The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 offers a Fully Funded Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarship for students from outside the UK. This program was established in 2000 as a donation from Bill and Melinda Gates to the University of Cambridge, UK. Each year, the Gates Cambridge program selects 80 students from all around the world to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge, UK. The Trust has awarded over 2,000 scholarships from more than 100 countries. Below are details about application steps, requirements, and funding.
Details about the scholarship
- Host Country: UK
- Scholarship Name: Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- University Name: Cambridge University
- Scholarship for: Master, PhD, MSc, MLitt
- N. of Scholarships: 80
- Deadline (US residents): 15 October 2025
- Deadline (all other nationals): 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026
Also Check: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2026, Qatar
Scholarship benefits and funding
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship for international students covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. This includes:
- University fee
- Maintenance allowance
- Airfare ticket (economy class)
- Visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge
The Trust also provides funding for:
- Attending conferences and courses
- Dependent children allowance
- Fieldwork allowance
- Maternity/paternity funding
- Hardship funding for unforeseen difficulties
Also Check: Chevening Scholarship in the UK
Eligible academic fields
The Gates Cambridge scholarship is available in all academic disciplines, except:
- Any undergraduate degree (BA or BA affiliated)
- Business Doctorate (BusD)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- MASt courses
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine (6 years, part-time, Home students only)
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
- Part-time degrees other than the PhD
- Non-degree courses
The above courses are not covered by the Gates scholarship.
Eligibility criteria
- Applicants must be from outside the UK; UK nationals are not eligible
- Apply to one of the following at the University of Cambridge:
- PhD (full-time or part-time)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions
- Strong academic skills and grades are required
- Submit the combined application form (Admission + Gates funding)
Note: Current Cambridge students can apply if starting a new postgraduate course (e.g., from MPhil to PhD).
Required Documents
- Apply online via the Cambridge Course Directory and complete the Gates funding section
- Gates Cambridge statement (about 500 words)
- Research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- Two academic references specific to Gates Cambridge
Also Check: GKS Scholarship 2026/27 in Korea
How to Apply for the Scholarship?
- Combined Application: Submit your application for admission and funding through the University’s Graduate Application Portal.
- Course Selection: Visit the Course Directory to choose your programme.
- Admission Section: Submit your admission application by the deadline stated in the Course Directory. Most deadlines fall on 3 December 2025 or 7 January 2026.
- Funding Section: Complete the Gates Cambridge Scholarship section and apply for other funding opportunities if relevant.
- The Gates Cambridge Trust reviews your full admission and funding application together.
Watch the Cambridge University video on the Gates application process and apply via the official website.
For more fully funded awards, please explore our latest scholarships category.
