The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious and competitive scholarship funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Each year Gates Cambridge offers 80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round. It offers full-cost funding for outstanding international students to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, UK.
The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with financial and non-financial support at one of the world’s leading universities, and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship program was established in October 2000 by a historic donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge. The first class of scholars came into residence in October 2001. Since then, the Trust has awarded over 2,000 scholarships to scholars from more than 100 countries.
Scholarship Summary
- Scholarship Type: Fully-funded
- Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Postgraduate
- Institution: University of Cambridge, UK
- Application Deadline: 7 January 2025 (for International), 16 October 2024 (for USA Students)
University/Institution Details
- University: University of Cambridge
- Location: Cambridge, England, UK
- World Ranking: #3 (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- Programs Offered: Master’s (MPhil), PhD, and some specific research courses
- Duration:
- Master’s (1-2 years)
- PhD (3-4 years)
Study Areas
Here’s a detailed list of study areas offered under the Gates Cambridge Scholarship at the University of Cambridge:
Arts and Humanities
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Classics
- Divinity and Theology
- English Literature
- History (including World History, Modern, Medieval, etc.)
- History of Art
- Linguistics
- Modern and Medieval Languages
- Music
- Philosophy
Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Criminology
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Education
- Geography
- International Relations
- Law (LLM, PhD in Law)
- Politics and Public Policy
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Social Anthropology
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Applied Mathematics
- Biological Sciences (Genetics, Zoology, etc.)
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.)
- Environmental Sciences
- Mathematics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Physics
- Statistics
Life Sciences and Medical Sciences
- Biochemistry
- Biotechnology
- Clinical Neurosciences
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
- Medicine (Research-based Master’s and PhD)
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virology
Interdisciplinary Programs and Specialized Studies
- Environmental Policy
- Gender Studies
- Public Policy (MPP)
- Developmental Biology
- Cognitive and Brain Sciences
- Computational Biology
- Sustainability Studies
- Data Science and Machine Learning
For Details, Visit
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition fees
- The University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate*
- A maintenance allowance for a single student (£21,000 for 12 months at the 2024-25 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months) – for PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years
- Economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course
- Visa and immigration expenses
- Funding for academic development (conferences, travel grants, etc.)
Discretionary components
- The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:
- Academic development funding – from up to £500 to up to £2,000, dependent on the length of your course, to attend conferences and courses.
- Dependent Children Allowance – up to £11,604 for one child and up to £16,548 for two or more children (2023-24 rate). No funding is provided for a partner.
- Fieldwork – you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs as these should be funded by the University Composition Fee).
- Maternity/Paternity funding – should you require it, you may apply to intermit your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time
- Hardship funding – for unforeseen difficulties facing the scholar
Benefits Not Included
- Does not cover bench fees or the costs of scientific equipment or similar academic resources.
- Costs related to fieldwork (some allowances may apply)
- Housing arrangements outside of university-approved accommodation
Scholarship Eligibilities
- Applicants must be international students (non-UK citizens).
- Academic excellence
- Should be able to make a strong case for a particular postgraduate degree at Cambridge.
- Candidates must apply to a full-time Master’s or PhD program at Cambridge.
- 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)
- Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) may be required.
- A commitment to improving the lives of others
- A capacity for leadership
- You must ensure both your academic and gates Cambridge referees submit their references by the specified deadline
The selection criteria are:
- outstanding intellectual ability
- reasons for choice of course
- a commitment to improving the lives of others
- leadership potential
Required Documents
- Gates Cambridge statement (no more than 3000 characters (approximately 500 words) please explain why you are applying for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and how you meet the four main criteria)
- Gates Cambridge requires PhD applicants only to submit a research proposal
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Two academic references for admission
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
6. Application Process
- Apply to the University of Cambridge through their online portal.
- Select “Gates Cambridge Scholarship” in the funding section of the application.
- Submit all required documents within the specified deadlines.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview (usually virtual).
- Final decisions are made by the Gates Cambridge Trust.
7. Tips for a Successful Application
- Showcase your leadership potential and commitment to community impact.
- Craft a compelling personal statement aligning your goals with Cambridge’s mission.
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation from well-known referees.
- Demonstrate clarity in your academic and research interests.
- Apply early to avoid technical issues with the application portal.
8. Monthly Living Expenses for International Students in Cambridge
Monthly living expenses for international students at the University of Cambridge can vary based on lifestyle, housing choices, and personal spending. Here’s an estimated breakdown:
- Accommodation: £700–£1,200
- On-campus housing options are typically more affordable, while private rentals may be on the higher end.
- Food: £250–£400
- Cooking at home is generally cheaper, while eating out frequently can increase costs.
- Transportation: £20–£50
- Cambridge is a bike-friendly city, so many students find cycling an affordable and efficient mode of transport.
- Utilities (if not included in rent): £50–£100
- For private rentals, this may include electricity, heating, and internet costs.
- Study Materials: £30–£50
- Costs can vary by program; some fields may require additional materials or software.
- Personal Expenses (entertainment, personal care, etc.): £100–£150
- Total Estimated Monthly Cost: £1,000–£1,300
9. Why Choose the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
- Access to one of the world’s top universities with world-class facilities.
- Full financial coverage with allowances for personal and academic development.
- Network with scholars and alumni across various fields worldwide.
- A focus on leadership, impact, and community-building initiatives.