United Kingdom · University of Cambridge
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One of the world's most competitive postgraduate scholarships, funded by the Gates Cambridge Trust. It pays the full cost of a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge for outstanding applicants from outside the UK — around 70 awards a year (official Trust figure; about two-thirds to PhD students, about a third in the US round), selected as a single global competition with no country quotas.
| Qualification Required | Graduationfor Masters
Masters/MPhilfor PhD This scholarship is offered for Masters and PhD programs. |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom applying for an eligible full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge. US citizens resident in the USA have a separate earlier round. |
| Experience | No experience required |
| Language Certificate | course-dependent English requirements (check the Course Directory) |
| Other Certificates | Degree certificates & transcripts |
| Age Limit | No Age Limit |
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom applying for an eligible full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge. US citizens resident in the USA have a…
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
course-dependent English requirements (check the Course Directory)
citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom applying for an eligible full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge
course application documents (transcripts, CV as required by course); four Gates written answers; research proposal (PhD); two academic references + one Gates Cambridge reference.
7 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
the course is eligible and note its funding deadline (8 Dec 2026 or 6 Jan 2027).
Graduate Application Portal (covers admission + funding).
four written answers on academic excellence (~200 words), reasons for course choice (~200 words), commitment to improving others' lives (~300 words), and leadership (~300 words).
time on the course funding deadline.
Gates Cambridge reference — all must be submitted by the deadline (referees submit online; the Gates reference allows up to 4,000 characters).
by the Trust where the course doesn't already ask for one).
interviews (Mar 2027) → offers by early April 2027.
within 72 hours of the offer — set a calendar alert the day you apply.
submit final degree/transcripts; finish HEC → MOFA attestation now if pending.
TB test (6-month validity — time it for the visa application, not the offer).
IHS is paid inside the visa application — no separate step.
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