Approximately £20,000 per annum maintenance allowance plus full tuition fees and travel
Duration
Variable; typically 1 year for Master's and up to 4 years for PhD
Deadline
October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course
Level
Postgraduate (PhD, MSc, MLitt, or one-year Master's degree)
Acceptance
Approximately 1.5%
Difficulty
Extremely Competitive
Quick Summary
For students aiming to study in United Kingdom, Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The award covers Provides comprehensive financial support including all university fees, a living stipend, visa costs, and academic development funding and is open to postgraduate (phd, msc, mlitt, or one-year master's degree) students studying most subjects available at cambridge; excluding mba, mfin, pgce, mbbchir, md, and part-time courses. The scholarship runs for variable; typically 1 year for master's and up to 4 years for phd and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on applicants must be applying for a full-time residential postgraduate degree at Cambridge and be a citizen of a non-UK country. The application deadline is October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course, with an acceptance rate of approximately Approximately 1.5%. EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.
✨ Should I Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
4%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 1.5%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately £20,000 per annum maintenance allowance plus full tuition fees and travel
⏳
Duration
Variable; typically 1 year for Master's and up to 4 years for PhD
📅
Deadline
October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course
💼
Fields
Most subjects available at Cambridge; excluding MBA, MFin, PGCE, MBBChir, MD, and part-time courses
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 80 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
United Kingdom
🏛️
Provider
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 1.5%
Established in 2000, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be applying for a full-time residential postgraduate degree at Cambridge and be a citizen of a non-UK country
🏛️ Host University
University of Cambridge
💼 Fields of Study
Most subjects available at Cambridge; excluding MBA, MFin, PGCE, MBBChir, MD, and part-time courses
✨ Key Benefits
Provides comprehensive financial support including all university fees, a living stipend, visa costs, and academic development funding
🎯 Target Students
Outstanding international students with a commitment to improving the lives of others
Yes, £20,000 for 12 months (2024-25 rate), pro-rata for courses shorter than 12 months
Total Award
Approximately £20,000 per annum maintenance allowance plus full tuition fees and travel
✈️ Travel: Yes, economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course🏠 Accommodation: Yes, included as part of the maintenance allowance💊 Health Insurance: Yes, covers the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: £75 (Standard University of Cambridge application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, 100% of the University Composition Fee
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes, £20,000 for 12 months (2024-25 rate), pro-rata for courses shorter than 12 months
🏡 Accommodation
Yes, included as part of the maintenance allowance
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes, economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
💊 Health Insurance
Yes, covers the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
🎁 Other Benefits
Family allowance, fieldwork funding, maternity/paternity funding, and emergency hardship funds
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Subject to satisfactory academic progress and remaining in residence at the university
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom
🎓 Academic Level
Postgraduate (PhD, MSc, MLitt, or one-year Master's degree)
📊 Minimum GPA
High academic achievement (Typically equivalent to a 3.7+ GPA or a UK First Class Honors degree)
🗣️ English Requirement
Must meet the specific English language requirements set by the University of Cambridge department
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory, but relevant professional experience can support leadership and commitment criteria
🏆 Leadership
Strong leadership potential is a core selection criterion
💰 Financial Need
Not a requirement; selection is merit-based
🎯 Target Students
Outstanding international students with a commitment to improving the lives of others
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, a 500-word statement about fit with the Gates Cambridge program
Rec Letters
Yes, three total (two academic and one specific Gates Cambridge reference)
Interview
Yes, shortlisted candidates must attend a panel interview (online or in-person)
Application Fee
£75 (Standard University of Cambridge application fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes, three total (two academic and one specific Gates Cambridge reference) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Must meet the specific English language requirements set by the University of Cambridge department
Interview: Yes, shortlisted candidates must attend a panel interview (online or in-person)
Min GPA: High academic achievement (Typically equivalent to a 3.7+ GPA or a UK First Class Honors degree)
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on the 'commitment to improving the lives of others' criterion in your personal statement
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your Gates reference is written by someone who can speak to your character and social leadership rather than just academic grades
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
September 1st annually
⏰ Deadline
October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course
🎤 Interview
Yes, shortlisted candidates must attend a panel interview (online or in-person)
🎓 Study Starts
October of the following year
September 1st annually
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes, shortlisted candidates must attend a panel interview (online or in-person)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
October of the following year
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Intellectual ability, justification for the choice of course, commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Gates Cambridge ScholarshipCurrent
United Kingdom
Full Funding
Postgraduate (PhD, MSc, MLitt, or one-year Master's degree)
Applicants must be applying for a full-time residential postgraduate degree at Cambridge and be a citizen of a non-UK country
This scholarship covers: Provides comprehensive financial support including all university fees, a living stipend, visa costs, and academic development funding. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is October (US citizens residing in the US) or December/January (International applicants) depending on course. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 1.5%. Acceptance rate: Approximately 1.5%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Must meet the specific English language requirements set by the University of Cambridge department, Yes, three total (two academic and one specific Gates Cambridge reference) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.