Gates Cambridge Scholarships 2026 (United Kingdom

(Fully Funded)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world’s most prestigious awards, established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It supports outstanding international students to pursue full-time master’s or PhD degrees at the University of Cambridge.

Scholarship Benefits

Recipients receive:

Full tuition costs at the University of Cambridge

Maintenance allowance (£20,000 per year approx.)

Airfare for the beginning and end of the program

Visa costs and health surcharge

Additional grants for academic development and family support

Eligible Fields of Study

All graduate programs are offered at the University of Cambridge, except for MBA, MFin, and certain clinical courses.

Participating Institution

University of Cambridge

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Be citizens of any country outside the UK

Apply for a full-time residential course at Cambridge (Master’s or PhD)

Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving lives

Application Process

Apply through the University of Cambridge Graduate Admissions portal

Submit academic transcripts, research proposal (PhD only), references, and a Gates-specific statement of purpose

Important Dates

Application deadline: October 2025 (for U.S. applicants) and December 2025 (for all other applicants)

Programs begin: Fall 2026

Official Source

University of Cambridge – Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Final Thoughts

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for future global leaders, offering full financial support and a world-class academic environment.