Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027 — Fully Funded Study at University of Cambridge
Dreaming of studying at one of the world’s top universities without worrying about the bill? The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded opportunities out there, and applications open this September 2026.
What It Covers
This is a full-ride scholarship. It takes care of:
- Full tuition fees
- A maintenance allowance (£22,000 for 12 months at current rates, pro-rated for shorter courses)
- Return economy airfare (start and end of your course)
- Visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Extra discretionary funding for things like academic development, fieldwork, and family allowance where applicable
Who Can Apply
- Citizens of any country outside the UK
- Applicants pursuing a PhD (full or part-time), an MLitt, or a one-year full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge
- About 80 scholarships are awarded each year, across any subject offered at the university
Note: undergraduate degrees, MBAs, EMBAs, MFin, and a few other specific courses are not eligible — check the full exclusion list on the official site before applying.
Key Dates
- Applications open: September 2026
- 14 October 2026 — deadline for US citizens resident in the USA
- 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 — deadline for all other eligible applicants (depending on course)
- Course start: October 2027
How to Apply
You apply through the University of Cambridge’s Graduate Application Portal — there’s no separate Gates Cambridge form. You’ll need to complete both the course/college application and the Gates Cambridge funding section in the same application.
Read the official “How to Apply” guide before you start, and bookmark the official Gates Cambridge site for updates.
