Applications are now open for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme 2027/2028, a fully funded opportunity for outstanding international students seeking to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The programme provides around 70 full-cost scholarships each year to applicants from countries outside the UK who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, leadership potential and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. The scholarships are available across a wide range of postgraduate subjects offered at Cambridge. Around two-thirds of the awards are expected to go to PhD students, while the remaining scholarships support other eligible postgraduate programmes.

Applicants are assessed based on four main areas: academic excellence, the reasons for choosing their proposed course, their commitment to improving the lives of others, and their potential for leadership. Successful scholars join a community of approximately 250 Gates Cambridge Scholars studying across Cambridge’s departments and Colleges.

The scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom who are applying to study an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of Cambridge. Eligible courses include full-time or part-time PhD programmes, full-time MLitt programmes and eligible one-year postgraduate courses. Gates Cambridge is also continuing a pilot scheme that allows applicants to seek scholarship funding for part-time doctoral study.

The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including the University Composition Fee at the applicable rate, an annual maintenance allowance of £22,050 based on the 2025/26 rate, an economy-class return flight to and from the UK, visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge. For PhD scholars, funding can be provided for up to four years.

Additional funding may also be available depending on individual circumstances. This can include academic development funding of up to £4,000 for conferences and courses, a dependent children allowance of up to £12,793 per year for one child or up to £18,244 for two or more children, support for eligible PhD fieldwork, maternity or paternity funding, and hardship funding for unforeseen financial difficulties. No allowance is provided for a partner.

Applications opened on 11 September 2026. The deadline depends on the course being applied for, with applications due either by 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027. Applicants must submit their complete application by 11:59pm UK time on the relevant deadline.

Following submission, applications will undergo departmental ranking between December 2026 and February 2027. All applicants are expected to be notified of the outcome by 11:59pm UK time on 8 March 2027. Scholarship panels will conduct the final review and selection on 22 and 23 March 2027, with successful applicants expected to receive scholarship offers by early April 2027. Scholarship offers must be accepted within 72 hours.

This opportunity is particularly suited to high-achieving postgraduate applicants who can demonstrate strong academic potential alongside a clear commitment to contributing to society and developing as future leaders.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached below to apply for this opportunity