Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2025: How to Apply, Eligibility, Benefits, and Deadlines
A Golden Ticket to Cambridge: Gates Scholarship Opens for 2025
Imagine studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the world—without worrying about tuition, living costs, or even airfare. That’s exactly what the Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2025 offers.
Launched in October 2000 after a record $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship remains the largest single donation ever made to a UK university. Every year, it funds about 80 outstanding students from outside the United Kingdom, with most awards reserved for PhD candidates.
Out of these, 25 scholarships go to applicants from the United States, while 55 are awarded internationally.
What the Gates Cambridge Scholarship Covers
The Gates Cambridge is not just about free tuition—it’s a fully funded scholarship that covers almost every cost of studying in the UK.
Core Benefits:
- Full payment of the University Composition Fee.
- Maintenance allowance of £21,000 per year (2024–25 rate) for single students.
- Up to four years of support for PhD candidates.
- Economy airfare at the beginning and end of the course.
- Visa fees and Immigration Health Surcharge fully covered.
Additional Support (on request):
- Academic development fund: £500–£2,000 for conferences and courses.
- Dependent children allowance: £11,604 for one child and £16,548 for two or more (partners excluded).
- Fieldwork allowance during PhD research.
- Maternity/paternity funding: up to six months if studies are paused.
- Hardship funding for unexpected financial needs.
Who Can Apply?
The scholarship is open to students who are:
- Citizens of any country outside the UK.
- Applying for one of the following at Cambridge:
- PhD (full-time or part-time)
- MLitt (full-time)
- One-year postgraduate course (full-time, with some exceptions).
Selection Criteria
The Gates Cambridge board looks for more than just grades. Applicants are judged on:
- Academic excellence and intellectual ability.
- Strong reasons for choosing their course.
- Commitment to improving lives globally.
- Leadership potential.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted through the Cambridge Graduate Application Portal.
- Candidates must complete both the admission and funding sections, including the Gates Cambridge Scholarship section.
- The selection panel will review the course choice, references, and personal statement before making a decision.
Key Deadlines
- US citizens living in the USA: 15 October 2025 (by 23:59 GMT).
- Other applicants: Depending on the chosen course, either 2 December 2025 or 7 January 2026 (by 23:59 GMT).
Applications can be made directly on the Gates Cambridge official site. Further details are available on the programme page.
Final Word
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is more than just financial aid—it’s a life-changing opportunity to join a global network of future leaders at one of the world’s top universities.
If you are passionate, talented, and committed to making a difference, this could be your gateway to Cambridge in 2025.
You may also like to read: Sohcahtoa Foundation Scholarship 2025/2026: How to Apply and Get ₦250,000 Yearly Support
