Author – Ritesh Ranjan: International students can receive full university funding, a £22,050 maintenance allowance and travel support at the University of Cambridge
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 is inviting outstanding international students to apply for fully funded postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the programme is among the world’s most competitive scholarships for students seeking advanced degrees in science, engineering, humanities, social sciences and other academic disciplines.
Every year, Gates Cambridge awards approximately 80 full-cost scholarships to exceptional applicants from countries outside the UK. At any given time, around 225 Gates Cambridge Scholars are studying across Cambridge’s departments and colleges, creating a global community of researchers, innovators and future leaders.
Scholarship benefits
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is designed to cover the main costs of studying at Cambridge. The core funding package includes:
- The University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate.
- An annual maintenance allowance of £22,050 for a single student, based on the 2025–26 rate.
- Economy-class airfare at the beginning and end of the course.
- Visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Additional discretionary support for academic development, hardship and dependent children.
For PhD scholars, funding can be provided for up to four years, subject to the course and funding conditions. Scholars may also receive support for research-related travel when it is justified and approved. However, the scholarship does not generally cover bench fees, scientific equipment or similar academic resources.
Eligible degree programmes
The scholarship is available to citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom who apply for eligible postgraduate courses at Cambridge. These may include:
- PhD programmes.
- Full-time MLitt courses.
- One-year postgraduate programmes.
- Selected master’s and research degrees.
The Gates Cambridge programme does not fund undergraduate degrees, MBA courses, MASt programmes, professional development courses or most part-time degrees other than eligible PhD programmes. Applicants should check the official course-specific eligibility rules before submitting an application.
Students can apply across a broad range of fields, including computer science, artificial intelligence, engineering, biomedical research, climate science, mathematics, economics, public policy, law, education, humanities and social sciences.
Selection criteria
The scholarship uses a highly competitive selection process based on four main criteria:
- Outstanding intellectual ability.
- Reasons for choosing the selected course.
- A commitment to improving the lives of others.
- Leadership potential.
Gates Cambridge follows a needs-blind approach, meaning applicants are assessed on their academic and leadership potential rather than their financial circumstances. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a clear commitment to creating positive social impact.
Required documents
Applicants generally need to submit:
- A completed University of Cambridge application.
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A Gates Cambridge statement.
- A research proposal for PhD applicants.
- Letters of recommendation.
- A Gates Cambridge reference.
The Gates Cambridge statement is particularly important because it allows applicants to explain how their academic goals, leadership qualities and commitment to improving society align with the scholarship’s mission.
Deadlines and application process
The deadline depends on the chosen course and applicant category. For the 2027 cycle, official information lists course-dependent deadlines of 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, while US applicants normally resident in the United States follow an earlier deadline of 14 October 2026.
Candidates should begin by selecting an eligible Cambridge course and reviewing its admission requirements. They must then indicate that they wish to be considered for Gates Cambridge funding within the University’s application portal, upload all documents and submit the full application before the relevant deadline.
For talented graduates seeking world-class education, international research exposure and the opportunity to create global impact, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 offers a transformative pathway to study at one of the world’s leading universities.
Conclusion
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for talented international students to pursue fully funded Master’s and PhD-level study at the University of Cambridge. With coverage of university fees, a maintenance allowance, airfare, visa-related costs and additional academic support, the scholarship significantly reduces the financial burden of studying in the UK.
Applicants are selected not only for outstanding academic achievement but also for their leadership potential, reasons for choosing their course and commitment to improving the lives of others. Since the scholarship is highly competitive and application deadlines vary by course and applicant category, prospective students should review their chosen Cambridge programme carefully, prepare their documents early and submit a strong application before the applicable deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 is a prestigious, fully funded postgraduate scholarship for eligible international students applying to the University of Cambridge in the UK. It supports selected postgraduate programmes, including PhD and eligible Master’s and research degrees.
2. How much funding does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship provide?
The scholarship covers the University Composition Fee and provides a maintenance allowance of £22,050 per year for a single student based on the 2025–26 rate. It also includes eligible airfare, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, along with certain discretionary funding opportunities.
3. Who is eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027?
Applicants must generally be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom and apply for an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of Cambridge. Undergraduate programmes, MBA courses, MASt programmes and several other course categories are not funded.
4. What are the selection criteria for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Candidates are assessed according to four major criteria: outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for choosing the proposed course, commitment to improving the lives of others and leadership potential.
5. What is the application deadline for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027?
Deadlines vary according to the applicant and programme. For the 2027 cycle, relevant course-dependent deadlines include 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, while eligible applicants who are normally resident in the United States have an earlier deadline of 14 October 2026. Applicants should confirm the deadline applicable to their chosen Cambridge course.