Applications are open for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28, a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for outstanding international students who want to study at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
The scholarship provides full-cost funding for eligible postgraduate study at Cambridge. It covers university fees, a maintenance allowance, travel expenses, visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge. Scholars may also qualify for additional discretionary funding depending on their circumstances.
Approximately 75 full-cost Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded each year. The programme is open to citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom, meaning students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply.
For international applicants, the 2027/28 application deadline depends on the selected Cambridge course and will generally fall on December 8, 2026, or January 6, 2027.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 Overview
Here are the key details:
- Host University: University of Cambridge
- Host Country: United Kingdom
- Scholarship: Gates Cambridge Scholarship
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Eligible Degrees: Eligible master’s and PhD programmes
- Eligible Nationalities: Citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom
- Funding: Full-cost scholarship
- Number of Scholarships: Approximately 75 annually
- International Awards: Approximately two-thirds of the awards are available through the international round
- Application Status: Open
- US Round Deadline: October 14, 2026
- International Deadlines: December 8, 2026, or January 6, 2027, depending on the course
- Study Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Applicants should pay particular attention to the funding deadline for their chosen course. There is no single deadline covering every international applicant.
Is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Fully Funded?
Yes. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 is a full-cost scholarship.
Unlike partial scholarships that provide only a tuition reduction or a small stipend, Gates Cambridge is designed to cover the major costs associated with postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
The exact financial value varies because tuition fees, programme duration and individual circumstances differ.
This makes Gates Cambridge particularly attractive to international students who might otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate study at Cambridge.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Benefits
Successful Gates Cambridge Scholars receive a comprehensive funding package.
The core components include:
- Full University Composition Fee at the appropriate rate
- Maintenance allowance for the scholar
- Economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course
- Inbound visa costs
- UK Immigration Health Surcharge
The Gates Cambridge Trust may also provide additional discretionary funding depending on a scholar’s circumstances.
This can include:
- Academic development funding
- Family or dependent children allowance
- Fieldwork support for eligible PhD scholars
- Maternity or paternity funding
- Hardship support in qualifying circumstances
Applicants should understand that discretionary components are not automatically awarded to every scholar.
Who Can Apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28?
The primary nationality requirement is straightforward: applicants must be citizens of a country outside the United Kingdom.
Applicants must also apply for an eligible postgraduate programme at the University of Cambridge.
However, simply meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection. Gates Cambridge is highly competitive and evaluates applicants using four main selection criteria:
- Outstanding intellectual ability
- Reasons for choosing the proposed course
- Commitment to improving the lives of others
- Leadership capacity
Successful applicants therefore need more than excellent academic results. Their application should also demonstrate clear academic direction, leadership potential and evidence of positive contribution to society.
Can Cameroonians, Nigerians and Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 because they are citizens of countries outside the United Kingdom.
Eligible applicants can also come from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal and other African countries.
Most African candidates will apply through the international application round.
There is no separate quota requiring applicants to come from a particular African country. However, every candidate must satisfy the admission requirements for their selected Cambridge postgraduate programme and the Gates Cambridge selection criteria.
What Degrees Does Gates Cambridge Fund?
Gates Cambridge supports eligible postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
Applicants may seek funding for:
- PhD programmes
- Full-time postgraduate courses
- Certain part-time PhD programmes
- Eligible one-year postgraduate courses
This includes many MPhil and other postgraduate degrees offered across the university.
Eligible academic areas can include:
- Engineering
- Economics
- Finance
- Public Policy
- Development Studies
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Computer Science
- Education
- Law
- Environmental Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
However, not every Cambridge postgraduate course is eligible.
Applicants must check the eligibility of their chosen programme before submitting an application.
Courses Not Eligible for Gates Cambridge Funding
Several Cambridge programmes are not eligible for Gates Cambridge funding.
These include:
- Any undergraduate degree
- Business Doctorate
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine degree
- Graduate Course in Medicine
- Part-time degrees other than eligible part-time PhD programmes
- Non-degree courses
Applicants interested in professional programmes should therefore confirm eligibility carefully before beginning the scholarship application.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Selection Criteria
Understanding the selection criteria is essential because Gates Cambridge looks beyond academic grades.
Outstanding Intellectual Ability
Candidates must demonstrate the academic ability required to succeed in a demanding Cambridge postgraduate programme.
Evidence can come from academic performance, research experience, publications, professional achievements and strong academic references.
Reasons for Choosing the Course
Applicants must provide convincing reasons for selecting their proposed Cambridge programme.
Their previous education, professional experience and future objectives should connect logically with the course they intend to study.
Commitment to Improving the Lives of Others
Gates Cambridge places considerable emphasis on positive social contribution.
Applicants may demonstrate this through community service, research, entrepreneurship, professional activities, volunteering, advocacy, public service or other meaningful initiatives.
Leadership Capacity
Candidates should also demonstrate their capacity to lead and influence positive change.
Leadership does not necessarily require holding a formal position. Applicants may demonstrate leadership by initiating projects, solving problems, managing teams, creating organisations or taking responsibility within their communities.
Documents Required for Gates Cambridge
The exact application documents depend partly on the selected Cambridge programme.
Applicants should generally prepare:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates where required
- Curriculum vitae or résumé
- Academic references
- Gates Cambridge reference
- Gates Cambridge application responses
- Research proposal where required
- English-language evidence where applicable
- Any additional documents requested by the selected department
PhD applicants should carefully check whether their department requires them to identify or contact a potential supervisor before applying.
The Gates Cambridge Reference
Gates Cambridge requires an additional reference specifically for the scholarship.
This is different from the academic references normally required for postgraduate admission.
The Gates Cambridge referee should be able to assess the applicant’s suitability for the scholarship and discuss qualities relevant to the programme’s selection criteria.
Applicants should therefore choose someone who knows them well enough to discuss their leadership ability, achievements, character and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Choosing a referee solely because of their senior position may not be helpful if that person cannot provide detailed evidence about the applicant.
How to Apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28
The scholarship application is integrated into the University of Cambridge postgraduate admissions process.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Cambridge Programme
Identify the postgraduate programme you want to study and carefully review its academic and admission requirements.
Most importantly, check its course funding deadline.
Step 2: Prepare Your Admission Documents
Prepare the documents required by your chosen department, including transcripts, references, CVs and any programme-specific documents.
PhD applicants should also check research proposal and supervisor requirements.
Step 3: Complete the Cambridge Postgraduate Application
Submit your application through the University of Cambridge postgraduate application system.
Step 4: Request Funding Consideration
Complete the funding section of the application and indicate that you wish to be considered for relevant funding opportunities.
Step 5: Complete the Gates Cambridge Section
Applicants seeking Gates Cambridge funding must complete the scholarship-specific application requirements and arrange the additional Gates Cambridge reference.
Step 6: Submit Before the Funding Deadline
Your complete postgraduate and funding application must be submitted by the funding deadline attached to your selected course.
Do not rely on the ordinary admission deadline because it may occur after the deadline for scholarship consideration.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 Deadline
Gates Cambridge uses different application rounds.
US Citizens Resident in the United States
For eligible US citizens resident in the United States, the application deadline for the 2027/28 cycle is:
October 14, 2026
International Applicants
Most other international applicants, including applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries, should follow the funding deadline associated with their chosen Cambridge programme.
The main international funding deadlines for the 2027/28 cycle are:
December 8, 2026
or
January 6, 2027
The exact deadline depends on the course.
Applicants should therefore check the funding deadline displayed for their chosen programme instead of automatically assuming they have until January.
How Competitive Is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is highly competitive.
Approximately 75 scholarships are awarded each year to postgraduate applicants from outside the United Kingdom, with roughly two-thirds of these awards generally available through the international round.
Selection is based on much more than academic grades.
A competitive candidate should demonstrate a combination of:
- Excellent academic performance
- Strong fit with the selected Cambridge programme
- Clear academic or professional objectives
- Leadership capacity
- Commitment to improving the lives of others
- Strong recommendations
- Evidence supporting the claims made throughout the application
The strongest applications usually present a coherent picture of the applicant’s academic background, achievements, future ambitions and potential impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 open?
Yes. Applications for postgraduate study and Gates Cambridge funding for the 2027/28 academic year are open.
Is Gates Cambridge fully funded?
Yes. Gates Cambridge is a full-cost postgraduate scholarship covering the University Composition Fee, maintenance support, eligible travel, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Additional discretionary funding may also be available.
Can Cameroonians apply for Gates Cambridge?
Yes. Eligible Cameroonian applicants can apply because Cameroon is outside the United Kingdom.
Can Nigerians and Ghanaians apply?
Yes. Nigerian and Ghanaian students can apply, alongside eligible applicants from other African countries.
Does Gates Cambridge fund master’s degrees?
Yes. Many eligible postgraduate Master’s-level programmes, including MPhil programmes, can receive Gates Cambridge funding. However, some professional degrees are excluded.
Does Gates Cambridge fund PhD programmes?
Yes. Eligible Cambridge PhD programmes can be funded through Gates Cambridge.
Can undergraduate students apply?
No. Gates Cambridge is a postgraduate scholarship and does not fund undergraduate degrees.
Is the Cambridge MBA eligible?
No. The Cambridge MBA is among the programmes that are not eligible for Gates Cambridge funding.
Is the Cambridge Master of Finance eligible?
No. The Master of Finance is not eligible for Gates Cambridge funding.
Do I need a separate Gates Cambridge application?
The Gates Cambridge application is completed as part of the University of Cambridge postgraduate application and funding process rather than through a completely separate admissions application.
What is the deadline for African applicants?
Most African applicants fall under the international round. Depending on the selected course, the relevant funding deadline will generally be December 8, 2026, or January 6, 2027.
Final Thoughts
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/28 is a major opportunity for international students seeking fully funded master’s or PhD study at the University of Cambridge.
The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support covering university fees, living expenses, eligible travel, visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge. Scholars may also receive additional support depending on their circumstances.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply, provided they meet the admission requirements for an eligible Cambridge postgraduate programme and demonstrate the qualities Gates Cambridge seeks.
Applicants should begin by identifying an eligible Cambridge programme and checking its exact funding deadline. For most international candidates, the relevant deadline will be December 8, 2026, or January 6, 2027, depending on the course.
Official Links
Gates Cambridge – Official Scholarship Website:
https://www.gatescambridge.org/
University of Cambridge – Postgraduate Study:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/
