Gates Cambridge Postgraduate Scholarships 2026 at University of Cambridge

If you are aiming for exceptional postgraduate study abroad, the Gates Cambridge Scholarships for 2026 are now open for ambitious students from outside the UK. These are fully-funded scholarships for those applying to certain postgraduate programmes at Cambridge and who show strong academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom

• Study Level: Postgraduate (PhD, MLitt full-time; one-year postgraduate full-time in most cases)

• Target Group: Citizens of countries outside the UK

• Fields of Study / Focus: All eligible postgraduate academic fields at Cambridge (except excluded courses)

• Value & Coverage: Covers full fees (University Composition Fee), maintenance allowance (single student), visa & health surcharge costs, economy airfares beginning & end of course; plus discretionary funding (e.g. for fieldwork, academic development, dependent children)

• Duration: Up to length of your course. For PhD scholars, maintenance allowance is provided for up to 4 years. For shorter courses, pro rata.

• Application Deadline: Varies depending on citizenship / residency, and on the course; two rounds: one for US citizens resident in the USA, another for all other eligible applicants. Deadlines are around mid-October 2025 for U.S. round, and early December 2025 or early January 2026 for non-US round depending on the course.

• Start Date: Typically entry in October 2026 (Academic Year 2026-27) at Cambridge.

• Eligible To: Citizens of any country outside the UK; applying to eligible postgraduate courses as listed below. Current Cambridge students may apply if switching to a new postgraduate degree; current Gates Scholars may apply for a second scholarship if for a new degree. Cannot apply to fund a course you're already partly through

🧭 Scholarship Overview

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly competitive postgraduate scholarship, funded by the Gates Cambridge Trust. It was established in 2000 by a large endowment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Scholars receive both financial support (tuition, fee, maintenance, travel, etc.) and non-financial support: participation in a scholars’ community, opportunities for leadership and impact, academic development, etc. There is also support for special circumstances (fieldwork, maternity/paternity, hardship) under certain conditions.

🎁 Benefits of the Scholarship

• Full University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate.

• Maintenance allowance for a single student: ~£21,000 for 12 months (at 2024-25 rate), pro rata for shorter courses. For PhD scholars, up to 4 years of maintenance.

• One economy single airfare at the beginning and end of the course.

• Inbound visa costs & the Immigration Health Surcharge.

• Discretionary funding, including:

    • Academic development funding (e.g. conferences, extra courses)

    • Fieldwork: maintaining maintenance allowance during fieldwork (though other fieldwork costs must be covered elsewhere)

    • Dependent Children Allowance: up to certain amounts for one or more children; no partner funding.

    • Maternity/Paternity funding: possible intermission up to 6 months with maintenance in some cases.

    • Hardship funding: for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar.

• Not covered: bench fees, scientific equipment, or similar academic resources (expected to be funded by academic department).

• Special note: If you already have a salary or another substantial scholarship, the Trust may reduce or not pay the standard maintenance allowance.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a citizen of any country outside the UK.

• Applying to one of these course types at Cambridge:

  1. PhD – either full-time or (in certain cases / pilot) part-time.

  2. MLitt – full-time only.

  3. One-year postgraduate course full-time – in most cases.

• Current Cambridge students may apply if starting a new postgraduate course (not continuing the same one).

• Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Academic excellence

  • Leadership potential

  • Commitment to improving the lives of others

  • Strong justification for choice of course

📚 Courses That Are Not Eligible

• Any undergraduate degree (BA, second BA)

• MASt courses

• MBA, Executive MBA, Global EMBA

• Master of Finance (MFin)

• Executive Master of Accounting

• Business Doctorate (BusD)

• PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)

• MBBChir Clinical Studies

• MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time; Home students only)

• Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)

• Part-time degrees (other than PhD in pilot)

• Non-degree courses

📆 Timeline (for the 2026-27 Entry Cycle)

• Applications open: 10 September 2025

• US citizens resident in the USA deadline: 15 October 2025 (full application & references)

• All other applicants deadline: Either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (depending on course – check Course Directory)

• Departmental ranking: December 2025 – February 2026

• Notifications of outcome:

    • US round: by 10 December 2025

    • International round: by 4 March 2026

• Panel interviews:

    • US round: late January 2026

    • International round: late March 2026

• Scholarship offers:

    • US round: early February 2026

    • International round: early April 2026

• Acceptance deadline: Within 72 hours of offer

📝 Application Procedure

Applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is done entirely through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. The scholarship application is integrated into the course admission process.

Steps to Apply:

1. Select a Course: Choose an eligible postgraduate course and check its funding deadline in the Course Directory.

2. Apply Online: Submit the combined application for admission to Cambridge and funding through the Graduate Application Portal.

3. Complete Gates Cambridge Section: In the funding section, complete the specific Gates Cambridge questions.

4. Prepare a Research Proposal (PhD only): Upload a research proposal as part of your application.

5. Secure References:

   • Two academic references for course admission

   • One separate Gates Cambridge reference specifically addressing leadership, commitment to others, academic excellence, and course fit

6. Submit by Deadline: Ensure all forms, references, and documents are submitted by your course funding deadline.

📂 Documents Required

• Completed application form (admission + funding)

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

• CV/Resume

• Research proposal (PhD applicants only)

• Personal responses to four Gates Cambridge application questions (replacing the older Gates statement)

• Academic references (2)

• One Gates Cambridge reference (separate)

• English language test scores (if applicable)

• Supporting documents specific to the chosen course (e.g., writing sample, portfolio, if required by faculty)

💡 You can find detailed information about the application process on HOW TO APPLY WEBPAGE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can current Cambridge students apply?

Yes, but only if applying for a new postgraduate degree. Continuing in the same course is not eligible.

2. How many Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded each year?

Around 80 scholarships are awarded annually.

3. Are part-time degrees eligible?

Only part-time PhD degrees are eligible (under a pilot scheme). Other part-time degrees are not.

4. Is work experience required?

No, but strong leadership potential, academic excellence, and a commitment to societal impact are essential.

5. What is the acceptance rate?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is highly competitive, with fewer than 1.3% of applicants awarded annually.

6. Can I apply for funding for dependents?

Yes, you may receive a dependent children allowance. Partners are not funded.

7. When do scholars start at Cambridge?

Successful applicants typically begin in October 2026 for the academic year 2026–27.

🔗 Official Link

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