Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme 2026/2027 for Study at the University of Cambridge, UK (Fully Funded) – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline:   7 January 2026

Applications are actually open for the 2026/2027 Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme. Each yr Gates Cambridge gives c.80 full-cost scholarships to excellent candidates from nations outdoors the UK to pursue a postgraduate diploma in any topic accessible at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards might be supplied to PhD college students, with roughly 25 awards accessible in the US spherical and 55 accessible in the International spherical.

The choice standards are:

• excellent mental capacity
• causes for selection of course
• a dedication to bettering the lives of others
• management potential

There are roughly 250 Scholars from c. 50 nations finding out in Cambridge at anyone time who pursue the full vary of topics accessible at the University and are unfold throughout its departments and Colleges, in addition to forming their very own distinctive neighborhood.

Requirements

You can apply for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship if you’re:

• a citizen of any nation outdoors the United Kingdom
• making use of to pursue one of the following programs at the University of Cambridge:
  • PhD (full-time or part-time*)
  • MLitt (full-time)
  • One yr postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions – see under

* For October 2024 entry, Gates Cambridge is constant to pilot a scheme which permits candidates to apply for funding for a part-time doctoral diploma (PhD).

Benefits

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers the full price of finding out at Cambridge. It additionally offers further, discretionary funding.

Core parts

• the University Composition Fee at the applicable price*
• a upkeep allowance for a single scholar (£21,000 for 12 months at the 2024-25 price; professional rata for programs shorter than 12 months) – for PhD students the award is for as much as 4 years
• one economic system single airfare at each the starting and finish of the course
• inbound visa prices & the price of the Immigration Health Surcharge

* The University Composition Fee varies for differing types of college students; candidates ought to see the Graduate Studies prospectus for full particulars about exact quantities. Where a scholar has been profitable in gaining a charge award from public authorities (corresponding to the UKRI) they need to settle for this award and the Trust is not going to pay their charge or could share their charge and upkeep prices.

Discretionary parts

The Trust additionally considers functions for a number of varieties of further funding on a discretionary foundation:

• Academic improvement funding – from as much as £500 to as much as £2,000, depending on the size of your course, to attend conferences and programs.
• Dependent Children Allowance – as much as £11,604 for one child and as much as £16,548 for two or extra youngsters (2024-25 price). No funding is offered for a accomplice.
• Fieldwork – you might apply to maintain as much as your regular upkeep allowance whereas on fieldwork as part of your PhD (the Trust doesn’t fund different fieldwork prices as these must be funded by the University Composition Fee).
• Maternity/Paternity funding – must you require it, you might apply to intermit your research for as much as 6 months and proceed to obtain your upkeep allowance throughout this time
• Hardship funding – for unexpected difficulties going through the scholar

Application Timeline:

Applications open*	Wednesday 10 September 2025
Application deadline*	Dependent in your course – both 2 December 2025 or  7 January 2026 (see Course Directory Full application should be submitted by 23:59 GMT)
Departmental rating	December – February
All candidates notified of application final result	by Wednesday 4 March 2026
Review and choice by panels	Monday 23 March 2026 and Tuesday 24 March 2026
Scholarships supplied	by Monday 6 April 2026
Scholarships accepted	72 hours after supply

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Programme