Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Prestigious postgraduate scholarship for international students of exceptional academic achievement to pursue full-time doctoral or master's degree at the University of Cambridge.
Overview
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly prestigious international scholarship program established in 2000 with a $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. The scholarship is awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the United Kingdom to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, MPhil, Master's, or MBA) at any school or faculty of the University of Cambridge. Approximately 80 scholars are selected annually - 40 from the United States and 40 from all other countries combined. Gates Cambridge scholars are selected for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, a commitment to improving lives, and a good fit between their research proposal and Cambridge's offerings.
What You Can Find Here
- Full cost of studying at Cambridge University including tuition fees
- Maintenance allowance of around GBP 21,000 per year for living expenses
- Airfare to and from Cambridge
- Discretionary funding for academic development, fieldwork, and conferences
- Parental and family support allowances
- Lifetime membership in the Gates Cambridge Scholar community
Who Should Use This
- Citizens of countries other than the UK who are applying for full-time postgraduate study at Cambridge
- Exceptional graduates with outstanding academic records in any discipline
- Researchers and professionals committed to improving lives and making a significant contribution to society
- Individuals who have already applied (or intend to apply) for a place at a Cambridge postgraduate course
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Apply for admission to a Cambridge postgraduate course through the Cambridge Applicant Portal (this is also the Gates Cambridge application)
- Step 2: Select Gates Cambridge Scholarship as your funding option during your Cambridge application
- Step 3: Complete the scholarship section of the application with essays on leadership, commitment, and research vision
- Step 4: US citizens: apply by the October deadline; all others: apply by the December deadline
- Step 5: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the Gates Cambridge Trust before final selection
Things to Check Before Applying
- UK citizens are not eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- The Gates Cambridge scholarship application is embedded in the Cambridge University graduate admissions application
- Gates Cambridge is for full-time study only - part-time or distance learning programs are not eligible
- Approximately 80 scholars are selected from thousands of Cambridge applicants who opt into the scholarship - extremely competitive
Frequently Asked Questions
Are UK citizens eligible for Gates Cambridge?
No. Gates Cambridge is exclusively for citizens of countries other than the United Kingdom.
What disciplines does Gates Cambridge cover?
All disciplines offered as postgraduate programs at Cambridge are eligible. There is no subject restriction for Gates Cambridge scholars.
How does the Gates Cambridge application work?
You apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship through your Cambridge University graduate admissions application. There is no separate Gates Cambridge application form - it is integrated into the Cambridge application.
What is the Gates Cambridge selection criteria?
Gates Cambridge selects for: (1) outstanding intellectual ability, (2) leadership potential, (3) commitment to improving the lives of others, and (4) a fit between the applicant's research agenda and what Cambridge offers.
How many Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded each year?
Approximately 80 scholarships are awarded annually: about 40 from the US through a separate admissions round and about 40 from all other eligible countries.
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