The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026 is a fully-funded scholarship for Masters and PhD studies in the UK. The scholarship was launched in 2000 with a donation from Bill and Melinda Gates to the University of Cambridge. Each year, the program selects approximately 80 students from around the world to study any postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge. To date, the institution has awarded over 2,000 scholarships to students from over 100 countries. Below, you will find more details on how to apply, the requirements and benefits.
Details About Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026
- Host Country: UK
- Scholarship Name: Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- University Name: Cambridge University
- Scholarship for: Master, PhD, MSC, MLitt
- Number of Scholarships: 80
- Deadline:
- (15th October 2025 for USA Residents)
- For all other Nationals (2nd Dec 2025 or 7th January 2026)
Benefits of the Gates Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship for worldwide students covers the full expense of studying at Cambridge. This includes:
- Maintenance Allowance
- Airfare Ticket (Economy Class)
- University Fee.
- Visa costs & the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The Trust also provides Funding for:
- Fieldwork Allowance
- Attending conferences and courses.
- Dependent Children Allowance
- Maternity/Paternity funding
- Hardship funding – for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar.
Academic Fields
The Gates Cambridge scholarship is available in all academic disciplines, except:
- Any Undergraduate degree, such as a BA (undergraduate) or a BA affiliated (a second BA)
- Business Doctorate
- Master of Business
- Master of Finance
- MASt courses
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time, Home students only)
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
- Part-time degrees other than the PhD
- Non-degree courses
The above courses are not included in the Gates Scholarship.
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Eligibility Criteria
- The Gates Cambridge scholarship is open to applicants from outside the UK.
- UK Nationals are not eligible.
- Applying to pursue one of the following courses at the University of Cambridge:
- PhD (full-time or part-time*)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions
- Applicants with excellent academic skills and grades.
- Fill out the combined application form (Admission + Gates Funding).
Note: Current students at the University of Cambridge can also apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if they wish to undertake a new postgraduate course. For example, if you are currently enrolled on an MPhil course, you can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to study for a PhD.
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How to Apply?
Follow the application steps:
- You only need to complete one application form via the University’s postgraduate application portal.
- This form is used to apply for admission and scholarships (including the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and other scholarships).
- To be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must complete all sections of the application.
- Go to the Course Directory and find the course you wish to apply for.
- Admission Section: All international applicants, please apply by the Course deadline referenced in the University Course Directory. Most courses have deadlines of either 3rd Dec 2025 or 7th January 2026.
- Funding section: In this section, you can apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarships and other funding.
- Gates Cambridge has access to the full application form and funding when reviewing applications.
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Gates Cambridge Scholarship Requirements
- Apply for admission online at Cambridge University (see Course Directory) and fill out the Gates scholarship section for funding.
- Upload Gates Cambridge statement (approximately 500 words)
- Research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- Gates Cambridge reference (two academic references)
Watch the Cambridge University video on the Gates Application Process (here). The Link to the official website is given below.
APPLY FOR THE GATES CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP
