Bill Gates Scholarship Grants for University of Cambridge 2026/2027 – Apply Here

The University of Cambridge is looking for high-achieving and deserving students to partake in the Bill Gates Scholarship Grants, which is accessible to all students from different parts of the world. The educational program is open for the academic year 2026/2027.

The Scholarship Scheme is a Fully Funded program aimed at supporting those talented students who wish to pursue postgraduate degree coursework at the university in the UK.

About the University of Cambridge Bill Gates Scholarship Grants 2026/2027

The University of Cambridge Bill Gates Scholarship is one of the most esteemed global scholarships in the world. They award scholarships to intelligent applicants from countries outside the home country to undertake a full-time postgraduate degree course in any course area available at the University of Cambridge.

Every year, Gates Cambridge provides about 80 full-cost scholarships to talented and deserving applicants from countries outside the home country to undertake a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.

About two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.

Course Level for the Scholarship

The University of Cambridge Bill Gates Scholarship Grants 2026/2027 is available for a full-time postgraduate degree program for students in any field of study.

Read: Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) 2026/2027 Application Portal – Apply Here

Eligible Courses

PhD, MSc or MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course in any subject offered at the University.

Courses that are NOT eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships:

1. Any Undergraduate degree such as BA (undergraduate) or BA affiliated (a second BA)

2. Business Doctorate (BusD)

3. Master of Business (MBA)

4. Master of Finance (MFin)

5. PGCE

6. MBBChir Clinical Studies

7. MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time)

8. Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)

9. Part-time degrees

10. Non-degree course

Number of Scholarships Available

They award about 80 scholarships to successful students each year.

Eligibility Requirements

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:

• A citizen of any country outside the home country, that is, this opportunity is exclusively open to international students

• Then, you must be applying to undertake one of the following full-time residential courses of study: PhD, MSc, MLitt, or a one-year postgraduate course

Scholarship Merits for the University of Cambridge Bill Gates Scholarships

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition fees, maintenance allowance, travel costs, visa, etc. It also provides extra discretionary funding, such as academic development funding, family allowance, and fieldwork.

How the Funding for the Bill Gates Scholarship Works

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge. It also provides additional discretionary funding.

Core Components

• The University Composition Fee at the rate
• A maintenance allowance for a single student (£17,848 for 12 months at the 2026-2027 rate; proportionally for courses shorter than 12 months)–for PhD scholars, the award is for up to 4 years
• one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course

The University Composition Fee varies for different students; applicants should check the Graduate Studies prospectus for full details about precise amounts. Where a student from the European Union has successfully obtained a fee award from public authorities, they must accept it, and the Trust will not pay these fees.

See Also: Mount Saint Vincent University in Canada 2026/2027 Scholarship for International Students

Discretionary Components

However, the Trust also considers applications for different types of additional funding discretionarily:

• Academic development funding–from up to £500 to up to £2,000, dependent on the length of your course, to attend conferences and courses.
• Family allowance–up to £10,120 for one child and up to £14,440 for two or more children (2026-22 rate). Funding is not provided for a partner.
• Fieldwork–you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance stipend while on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust does not fund other fieldwork costs, as these should be funded by the University Composition Fee).
• Maternity/Paternity funding–should you require it. Also, you may apply to interrupt your studies for up to 6 months and continue to receive your maintenance allowance during this time.
• Hardship funding–for unforeseen difficulties.

Method of Application

Applicants are required to apply for admission and funding (Gates Cambridge and other funding) through the University’s Graduate Application Portal

To be considered for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you must complete the section to apply for admission to a course and a College place and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section.

Application Deadline: There are two Gates Cambridge application deadlines: October 13, 2026 (for US citizens resident in the USA) and early December 2026 or early January 2027, depending on the course (for all other eligible applicants).

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FAQs

1. What is the Bill Gates Scholarship for the University of Cambridge 2026/2027?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious, fully funded scholarship established by Bill Gates. It supports outstanding international students to pursue postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and additional allowances.

2. Who is eligible to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2026/2027?

Applicants must be citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom and must apply for a full-time postgraduate degree (such as a Master’s or PhD) at the University of Cambridge. Candidates are expected to demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to improving the lives of others.

3. What benefits does the scholarship provide?

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers comprehensive funding, including:

• Full tuition fees at the University of Cambridge
• Monthly living allowance
• Economy-class airfare to and from the UK
• Visa costs and health surcharge
• Additional academic development funding and family allowance (if applicable)

4. How can I apply for the Bill Gates Scholarship at Cambridge 2026/2027?

To apply, candidates must submit an application for admission to the University of Cambridge and complete the Gates Cambridge funding section within the application. Required documents typically include academic transcripts, references, a personal statement, and a research proposal (for PhD applicants). It is important to apply before the official deadline, which usually falls between October and December.