Eligibility
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who can apply? | A citizen of any country outside the UK, applying to a PhD (full-time or part-time), an MLitt (full-time) or a one-year full-time postgraduate course, with some exceptions | Eligibility |
| 2 | I hold UK and another citizenship. Can I apply? | Yes. Dual citizens of the UK and another country are eligible | FAQ |
| 3 | Which courses are eligible? | MPhil, MLitt, MRes, LLM and PhD. Master's level degrees must be full-time. PhDs can be full-time or part-time | FAQ |
| 4 | Which courses are not eligible? | Undergraduate degrees, MASt, MSt, PGCert, PGDip, MBA, EMBA, MFin, Executive Master of Accounting, Business Doctorate, Doctor of Education, PGCE, MBBChir Clinical Studies, MD, the Graduate Course in Medicine (A101) and the Master of Conservation of Easel Painting, plus any part-time degree other than the PhD | Eligibility, FAQ |
| 5 | Can I apply for a part-time course? | Only a part-time PhD. Gates is still piloting funding for part-time doctoral degrees. Master's applications must be full-time | Eligibility, FAQ |
| 6 | I already have a master's. Can I apply for another? | Yes. Give a strong justification for a second master's and check with the department that the course suits you and that you meet its criteria | FAQ |
| 7 | I am studying at Cambridge now. Can I apply? | Yes, for a new course, such as an MPhil student applying for a PhD. Current students are considered in the second, international round | Eligibility |
| 8 | I am part-way through a PhD. Can Gates fund the rest? | No. You cannot apply to fund the remainder of a course you have already started | Eligibility |
| 9 | Is there a minimum GPA? | No. Academic excellence is a criterion, and it is considered holistically across the application and references | FAQ |
| 10 | Do I need an English language test for Gates? | Gates has no English test requirement. The University of Cambridge does, so check the Postgraduate Admissions Office guidance | FAQ |
Rounds and dates
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | How many rounds are there? | Two: an earlier round for US citizens resident in the USA, and a later round for all other eligible applicants | Timeline |
| 12 | I am a US citizen living abroad. Which round? | The later round. US citizens studying or working overseas at the time of application apply there | Timeline |
| 13 | I am a US citizen in the US and missed October 2026. Can I use the later round? | No. US citizens resident in the US must apply in October and are not eligible for the later round, so you would wait for the next cycle | Timeline |
| 14 | What is the deadline in the main round? | Set by your course in the Course Directory: either Tuesday 8 December 2026 or Wednesday 6 January 2027, with every document submitted by 11:59pm UK time | Timeline |
| 15 | When will I hear whether I am invited to interview? | US round: by Monday 14 December 2026. Main round: by Monday 8 March 2027. Admission is reviewed separately, so you may get an admission decision first | Timeline, FAQ |
| 16 | When are the panels and offers? | US round: panels 22 and 23 January 2027, offers by early February. Main round: panels 22 and 23 March 2027, offers by early April. You have 72 hours to accept | Timeline |
| 17 | If I am rejected, can I apply again? | Yes. A previous unsuccessful application does not affect how you are considered in future, by Gates or other funders | FAQ |
The application form
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | How do I apply? | One combined application through the University's Graduate Application Portal, covering admission and funding | How to apply |
| 19 | What must I complete to be considered? | The admission section (course and College place) and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section. Gates can see the full application | How to apply |
| 20 | What are the four Gates questions? | Academic excellence (about 200 words), why this course and how it facilitates your plans (about 200), commitment to improving the lives of others (about 300), and capacity for leadership (about 300) | How to apply |
| 21 | Are the limits in words or characters? | Both are stated: about 200 words up to 1,400 characters, and about 300 words up to 2,100 characters. Treat the character count as the hard cap | How to apply |
| 22 | What are the four questions for? | They help Gates distinguish between candidates already nominated by departments, and are the only part of the form where you are specifically asked about fit with Gates | How to apply |
| 23 | Is there a right answer to them? | No. Use specific examples from your background, achievements, experiences and future plans, and reflect widely on your values | How to apply |
| 24 | Do I need a research proposal? | PhD applicants only. Most upload it for admission. If the course application does not ask for one, you need one for Gates | How to apply, FAQ |
| 25 | Do I need a confirmed supervisor before applying? | Gates does not require it, but advises you to check the department can support your interests. The Criteria page expects PhD and most research MPhil applicants to contact a potential supervisor | FAQ, Criteria |
| 26 | How many applications can I make? | As many as you make eligible course applications. In 2025/6 the maximum was 7, and a withdrawn application still counted. Each needs its own Gates funding section. Check the current cap | FAQ |
| 27 | Can I edit after submitting? | No | FAQ |
| 28 | Does Gates pay the application fee? | No. The Postgraduate Admissions Office administers fee waivers | FAQ |
References
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | How many references do I need? | Two academic references for admission, plus one Gates Cambridge reference on how you meet the scholarship criteria | How to apply |
| 30 | Who should write the Gates reference? | Someone of appropriate standing who can speak with authority and who understands the criteria, the competition and Cambridge's standards. Examples: an academic advisor, an employer, a senior member of an organisation where you volunteered | How to apply |
| 31 | Can one of my academic referees also write it? | Yes, if they know your personal qualities and write specifically about the Gates criteria rather than a third academic reference | How to apply, FAQ |
| 32 | What does the form ask the referee? | Your suitability on four criteria, how highly they rank you, the group they rank you against, the group's size, and a rating of exceptional, strong, not strong or weak. Up to 4,000 characters, or an uploaded letter | How to apply |
| 33 | Who should not write it? | A friend, a family member or anyone unable to comment on your suitability. All referees must submit by the deadline, and you must brief the Gates referee on the criteria | How to apply |
Selection and interviews
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | How does selection work? | Two stages. Departments nominate a small number of eligible applicants who meet all four criteria to a very high level, then all nominees are interviewed and Scholars are selected after interview | How we select |
| 35 | How many applicants are nominated? | The site says a relatively small number, and gives no figure. Ask info@gatescambridge.org if you need more | How we select |
| 36 | What is the interview like? | 25 to 30 minutes, with one of four subject panels: Arts, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences or Social Sciences. Panels include experienced academics and practitioners and may include alumni and a Trust representative | How we select |
| 37 | What are the four sections? | Welcome and introduction; Gates Cambridge (what you know, motivation, why you could be a Scholar, the responsibilities of a full-cost scholarship); academic and career plans, possibly with probing ethical questions; and final thoughts and optional questions | How we select |
| 38 | Can I interview online? | Yes. Panels are experienced with online interviews and aim to give online candidates the same opportunity, though in-person is encouraged where you can attend | FAQ, How we select |
| 39 | Does Gates pay interview expenses? | One night of accommodation and parking, if required | FAQ |
| 40 | What if I am nominated for more than one course? | You are interviewed once and will be asked which course to progress with | FAQ |
| 41 | Will I get feedback? | No. Gates gives no feedback to unsuccessful applicants, including those interviewed, and cannot provide recognition letters | FAQ, How we select |
Funding and life as a Scholar
| # | Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | What does it cover? | The University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance, one economy single airfare at the start and end, and inbound visa costs plus the Immigration Health Surcharge | The scholarship |
| 43 | How much is the maintenance allowance? | £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate for a single student, pro rata for shorter courses. For PhD Scholars, up to 4 years | The scholarship |
| 44 | Can I hold another scholarship? | Yes, but not with duplicate funds such as two maintenance payments. The Trust will agree shared funding. If you receive a salary or another substantial scholarship, the Trust may reduce or withhold maintenance, so tell it promptly | FAQ, The scholarship |
| 45 | Is there help for children or a partner? | Up to £12,793 a year for one child and up to £18,244 for two or more, on application. No funding is provided for a partner | The scholarship |
| 46 | What discretionary funding exists? | Academic development funding of up to £750 to £4,000 by course length, fieldwork maintenance for PhD students, maternity or paternity intermission of up to 6 months with maintenance, and hardship funding | The scholarship |
| 47 | What is not covered? | Bench fees and the costs of scientific equipment or similar resources. The Trust expects the department to cover core course costs | The scholarship |
| 48 | What is the community like? | About 250 Scholars are in Cambridge at any time, with orientation, a welcome dinner, professional development through Learning for Purpose, an annual lecture, a gala, symposia, a Scholars' Room and a Scholars' Council. Alumni (1,700+ from 116 countries) stay connected through Gates Connect and events | The experience, The scholarship |
Questions the site does not answer
The pages do not state a position on these, so confirm them before relying on any assumption. Email info@gatescambridge.org.
- How many applicants are nominated and interviewed each year.
- Whether a Scholar can defer the start of the award.
- The Trust's policy on using AI tools when writing answers.
- Whether information webinars are running this cycle. The FAQ said they would begin in summer 2026.
Final checklist
I am a non-UK citizen (or a dual citizen) and my round is confirmed
My course is eligible, full-time (or a PhD), and not already under way
I know my Course Funding Deadline and I plan to submit a week early
I completed the admission section and the Gates funding section
My four answers are within about 200, 200, 300 and 300 words, and inside the character caps
My research proposal is ready (PhD) and I have contacted supervisors
Two academic referees and one Gates referee are briefed and have confirmed dates
Every name, number and spelling is checked
I have prepared for the interview, with a story bank and a view on the scholarship's responsibilities
I have a plan if I am not selected: other funding and a possible reapplication
Eight mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong round or deadline. US citizens in the US who miss October cannot use the later round, and everyone else follows the Course Funding Deadline.
- Applying to an ineligible course. MASt, MSt, PGDip, MBA and part-time masters are not funded.
- Neglecting the admission application. The department nominates first.
- Repeating your transcript in Question 1. The panel already has it.
- Praising Cambridge in Question 2. Give specific, checkable reasons.
- Listing activities in Question 3 or titles in Question 4. Show a change in people's lives and a decision you made.
- Choosing a referee for prestige. Choose someone who can rank you against a real group and speak first-hand.
- Submitting late, or relying on editing. Everything, references included, is due by 11:59pm UK time, and you cannot edit after submitting.