Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027-28 (Fully Funded, University of Cambridge)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost postgraduate award at the University of Cambridge, funded by the Gates Cambridge Trust, for citizens of any country outside the UK. Applications for 2027-28 entry are open now, and Ugandans apply in the international round, which closes on…
About the Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a full-cost postgraduate award at the University of Cambridge, funded by the Gates Cambridge Trust, for citizens of any country outside the UK. Applications for 2027-28 entry are open now, and Ugandans apply in the international round, which closes on 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027 depending on the course.
It funds a PhD, an MLitt or an eligible one-year master’s course. It pays the University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance of £23,152 a year (2026-27 rate), flights at the start and end of your course, and visa and health surcharge costs.
For Ugandan graduates aiming at Cambridge, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is among the most generous fully funded scholarships available, and you apply for it through the same form as your Cambridge course.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom
- Must be applying for a PhD (full-time or part-time), a full-time MLitt or an eligible full-time one-year postgraduate course at the University of Cambridge
- Must not be applying for an undergraduate degree, a MASt course or a part-time degree other than the PhD
- Must not be applying for an MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE, BusD or other professional or non-standard degree the Trust excludes
- Must not be seeking funding for the rest of a course you have already started
- Must apply by your course’s funding deadline in the Cambridge Course Directory
Scholarship Benefits
Full tuition fees at the appropriate rate for your course.
A living allowance for a single student for 12 months at the 2026-27 rate, pro rata for shorter courses. PhD scholars are funded for up to 4 years.
One economy single airfare at the start and one at the end of your course.
Inbound visa costs and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge are paid.
Scholars can apply for academic development funding (up to £750–£4,000), a dependent children allowance (up to £12,793 a year for one child) and fieldwork support.
Key Dates
Applications opened for 2027-28 entry.
Funding deadline for some courses (check your course page).
Funding deadline for the remaining courses.
All international-round applicants notified of the outcome.
Interview panels.
Scholarships offered.
How to Apply
- Pick an eligible Cambridge course and check its Course Funding Deadline in the University Course Directory (8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027).
- Apply for the course through the University of Cambridge postgraduate application, and select Gates Cambridge funding within that application. There is no separate scholarship form.
- Submit every document, including references, by 11:59pm UK time on your course’s deadline (2:59am Kampala time the next morning).
Applicants are ranked by departments, shortlisted applicants are interviewed in March, and offers go out by early April 2027. Check your exact deadline on the Gates Cambridge timeline page, and see the University of Cambridge funding search for other awards you can apply for at the same time.
Contact & Inquiries
Before You Apply
- Applications go through gatescambridge.org. Create your account early and keep your CV in a simple layout; our guide to applicant tracking systems explains why.
- If a gross salary is stated, check your take-home pay after PAYE and NSSF with the free salary calculator. When you are shortlisted, prepare with interview questions and answers for Uganda.
How NextRoleHub Verified This Job
- Checked on 21 October 2026 against Gates Cambridge Trust's official advert.
- Closing date confirmed as 6 January 2027. NextRoleHub closes the listing at 23:59 Kampala time that day.
- The application link goes to the employer's own page or email. Applying is free; report anyone who asks for money.
Applications close January 6, 2027 at 11:59 pm
Apply well before the deadline: portals get slow on the last day, and a nominating body can close earlier than the main deadline.
Or read the official details at www.gatescambridge.org
Never pay for a scholarship. Genuine scholarship programmes do not charge application, processing or placement fees. Anyone asking you to pay to apply, or to send money to secure a place, is running a scam.
