Gates Cambridge Scholarship

1. 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. 2

   Note your course's deadline - South Africans apply in the international round, which closes in early December or early January depending on the course

3. 3

   Complete a single application for admission and Gates Cambridge funding through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal, ticking that you wish to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship

4. 4

   Upload your supporting documents and arrange your academic references by the deadline

5. 5

   Submit a Gates Cambridge statement explaining your reasons for choosing the course, your commitment to improving the lives of others and your leadership potential

6. 6

   Departments shortlist candidates who are then assessed by the Gates Cambridge Trust

7. 7

   Shortlisted candidates attend an interview (in person or online)

8. 8

   Final offers of the scholarship are confirmed alongside the offer of admission from Cambridge

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 the international round (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 approximately GBP 22,050 per year (2025-26 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. When completing your application for an eligible course, tick that you wish to be considered for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and submit the required statement and references by your course's deadline. There is no separate application.

When is the deadline and how many scholarships are awarded?

There are two rounds: a US round (US citizens resident in the USA) in mid-October, and an international round for everyone else - including South Africans - that closes in early December or early January depending on the course. Applications for 2026/27 entry are closed and reopen in September 2026 for 2027/28 entry. About 80 full-cost scholarships are awarded each year, roughly two-thirds to PhD students.