Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026: Deadline, Eligibility, Benefits

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship funds postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge for outstanding applicants who are citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom. It covers full-time PhD study (and part-time PhD study in defined cases), the one-year MLitt, and most one-year taught master's courses; it does not fund undergraduate degrees, the MASt, most other part-time study, or professional courses such as the MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE or medical degrees like the MBBChir or MD. There is no separate essay or form beyond the standard Cambridge graduate application, submitted through the University's Graduate Application Portal with the Gates Cambridge funding section completed. The scholarship pays the University Composition Fee in full, a maintenance allowance of GBP 22,050 for 12 months at the 2025-26 rate (pro-rated for shorter courses and extended to up to four years for PhD scholars), one economy return airfare at the start and end of the course, the Immigration Health Surcharge, inbound visa costs, and discretionary funding such as a dependent children allowance and academic development grants. For entry in 2027, US citizens resident in the USA must apply by 14 October 2026, while all other eligible applicants apply by 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course they choose.