The Gates Cambridge Scholarship gives around 70 full-cost scholarships each year to outstanding postgraduate students from outside the UK. It is for study at the University of Cambridge, starting in the 2027/28 academic year. Applications are now open.
Who can apply
- You must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom. This includes Nigeria.
- Eligible courses: a PhD, an MLitt (full-time), or a one-year postgraduate course (full-time).
- Not covered: undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, and professional degrees such as MBA, PGCE and MFin.
- You must apply for a new course. You cannot apply to fund the rest of a course you have already started.
What it covers
The scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge:
- University tuition fee
- A living allowance (£23,152 for 12 months at the 2026/27 rate)
- One economy flight at the start and one at the end of the course
- Visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
Deadlines (Round 2, for non-US applicants)
Your deadline depends on your course. It is either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Find the date for your course in the Cambridge Course Directory, under “Course Funding Deadline”.
What happens next
- Applicants are told by 8 March 2027.
- Scholarships are offered by early April 2027.
- An offer must be accepted within 72 hours.
How to apply
Apply for your course at Cambridge through the University’s application system, and say that you want to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
This scholarship is very competitive.
Gates Cambridge eligibility | Gates Cambridge deadlines
Last checked: 8 November 2026. Always confirm details on the official page before applying.