Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded Master's & PhD at the University of Cambridge
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship, one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world, has reopened applications for its 2027–28 intake. Established in 2000 through a $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship funds around 80 outstanding students annually from any country outside the United Kingdom to pursue a full-time Master's or PhD at the University of Cambridge — open to any academic field.
Application Deadline
The 2027/8 cycle opened for applications in September 2026. For the majority of international applicants, including Pakistani nationals, the deadline falls on either 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the specific course's Funding Deadline as listed in the University of Cambridge's Course Directory. Applicants should confirm the exact deadline for their chosen course before submitting, since Cambridge runs two separate funding deadlines depending on the department and programme. A separate, earlier deadline of 14 October 2026 applies only to US citizens resident in the United States — this does not apply to Pakistani applicants.
What the Scholarship Covers
Gates Cambridge scholars receive full financial support for the duration of their degree, including:
- Full coverage of the University Composition Fee (tuition)
- An annual maintenance allowance of approximately £21,000 to cover living costs
- Airfare to and from Cambridge at the start and end of the course
- A visa application fee reimbursement
- Health insurance coverage through the UK's Immigration Health Surcharge
- An academic development fund of up to £2,000 for conferences, research travel, or fieldwork
- A family allowance of up to roughly £16,500 per year for scholars with a spouse, partner, or children accompanying them
Who Can Apply
Eligibility is open to citizens of any country outside the UK, including Pakistan, applying for one of the following full-time residential courses at Cambridge:
- A three-year PhD (research-only)
- An MSc or MLitt (two-year research-only degree)
- A one-year postgraduate course, such as an MPhil, LLM, MASt, Diploma, or MBA (some exclusions apply, so applicants should check course eligibility on Cambridge's official Course Directory)
There is no fixed minimum GPA published, but selection is highly competitive — roughly 80 scholarships are awarded from thousands of applications worldwide each year.
How the Application Works
Unlike some scholarships with a separate application portal, Gates Cambridge is integrated directly into the University of Cambridge's Graduate Application process. Applicants first apply for admission to their chosen course and college through the university's Graduate Application Portal, and then complete the Gates Cambridge funding section within that same application. Required materials include a Gates Cambridge Statement — a roughly 500-word explanation of why the applicant is seeking the scholarship and how they meet its four core selection criteria — along with a CV, academic transcripts, references, and, for PhD applicants, a research proposal.
Selection Criteria
Gates Cambridge assesses candidates against four pillars: outstanding intellectual ability, a reasoned commitment to improving the lives of others, demonstrated leadership potential, and a good fit between the applicant's needs and what Cambridge can offer academically. This makes the scholarship particularly attractive to applicants who can clearly connect their proposed study to a broader impact beyond their own career.
Why This Scholarship Stands Out
Because admission and funding are assessed together, successful applicants don't need to separately chase a university offer before applying for funding — the two processes run in parallel. Combined with the scholarship's breadth (any field, any eligible course) and the reputation of a Cambridge degree, this makes Gates Cambridge one of the strongest fully funded routes available to Pakistani students pursuing postgraduate study in the UK.
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted through the official University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal, accessible via gatescambridge.org. There is no separate application fee for the Gates Cambridge funding component. OfficialRozgar recommends applicants begin their course research and application materials well ahead of the December deadline, since securing a strong course match and writing a compelling Gates Cambridge Statement typically takes several weeks of preparation.
Interested in more verified opportunities like this? Browse the latest rozgar online scholarships for other funded study options currently open to Pakistani students.