What is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027-28 is a fully funded international scholarship for outstanding postgraduate students at the University of Cambridge. It covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition, a maintenance allowance and travel, for a full-time Master's or PhD. International applicants must apply by 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on their course.
Competition is intense, which is the point of its reputation: Gates Cambridge says it selects scholars for outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others (Source: Gates Cambridge). The programme has supported more than 2,000 scholars from over 100 countries since its first class in 2001 (Source: Gates Cambridge).
What does the scholarship cover?
The award covers the full University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance for a single student, one economy return airfare at the start and end of the course, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Gates Cambridge pays a maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, reviewed each year, on top of full course fees, travel and visa costs. There is no application fee for the scholarship itself — around 70 full-cost scholarships are awarded each year. It also offers discretionary funding for academic development, conferences, fieldwork and family support in defined cases. According to the University of Cambridge postgraduate funding pages, the international deadline for most courses is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 (Source: University of Cambridge).
Who can apply?
Applicants must be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, applying for a full-time residential PhD, MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course at Cambridge. US citizens resident in the USA had an earlier round closing on 14 October 2026, so the remaining international round is the one to target now. You apply through the Cambridge postgraduate application and complete the Gates Cambridge section, including a statement and reference on your fit with the programme.
How to apply
First, check your course deadline on the Cambridge course directory — it determines whether you face 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Second, submit the postgraduate application and the Gates Cambridge funding section before that course deadline. Third, prepare a concise Gates statement on leadership and social impact, plus a Gates reference from someone who can speak to that fit. Apply through the official pages: Gates Cambridge and Cambridge postgraduate funding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Gates Cambridge deadline for international students? 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on your chosen course. Check the course directory, not a general blog date.
Is Gates Cambridge fully funded? Yes. It covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, a maintenance allowance, travel, visa and health surcharge costs.
Can UK citizens apply? No. Gates Cambridge is for citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom.
Do I need a separate Gates application? No separate form: you apply for admission and funding through the Cambridge postgraduate application, including the Gates section.
By Opportunity Wave, 26 October 2026. Sources: Gates Cambridge; University of Cambridge postgraduate funding.
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