APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Scholarship Awarding University:
Type of degree:
Master’s and PhD
Scholarship Deadline:
Applications for this scholarship will close as follows;
i. US Candidates: 11th of October, 2023
ii. All eligible candidates from other countries: 5th of December, 2023 or 4th of January 2024 depending on course choice
Scholarship Summary:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established in October 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge; this is the largest ever single donation to a UK university.
Each year, Gates Cambridge offers approximately 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.
The selection criteria are:
i. outstanding intellectual ability
ii. reasons for choice of course
iii. a commitment to improving the lives of others
iv. leadership potential
Scholarship Applicant Criteria:
You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:
i. a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
ii. applying to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study at the University of Cambridge:
- PhD
- MSc/MLitt
- One year postgraduate course
The Gates Cambridge scholarship covers the following cost;
Core components
i. the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate
ii. a maintenance allowance for a single student (£20,000 for 12 months at the 2023-24 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months) - for PhD scholars the award is for up to 4 years
iii. one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
iv. inbound visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge
Discretionary components
The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:
i. Academic development funding - from up to £500 to up to £2,000, dependent on the length of your course, to attend conferences and courses.
ii. Dependent Children Allowance - up to £11,604 for one child and up to £16,548 for two or more children (2023-24 rate). No funding is provided for a partner.
iii. 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).
iv. 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
v. Hardship funding - for unforeseen difficulties
Scholarship Application Guide:
To be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship;
i. Applicants submit their application for admission and funding (Gates Cambridge and other funding) via the University’s Graduate Application Portal.
ii. You must complete the section to apply for admission to a course and a College place and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section. Gates Cambridge has access to the full application for admission and funding when reviewing applications. Find full details on the application process here.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the Gates Cambridge Page.
ii. You must complete the section to apply for admission to a course and a College place and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section. Gates Cambridge has access to the full application for admission and funding when reviewing applications. Find full details on the application process here.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the Gates Cambridge Page.