Course(s) Offered: Any field
Course Level: Graduate (Diploma, Masters, PhD)
Provider: Gates Cambridge Trust
Country to Study in: UK
Scholarship description
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK.
This award is for students who want to pursue full-time postgraduate degree study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The programme aims to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.
Eligibility
You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you are:
- a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom.
- applying to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study: PhD (three year research-only degree); MSc or MLitt (two year research-only degree); or a one year postgraduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.)
- already a student at Cambridge and want to apply for a new postgraduate course. For example, if you are studying for an MPhil you can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to do a PhD. However, if you have already started a course, you cannot apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to fund the rest of it.
- already a Gates Cambridge Scholar and want to apply for a second Scholarship. You must apply by the second, international deadline and go through the same process of departmental ranking, shortlisting and interviewing as all other candidates.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded on the following criteria
- outstanding intellectual ability
- leadership potential
- a commitment to improving the lives of others
- a good fit between the applicant's qualifications and aspirations and the postgraduate programme at Cambridge for which they are applying
Eligible groups
Citizens of ALL countries outside the United Kingdom
Participating Institution(s)
University of Cambridge in the UK
Fields of Study
ALL full-time postgraduate degrees offered at the University of Cambridge, UK.
While at Cambridge, Scholars pursue full range of subjects available at the University and are spread through its departments and Colleges.
Applicants may apply to pursue one of the following full-time residential courses of study:
- PhD (three year research-only degree); or
- MSc or MLitt (two year research-only degree); or
- a one year postgraduate course (e.g. MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, MBA etc.)
- BA (undergraduate)
- BA affiliated (a second BA)
- MBBChir Clinical Studies
- Part-time degrees
- Non-degree courses
- Courses at universities other than Cambridge
A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge.
Core components:
The core funding consists of:
- the University Composition Fee and College fees at the appropriate rate*
- a maintenance allowance for a single student (£13,500 for 12 months at the 2015-14 rate; pro rata for courses shorter than 12 months)
- one economy single airfare at both the beginning and end of the course
- inbound visa costs
The Trust also considers applications for several types of additional funding on a discretionary basis:
- Family allowance - up to £7,775 for a first child and up to £1,200 for a second child. No funding is provided for a partner.
- Conference attendance - up to £500 a year if you are presenting.
- Fieldwork - you may apply to keep up to your normal maintenance allowance while on fieldwork as part of your PhD.
- Some fourth year funding for PhD Scholars may be provided - but the termly maintenance allowance reduces per term for up to a year**
- Hardship funding - if there are unforeseen difficulties
Method of Application
A citizen of any country outside the UK may apply. Scholarships are available for a postgraduate degree in any subject at the University of Cambridge only - it is not possible to study at any other university.
Gates Cambridge does not admit or place scholars - all applications must be made through the University of Cambridge; AND One application form for postgraduate admission and a Scholarship.
If eligible to apply, you will need to submit the one application pack for both admission to a postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. The University decides who to admit and Gates Cambridge decides who is offered the Scholarship.
For a Standard Application (via the Graduate Admissions Office), you may apply here: Apply now for postgraduate admission and a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. For full and complete information on applying and selection, read this entire section.
DEADLINES:
There are two application rounds: Round 1 -- US citizens normally resident in the USA; AND Round 2 -- citizens of all countries other than the USA (except the United Kingdom) and US citizens normally resident outside the USA.
You are advised to begin your application as early as possible and not wait until the deadline. The next application round opens on 1 September 2014 for entry in October 2015.
Scholarship deadlines for Round 1 (US citizens based in the USA) is 15 October 2014; AND for Round 2 (all other eligible candidates) is 3 December 2014.
For year round timetables and application deadlines, see the Deadline Page.
It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete details on how to apply.
PLEASE NOTE:
Interviews are held in the USA in early February for Round 1 candidates AND in Cambridge in late March for Round 2 candidates. If you are unable to attend in person you will be interviewed by Skype or phone. You will be told within a week of the interview whether you have been successful.
Established in 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge, the Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world.
The Gates Cambridge Trust, also established in October 2000, is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council in England via the University of Cambridge.
Contact
Inquiries? See the Frequently Asked Questions: Gates Cambridge Scholarship FAQ.
You may also contact the Trust by completing this enquiry form. This is the best way to contact the Trust and the Trust aims to answer your enquiry as soon as possible.
Application Deadline: 3 December 2014 (non-U.S.)
Open to International Applicants: Yes (EXCEPT UK citizens)
More Scholarship Information and Application
Related: Scholarships in UK for International Students