The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027 is a prestigious, fully funded international postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, established by a generous donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It supports outstanding students from countries outside the United Kingdom to pursue full‑time postgraduate study, research, or professional projects across a wide range of disciplines.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected recipients will receive comprehensive financial support, including:
● Full tuition fee coverage at the University of Cambridge
● Maintenance allowance for living expenses — approximately £21,000 per year (pro‑rata for shorter programmes; up to four years for PhD students)
● Economy‑class round‑trip airfare at the beginning and end of the course
● Visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge costs
● Discretionary funding options for academic development, such as conference attendance or courses
● Additional support such as dependent children allowance, fieldwork allowance, maternity/paternity funding, and hardship support where eligible
Who Can Apply?
This scholarship is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:
● Are citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
● Intend to pursue an eligible full‑time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge
● Eligible programmes include PhD (full‑ or part‑time in pilot), MLitt, MPhil, LLM, and other selected one‑year postgraduate courses
● Applicants must satisfy the admission and funding requirements for their chosen course at the University of Cambridge
Courses Not Covered
The scholarship does not support certain programmes, including:
● Undergraduate degrees such as BA or second BA
● Professional business degrees like MBA or MFin
● Part‑time degrees (other than pilot part‑time PhD options)
● Non‑degree courses and other excluded programmes
Why You Should Apply
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world’s most comprehensive fully funded scholarships, helping exceptional international students focus on academic and research excellence without financial barriers. It also connects scholars to a global community of leaders committed to positive impact and change.
Take Action
Prepare your application for admission and the scholarship via the University of Cambridge’s graduate application portal before the relevant deadlines (often early December 2025 or early January 2026, depending on the course) to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027.
