Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 – Fully Funded Master’s and PhD in the UK
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 is now open for international students who want to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge in the UK. The fully funded scholarship is available for eligible master’s and PhD programs and provides financial support for tuition, living costs, travel and visa-related expenses.
Around 70 scholarships are awarded each year, with about two-thirds of the awards going to PhD applicants. Students from countries outside the UK can apply if they meet both the Cambridge course requirements and Gates Cambridge eligibility criteria.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 Deadlines
There are two application rounds. The deadline depends on the applicant’s nationality and chosen course.
| Applicant Category | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| US citizens normally living in the United States | October 14, 2026 |
| Other eligible international applicants | December 8, 2026 or January 6, 2027 |
| Scholarship start | 2027–28 academic year |
Applicants should check the deadline listed for their specific Cambridge course, because some courses have earlier closing dates.
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What Does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Cover?
The fully funded Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides significant financial support during study. It covers the University Composition Fee, which is the tuition fee charged by Cambridge.
The scholarship also includes visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Scholars normally receive economy-class airfare for travelling to Cambridge at the beginning of their course and a return flight at the end.
For the published 2026–27 rate, the scholarship provides £23,152 per year for living expenses for a single student. The amount for students beginning in 2027 should be confirmed when the new award rate is published.
Additional Financial Support
Gates Cambridge scholars may receive additional funding when they meet the relevant conditions. This can include support for conferences, courses and approved fieldwork.
The Trust can also provide family allowance for scholars with children. The published rates include up to £12,793 annually for one child and up to £18,244 for two or more children.
Other support may include hardship funding and continued living allowance during approved maternity or paternity study breaks. Funding is assessed according to the Trust’s rules and individual circumstances.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship for international students is generally open to citizens of countries outside the UK who apply for an eligible postgraduate course at Cambridge.
Eligible study options include:
- Full-time PhD programs
- Part-time PhD programs under the continuing pilot
- Full-time MLitt degrees
- Eligible one-year postgraduate courses
- Other qualifying full-time master’s programs
Applicants must also satisfy the admission requirements of their selected Cambridge course. Academic qualifications and English-language requirements vary between departments.
Courses Not Covered by Gates Cambridge
The scholarship does not cover every postgraduate program at Cambridge. Undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, MBA programs, EMBA programs and Master of Finance programs are among the excluded courses.
Other excluded programs include certain executive degrees, professional development courses and specific medical programs. Students should carefully check the official Gates Cambridge eligibility list before submitting an application.
How to Apply for the Scholarship
Students apply for Cambridge University admission and Gates Cambridge funding through the same postgraduate application.
First, applicants should select an eligible course from the Cambridge Course Directory and review its entry requirements and funding deadline. PhD applicants and many research-based MPhil applicants should contact a potential supervisor before applying.
The application requires academic documents, a CV, references and other materials requested by the department. PhD candidates normally need a research proposal, while other applicants may need a personal statement or written work.
In the funding section of the Cambridge Applicant Portal, applicants can request consideration for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and complete the required scholarship questions.
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Gates Cambridge Selection Process
The Gates Cambridge selection process considers academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential.
Cambridge departments first nominate suitable candidates. Shortlisted applicants are then invited to an interview, which normally lasts around 25 to 30 minutes and may take place online or in person.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss their academic background, proposed course, research interests, career plans and reasons for applying. Successful candidates are selected following the interview stage.
