Fully Funded Gates Cambridge Scholarship at the University of Cambridge, UK

Every year, eighty fully-funded Gates Cambridge scholarships are offered to outstanding applicants from non-UK nations so they can attend the University of Cambridge to pursue a postgraduate degree in any discipline. About 25 scholarships will be given out for the US round and 55 for the international round, with two-thirds of the total going to PhD candidates.

Host Country	United Kingdom
Host Institute	University of Cambridge
Level	Masters, PhD
Eligible Nationality	US, International
Scholarship Type	Fully Funded
Benefits	Tuition, Stipend, and others
Duration	Full course length
Opening Date	September 2024
Closing Date	It depends on your course—either December 3, 2024 or January 7, 2025. (International Candidates)

University of Cambridge

Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge stands as one of the most illustrious and ancient universities globally. Cambridge draws eminent academics and students from all over the world because of its exceptional research facilities and demanding academic programs. With more than 150 departments, faculties, and other organizations, the university offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. It is composed of 31 independent colleges. The University of Cambridge is renowned for its thriving intellectual scene, historical relevance, and dedication to high standards in research and education. Many eminent alumni have come from there, including Nobel laureates and powerful scientists, authors, and politicians.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The University of Cambridge received a landmark US$210 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in October 2000, which launched the Gates Cambridge Scholarship program. In October 2001, the inaugural group of scholars moved into their house. Since then, scholars from more than 100 countries have received over 2,000 scholarships from the Trust.

Building a global network of future leaders dedicated to enhancing the lives of others is the goal of Gates Cambridge. Its objective will be accomplished by the selection of exceptional scholars, the provision of both financial and non-financial assistance at one of the top universities in the world, and the facilitation of community development both inside and outside of Cambridge.

Benefits of the Fully Funded Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Comprehensive financial support is provided by a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to enable scholars to concentrate on their studies and research fully. The complete cost of attending the University of Cambridge is covered by the funding, which also includes extra choices for discretionary support in addition to numerous essential components.

Core Components of the Benefits

• University Composition Fee:
  • The right amount for your course is paid directly to the institution as this charge. The fee varies based on your student status and the curriculum (e.g., arts, science, clinical)
• Maintenance Allowance:
  • A maintenance allowance is given to scholars to help with living expenses.
  • For courses lasting less than a year, the cost is £20,000 for 12 months per rata.
  • This maintenance grant is given to PhD candidates for a maximum of four years.
• Airfare:
  • One economy single ticket to Cambridge at the start of the course and one economy single ticket back to your home country at the conclusion of the course is covered by the scholarship.
• Visa Costs:
  • The scholarship covers the cost of your inbound visa.
  • Additionally, the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge is covered, which allows international students to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

Additional Discretionary Funding

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship also offers several discretionary funding options to support various academic and personal needs. These include:

• Academic Development Funding:
  • Depending on how long your course is, you might receive anything from £500 to £2,000 to attend conferences and seminars.
• Dependent Children Allowance:
  • If you are bringing a partner or children, you may receive an additional allowance:
  • Up to £11,604 for one child.
  • Up to£16,548 for two or more children.
  • This allowance does not cover the partner’s living expenses.
• Fieldwork:
  • PhD scholars can apply to keep receiving their normal maintenance allowance during fieldwork as part of their PhD.
  • This funding does not cover additional costs related to fieldwork as these should be covered by the University Composition Fee.
• Maternity/Paternity Funding:
  • Should you require it, the scholarship provides for an intermission in your studies of up to 6 months while still receiving your maintenance allowance during this period.
• Hardship Funding:
  • If you face unexpected difficulties, you can apply for additional funding to support you during times of financial hardship.

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Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, candidates need to show that they can:

Extraordinary Cognitive Capability:

• proof of exceptional scholastic success and intellectual capacity.
• academic transcripts, references, and any publications or research accomplishments that attest to your superior academic performance.

Motivation for Course Selection:

• convincing justifications for your particular University of Cambridge course choice.
• an explanation of how the course fits into your professional and academic objectives and how it will support you in realizing your long-term goals.

A Dedication to Enhancing the Quality of Life for Others:

• a clear dedication to changing society for the better.
• Proof of your commitment to bettering people’s lives, both now and in the past, through your professional career, community service, or personal projects.

Possessing the ability to lead:

• demonstrated ability to lead and the potential to lead in your field in the future.
• Give examples of your leadership positions, talk about how you can motivate and inspire others, and tell us about your future goals for applying your leadership abilities.

Documents/Material Required to Apply

You must provide a number of important documents with your application for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship in order to be considered. Among these are:

• Application Form: Use the Graduate Application Portal to fill out the standard application form for admission to the University of Cambridge in the course of your choice. Declare your intent to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and fill out the additional Gates Cambridge component.
• Gates Cambridge Statement: A 500-word statement outlining your motivation for applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, how you satisfy the four main requirements (academic excellence, reasons for choosing the course, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others), and how your professional objectives line up with the Gates Cambridge mission.
• Research Proposal (for Applicants Seeking PhD): A thorough synopsis of your study plans that covers the goals, methods, and possible consequences. This must be an extensive document that showcases your research abilities and the importance of the topic you have proposed.
• CV/Resume: A thorough CV or resume that highlights your training, professional background, accomplishments in publications and other relevant fields, and accolades you’ve received.
• Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts from any university you’ve attended before. A thorough record of your academic achievements ought to be provided by these.
• References: Three letters of reference:
  • One reference that can comment on your academic standing from a professor or supervisor you have recently or currently work with.
  • Two further references from people who can comment on your capacity for leadership and your dedication to making the lives of others better. Your potential and accomplishments in these areas ought to be well-known to these referees.
• Evidence of Fluency in the English Language: In the event that English is not your first language, you could be required to demonstrate your ability with exams like the TOEFL or IELTS or with other recognized credentials. For specifics, see the prerequisites for the course you have selected.
• Course-specific personal statement: A personal statement could be required for certain courses as part of the application. This statement should include your reasons for applying to the course, any relevant work experience you have, and how the training will further your professional goals.

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Application Timeline

Applications for the 2025-26 academic year will be opened on September 4, 2024. There are two rounds of applications. The first round is for U.S. citizens residing in the USA and is due on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 23:59 GMT. All applicants for this round must have a full application submitted by this date.

The second round is for all other eligible applicants, which entails the majority of the candidates. This round also is in conjunction with the University’s postgraduate funding competition and is divided into two possible deadlines depending on the course of study for which the applicant applies. Applications are to be submitted by December 3, 2024, or January 7, 2025, depending on the course.

Application Procedure

Using the Graduate Application Portal at the university, applicants submit their applications for admission and funding (Gates Cambridge and other funds). You must fill out the two sections, the Gates Cambridge portion of the funding section as well as the admission section to a course and a college spot to be eligible for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Gates Cambridge reviews applicants with access to the complete application for financing and admission.

Admission Section

You are applying to a certain graduate program and a college position in this area. You will include all the standard information about yourself, your plans, your educational background, and your fit for the suggested course.

The Funding Section

You can apply for a variety of scholarships in this part, including the Gates Cambridge Scholarships, which has its subsection. These scholarships are provided by the University and affiliated organizations. The following documents must be submitted with your application for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship:

For more details and to apply, visit the official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I apply for a part-time course?
   No, the scholarship is only available for full-time postgraduate courses.
2. Do I need to apply for admission to Cambridge and the scholarship separately?
   No, the application for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is integrated with the admission application to the University of Cambridge.
3. What should be included in the Gates Cambridge Statement?
   Your statement should address how you meet the scholarship’s criteria, your academic and leadership potential, and your commitment to improving the lives of others.
4. Is there an age limit for applicants?
   No, there is no age limit for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
5. How competitive is the scholarship?
   The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is highly competitive, with around 80 scholarships awarded each year from a pool of thousands of applicants.

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