Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 — Fully Funded Postgraduate Study in the United Kingdom
Fully funded PhD scholarship in United Kingdom for International students 2026
Around 70 full-cost scholarships a year for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom. About two thirds of awards go to PhD candidates.
Eligibility
- Citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
- Applying for an eligible Cambridge postgraduate course (PhD, MLitt or eligible one-year master's)
- Meet the academic and English language requirements of that course
- Complete the Gates Cambridge funding section and submit references by the course funding deadline
Gates Cambridge covers the full cost of a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge: the University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate, a maintenance allowance for a single student (GBP 23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, pro rata for shorter courses), one economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. PhD scholars can be funded for up to four years. Discretionary extras include academic development funding, a dependent children allowance and hardship funding. Around 70 scholarships are awarded each year.
You must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom and apply for an eligible Cambridge postgraduate course: a full-time PhD (or the part-time PhD pilot), a full-time MLitt, or an eligible one-year postgraduate course. You need to meet the academic and English language requirements of your chosen course. Selection is based on outstanding intellectual ability, the reasons for your choice of course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential. There are no country quotas.
Applications opened on 11 September 2026 for entry in 2027/8. There are two rounds. US citizens who normally live in the United States must apply by 14 October 2026. All other applicants, including US citizens working or studying overseas, use the round that follows their chosen course funding deadline: either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Apply for admission, a college place and funding through the University of Cambridge postgraduate applicant portal, and complete the Gates Cambridge funding section. References must reach Cambridge by the same deadline, so brief your referees early.
Our listing uses the earlier international course funding deadline, 8 December 2026; some courses close on 6 January 2027 instead, so check the Course Directory for your programme.
https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/timeline/
Talk to an OEAC advisor before you apply — we help students prepare documents, statements and applications.
Always confirm the deadline and eligibility on the official page before you apply. Scholarship dates change between rounds, and this listing is a summary — the provider's own page is the authoritative source. OEAC Network lists scholarships for free and is not an agent for any university or funding body.
