Pursue your studies in the UK! Good news: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is now open. In this article, we will explain everything about the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, its benefits, and the step-by-step application process.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship for 2025-2026 is a fully funded scholarship for international students. This scholarship is available for master’s and PhD studies. It provides a £21,000 annual stipend, health insurance, academic development funding up to £2,000, and a family allowance up to £16,548.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship Program was established in October 2000 with a donation of US$ 210 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge, making it the largest single donation ever made to a UK university.
For 2024, the Gates Cambridge will award 80 full-cost scholarships to exceptional candidates from outside the United Kingdom to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Around two-thirds of these awards will be given to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 in the International round.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Masters, PhD
- Institution(s): University of Cambridge
- Study in: UK
- Opportunity Focus Areas: All available courses at the University of Cambridge, except the courses listed below
- Program Duration: Two years for masters and three years for PhD
- Deadline:
- For US Citizens: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (12:00 noon in local US time)
- For International Students: Depending on your course, either December 3, 2024, or January 7, 2025 (check Course Directory)
Courses which are NOT eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships:
- Any Undergraduate degree such as BA (undergraduate) or BA affiliated (a second BA)
- Business Doctorate (BusD)
- Master of Business (MBA)
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time)
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
- Part-time degrees
- Non-degree courses
Scholarship Coverage
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides the following benefits to the recipient:
- 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
- One economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
- Inbound visa costs and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Academic development funding (from £500 to £2,000, depending on the length of the 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 your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD. (The Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs, which should be covered by the University Composition Fee)
- Maternity/Paternity funding: If needed, you may apply to pause your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time
- Hardship funding: For unforeseen difficulties faced by the scholar
Eligibility Criteria for Gates Cambridge Scholarship
To qualify for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: English
- Eligible Countries: All countries worldwide
- Academic Excellence: Strong academic background
- Postgraduate Degree: Must be able to make a strong case for pursuing a particular postgraduate degree at Cambridge
- Commitment to Helping Others: A dedication to improving the lives of others
- Leadership Skills: A capacity for leadership
- International Applicants: Must be from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree
How to Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Please follow the following application instructions to apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship:
- Apply for admission to a course and a College place and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section.
- Build up an account on the website.
- Fill in your personal information
- Submit these documents:
- Gates Cambridge Statement: In 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.
- CV/Resume
- Research proposal (PhD applicants only)
- Gates reference: In addition to two academic references for admission, Gates Cambridge applicants submit a reference about their fit with the scholarship.
- Answer the application questions.
- Submit the application
To know more about Gates Cambridge Scholarship, please visit official website: