Gates-Cambridge Scholarship
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Overview
Gates Cambridge Scholarships are highly competitive, full-cost scholarships awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK. They are for the pursuit of a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Selection is based upon outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others, and a good fit between the applicant's qualifications and aspirations and the program of study for which they are applying.
Academic excellence - Gates Cambridge Scholars are expected to be academically outstanding with the ability to make a significant contribution to their discipline while in Cambridge. At the start of the application process, potential Scholars are ranked by the department they are applying to. Only the most outstanding candidates are considered further.
Leadership potential - Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate a clear ability to lead. Evidence of leadership can be expressed in a multitude of ways but the capacity of Gates Cambridge Scholars to 'take others with them' is central to the success of the program.
A commitment to improving the lives of others - A defining characteristic of the Gates Cambridge Scholarships is the commitment of our Scholars to working for the greater good. Although broadly interpreted, this concept is nonetheless fundamental and sets this program apart from others of its kind.
A good academic fit with Cambridge - You should be able to persuade the Trust that your qualifications and aspirations accord with what Cambridge has to offer in its postgraduate program. It is important that you can make a convincing argument for doing a particular postgraduate degree at Cambridge. It is therefore important that you fully research your proposed degree using the Graduate Studies Prospectus and the website of the department to which you are applying.
Deadline Information
Early October (with campus deadline in September)
Eligibility Requirements
Open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom.
Students must be applying for a full-time residential course of study at Cambridge, including 1- or 2-year Master's degree programs and 3-year PhD research degrees.
Process
Application for a Gates-Cambridge Scholarship occurs in conjunction with application for admission to a postgraduate course at Cambridge; it is NOT a separate application. All applicants submitting a Graduate Application Form who indicate interest will be considered.
Application always includes:
Graduate Application Form
Academic Transcript(s)
2 Academic References
1 Personal Reference
Depending upon academic department requirements, application may also include:
GRE/GMAT scores
A Research Proposal
An example of written work
English language test scores, if English is not your first language
DEADLINE INFORMATION FOR US APPLICANTS
Applications will be available in early September, with official deadline in October, with reference letters and any required supporting documents due within 14 days of submission.*
Note that candidates for Gates-Cambridge will be interviewed by the Graduate Fellowship Committee, and as such, the internal campus deadline is in September.
Academic departments rank applicants in October and November, and then the Trust short-lists in December.
Candidates invited to interview will be notified in late December, with interviews taking place in January.
Announcements will be made in early February.
*Do note that if a course deadline is earlier than the Gates-Cambridge deadline, you must apply by the earlier course deadline.
DEADLINE INFORMATION FOR NON-US APPLICANTS:
While applications still open in September, the deadline is usually in December, with supporting documents and references due within 14 days.
Departmental ranking occurs December - February, with Trust short-listing in March.
Candidates invited to interview will be notified in early March, with interviews being held in March.
Announcements will be made in late March.
| Compensation: | Covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge, with additional discretionary funding possible |
|---|---|
| Location: | Cambridge, UK |
| Duration: | 1 to 3 years |
| Eligible Students: | Citizens of any country outside the UK who have been admitted to a postgraduate course of study at Cambridge University. |
| Academic Areas: | Any discipline |
| Areas Of Interest: | Any area of interest |