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Phd / University of Cambridge

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 , UK (Fully Funded)

Scholarship
UK
On-site
Published Mar 17, 2026

Overview

Master's

PhD

Description

Master's

PhD

Eligibility

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you meet the following criteria:

You must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.

You must be applying to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. This includes:

PhD (full-time or part-time)
MLitt (full-time)
One-year postgraduate course (full-time) with some exceptions (see website for details)

If you are already studying at Cambridge, you can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a new postgraduate course:

For example, you can apply if you're currently doing an MPhil and want to pursue a PhD.
Current Gates Cambridge Scholars can also apply for a second scholarship for a new degree.
However, you cannot apply for a scholarship to fund the remaining part of a course you've already started (e.g., a PhD you're halfway through).
The Gates Cambridge website (www.gatescambridge.org) has more details about ineligible courses, including:Undergraduate degrees (BA, affiliated BA)
Specific Master's programs (MASt, Business related)
Part-time degrees (except for the pilot PhD program)
Non-degree courses
If you're not eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you may still be eligible for other funding offered by the University of Cambridge. Visit their website ( www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk ) for more information.

Additional Information

Degree Level

Master's
PhD

Available Subjects

All Subjects are available under this scholarship.

Benefits

University Composition Fee: Covers the full cost of your studies at Cambridge.

Maintenance Allowance: Provides a fixed amount for living expenses:

PhD Students: Up to £21,000 per year for up to four years.
Other Students: Pro-rated based on course length.
Travel: Covers one economy single airfare for travel to and from Cambridge.
Visa Costs: Includes inbound visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Academic Development Funding: Up to £2,000 for conferences and courses.
Dependent Children Allowance: Up to £16,548 for two or more children.
Fieldwork Funding: Maintains your maintenance allowance during fieldwork for PhD students.
Maternity/Paternity Funding: Continues maintenance allowance during up to six months of study leave.
Hardship Funding: Assists with unforeseen financial difficulties.
Salary or Scholarships: If you receive a salary or other substantial scholarship, the Trust may reduce or eliminate your maintenance allowance.
Bench Fees and Equipment: Gates Cambridge does not cover these costs, which are expected to be covered by the academic department.
Overall, a Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for your studies at Cambridge, including tuition, living expenses, and travel.

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is open to international students of all nationalities.

Eligibility Criteria

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you meet the following criteria:

You must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.

You must be applying to pursue a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. This includes:

PhD (full-time or part-time)
MLitt (full-time)
One-year postgraduate course (full-time) with some exceptions (see website for details)

If you are already studying at Cambridge, you can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a new postgraduate course:

For example, you can apply if you're currently doing an MPhil and want to pursue a PhD.
Current Gates Cambridge Scholars can also apply for a second scholarship for a new degree.
However, you cannot apply for a scholarship to fund the remaining part of a course you've already started (e.g., a PhD you're halfway through).
The Gates Cambridge website (www.gatescambridge.org) has more details about ineligible courses, including:Undergraduate degrees (BA, affiliated BA)
Specific Master's programs (MASt, Business related)
Part-time degrees (except for the pilot PhD program)
Non-degree courses
If you're not eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you may still be eligible for other funding offered by the University of Cambridge. Visit their website ( www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk ) for more information.

Application Procedure

There's a single application form for both admission and funding at the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal . Here's a breakdown of what you need to do:

Application Sections

1. Admission Section:

Choose your specific graduate course and College preference.
Provide details about yourself, academic background, goals, and suitability for the course.

2. Funding Section:

Apply for various scholarships, including Gates Cambridge.
Complete the Gates Cambridge sub-section if you want to be considered.
Gates Cambridge Statement (500 words): Explain why you deserve the scholarship and how you meet the four main criteria: intellectual ability, leadership potential, commitment to improving lives, and justification for your chosen course. See www.gatescambridge.org for more details.
Research Proposal (PhD only): Submit a research proposal if it's not already part of your admission application. Non-PhD applicants are exempt.
Gates Cambridge Reference: Find someone who can write a reference specifically addressing the scholarship criteria. This cannot be a friend, family member, or someone unfamiliar with the program.
Deadlines are different for each course. visit official page for latest deadlines.

Tips for the Gates Cambridge Reference:

Choose someone familiar with you and the Gates Cambridge criteria. This could be a former advisor, employer, or someone from a volunteer organization you've worked with. You can even ask one of your academic referees, but ensure they focus on your personal qualities and fit for the scholarship program.
Brief your chosen referee about the scholarship and its criteria so they can craft a relevant reference.
Encourage referees to use specific examples that showcase your strengths in relation to the criteria.
Make sure both your academic and Gates Cambridge references submit their references by the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions Faqs

Can students from any country apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship? Yes. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is open to applicants from all countries outside the United Kingdom .
Is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship fully funded? Yes. It covers full tuition fees, a £21,000 annual stipend, travel costs, visa fees, health insurance, academic development funding, and family allowances .
Can I apply for any course at the University of Cambridge under this scholarship? No. Most postgraduate courses are eligible, but some programs such as MBA, MFin, PGCE, part-time degrees, and certain medical degrees are excluded. Applicants should check the official course directory before applying.

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Card

Funding

Fully Funded

Organization

University of Cambridge

Degree

Masters, PhD

Subjects

All Subjects

Nationality

International Students

Country

UK

Source

Information provided by scholarships_ads.

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