Can South African students apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?

Yes. The scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, which includes South Africans. South African applicants apply in Round 2 (all eligible applicants other than US citizens resident in the USA), and must be applying for and admitted to an eligible full-time postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.

What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover?

It is a full-cost award. It covers the full University Composition (tuition) Fee, a maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 single rate), one economy airfare at the start and end of the course, inbound UK visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Additional discretionary funding is available for academic development, dependent children, maternity/paternity and hardship.

How do I apply for the scholarship?

You apply for admission and Gates Cambridge funding together through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Complete the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section, answer the four selection questions and make sure your two academic referees and your Gates Cambridge referee submit by your course's deadline. There is no separate application.

When is the deadline and how many scholarships are awarded?

Applications for 2027/28 entry opened on 11 September 2026. Round 1 (US citizens resident in the USA) closes on 14 October 2026; Round 2, for everyone else including South Africans, closes on 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course. About 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded each year, roughly two-thirds to PhD students.

Postgraduate

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious, full-cost award that funds outstanding postgraduate students from outside the UK - including South Africans - to study a full-time PhD, MLitt or one-year Master's at the University of Cambridge. Established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation, it covers the full University Composition (tuition) Fee, a maintenance allowance, airfares, visa costs and more. Around 80 scholarships are awarded each year to applicants who combine intellectual excellence with leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Amount: Full-cost scholarship: full University Composition (tuition) Fee plus a maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 single-student rate; pro rata for shorter courses; PhD awards run up to 4 years)
Deadline: 8 December 2026
Renewable: Yes

Apply on official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal) supports students in the following disciplines

PhD (full-time, or part-time pilot)

MLitt (full-time)

One-year postgraduate courses / Master's (full-time, with some exceptions)

Excludes undergraduate degrees, MASt, MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE and medical degrees (e.g. MBBChir)

Eligibility Requirements

✓ Be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom (South African citizens are eligible)
✓ Apply for and be admitted to an eligible full-time postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge
✓ Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and intellectual ability
✓ Provide a strong, well-reasoned case for choosing your particular Cambridge course
✓ Show a clear commitment to improving the lives of others
✓ Demonstrate leadership capacity

What's Included

✓ Full University Composition (tuition) Fee covered
✓ Maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 single-student rate; pro rata for shorter courses)
✓ One economy single airfare at the start and one at the end of the course
✓ Inbound UK visa costs covered
✓ Immigration Health Surcharge covered
✓ Discretionary academic development funding (from up to GBP 750 to up to GBP 4,000 depending on course length, for conferences and courses)
✓ Dependent Children Allowance (up to GBP 12,793 a year for one child; up to GBP 18,244 a year for two or more children)
✓ Maternity/paternity funding (intermit up to 6 months with continued maintenance)
✓ Discretionary hardship funding
✓ Membership of an international community of Gates Cambridge Scholars and alumni

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal) bursary application

1
Check eligibility on the Gates Cambridge website and identify an eligible full-time postgraduate course (PhD, MLitt or one-year Master's) in the University of Cambridge Course Directory
2
Note your course's funding deadline - South Africans apply in Round 2, which closes on 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 (11:59pm UK time) depending on the course
3
Complete a single application for admission and funding through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal, filling in the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section
4
Answer the four Gates Cambridge selection questions (academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving the lives of others, and leadership)
5
Arrange two academic references plus one Gates Cambridge reference, all submitted by the deadline
6
Departments rank applicants (December to February), and shortlisted candidates are interviewed in person or online
7
Selection panels meet on 22 and 23 March 2027, and scholarships are offered by early April 2027; successful candidates have 72 hours to accept

Required Documents

📄 Valid passport confirming citizenship of a country outside the UK
📄 Full academic transcripts for all completed and current qualifications
📄 Degree certificate(s) or proof of expected completion
📄 Two academic references plus one Gates Cambridge reference
📄 A research proposal (for PhD applicants)
📄 Answers to the four Gates Cambridge selection questions, plus any statements the course requires
📄 Up-to-date CV / resume
📄 Evidence of meeting English language requirements (where applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can South African students apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?: Yes. The scholarship is open to citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, which includes South Africans. South African applicants apply in Round 2 (all eligible applicants other than US citizens resident in the USA), and must be applying for and admitted to an eligible full-time postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge.
What does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship cover?: It is a full-cost award. It covers the full University Composition (tuition) Fee, a maintenance allowance of GBP 23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 single rate), one economy airfare at the start and end of the course, inbound UK visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Additional discretionary funding is available for academic development, dependent children, maternity/paternity and hardship.
How do I apply for the scholarship?: You apply for admission and Gates Cambridge funding together through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. Complete the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section, answer the four selection questions and make sure your two academic referees and your Gates Cambridge referee submit by your course's deadline. There is no separate application.
When is the deadline and how many scholarships are awarded?: Applications for 2027/28 entry opened on 11 September 2026. Round 1 (US citizens resident in the USA) closes on 14 October 2026; Round 2, for everyone else including South Africans, closes on 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course. About 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded each year, roughly two-thirds to PhD students.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 8 December 2026

Apply on Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal)'s official site

Need help? Contact Gates Cambridge Trust (University of Cambridge; established in 2000 with a gift from the Gates Foundation; applications via the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 (0)1223 338467

Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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