Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28: Fully Funded Uk

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28: Your Fully Funded Route to Cambridge University

If studying at the University of Cambridge has ever felt like a distant dream, this is one scholarship worth a serious look. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 is now open, and it covers the full cost of eligible postgraduate study in the UK for outstanding students from outside the United Kingdom.

Each year, around 70 scholars are selected. They are not just brilliant academically — they are people with leadership potential and a real commitment to making life better for others. If that sounds like you, keep reading.

What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover?

This is a full-cost scholarship, so you are not left piecing together tuition and living costs on your own. It covers:

• The University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate for your course
• A maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, paid pro rata for shorter courses and for up to four years for a PhD
• One economy airfare at the start of your course and one at the end
• Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge

Some scholars may also qualify for discretionary funding, for example for academic development, dependent children, fieldwork, or hardship, depending on Gates Cambridge rules. Check the official pages for what applies to your course and circumstances.

Who can apply for Gates Cambridge 2027?

You can apply if you:

• Are a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
• Are applying for an eligible Cambridge course — a PhD, an MLitt, or an eligible one-year postgraduate course
• Can show outstanding intellectual ability
• Can explain clearly why you chose your specific course at Cambridge, and how it fits your future plans
• Have a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others
• Have leadership potential to show for it

Competition is tough, so your application needs to do more than list grades. Gates Cambridge looks closely at those four qualities: intellectual ability, your reasons for choosing the course, your commitment to others, and your leadership.

Which courses are eligible?

The scholarship is available across subjects at Cambridge, subject to course eligibility. Before you apply, check the University of Cambridge Course Directory for your chosen course — especially its Course Funding Deadline and any course-specific exceptions.

What documents will you need?

You submit one combined application for admission, a College place, and funding through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Prepare:

• Your full application for a specific graduate course and College place, including your academic background and why you suit the course
• The Gates Cambridge funding section, with four short answers: academic excellence (about 200 words), reasons for choosing the course (about 200 words), commitment to improving lives (about 300 words), and leadership (about 300 words)
• A research proposal, if you are a PhD applicant and it is required
• Two academic references for admission
• A separate Gates Cambridge reference from someone who can genuinely assess how you meet the scholarship criteria — not a friend or family member, and not just another generic academic reference
• Any other course-specific documents Cambridge asks for, submitted by your course funding deadline

How to apply, step by step

1. Pick your eligible Cambridge postgraduate course and note its Course Funding Deadline.
2. Read the official Gates Cambridge How to Apply and timeline pages carefully.
3. Start your application in the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal.
4. Complete the admission and College place section.
5. Complete the funding section, including the Gates Cambridge questions — use specific examples, not vague claims.
6. Line up your two academic referees and your Gates Cambridge referee early, and make sure they understand the Gates Cambridge criteria.
7. Upload your research proposal if you are applying for a PhD and it is required.
8. Submit everything by 11:59pm UK time on your course funding deadline. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered for that round.

Application deadlines you need to know

Applications for 2027/28 entry opened on 11 September 2026.

For most international applicants, the deadline depends on your course:

• Tuesday, 8 December 2026, or Wednesday, 6 January 2027, by 11:59pm UK time

One important note: the earlier US round, for US citizens resident in the USA, closed on 14 October 2026. If you are a US citizen studying, working, or living overseas when you apply, use the later international round above. Always double-check your round and course deadline in the official Course Directory.

Where to apply

Apply and read the full official details here:

Gates Cambridge: How to Apply

Gates Cambridge: Application Timeline

Before you hit submit, verify the current requirements, course eligibility, and funding deadline on the official Gates Cambridge and University of Cambridge pages — details can vary by course, and this is too good an opportunity to miss on a small detail.