Eligibility
- Can I apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship if I am a dual citizen of the UK and another country?
Yes, dual citizens of the UK and another country are eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Can I apply for a part-time course?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is currently accepting both full-time and part-time PhD applications, but only full-time master’s applications.
- Can I apply for shared funding between Gates Cambridge and another Scholarship?
Yes, it is possible to hold both a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and another award. If a successful applicant awarded the Gates Cambridge Scholarship finds themselves in receipt of multiple scholarships, the Gates Cambridge team will be in touch to discuss the shared funding arrangements, as scholars may not be in receipt of multiple scholarships with duplicate funds, e.g. two maintenance payments etc.
- Does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship have a minimum GPA requirement?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not have a minimum GPA that applicants must have previously achieved. Academic excellence, however, is one of the selection criteria for this scholarship. This is considered holistically throughout the whole application and reference.
- Can I apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship for a master’s level programme if I already have a master’s degree?
Applying for a second master’s degree would not make an applicant ineligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Like any other course application, you should provide good justification for applying for a second master’s course. It is also advisable to check with your prospective department that this course is suitable for you and that you meet their criteria for admission.
- Which courses are eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship?
Courses eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship include MPhil, MLitt, MRes, LLM, and PhDs. To be eligible, master’s level degrees must be taken full-time. PhD courses can be taken full-time or part-time.
Courses that are not eligible for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship include PGCert, PGDip, MSt, MASt, MBA, EMBA, MFin, BusD (Doctor of Business, Doctor of Education, PGCE, MD Doctor of Medicine, the Graduate Course in Medicine, and the Master of Conservation of Easel Painting.
For a full database of postgraduate courses available at the University of Cambridge, please visit this website – Course Directory | Postgraduate Study.
Applications
- Do Gates Cambridge provide funding for the University of Cambridge application fee?
Unfortunately, Gates Cambridge does not provide funding to cover the cost of the application fee for the University of Cambridge. The Postgraduate Admissions Office have more information about application fee waivers administered by their office – Application fee waiver | Postgraduate Study.
- Does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship require an English language test score?
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship does not have an English language test score requirement, however the University of Cambridge does. For more information from the Postgraduate Admissions Office, please follow this link – Competence in English | Postgraduate Study (cam.ac.uk).
- Can the individual providing one of the references for the course admission section of the application also provide the Gates Cambridge reference?
Yes, the person who submits one of the references for your course application can also provide your Gates Cambridge reference. The person submitting both a reference for your course and the scholarship should be advised to keep in mind that the two documents are supposed to serve different purposes and be two distinct references. Your academic reference should focus on your suitability for the course, and your Gates Cambridge reference should focus on the scholarship criteria. To read more about the Gates Cambridge reference, who should write it, and what it should contain, please follow this link How to Apply for a Cambridge Scholarship | Gates Cambridge.
- Do I have to provide a research proposal as part of my Gates Cambridge application?
A research proposal would only be required for your Gates Cambridge application if you are applying for a PhD programme where the course application does not have an equivalent requirement.
- Do Gates Cambridge hold information webinars? If so, when are they?
Gates Cambridge does not currently hold information webinars. These virtual sessions will be introduced in summer 2026 for the 2026/7 application cycle for entry in 2027/8.
- Do I have to select a supervisor for my course prior to submitting my application?
No, Gates Cambridge does not require applicants to confirm a supervisor prior to submitting their application. It is advisable, however, to research your prospective department to ensure they can support your research interests.
- How many applications can I submit for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship in a given application cycle?
Applicants can make as many applications to the Gates Cambridge scholarship as they can make applications to eligible postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge. For the 2025/6 application cycle, you can submit a maximum of 7 applications. If you submit an application and then withdraw it, it will count as one of your 7 applications.
If you wish to make multiple Gates Cambridge applications, you must complete a Gates Cambridge funding section for each course application you wish to apply for funding for.
- Is it possible to edit my application once it is submitted?
No, it is not possible to edit your application once it has been submitted.
The Selection Process
- When will I hear about the outcome my Gates Cambridge application?
If you have applied for the US round deadline for 2026-7 entry, applicants will be notified of whether they have been invited to interview by Wednesday, December 10th, 2025.
If you have applied/are applying for the second round for all other eligible applicants for 2026-7 entry, applicants will be notified of whether they been invited to interview by Wednesday, March 4th, 2026.
Applications for admission are reviewed separately to the funding competition, so applicants may receive confirmation of an offer for admission prior to receiving updates on their funding status.
- Does Gates Cambridge cover expenses for the interviews?
If applicants are selected to interview, they will be offered one night of accommodation and parking, if required.
- Can I do my interview online?
Yes, it is possible to arrange for the Gates Cambridge to be conducted online. The interview panels are well versed in online interviews, having completed this process for several years, and will take every possible step to ensure that applicants with virtual interviews are provided the same opportunity to succeed as their in-person counterparts.
- If my application is not successful, do Gates Cambridge provide feedback on why?
Gates Cambridge does not provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
For candidates who are interviewed and then released from the selection process, we are unable to provide feedback, either from the Scholarship or from members of the interview panel. Equally, we cannot provide recognition letters of candidates’ participation in the selection process.
- What happens if I have submitted multiple applications and I am invited to interview?
Applicants who are nominated to interview for multiple courses will be asked which course they would like to progress with, as they will only be interviewed once for one of the courses.
- If my application is not successful, can I apply for the scholarship again in a later academic year?
Yes, having previously had an unsuccessful Gates Cambridge application does not affect how a candidate is considered for funding in the future, by Gates Cambridge or other funding sources.
