Gates Cambridge Scholarship for Postgraduates

About the Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Gates Cambridge scholarship is confirmed for the 2026/2027 academic year, though the exact application window is not stated here, so confirm the current dates on the official website before you start. This is one of the most selective postgraduate awards in the world. It funds full-time study at the University of Cambridge for students from outside the United Kingdom.

The programme looks for outstanding postgraduate students who show a potential for social leadership and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others. In practice, academic strength alone is not enough. Selectors want evidence that you will use your degree to benefit communities beyond yourself.

Who Runs the Programme

The scholarship is funded and administered through Gates Cambridge, based at the University of Cambridge. The award was established with a major gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Because the programme sits inside Cambridge, scholars study across the full range of the university’s departments and colleges.

Study Level and Eligible Fields

This is a postgraduate award only. It supports full-time study at Cambridge, which typically includes research and taught master’s degrees as well as doctoral programmes. Eligible fields are broad, since the scholarship is open across the university’s academic disciplines rather than tied to one subject. Check the official pages for the specific courses supported in the current round.

How Many Scholarships Are Offered

The exact number of awards for the 2026/2027 cycle is not specified here. Gates Cambridge selects a limited cohort each year, and competition is intense. For a precise figure, review the current statistics published on the official website.

Who Can Apply

The scholarship targets outstanding postgraduate students from outside the United Kingdom. Because the award prizes social leadership, applicants from Africa and other regions who want to drive change at home are a strong fit. The programme values people who plan to apply their skills for the benefit of others, not just personal advancement.

Funding and Benefits

The Gates Cambridge scholarship is a full-cost award. While the exact figures are not listed here, the programme is known to cover:

• Full university tuition and college fees.
• A maintenance stipend for living costs.
• Travel allowances tied to your study.

Confirm the current stipend rates and additional discretionary funding on the official website, since amounts are reviewed each cycle. The duration matches the length of your Cambridge course.

Eligibility Requirements

The core requirements, based on how the programme is described, include the following:

• You are a national of a country outside the United Kingdom.
• You are applying for a full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge.
• You show strong academic ability alongside a clear record of leadership.
• You demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Specific academic thresholds depend on your chosen course. For that reason, read the departmental entry requirements as well as the scholarship criteria.

Application Process for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship

You apply for the Gates Cambridge scholarship through the same online application you use to apply for your Cambridge course. In most cases, ticking the funding section flags you for consideration automatically. This article reports on the 2026/2027 academic year, so verify the precise closing date on the official site, because deadlines differ depending on your course and country.

Prepare your supporting materials early. Typically you will need:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
• Academic references.
• A research proposal, where your course requires one.
• A personal statement covering your leadership and commitment to others.

Missing the stated deadline means your application will not be considered in that round, so submit ahead of time. For questions, use the contact details published on the official Gates Cambridge website.

Official Gates Cambridge Website

Apply and confirm the current dates through the official page: https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/.