Gates Cambridge Trust

About the Gates Cambridge Trust

The Gates Cambridge Trust funds international postgraduate students to study at the University of Cambridge. It was set up in 2000 through a gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, worth US$210 million. The Trust is based in Cambridge, in the United Kingdom, and it has supported scholars from well over 100 countries.

The aim is to bring outstanding people to Cambridge and to build a network of scholars who help others. It looks for academic excellence, but it also looks beyond marks. Its stated values are community, learning, internationality, compassion and change.

How Gates Cambridge supports students

A Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most complete awards for postgraduate study in the world. It pays the full University and college fees. It also gives a living allowance for 12 months, which was about 22 000 pounds in 2025 to 2026. Scholars receive an economy return flight to the UK and an arrival allowance. The award also covers the cost of one visa application and the immigration health surcharge.

The scholarship covers three types of study. These are a PhD, an MPhil or MLitt, and a one-year postgraduate course. About two-thirds of awards go to PhD students. Roughly 80 awards are made each year. In recent rounds, about 25 went to applicants from the United States and about 55 to the international round, which includes South Africans.

Scholars also join the wider Gates Cambridge community. During their studies they take part in events and meet other scholars from many countries. After they leave Cambridge, they stay connected through an alumni network.

What to know before applying

You must be a citizen of a country outside the UK. You also need to apply to Cambridge for a full-time, residential course. The Trust does not have a separate form for most applicants. Instead, a Cambridge application is normally considered for the scholarship if you meet the deadline. That makes it important to apply early and to follow the instructions on the Gates Cambridge website.

Deadlines vary by course. For recent international applicants, they fell in early December or early January. However, the dates can change, so check the course directory each year. Competition is very strong, and the selectors look for a clear record of social leadership and a wish to improve the lives of others.

This is a fully funded award, and the public pages do not set out a work-back requirement. Even so, read the offer terms with care. South African students should also plan for the long lead time, since references, a research proposal and a strong personal statement take months to prepare.