Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 Opens for Global
The Gates Cambridge Trust is offering 80 fully funded scholarships for master's and PhD study at the University of Cambridge.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme will fund 80 international postgraduate students for the 2027 academic year. Established in 2000 by a donation from Bill and Melinda Gates, the trust has awarded over 2,000 scholarships to students from more than 100 countries.
This fully funded award covers the full cost of studying at the University of Cambridge. It includes university fees, a maintenance allowance, an economy-class airfare, visa costs, and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The trust also provides additional discretionary funding for specific needs. This support can cover academic conference attendance, dependent children, fieldwork, and maternity or paternity leave. Hardship funding is available for scholars facing unforeseen difficulties.
Available Courses and Exclusions
The scholarship is open to applicants for any full-time postgraduate degree offered by the university, including PhDs, MLitts, and one-year master's courses. However, several specific programmes are excluded from funding.
According to the source, the Gates Cambridge scholarship is not available for the following courses:
| Course Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degrees | BA or BA affiliated degrees |
| Business Doctorate | BusD |
| Master of Business | MBA |
| Master of Finance | MFin |
| MASt courses | - |
| PGCE | - |
| MBBChir Clinical Studies | - |
| MD Doctor of Medicine | 6-year, part-time, for Home students only |
| Graduate Course in Medicine | A101 |
| Part-time degrees | Other than the part-time PhD |
| Non-degree courses | - |
Eligibility and Application Process
Applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom. The source states that UK nationals are not eligible. Candidates must demonstrate excellent academic skills and grades.
Current Cambridge students can apply for the scholarship if they are seeking admission to a new postgraduate course. For example, a student enrolled in an MPhil could apply for Gates funding for a subsequent PhD.
The application is a combined process for both university admission and scholarship funding. Applicants must use the University’s Graduate Application Portal. They must complete the entire admission application for their chosen course to be considered for the Gates award.
Key requirements include a 500-word Gates Cambridge statement and two academic references. PhD applicants must also submit a research proposal. The funding section of the portal is where candidates apply specifically for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Critical Deadlines
Prospective scholars face different deadlines based on their nationality. The source lists a deadline of 14th October 2026 for applicants who are residents of the United States. For all other non-UK nationals, the deadlines are 8th December 2026 or 6th January 2027. Applicants are directed to confirm the precise course deadline in the University Course Directory.
The Gates Cambridge Trust reviews the full application for both admission and funding. The programme continues to be a major source of fully funded postgraduate opportunities for international scholars at one of the world's leading universities.
