Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established in October 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge; this is the largest ever single donation to a UK university.
Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.
The selection criteria are:
- outstanding intellectual ability
- reasons for choice of course
- a commitment to improving the lives of others
- leadership potential
There are at least 225 Scholars from c. 50 countries studying in Cambridge at any one time who pursue the full range of subjects available at the University and are spread across its departments and Colleges.
SEE ALSO: Alfred Werner Fund Masters Scholarships for International Students 2021-2023
The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with financial and non-financial support at one of the world’s leading universities and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:
- a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
- applying to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study at the University of Cambridge:
- PhD
- MSc/MLitt
- One year postgraduate course (with some exceptions – see below)
Courses which are NOT eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships:
- Any Undergraduate degree such as BA (undergraduate) or BA affiliated (a second BA)
- Master of Business (MBA)
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time)
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
- Part-time degrees
- Non-degree courses
Deadlines
US citizens resident in the USA
This is the earlier round for applicants who are both US citizens and normally resident in the United States; it is specific to Gates Cambridge.
| What stage? | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 September 2020 |
| Application deadline | 14 October 2020 |
| Departmental ranking | October – November |
| Trust shortlisting | Early December |
| Shortlisted candidates invited to interview | Mid-December |
| All applicants notified of application outcome | 21 December 2020 |
| Interviews | 22 & 23 January 2021 (tbc) |
| Scholarships offered | Early February |
| Scholarships accepted | 48 hours after offer |
All other eligible applicants
The large majority of applicants will apply in this round, which is also aligned with the University’s postgraduate funding competition. There are two possible application deadlines and these are based on course to which your are applying.
| What stage? | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 1 September 2020 |
| Application deadline | Dependent on your course – either 3 December 2020 or 7 January 2021 |
| Departmental ranking | December – February |
| Trust shortlisting | Mid-February |
| Shortlisted candidates invited to interview | Early March |
| All applicants notified of application outcome | 12 March 2021 |
| Interviews | 23 & 24 March 2021 (tbc) |
| Scholarships offered | Late March |
| Scholarships accepted | 48 hours after offer |
The application process
Watch the University’s short overview film about applying for postgraduate admission and funding and then read below about specific requirements for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
For more information, visit the official website of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship here.
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