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.