Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded PhD and Master’s at Cambridge for International Students

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship pays the full cost of a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge in the UK. It is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, including Nigeria and India. Around 70 scholarships are awarded each year, and about two thirds go to PhD students.

Status: Open. Applications for 2027 entry are open now. If you are not a US citizen living in the US, your deadline is either December 8, 2026 or January 6, 2027, depending on your course (checked October 15, 2026). Check your course page to see which date applies to you.

What the scholarship covers

• The University Composition Fee (tuition) at the right rate for you
• A maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026 to 2027 rate), paid pro rata for shorter courses and for up to 4 years for a PhD
• One economy flight at the start and one at the end of your course
• Your student visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge

You can also apply for extra support:

• Academic development funding of £750 to £4,000 for conferences and courses
• A family allowance of up to £12,793 a year for one child, or up to £18,244 a year for two or more children
• Hardship funding for unexpected problems

The scholarship does not pay for a partner, and it does not cover bench fees or research equipment.

Who can apply

• Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
• Applicants to a full-time PhD, a full-time MLitt or a full-time one-year postgraduate course at Cambridge, such as an MPhil
• Current Cambridge students who are applying for a new course, for example an MPhil student moving on to a PhD

Some courses are not eligible. These include undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, the MBA, MFin, PGCE and other professional degrees. Part-time study is only considered for the PhD.

How you are selected

Gates Cambridge looks for four things:

• Outstanding academic ability
• A good reason for choosing your Cambridge course
• A commitment to improving the lives of others
• Leadership potential

Key dates for 2027 entry

How to apply

1. Find your course in the University of Cambridge Course Directory and note its Course Funding Deadline.
2. Fill in the University’s graduate application form. One form covers both your admission and your funding.
3. In the funding section, complete the Gates Cambridge part.
4. Answer the four Gates Cambridge questions: academic excellence (about 200 words), why this course (about 200 words), commitment to improving lives (about 300 words) and leadership (about 300 words).
5. If you are applying for a PhD, upload your research proposal.
6. Ask for two academic references and one Gates Cambridge reference, and make sure they all arrive before your deadline.

Read the full rules on the official Gates Cambridge website.

Tips for a strong application

• Use real examples in every answer. Say what you did and what changed because of it.
• Choose a Gates referee who knows your work well and can speak to all four criteria. Do not ask a friend or family member.
• Brief your referee on the criteria, so their letter is not just a general academic reference.
• Apply well before your deadline, since your references must also arrive on time.

Do not miss your course’s earlier funding deadline

Cambridge applicants outside the separate US-resident round have two possible application deadlines for the 2027 intake: December 8, 2026 or January 6, 2027. These are not interchangeable. The correct date is the funding deadline shown for your specific course in the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory. If you rely on January 6 without checking your degree, you may miss eligibility for funding.

The earlier round for US citizens living in the United States closed on October 14, 2026. Applicants from Nigeria, India and other eligible countries generally follow the international round, subject to their course requirements.

How to use the four selection criteria

Documents to check before submitting

• Your Cambridge postgraduate application and the course’s funding deadline.
• Academic transcripts and any research proposal requested by your degree.
• The additional Gates Cambridge questions in the university funding section.
• The required references, including the Gates Cambridge reference alongside academic referees.
• Your financial and travel planning for any costs not expressly included in the award.

Gates Cambridge FAQs

Do I fill out a separate Gates Cambridge scholarship website form?

No. Apply for an eligible Cambridge postgraduate degree through the university portal, then complete the Gates Cambridge funding section and its questions.

Does every master’s degree qualify?

No. The trust excludes some professional and other listed courses. Check your degree against the official eligibility rules rather than assuming all Cambridge master’s programmes qualify.

Is the £23,152 stipend guaranteed to remain the same in 2027/28?

No. That figure is the published 2026/27 maintenance rate. The applicable award letter sets the value for the award period.

Official reference: University of Cambridge postgraduate funding search and Gates Cambridge application guidance.

Related guides

• Top UK University Scholarships for International Students (2027 Guide)
• Chevening vs GREAT Scholarships in the UK
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28

Details are taken from the official Gates Cambridge website, checked on October 15, 2026. Confirm the current rules there before you apply.