalent, and demonstrating outstanding intellectual ability, leadership, and a commitment to social impact.

How to apply: there is no separate Gates Cambridge scholarship application. Applicants are automatically considered when they apply for admission through the Cambridge Graduate Admissions portal. Deadlines vary by applicant category and programme; the post notes December for US applicants and January for international applicants.

Official information is available at gatescambridge.org.