Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 in the UK (Fully Funded)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 is fully funded. It pays your full University of Cambridge fees, a maintenance allowance of 23,152 pounds a year for 12 months, one economy flight at the start and end of your course, and your UK visa and health surcharge costs, for a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.

It is open to citizens of any country outside the UK. It funds a PhD, an MLitt, or a one-year master’s course. It does not fund undergraduate study, an MBA, or a few other named courses, so it is for students moving on to a research or master’s degree at Cambridge.

Overview

What is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?

Gates Cambridge is a scholarship funded by a gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. It brings outstanding postgraduate students from outside the UK to study at Cambridge, and it looks for people who want to use their field to improve the lives of others.

You do not apply to a separate fund. You apply to Cambridge for your course and for Gates Cambridge at the same time, through the University’s graduate application. One form starts both.

What the scholarship covers

• The full University Composition Fee at the correct rate for your course
• A maintenance allowance of 23,152 pounds a year for 12 months, at the 2026-27 rate, and up to four years for a PhD
• One economy airfare at the start and one at the end of your course
• Your inbound UK visa cost and the Immigration Health Surcharge
• Academic development funding, from 750 up to 4,000 pounds depending on how long your course runs

There is extra discretionary support for scholars who need it, such as a dependent-children allowance, fieldwork funding for PhD students, family leave, and hardship help. Bench fees and lab equipment are not covered, as departments fund those.

Who can apply

• You are a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
• You are applying for a full-time PhD, an MLitt, or a one-year master’s course at Cambridge.
• You meet the academic bar for your course and can put together a strong application.

Gates Cambridge does not fund undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, part-time study other than the PhD, or courses like the MBA, EMBA, MFin, and PGCE. Check that your Cambridge course is eligible before you start.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit. What matters is that you are applying for an eligible postgraduate course and you are a strong candidate for it.

Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?

Cambridge sets an English language requirement for its courses, so if your degree was not taught in English you will usually need IELTS, TOEFL, or an accepted equivalent at the level your course asks for. Check your course page for the exact score. If you do not have a test yet, start planning it, because Cambridge courses need it before you can be admitted.

Can I apply with average grades?

Gates Cambridge and Cambridge are highly competitive, and a strong academic record helps a lot. Your application is read as a whole, though: your research proposal or study plan, your references, and your reasons for the course all count. If one part of your record is weaker, let the rest of your application speak. Do not rule yourself out before Cambridge has read it.

Required documents

• The University of Cambridge graduate application for your course, with the Gates Cambridge section completed
• Your transcripts and degree certificates
• Two academic references, plus a personal reference for Gates Cambridge
• A research proposal (for a PhD) or a statement for your course
• The Gates Cambridge statement explaining why you fit the scholarship
• Proof of English, if your course requires it

Build your final list from your Cambridge course page and the Gates Cambridge site, because requirements differ by course.

How to write the Gates Cambridge statement

Gates Cambridge asks why you, and why this. Show a clear line from what you want to study to how you want to use it for others. Be specific about the problem you care about and what you have already done about it, however small. Write plainly, in your own voice, and answer the question they ask rather than the one you wish they asked. Keep to the word limit and read it aloud before you send it.

How to apply, step by step

1. Find your course in the Cambridge Graduate Course Directory and check it is eligible for Gates Cambridge.
2. Note your course deadline. It sets whether your Gates deadline is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027.
3. Prepare your documents, references, and your research proposal or statement early.
4. Open the Cambridge graduate application, complete your course section, and tick that you want to be considered for Gates Cambridge.
5. Write the Gates Cambridge statement and add your personal reference.
6. Pay the Cambridge application fee, submit before your course deadline, and keep copies.

Selection process

Your department reviews your academic application first. Strong applicants who are shortlisted for Gates Cambridge are then invited to interview, held in person or online. Final decisions for rest-of-world applicants are announced in March 2027. You need to be admitted to your Cambridge course and selected by Gates Cambridge to hold the scholarship.

Deadline

Rest of world: 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on your course. US residents: 14 October 2026. All at 11:59pm UK time.

Your deadline follows your Cambridge course. Many courses close for funding on 8 December 2026, and some run to 6 January 2027, so check your exact course page and work to the earlier date if you are unsure. Getting your references and documents ready early is the difference here, because a late reference can hold up the whole application. Confirm the date on the official site before you submit.

Have a question?

Drop your question in the comments and we will help. If you know which Cambridge course you want, tell us and we will point you to its deadline.

Related reading

More funded opportunities to explore on the site:

• Chevening Scholarship 2027/2028 (Fully Funded)
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships 2027/28
• Knight-Hennessy Scholars 2027 at Stanford

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Apply on the Official Gates Cambridge Website