The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027-28 is accepting applications for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge in the UK. The fully funded award is aimed at international applicants outside the UK who are applying for PhD, MSc/MLitt or one-year postgraduate courses, with deadlines that vary by course and an earlier deadline for US citizens resident in the USA.
Key facts
- The scholarship is open to students from any country outside the UK.
- It supports PhD, MSc/MLitt and one-year postgraduate courses at Cambridge.
- Cambridge offers around 80 Gates scholarships.
- The award includes full tuition, a living allowance, return airfare, and visa and health surcharge costs.
- Deadlines are 14 October 2026 for US citizens resident in the USA, or 8 December 2026 / 6 January 2027 depending on the course.
What this means for postgraduate applicants
For eligible students, the scholarship removes the main study costs associated with a postgraduate degree at Cambridge. The funding package includes full tuition fees, an annual living allowance of £22,050 for 12 months, one return airfare, and visa costs plus the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Applicants must first choose a course and college place, then apply through the University’s Graduate Application Portal and request Gates Cambridge funding in the funding section. The application also requires a personal statement of no more than 3,000 characters, three reference letters, and, for PhD candidates, a research proposal.
- Eligible degree levels: PhD, MSc/MLitt and one-year postgraduate courses.
- Not eligible: undergraduate degrees, MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE, MBBChir Clinical Studies, MD, and several other non-standard or professional courses listed in the evidence.
- Deadline pressure matters: if a course fills early, the application status can close before the stated deadline.
What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover?
The award is described as fully funded and includes full tuition fees at Cambridge, a living allowance of £22,050 for 12 months, one return airfare, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Additional support may be available on request for conference and course funding, dependent children, PhD fieldwork, maternity or paternity leave, and hardship situations.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be citizens of any country outside the UK and must apply for one of the eligible full-time residential courses at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship also looks for outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a strong fit with the Gates Cambridge program.
How do applicants apply?
Applications are submitted online through the University’s Graduate Application Portal. Applicants are asked to select a course and college place, complete personal and academic details, and apply for funding from the university’s funding section. The evidence also says applicants can apply for more than one course, but must submit separate applications for each.
Frequently asked questions
How many Gates Cambridge scholarships are available?
Cambridge offers around 80 Gates scholarships to support postgraduate study. The evidence describes them as full-cost awards for international students outside the UK.
When are the deadlines?
The deadline for US citizens resident in the USA is 14 October 2026. For other international applicants, the deadline is either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course.
