Gates Cambridge Scholarship – University of Cambridge, UK (Full PhD & Masters Funding)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offers full funding for outstanding students from outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. It is open to applicants from across Africa and is one of the most prestigious fully funded postgraduate awards in the world.
What it covers: Full tuition fees, a generous annual maintenance allowance for living costs, one economy return airfare per year, and additional funding for dependants and discretionary needs where applicable.
Eligibility: Citizens of any country outside the UK (so Ugandan, Kenyan, Tanzanian, Rwandan and other African applicants are all eligible) who have applied, or intend to apply, to a full-time postgraduate course at Cambridge, and who demonstrate outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
When to apply: Applicants must first apply for admission to a postgraduate course at Cambridge through the University’s Graduate Admissions system, and tick the box to be considered for Gates Cambridge funding. Deadlines generally fall around October–December the year before the intended start of study (the exact dates depend on the course and funding deadline you select), so early preparation is essential.
How to apply: Review eligibility and current deadlines on the Gates Cambridge Scholarship website, then apply for your course through Cambridge’s Graduate Admissions portal, selecting Gates Cambridge funding consideration.
Detailed Eligibility Checklist
- Citizen of any country outside the UK (Gates Cambridge funds international students broadly, including across Africa)
- Applying for a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, or select one-year Master’s courses) at the University of Cambridge
- Outstanding academic record and evidence of leadership potential
- A clear, well-articulated commitment to improving the lives of others — central to the Gates Cambridge mission
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Apply to your chosen Cambridge course through the standard Cambridge graduate admissions system — Gates Cambridge does not have a separate admissions process from the university itself.
- Tick the box to be considered for Gates Cambridge funding during your Cambridge application, and meet the (earlier) Gates-specific deadline for your course.
- Submit a strong personal statement that speaks to both academic merit and the Gates Cambridge “improve the lives of others” criterion.
- Secure academic references that address both intellectual ability and character.
- If shortlisted, attend an interview (for PhD applicants especially), assessing fit with the programme’s values.
Why This Scholarship Is Competitive
Gates Cambridge is one of the most generous international scholarships available anywhere — covering full cost of study plus a discretionary maintenance allowance — which draws thousands of exceptional applicants from every country outside the UK each year. Because admission to Cambridge itself is a prerequisite, the bar starts high before the Gates-specific criteria (leadership and social commitment) are even applied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship only for PhD students? No — select full-time Master’s courses are also eligible, though the majority of awards go to PhD candidates.
Do I need to apply separately from my Cambridge application? No — funding consideration is built into the standard Cambridge graduate application; just meet the earlier Gates-specific deadline.
What does “improving the lives of others” actually mean in the application? Reviewers look for a demonstrated pattern — through research focus, past work, or community involvement — not just a stated intention.