by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
One of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, funding outstanding students from outside the UK to pursue any postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
Apply NowFull cost of study at University of Cambridge
1–4 years (depending on degree)
Global
Open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom who are applying to a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. There is no age limit. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Annual
October (US) / December (International)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 with a $210 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — the largest single donation to a UK university from a non-British source. Each year, approximately 80 scholars from outside the United Kingdom are selected to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, with all costs covered.
The scholarship is open to applicants in any field and at any postgraduate level — from a one-year MPhil to a three- or four-year PhD. What distinguishes Gates Cambridge from other prestigious scholarships is its emphasis on social responsibility alongside academic excellence. The selection criteria explicitly value a commitment to improving the lives of others, leadership potential, and a desire to use one's education for the broader good.
Gates Cambridge Scholars join a vibrant community of over 2,000 alumni from more than 100 countries. The Gates Cambridge Trust provides not just financial support but also a rich program of events, workshops, and networking opportunities. Scholars frequently collaborate across disciplines and go on to become leaders in academia, policy, medicine, technology, and social enterprise.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, plus living expenses and additional discretionary funding.
The Gates Cambridge selection process is highly competitive, with around 80 scholarships awarded from approximately 6,000 applications each year.
The Gates Cambridge application is integrated into the University of Cambridge graduate admissions process. You apply for the scholarship and your course simultaneously.
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