Reasons for Choosing the Course

## Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 - Fully Funded University of Cambridge Postgraduate Scholarship The **Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28** is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship programme at the University of Cambridge for outstanding students from countries outside the United Kingdom. - **Opportunity Title:** Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 - **Location:** University of Cambridge, United Kingdom - **Closing Date:** 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course - **Funding:** Fully Funded Postgraduate Scholarship - **Study Level:** PhD, MLitt and eligible one-year postgraduate courses The programme supports academically exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the lives of others. Gates Cambridge Scholars are selected for their academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to improving the lives of others and strong reasons for choosing their proposed course at Cambridge. The scholarship is built around five core values: **Community, Learning, Internationality, Compassion and Change.** ## Scholarship Benefits A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at the University of Cambridge and provides additional discretionary funding where applicable. ### Core Funding Successful scholars can receive: - **University Composition Fee** at the appropriate rate. - **Maintenance allowance of £22,050 for 12 months** at the 2025-26 rate, pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months. - For PhD scholars, funding may be provided for **up to four years**. - **One economy single airfare** at both the beginning and end of the course. - **Inbound visa costs.** - **Immigration Health Surcharge costs.** The exact University Composition Fee varies according to the student and course, and applicants should consult the University of Cambridge Graduate Studies prospectus for precise fee information. ### Additional Discretionary Funding The Trust may also consider applications for additional financial support, including: **Academic development funding:** Up to £750-£4,000 depending on course length, for conferences and courses. **Dependent Children Allowance:** Up to £12,793 per year for one child and up to £18,244 per year for two or more children. **Fieldwork support:** Scholars may retain their normal maintenance allowance while undertaking eligible PhD fieldwork. **Maternity and paternity funding:** Eligible scholars may apply to intermit their studies for up to six months while continuing to receive their maintenance allowance. **Hardship funding:** Support may be available for unforeseen financial difficulties. No funding is provided for a partner under the dependent allowance. ## Who Can Apply? Applicants must: - Be a **citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom**. - Be applying to study an eligible postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge. - Demonstrate outstanding academic ability and potential. - Show a strong reason for choosing the proposed Cambridge course. - Demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others. - Demonstrate leadership potential or leadership experience. Eligible programmes include: - **PhD**, full-time or part-time under the current pilot scheme. - **MLitt**, full-time. - **One-year postgraduate courses**, full-time, subject to programme-specific exceptions. ## Current Cambridge Students Current University of Cambridge students may also apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship when applying for a **new postgraduate course**. For example, a student currently completing an MPhil may apply for funding to pursue a PhD. Current Gates Cambridge Scholars may also apply for a second scholarship when applying for a new degree. However, students who have already started a course cannot apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to fund the remainder of that existing course. ## Courses Not Eligible for the Scholarship Gates Cambridge does not consider applications for: - Undergraduate degrees, including BA and BA affiliated degrees. - MASt courses. - Part-time degrees other than the PhD. - Professional development courses. - Master of Business Administration (MBA). - Executive MBA (EMBA) and Global EMBA. - Master of Finance (MFin). - Executive Master of Accounting. - Business Doctorate (BusD). - Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). - MBBChir Clinical Studies. - MD Doctor of Medicine degree. - Graduate Course in Medicine (A101). - Master of Conservation of Easel Painting. - Other non-standard degrees excluded under the programme’s eligibility rules. ## Selection Criteria Gates Cambridge uses four principal criteria when selecting scholars. ### 1. Academic Excellence Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic ability through their academic transcripts, references, previous experience and potential to succeed on their chosen course. Academic departments nominate only the strongest applicants for consideration for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. ### 2. Reasons for Choosing the Course Applicants must present a compelling case for their chosen postgraduate programme at Cambridge. PhD applicants, and most research MPhil applicants, will generally need to engage with a potential supervisor and develop a research proposal or project summary as part of the application. Applicants should demonstrate that they possess the academic background, skills and expertise required to successfully complete their chosen course. ### 3. Commitment to Improving the Lives of Others A defining feature of the Gates Cambridge community is a commitment to improving the lives of others. Applicants should provide evidence of their past, current and future commitment to making a positive contribution to the societies in which they live and work. This criterion is interpreted broadly, allowing applicants to demonstrate their commitment through their own experiences, ambitions and areas of impact. ### 4. Capacity for Leadership Successful candidates must demonstrate leadership potential. Leadership can take many forms, and applicants should provide evidence of leadership experience while explaining how their leadership capabilities could create positive impact through their future careers. ## Important Funding Information Although the scholarship covers most major study costs, some expenses are not covered. Gates Cambridge does **not** normally cover: - Bench fees. - Scientific equipment. - Similar academic resources. The Trust expects such core course costs to be covered by the relevant academic department at the University of Cambridge. Applicants receiving a salary or another substantial scholarship should disclose this funding to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to reduce or not pay the standard maintenance allowance where significant alternative funding is available. ## Application Deadline The application deadline depends on the course being applied for. **Closing dates: 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027**, depending on the applicant’s chosen course and application route. Applicants should therefore check the specific deadline associated with their intended University of Cambridge programme and submit their application before the applicable deadline. ## How to Apply Interested applicants should first identify an eligible postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge and review the course-specific application requirements. Applications for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship are made through the University of Cambridge’s postgraduate application process here: Apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 **Application fee: No Gates Cambridge Scholarship application fee.** **TEN (10) MORE REMOTE OPPORTUNITIES:**