The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, one of the most prestigious and sought-after fully funded postgraduate scholarships for international students in the UK, is accepting application submissions for the academic year 2025. As a high-achieving international student, you can join a community of visionary leaders, researchers, and changemakers at one of the United Kingdom’s renowned and historic institutions, Cambridge.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation established the scholarship in 2000 with an initial funding of $210 million, benefiting over 2000 individuals worldwide from this comprehensive merit-based scholarship to date. The scholarship awards approximately two-thirds to PhD candidates, with the remaining portion going to other postgraduate degree programs.
A Gates Cambridge scholarship provides funding for core components, including university tuition fees, a £21,000 annual maintenance allowance, travel expenses (flights, visa costs), and an immigration health surcharge. Furthermore, it provides funding for discretionary components, including £1500-2,000 for academic development-related expenses, fieldwork, maternity/paternity funding, hardship funding, and dependent children allowance.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a pioneer in investing in educating talented individuals to bring about economic growth. The Gates Scholarship, as mentioned earlier, has awarded 2000 scholarships to students from more than 100 countries, with 50% of scholars coming from low- and middle-income countries. The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most prestigious research universities globally, located in England, with a rich history dating back to 1209. The scholarship supports full-time postgraduate study in any subject at the University of Cambridge, with popular fields including STEM, social sciences, and humanities.
As a scholar, you’ll have access to world-class research opportunities, working alongside renowned faculty and contributing to innovative discoveries. Joining a prestigious network of alumni, including notable figures like Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Dr. Nicole Bates, and Dr. Andrew W. Lo, you’ll benefit from recognition, collaboration opportunities, and enhanced career prospects. With a lifelong connection to the University of Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge community, this scholarship can bring immense value and impact to your academic and professional journey. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to win the £5,000 Impact Prize 2025, which is open to all members of the Gates Cambridge community.
Inspired by the philanthropic efforts of Bill and Melinda Gates? Apply now and learn about the foundation’s work in global health, education and poverty alleviation!
Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2025: Overview
- Location: England, UK
- Institute: Cambridge University
- Host organization: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Program duration: 1–4 years (depends on program and mode of study).
- Application deadline: Varies with the program
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How Competitive is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?Â
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a highly competitive award, with around 5,000-6,000 applicants vying for approximately 100-120 spots each year, a selection rate of just 1-2%. This scholarship requires clear answers to the following five questions:
- What are the most common mistakes to avoid in the Cambridge scholarship application essay, and how can I ensure my writing stands out?
- How do I effectively showcase my leadership skills and experience in my application, especially if I don’t have formal leadership roles?
- What are the key differences between the Cambridge scholarship and other prestigious scholarships, and how can I tailor my application to highlight my unique fit for Cambridge?
- How can I demonstrate a strong connection to my chosen field of study and research interests, and what resources can I utilize to strengthen my application in this area?
- What are the most important qualities and characteristics that the Cambridge scholarship selection committee looks for in applicants, and how can I demonstrate these in my application and interview?
Academic Schools and Faculties at the University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge offers a diverse range of courses delivered by over 100 faculties, departments, institutions, and centers. The University of Cambridge primarily arranges these into six academic schools:
- School of Arts and Humanities
- School of the Biological Sciences
- School of Clinical Medicine
- School of the Humanities and Social Sciences
- School of the Physical Sciences
- School of Technology
Eligibility CriteriaÂ
Want to know how to get a Gates Cambridge scholarship? Here’s what you need to do now;
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of any country except the United Kingdom.
- Academic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree: Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a reputable university with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or equivalent. Master’s Degree (for PhD applicants): Hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited university.
- Program requirements: You are applying for a full-time or part-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, which includes the following: Master’s; PhD; MPhil; LLM; MSc; MLitt
- English Language Proficiency: Meet the University of Cambridge’s English language requirements (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL scores).
- Leadership and Commitment: Use personal life examples to demonstrate leadership skills and a commitment to improving lives.
Required Documents
To apply for the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you’ll need to submit the following documents:
- Personal Statement (approx. 500 words): Showcase your academic background, research interests, and career goals.
- Research Proposal (for PhD candidates): Outline your research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Academic Transcripts: Provide official transcripts from your previous academic institutions.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit 2-3 letters from academic or professional referees who can attest to your skills and achievements.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores (if English is not your first language): Include scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or other recognized English language tests.
How to Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
- Step 1: Choose a postgraduate course from one of the six academic schools listed in the Cambridge department directory (see the link below), then review the eligibility requirements, admission requirements, and funding deadlines for the course you want to apply for.
- Step 2: Register and initiate your course application at the University of Cambridge. Fill out the Gate Cambridge scholarship application form, which is part of the course’s admissions application.
- Step 3: Upload the required documents, fill in all the details, review, and submit.
- Step 4: The selection panel will inform the shortlisted candidates about potential interviews on January 24-25, 2025, for US applicants, and March 24-25, 2025, for all other eligible applicants.
Some other scholarships in the United Kingdom:
 Duration:
- PhD: 3-4 years (Full-time), 5-6 years (Part-time)
- MLitt: 1 year (Full-time)
- One-year postgraduate courses: 1 year (Full-time)
Note: Candidates are eligible to apply for all postgraduate courses offered by Cambridge University to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, except for courses not designated exclusively for the scholarship.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship Application Deadlines:
For US citizens residing in the USA:
- Application period: September 4, 2024-October 16, 2024
For All Other Eligible Applicants: Depending on the courses offered by Cambridge University;
- Application period: September 4, 2024-December 3, 2024
- Application period: September 4, 2024-January 7, 2025
