Scholarship Guides Gates Cambridge Scholarship: How to Apply
UK (Cambridge) · Application Guide
Gates Cambridge Scholarship: How to Apply
Gates Cambridge is a postgraduate scholarship programme at the University of Cambridge for students from outside the UK. It funds a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, MPhil/MLitt, or one-year postgraduate course). There is no separate Gates Cambridge application. You apply through the University's single Graduate Application Portal and tick the Gates Cambridge box in the funding section.
Administered by: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, administered by the Gates Cambridge Trust at the University of Cambridge
Written by Zain Aqdas, Founder and lead researcher, Scholarships AtlasLast updated 30 October 2026
What it covers
- Full cost of study at Cambridge (university composition fee / tuition)
- A maintenance allowance for living costs
- One economy single airfare at the start and one at the end of the course
- Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Discretionary funding (e.g. fieldwork, conference travel, and family allowance as eligible)
- Access to the Gates Cambridge Scholars community and events
Eligibility
- A citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
- Applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge
- Must meet the University's admission requirements for the course you choose
- Selection is against four criteria: academic excellence, a strong fit for the course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership capacity
Application — step by step
- 1
Choose your Cambridge course and check its application deadline
Gates Cambridge candidates apply through the University's Graduate Application Portal. Each course and department has its own deadline (most are between September and early December for the following academic year), so confirm yours before starting.
- 2
Submit one combined application for admission and funding
In the Graduate Application Portal you complete the admission section (course, college preference, academic background) and the funding section. Tick the Gates Cambridge option and answer its four selection questions (approx. 200-300 words each) on academic excellence, why this course, commitment to improving lives, and leadership.
- 3
Arrange the Gates Cambridge reference
Besides the two academic references for admission, Gates Cambridge requires a separate reference assessing your fit against its four selection criteria. Ask someone of appropriate standing (often an academic advisor, employer, or senior volunteer contact) and brief them on the criteria.
- 4
PhD applicants: include a research proposal
Most PhD applicants upload a research proposal as part of the admission documents. Where the course does not require one, Gates Cambridge requires one with the funding application. Non-PhD applicants do not need a research proposal.
- 5
Departmental nomination
The academic department shortlists candidates from the combined application pool and nominates the strongest for Gates Cambridge consideration.
- 6
Gates Cambridge selection (shortlist, interviews, awards)
Nominated candidates are considered against the four criteria; shortlisted candidates are interviewed (held in late January / early February for October entry), and final awards are made after the University's admission decisions.
Typical documents needed
- Online application via the University's Graduate Application Portal
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Two academic references for admission
- One Gates Cambridge reference addressing the four selection criteria
- Research proposal (PhD applicants, where not covered by the course requirement)
- English language test scores where your course requires them
Annual cycle
Dates move every year — always confirm on the official portal before planning around them.
- September (2026)
- Applications open for the next academic year
- October to early December
- Course-specific application deadlines (confirm per department)
- Late January / early February
- Gates Cambridge interviews for shortlisted candidates
- By the end of February / March
- Awards announced
- October
- Studies begin at Cambridge