University of Cambridge
Master’s and PhD Degree Programs
Application Deadlines:
- October 16, 2024 (for US citizens residing in the USA)
- December 3, 2024, or January 7, 2025 (depending on the course)
Study Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Course Start Date: October 2025
Overview:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are among the most prestigious and highly competitive international scholarships available. They are awarded annually to exceptional students from countries outside the United Kingdom who wish to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for students undertaking various postgraduate courses, from one-year master’s programs to full-time doctoral research (PhD). Established in 2000, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was funded by a generous donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and has since grown into one of the most respected and sought-after scholarships in the world.
Host Institution:
- University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
Level and Field of Study:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is available to applicants wishing to pursue the following types of full-time postgraduate study:
- PhD (full-time or part-time)
- MSc or MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate courses (full-time), with some exceptions (see below for the list of ineligible courses).
Note: There are certain postgraduate programs that are not eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. These include:
- Undergraduate programs such as BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BA affiliated (second BA).
- Business Doctorate (BusD), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance (MFin).
- MASt courses.
- PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education).
- MBBChir Clinical Studies.
- MD Doctor of Medicine (6-year, part-time program).
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101).
- Part-time degrees.
- Non-degree courses.
Number of Scholarships:
Approximately 80 Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded each year to exceptional international students. These scholarships are distributed across various fields of study, with the aim of supporting a diverse group of scholars who are committed to contributing to the betterment of society through their research and leadership.
Target Group:
The scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom. It is specifically designed for those who are applying to study a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, with a focus on applicants who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to contributing to the global community.
Scholarship Value and Inclusions:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides a fully-funded opportunity for recipients, covering the entire cost of studying at the University of Cambridge. The financial support includes:
- Full tuition fees for the duration of the course.
- Maintenance allowance: £21,000 per year (as of 2024-2025), which is sufficient to cover living expenses. For shorter courses (less than 12 months), the maintenance allowance is provided on a pro-rata basis.
- For PhD scholars, the award is available for up to four years.
- One economy return airfare at the beginning and end of the program.
- Visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which covers access to the National Health Service (NHS) during the scholar’s stay in the UK.
In addition to the core funding, the scholarship offers several discretionary financial benefits, which may include:
- Academic development funding: for activities such as attending conferences, additional training, and research development.
- Family allowance: for scholars with dependents.
- Fieldwork funding: for scholars conducting field research as part of their studies.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is designed to ensure that recipients can fully focus on their studies and research without the need to worry about financial constraints. This allows scholars to engage fully with the academic community at Cambridge and to pursue their research and professional goals.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom. There are no specific restrictions based on nationality or country of origin.
- Course of Study: You must apply to study one of the following full-time residential courses at the University of Cambridge:
- PhD (full-time or part-time*),
- MSc or MLitt (full-time),
- A one-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions as outlined above.
Applicants must ensure that they are applying for eligible courses, as detailed in the ineligible courses section above.
- Admission Requirement: To be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must apply for admission to the University of Cambridge. This includes submitting a complete application through the University’s Graduate Application Portal, where you will also be required to complete the section for applying for Gates Cambridge funding.
- Academic Excellence: Applicants are expected to demonstrate exceptional academic ability, strong leadership potential, and a commitment to addressing global challenges. This is assessed through the application process, which includes academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
- Leadership Potential: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is not just about academic achievement; the selection committee looks for individuals who demonstrate leadership skills and who have the potential to make a significant positive impact in their field or in the broader community.
Application Process:
The application process for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is integrated into the University of Cambridge’s graduate admissions system. To apply, you must complete both the admission application and the funding application via the university’s online portal.
There are specific deadlines for applying for the scholarship, which vary depending on your course of interest:
- For US citizens who are residing in the United States, the application deadline is October 16, 2024.
- For all other international applicants, the deadlines for submitting applications are:
- December 3, 2024, or
- January 7, 2025, depending on the course you are applying for.
It is important to carefully read the How to Apply section on the official Gates Cambridge website, as this will provide detailed instructions on how to navigate the application portal, including the required documents and specific steps for completing both the admission and funding applications.
Application Requirements:
When applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you will need to submit several key documents:
- A completed graduate application form to the University of Cambridge.
- Personal statement outlining your academic and professional goals, as well as your reasons for wanting to study at Cambridge.
- References from academic or professional sources who can speak to your potential for success in your chosen field of study.
- Transcripts of all your academic qualifications to date.
- A research proposal (for PhD applicants) outlining your intended research topic and its relevance.
Applicants should make sure they complete the Gates Cambridge funding section in the university’s online portal to be considered for the scholarship.
Further Information:
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers an unparalleled opportunity for international students to pursue their postgraduate studies at one of the world’s leading universities. In addition to the financial support, the scholarship provides scholars with a community of like-minded individuals who share a commitment to global impact and leadership.
For further details, including information on eligibility, the application process, and the scholarship’s benefits, prospective applicants should visit the official website of the Gates Cambridge Trust:
Official Website: Gates Cambridge Scholarships
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is not only an opportunity for academic and professional growth but also a chance to join a global network of scholars committed to tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues.
