Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master’s and PhD in the UK

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 is now available for international students who want to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

This scholarship is available for eligible Master’s and PhD programs and includes a comprehensive funding package that covers major expenses associated with studying at Cambridge.

For students applying from outside the UK, including Pakistan, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship application deadline is linked to the funding deadline for the specific course they are applying to. For the 2027-28 academic year, Cambridge has listed major funding deadlines for December 2026 and January 2027, depending on the course.

The scholarship is highly competitive, so candidates should start preparing their academic documents, course application, references, and other required information well before the relevant deadlines.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 Latest Details

What Does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Cover?

Gates Cambridge Scholarship provides funding for the main costs linked with postgraduate study.

The award includes the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance. It can also provide funding for student visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Additional funding may be available for certain approved academic or personal circumstances.

The exact value of the overall award can vary according to the student’s circumstances, course and additional funding requirements. Cambridge’s current funding listing gives an annual award value of approximately £35,000 to £68,000.

Main Benefits

Successful scholars may receive funding for

• University Composition Fee
• Annual maintenance allowance
• Student visa costs
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Travel costs
• Certain academic development expenses
• Fieldwork costs where applicable
• Family or dependent related support in eligible circumstances
• Maternity or paternity funding where applicable
• Hardship funding in qualifying situations

The scholarship therefore covers substantially more than tuition alone.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship Maintenance Allowance

Scholarship includes a maintenance allowance intended to support scholars during their studies at Cambridge.

This amount can change according to the academic year and Cambridge’s published funding regulations. Therefore, applicants should consult the latest funding information rather than depending on figures cited in older articles.

According to Cambridge’s current funding schedule (for 2027/28), the total annual amount ranges from approximately £35,000 to £68,000, depending on the applicable funding package.

Who Can Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027?

The scholarship is intended for applicants from countries outside the UK.

Pakistan is therefore within the international applicant category.

Applicants are required to apply for a postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge that is eligible for this scholarship, and to meet the academic and admission requirements of that course.

There is no separate application for this scholarship that a student can submit without applying to Cambridge. Candidates must submit their application for the Cambridge course and indicate that they want to be considered for ‘Gates Cambridge funding’.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should meet the requirements of both their chosen Cambridge course and the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

The general process requires applicants to

1. Be an eligible international applicant.
2. Apply for an eligible postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.
3. Meet the academic requirements of the selected course.
4. Submit the required Cambridge application before the applicable deadline.
5. Complete the Gates Cambridge section of the funding application.
6. Provide the required references and supporting information.
7. For PhD applicants, provide the research information required by the relevant application.

Cambridge notes that Gates Cambridge applicants have additional funding questions in the Applicant Portal.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship for PhD Students

The scholarship is also available for eligible PhD programmes.

PhD applicants normally need to provide additional research related information as part of their Cambridge application.

Cambridge course information indicates that Gates Cambridge applicants may be required to provide a research proposal and Gates Cambridge reference depending on the programme and application process.

Therefore, students applying for a PhD should pay special attention to the requirements listed on their specific course page.

How to Apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027

The application process is completed through the University of Cambridge application system.

Step 1: Choose a Cambridge Course

Select the Master’s or PhD programme you want to study at Cambridge.

Check the course requirements, application deadline, and funding deadline.

The deadline may vary between courses, so applicants should not assume that every Cambridge programme has the same closing date.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare the documents required for admission.

These may include

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Personal statement
• References
• English language evidence where required
• Research proposal for relevant PhD programmes
• Other documents required by the selected course

The exact requirements depend on the programme.

Step 3: Complete the Cambridge Application

Submit your postgraduate application via the University of Cambridge applicant portal.

When completing the funding section, select the Gates Cambridge Scholarship as a funding option where available.

Cambridge confirms that applicants seeking Gates Cambridge funding must complete the relevant Gates Cambridge section of the application.

Step 4: Complete the Gates Cambridge Questions

Applicants must provide the additional information requested for Gates Cambridge consideration.

Scholarship applications are not based only on academic grades. Cambridge describes the Gates Cambridge programme as being for outstanding postgraduate applicants who demonstrate the potential to make a positive contribution and impact.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Submit the complete application, including required references, before the funding deadline applicable to your course.

Cambridge states that the complete application, including references, must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on the relevant deadline.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship Deadline 2027

There is not one single international deadline for every Gates Cambridge applicant.

For international applicants, the scholarship deadline generally follows the funding deadline of the selected Cambridge course.

For 2027/28 entry, Cambridge currently lists major University funding deadlines of:

• December 8, 2026
• January 6, 2027

The correct deadline depends on the course.

Applicants should therefore check their specific course page before finalising their application.

For US citizens applying from the United States, the Gates Cambridge deadline is October 14, 2026.

Is Gates Cambridge Scholarship Fully Funded?

Yes, the scholarship is described by Cambridge as a full cost scholarship.

It is designed to cover the major costs of studying at Cambridge, including the University Composition Fee and maintenance support.

Additional components can cover expenses such as visa costs, the Immigration Health Surcharge and travel, with further discretionary funding available in eligible circumstances.

However, applicants should always check the current award conditions because the exact amount and additional funding available can vary.

Is Gates Cambridge Scholarship Available for Pakistani Students?

Yes.

Pakistani students fall within the international applicant category because the scholarship is available to eligible applicants from countries outside the UK.

However, Pakistani applicants must still meet the admission requirements of their selected Cambridge programme and the eligibility requirements of the scholarship.

The scholarship is not automatically awarded based on nationality. Applicants are considered through the Cambridge admission and funding process.

Selection Process

Gates Cambridge candidates are considered through a competitive selection process.

The university first considers whether applicants meet the academic and course requirements.

Scholarship candidates are then assessed for the qualities and criteria relevant to the Gates Cambridge programme.

The final decision is made through the scholarship’s selection process.

Cambridge publishes the expected result period as March to April for the current 2027/28 Gates Cambridge funding listing.

Important Things to Check Before Applying

Applicants should check the following before submitting their application:

• The exact Cambridge course
• Course eligibility
• Academic requirements
• English language requirements
• Course application deadline
• Funding deadline
• Gates Cambridge eligibility
• Required references
• Research proposal requirements for PhD applications
• Additional Gates Cambridge questions
• All supporting documents

One of the most important points is the deadline. International applicants should follow the funding deadline attached to their selected course rather than relying on a general scholarship deadline.

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 Important Dates

Dates can differ by programme, so applicants should verify the deadline on their individual Cambridge course page before submitting the application.