Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 (University of Cambridge)

About this opportunity

Gates Cambridge Scholarships pay the full cost of postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge for outstanding applicants from any country outside the UK. Around 70 are awarded each year, roughly two-thirds of them to PhD students, and the programme's aim is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.

The scholarship covers the University composition fee, a maintenance allowance (£23,152 for 12 months at the 2026–27 rate, for up to four years for PhD scholars), an economy airfare at the start and end of the course, and inbound visa costs including the Immigration Health Surcharge. Further discretionary funding — for example for conferences or dependent children — can also be requested.

There is no separate application form: you apply for your Cambridge course and for funding together through the University's Graduate Application Portal, completing the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section, which includes four short questions linked to the selection criteria. Selection is needs-blind and looks at academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership capacity. Your Cambridge department must first nominate you, so a strong application for the course itself matters most. Applicants outside the US apply in the international round, whose deadline depends on the course.

Purpose & benefits

• University composition fee at the appropriate rate.
• Maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months (2026–27 rate; up to four years for PhD scholars).
• One economy airfare at the start and one at the end of the course.
• Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Discretionary extras, such as academic development funding and dependent children allowance.

Eligibility

• A citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom (Nigeria included).
• Applying for a PhD (full-time, or part-time under the current pilot), a full-time MLitt, or a full-time one-year postgraduate course at Cambridge, with some exceptions.
• Current Cambridge students can apply for a new degree, but not to fund the rest of a course already started.

Not eligible: undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, most part-time degrees, and professional degrees such as the MBA, EMBA, MFin and PGCE (see the official list).

• Nationality: All countries in Asia, Åland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard & Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Vatican City, all countries in Africa, all countries in Oceania, all countries in Americas.
• Country of residence: any country.
• Where it takes place: United Kingdom.
• Field of study or work: Any subject offered at postgraduate level at Cambridge (eligible courses only)

Citizenship requirements

Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.

Required qualifications

Evidence of academic excellence and an offer-worthy application to an eligible Cambridge postgraduate course.

Who should consider applying

Nigerian and other international graduates with an outstanding academic record, a strong reason to study a specific Cambridge course, and evidence of leadership and of improving other people’s lives.

Important restrictions

• Your department must nominate you before Gates Cambridge considers your application.
• Several courses are excluded, including undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE and other professional degrees.
• If you win a public fee award (for example from UKRI), you must accept it and the Trust may not pay, or may share, your fees.

How to apply

1. Choose your course and find its Course Funding Deadline in the University's Course Directory.
2. Apply through the University's Graduate Application Portal, completing both the admission section and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section.
3. Answer the four Gates Cambridge questions (academic excellence, choice of course, commitment to others, leadership) and, for a PhD, upload a research proposal.
4. Arrange a referee who will also assess you against the Gates Cambridge criteria.
5. Submit everything by 11:59pm UK time on your course's deadline — 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027.

Documents you'll need

• Cambridge graduate application with the Gates Cambridge funding section
• Answers to the four Gates Cambridge questions
• Research proposal (PhD applicants)
• References, including one addressing the Gates Cambridge criteria

How applicants are selected

Departments rank applicants from December to February; all applicants hear the outcome by 8 March 2027; panels meet on 22–23 March 2027; scholarships are offered by early April 2027. Selection is needs-blind.

Preparing a strong application

• For a PhD or research MPhil, contact a potential supervisor early and develop your research project with them.
• Use specific examples from your own experience in the four Gates answers.
• Brief your referee on the four selection criteria — their reference is part of the Gates assessment.
• Check whether your course's deadline is the earlier one (8 December).