The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers full financial support to outstanding international applicants of exceptional academic ability and leadership potential who seek to undertake full-time postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. The award is open to citizens of all countries outside the United Kingdom. Citizens of all Arab countries are eligible to apply.
Gates Cambridge scholars may study any postgraduate course available at the University of Cambridge, with the exception of certain business and medical degrees. The key selection criteria are outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for choice of course, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership potential. Full details of these four criteria can be found here.
Each year, the programme awards approximately 80 scholarships, the majority of which support Ph.D. study. Around 25 places are reserved for candidates from the United States, while roughly 55 awards are offered to students from other parts of the world.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 through a landmark donation of $210 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Beyond comprehensive financial support, it provides access to a wide range of personal and professional opportunities at one of the world’s most renowned universities.
On completion of their courses, scholars join a lifelong community of over 1,700 alumni worldwide. This network is characterised by its commitment to advancing positive change and improving lives through leadership and innovation.
15 October 2025 for U.S. citizens resident in the U.S.; 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 for all other applicants, depending on their chosen course.
Aligned with the length of the programme undertaken.
Applications are submitted via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. A single form covers both course admission and funding (including Gates Cambridge and other scholarships). Submissions must be made by the relevant deadline indicated in the award’s Timeline section or in the Cambridge Course Directory.
Further details on the Gates Cambridge application process can be found on the programme’s How to Apply webpage. For information about applying for postgraduate study more generally, please consult the university’s Applying to Cambridge pages.
