The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and highly competitive awards established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It offers full tuition funding with additional allowances and benefits for international students to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. It is a merit-based scholarship and the applicants are evaluated solely based on their academic qualifications, commitment to chance and potential irrespective of their financial condition.
| Aspects | Merit-Based |
|---|---|
| Offered by | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Type of Award | Merit-Based |
| Level of Study | PhD (full-time or part-time) and MLitt |
| Merit-Based | Arts, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences |
| Deadline | Dec 3rd, 2024 or Jan 7th, 2025 |
| Website | https://www.gatescambridge.org/ |
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Eligible Countries
Applicants from all over the world, except the United Kingdom, are eligible to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Scholarship Benefits
- The current university composition fee
- Maintenance allowance of GBP 21,000 for 1 year of Masters and 4 years for PhD.
- To and fro economy airfare charges (one time)
- Inbound visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge
Additional benefits (on a discretionary basis)
- Academic development funding – from up to £500 to up to £2,000
- Dependent Children Allowance – around GBP £11,604- 16,548
- Maintenance allowance continued during fieldwork
- Maternity/ Paternity funding
- Hardship funding for unforeseen circumstances
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a citizen of any country outside the UK
- Must possess strong leadership qualities
- Be academically accomplished
- Applying to pursue any of the following residential courses:
- PhD (full-time or part-time)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions – see below
Ineligible courses:
- Undergraduate courses
- MASt courses
- All kinds of MBA- MBA, EMBA, and Global EMBA
- Master of Finance (MFin)
- Executive Master of Accounting
- Business Doctorate (BusD)
- PGCE
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time, Home students only)
- Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
- Part-time degrees other than the PhD
- Non-degree courses
Application Process
You can submit your application for both admission and funding combined, through the University’s Graduate Application Portal. When aiming for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, make sure you fill out the sections for course admission, College placement, and the Gates Cambridge funding section. The Gates Cambridge team will review your entire application, covering both admission and funding. In the scholarship application section, you will be asked to submit a Personal Statement, at least two references, and your research work, for PhD applicants.
Important Dates
Gates Cambridge manages two selection rounds each year; full details are below. The earlier round is for applicants who are both US citizens and currently resident in the United States. The deadline for the local students has ended on October 16th, 2024. For other international students, the application is currently open- ending on either Dec 3rd or Dec 7th, 2024, depending on your course. You can check the course directory here.
Selection Process
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship uses a two-stage selection process to ensure the nomination of deserving candidates- the Departmental Section and the Interview. The Departmental section includes the nomination of eligible candidates by academic departments at the University of Cambridge. They assess academic suitability as a postgraduate student at Cambridge. A relatively small number of students are selected who then go on for the interview round. The interview consists of four main sections- introduction, your academic and career plans, your knowledge of this scholarship, and any other additional detail related to you. The decisions are made based on these 4 sections so keep in mind to cover each section carefully.
Tips for Applicants
- Demonstrate Excellence: Provide clear evidence of academic achievements and intellectual capabilities.
- Show Leadership: Highlight your leadership experiences and how they have impacted your community or field.
- Articulate Vision: Clearly outline your future goals and how the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and studying at Cambridge will help you achieve them.
- Research Thoroughly: Ensure your chosen course aligns with your academic interests and career aspirations.
- Seek Strong References: Obtain compelling recommendations from individuals who can attest to your academic and leadership qualities.
The Gates Cambridge Statement: Make sure your Statement is not more than 3000 words and clearly explain your intentions for applying to a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and how you meet the eligibility criteria.