Gates Cambridge PhD Scholarship for International Students 2026 – Full Cost + £23,152 Stipend

Scholarship Description

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world's most prestigious and generous international scholarships, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Established in October 2000 with a historic US$210 million donation, the programme enables outstanding graduate students from outside the United Kingdom to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.

Each year, around 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded, with approximately two-thirds offered to PhD students. The scholarship covers the complete cost of studying at Cambridge, including the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance, airfare, visa costs, and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Gates Cambridge Scholars are selected not only for their outstanding intellectual ability but also for their commitment to improving the lives of others and their capacity for leadership. The programme aims to build a global network of future leaders who will use their education to serve society.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is tenable at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Scholars pursue their research across the university's departments and Colleges, forming a distinctive community alongside approximately 250 current Gates Cambridge Scholars from around the world.

Scholarship Deadline

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship has two selection rounds with different deadlines. US citizens resident in the USA must apply by the US round deadline, while all other eligible applicants apply through the International round, which aligns with the University's postgraduate funding competition. Deadline dates vary by course.

Note: The US round is specifically for applicants who are both US citizens and currently resident in the United States. US citizens studying or working overseas at the time of application should apply in the International round. All application documents, including references, must be submitted by the deadline.

Host Institution

University of Cambridge – One of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities, consistently ranked among the top institutions globally. Cambridge offers a unique collegiate system, world-class research facilities, and a rich academic heritage spanning over 800 years. The university is home to a vibrant international community of scholars and researchers.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: PhD (full-time or part-time), MPhil, MLitt, MRes, LLM, and other one-year postgraduate courses (full-time). Approximately two-thirds of awards are offered to PhD students.

Eligible Fields: Any subject available at the University of Cambridge. This includes:

• Arts and Humanities
• Biological and Clinical Medicine
• Business and Management
• Computer Science and Technology
• Economics and Social Sciences
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physical Sciences
• and many more

Non-Eligible Courses: PGCert, PGDip, MSt, MASt, MBA, EMBA, MFin, BusD (Doctor of Business), Doctor of Education, PGCE, MD Doctor of Medicine, the Graduate Course in Medicine, and the Master of Conservation of Easel Painting. Part-time degrees other than the PhD are also not eligible.

Target Group

The scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom. This includes international students from all over the world, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 in the International round. There is no age limit for applicants, and dual citizens of the UK and another country are eligible. The programme seeks outstanding individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Duration: For PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years. For master's students, the duration matches the course length (typically 1 or 2 years).

Number of Awards: Approximately 80 full-cost scholarships per year (about 25 in the US round and 55 in the International round).

Scholarship benefits include:

• University Composition Fee – Full coverage at the appropriate rate (varies by course and student status).
• Maintenance allowance – £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate (pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months). For PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years.
• Airfare – One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course.
• Visa costs – Inbound visa costs covered.
• Immigration Health Surcharge – Covered by the scholarship.
• Academic development funding – From up to £750 to up to £4,000, depending on course length, to attend conferences and courses.
• Dependent Children Allowance – Up to £12,793 per annum for one child and up to £18,244 per annum for two or more children.
• Fieldwork support – You may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD.
• Maternity/paternity funding – Up to 6 months of intermission with continued maintenance allowance.
• Hardship funding – For unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria for 2026/2027:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom. Dual citizens of the UK and another country are eligible.
• Admission: Must be applying to pursue an eligible full-time or part-time postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.
• Academic Ability: Must demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability. Successful applicants typically have GPAs of 3.9 and above, though there is no strict minimum GPA requirement.
• Leadership: Must demonstrate a capacity for leadership and the ability to inspire and mobilize others.
• Commitment: Must show a commitment to improving the lives of others and using knowledge to contribute to society.
• Course Fit: Must demonstrate a good fit between qualifications, aspirations, and the chosen postgraduate programme.
• Bachelor's Degree: Must hold a bachelor's degree prior to undertaking the grant.

Application Procedure

1. Choose your course – Find the postgraduate course that is right for you in the University of Cambridge Course Directory. Ensure it is eligible for Gates Cambridge funding and note the course-specific funding deadline.
2. Prepare supporting documents – Gather the following: CV/resume, academic transcripts and degree certificates, research proposal (for PhD applicants), and two academic references. For the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you will also need an additional Gates Cambridge reference and a personal statement.
3. Submit your application to the University of Cambridge – Apply through the University's postgraduate admissions portal. You must have a complete application, including all references, submitted by the relevant funding deadline.
4. Complete the Gates Cambridge statement – In no more than 3,000 characters (approximately 500 words), explain why you are applying for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and how you meet the four main criteria.
5. Submit the Gates Cambridge reference – This is an additional reference (separate from your two academic references) that focuses on the scholarship criteria. You can nominate the same person as your academic referee and your Gates Cambridge referee, but they should write two distinct references.
6. Await notification – US round applicants will be notified by 14 December 2026. International round applicants will be notified by 8 March 2027. Scholarship offers are made shortly after.

Important notes: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not have a minimum GPA requirement, but academic excellence is rigorously assessed. There is no English language test score requirement specific to the scholarship, but the University of Cambridge has its own requirements. You do not need to confirm a supervisor before applying, but it is advisable to research your prospective department. A research proposal is required for your Gates Cambridge application only if you are applying for a PhD programme where the course application does not have an equivalent requirement.

Official Website & Application Link

Gates Cambridge Scholarship – Official Page

Gates Cambridge Apply Page: https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/

University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/