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Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Gates Cambridge funds outstanding applicants to the University of Cambridge. Academic excellence is the floor. The selection also looks for leadership and a commitment to improving lives.

Gates Cambridge Trust · United Kingdom (University of Cambridge) · Postgraduate (masters and PhD) · Full

What it is

Gates Cambridge Scholarships support postgraduate study at Cambridge for applicants from outside the UK (with programme rules defining eligibility). It is highly competitive and reviewed annually.

Who it is for

Candidates with outstanding academic records applying to eligible Cambridge postgraduate courses. PhD applicants are a major focus; some one-year courses are also considered under Trust rules.

What funding usually covers

The award typically covers the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance, travel, and visa-related costs as published by the Trust for that year.

How to apply

  • Choose an eligible Cambridge course and meet department requirements.
  • Submit the Cambridge postgraduate application by the Gates funding deadline relevant to your citizenship category.
  • Complete Gates Cambridge statements with specific evidence of impact and leadership.
  • Arrange academic references that can speak to research potential, not only grades.

Documents people commonly need

  • Academic transcripts
  • Research proposal (especially for PhD)
  • Gates Cambridge statements
  • References
  • English language evidence as required by Cambridge

Typical timeline

Funding deadlines usually fall in early December for October entry, with variations by applicant category. Departmental deadlines can be earlier. Build backward from the Trust’s published dates.

Practical tips

  • Fit with a supervisor and department matters as much as the scholarship essay.
  • Impact claims need receipts: projects, publications, community outcomes.
  • A generic “I want to change the world” paragraph will not carry a Gates file.

Common questions

Is Gates Cambridge separate from the Cambridge admission form?

You apply for admission to Cambridge and complete the Gates Cambridge section within the funding application process on the stated timeline. Follow the Trust’s current instructions.

Official source

Rules and deadlines change. Read the current call on the official site before you apply.

Open official programme page

Last reviewed for this guide: 2026-08-09.

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DAVS provides admissions and visa consulting. We are not the scholarship provider, university, or embassy. Funding decisions belong to the awarding body. Always verify eligibility and deadlines on the official programme page.