The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly competitive, fully-funded award for outstanding international students (non-UK citizens) who want to take a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. It covers tuition, a maintenance stipend and other costs, and is awarded to candidates who show academic excellence, a compelling reason for their chosen course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential .Gates Cambridge+1
What this scholarship is and why it exists
- What it is: A full-cost scholarship programme funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that supports exceptional postgraduate students from outside the UK to study at Cambridge. About ~80 full-cost awards are made each year (most go to PhD students). Gates Cambridge
- Why it exists: To bring talented international students to Cambridge who demonstrate academic excellence and the potential to make a positive difference in the world. The programme aims to build leadership and carry out high-impact research and service. Gates Cambridge
About the University of Cambridge
- Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom — one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious research universities.
- Structure: Cambridge is made up of academic departments and individual Colleges (you apply for a course and a College place).
- Why Cambridge for research: World-class supervisors, cutting-edge labs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong network of alumni. (See official Cambridge pages for course and College details.) Postgraduate Study
Available fields / subjects
All academic fields offered at Cambridge are eligible for Gates funding — science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities, law, business-related courses and more. (Certain short professional qualifications may be ineligible; always check the course page.) Gates Cambridge+1
Eligibility — who can apply (in detail)
To be eligible for Gates Cambridge you must normally meet all of the following:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom. Gates Cambridge
- Course level: Be applying for a qualifying postgraduate course at Cambridge: PhD (full-time/part-time*), MLitt (full-time) or a one-year postgraduate course (full-time) — check the eligibility list for exceptions. Gates Cambridge
- Admission requirement: Be a strong candidate for admission to your chosen Cambridge department and course (departments nominate the strongest applicants for Gates consideration). Gates Cambridge
- Timing / rounds: You must submit your Cambridge application and the Gates funding section by the relevant funding deadline for your course and country round (see deadlines below). Gates Cambridge+1
Cambridge sometimes pilots part-time PhD options — check the current Gates eligibility page if you plan part-time study. Gates Cambridge
Financial benefits — what the scholarship covers
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost award. Typical benefits include:
- University fees / tuition paid in full.
- Maintenance stipend (a living allowance paid regularly; amounts vary year-to-year). Gates Cambridge+1
- Travel support: economy flights to/from Cambridge at the start and end of the course (usually one trip each way). Gates Cambridge
- Visa and health surcharge costs (covered where applicable). student-funding.cam.ac.uk
- Additional discretionary funding (in some cases) for academic activities, research costs or conferences. Gates Cambridge
Exact stipend figures and allowances change over time — always check the official Gates Cambridge and University funding pages for current values. Gates Cambridge+1
Required Documents (detailed checklist)
Prepare these commonly requested items before you open the application portal — uploading complete, well-labelled PDFs speeds the process.
Core application documents:
- Passport bio page (clear scan).
- Academic transcripts (bachelor’s and master’s where applicable) — official copies and, if not in English, certified translations. Postgraduate Study
- Degree certificates (bachelor / master as applicable).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) — include education, positions, publications, research projects, technical skills. Postgraduate Study
- Gates Cambridge statement(s) — the scholarship requires a short statement (check current guidance for word limits). scholars.uci.edu
- Research proposal (PhD applicants only) — clear, feasible, and tailored to Cambridge and specific supervisors / departments. Postgraduate Study
- Personal statement / statement of purpose (for your Cambridge course) — explain your motivation and fit. Postgraduate Study
- References: You must nominate academic referees in the Applicant Portal; referees will submit letters electronically. The Gates application may require an additional Gates reference that speaks specifically to the Gates selection criteria — plan to inform one referee about this. Postgraduate Study+1
- English language test results (TOEFL/IELTS) if required by your department — sometimes you upload only if offered or if requested; check your course page. Postgraduate Study
- Samples of written work (if your course requests them).
- GRE/GMAT (only if the department asks — check course requirements). Postgraduate Study
Optional / helpful items: publications, conference papers, portfolios, certificates of awards, evidence of leadership or service activities.
How to apply — step-by-step (real, official steps)
Follow these steps exactly. Gates Cambridge does not accept an application separate from the Cambridge admissions portal — you apply to Cambridge and nominate Gates funding in the same process.
Gates Cambridge
- Step 1 — Choose course & check eligibility
- Use the University of Cambridge course directory to pick the exact course code you want and check departmental entry requirements (research vs taught). Confirm that the course is eligible for Gates funding.
Postgraduate Study
- Use the University of Cambridge course directory to pick the exact course code you want and check departmental entry requirements (research vs taught). Confirm that the course is eligible for Gates funding.
- Step 2 — Prepare documents & referees early
- Ask 2–3 referees (academic research supervisors are best). For Gates you will usually need an extra Gates-specific reference (check instructions) — tell referees the Gates criteria so they can comment on leadership, impact and intellectual ability.
Postgraduate Study
- Ask 2–3 referees (academic research supervisors are best). For Gates you will usually need an extra Gates-specific reference (check instructions) — tell referees the Gates criteria so they can comment on leadership, impact and intellectual ability.
- Step 3 — Create an account on the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal
- Start your application at the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Complete the personal details and select the course and College you prefer. (You can request a college later if unsure — but select appropriately.)
Gates Cambridge
- Start your application at the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Complete the personal details and select the course and College you prefer. (You can request a college later if unsure — but select appropriately.)
- Step 4 — Complete the funding / Gates section in the portal
- In the funding section of the portal, select to apply for Gates Cambridge (or other funds you want to be considered for). Complete any Gates-specific questions and upload your Gates statement(s).
Gates Cambridge
- In the funding section of the portal, select to apply for Gates Cambridge (or other funds you want to be considered for). Complete any Gates-specific questions and upload your Gates statement(s).
- Step 5 — Submit referees’ details & request letters
- Enter the referees’ institutional emails in the portal. Cambridge will contact referees to submit letters. Your application is incomplete until references are received — make sure referees submit before funding deadlines.
Postgraduate Study
- Enter the referees’ institutional emails in the portal. Cambridge will contact referees to submit letters. Your application is incomplete until references are received — make sure referees submit before funding deadlines.
- Step 6 — Upload documents and submit your application
- Upload transcripts, CV, research proposal (if PhD), English tests (if required), and any course-specific documents. Double-check that everything is uploaded and meets file size/format rules. Submit by your course’s funding deadline.
Postgraduate Study
- Upload transcripts, CV, research proposal (if PhD), English tests (if required), and any course-specific documents. Double-check that everything is uploaded and meets file size/format rules. Submit by your course’s funding deadline.
- Step 7 — Departmental review and nomination
- Departments shortlist and nominate a small number of applicants they feel are the strongest fit; only nominated applicants progress to the Gates interview stage. This is why course fit and department endorsements matter a lot.
Gates Cambridge
- Departments shortlist and nominate a small number of applicants they feel are the strongest fit; only nominated applicants progress to the Gates interview stage. This is why course fit and department endorsements matter a lot.
- Step 8 — Interview (if nominated)
- If nominated, you will be invited to an interview (format / timing announced by Gates). Prepare to explain your research, impact plans and how you meet the Gates criteria.
Gates Cambridge
- If nominated, you will be invited to an interview (format / timing announced by Gates). Prepare to explain your research, impact plans and how you meet the Gates criteria.
- Step 9 — Offer and follow-up
- If selected, you receive an admission + Gates scholarship offer letter with instructions for acceptance, visa, and arrival. Accept per instructions and follow onboarding steps.
Gates Cambridge
- If selected, you receive an admission + Gates scholarship offer letter with instructions for acceptance, visa, and arrival. Accept per instructions and follow onboarding steps.
Deadlines & timeline (important for 2025–26)
- Applications for 2026 entry open in September 2025 on the Gates portal (official timeline). For many applicants the key funding deadlines are early December 2025 and early January 2026 — check the course page for which deadline applies to your course. US applicants often follow an earlier “US round” (mid-October). Always verify the exact date for your course and your national round on the Cambridge / Gates pages. Gates Cambridge+1
How Gates selects (brief)
- Two-stage process: (1) academic departments nominate a short list of applicants; (2) nominated candidates are interviewed by Gates selectors. Selection is based on four criteria: academic excellence, reasons for choice of course, leadership potential, and a desire to improve the lives of others. Gates Cambridge+1
Practical tips to improve your chance
Target your department: show clear research fit with named supervisors and explain why Cambridge is the right place. Postgraduate Study
Strong referees: pick referees who can comment on your research potential and leadership — give them your CV and SOP to help them write specific letters. Dutton Institute
Concise Gates statement: answer why you are a Gates candidate — connect leadership, research goals and societal impact. scholars.uci.edu
Prepare for interview: practise explaining your research clearly and how it links to broader impact. Gates Cambridge
Apply early & to more than one funder: Gates is highly selective — have back-up funding plans. Gates Cambridge
Official pages & where to check (must-visit)
- Gates Cambridge — Official site (eligibility, timeline, how to apply, criteria): https://www.gatescambridge.org/ . Gates Cambridge
- Gates Cambridge — How to apply & Timeline pages (deadlines & rounds): https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/how-to-apply/ and https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/timeline/ . Gates Cambridge+1
- University of Cambridge — Postgraduate study & funding pages (supporting documents, course deadlines): https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/ and the course directory & funding search. Postgraduate Study+1
Final note & next steps
Gates Cambridge is one of the most prestigious postgraduate scholarships in the world. It is strongly merit-based but also looks for leadership and impact. Your next actions: pick your Cambridge course, prepare a tight research proposal (if PhD), confirm your referees, and submit the Cambridge application with Gates funding selected well before your course’s funding deadline. Gates Cambridge+1
