Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027/2028: Eligibility, Funding and How to Apply

If Cambridge is on your dream list, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is the funding you want to chase. It’s one of the most prestigious fully funded awards in the world, and applications for the 2027/2028 round are open. Let’s break down what it covers, who can apply, and the deadlines you can’t afford to miss.

What the Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers

This is a full ride for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, whether you’re going for a PhD, an MPhil or another one-year postgraduate course. The scholarship is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the package is designed to remove money worries so you can focus on your work.

• The full university composition fee for your course.
• A maintenance allowance for living costs, set at £23,152 for 12 months at the 2026/27 rate and paid pro rata.
• One economy return airfare at the start and end of your course.
• Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

There’s also discretionary funding for things like family support, fieldwork and academic development, which you can apply for once you’re a scholar.

Who can apply

Gates Cambridge is open to applicants from any country outside the United Kingdom, so Nigerian students qualify. You can apply for a full-time postgraduate degree, and the scholarship is awarded purely on merit, not on financial need.

The selectors look for more than top grades. They want outstanding intellectual ability, a clear capacity for leadership, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others. Your reasons for choosing your specific course and Cambridge also matter.

The deadlines depend on where you are

This is the part that catches people out, so read carefully. There are two routes, and your deadline depends on your situation:

• US citizens resident in the United States: an earlier round with its own deadline.
• Everyone else, including Nigerians: the main round, with course-specific deadlines in December or January.

The December or January date depends on your chosen course, and that course deadline is the real cut-off. Check your exact programme’s deadline early so you don’t assume the later date and miss out.

How the application works

Here’s the key thing to understand: you don’t fill a separate scholarship form. You apply to your Cambridge course through the University’s Applicant Portal, and within that same application you submit your Gates Cambridge section. It’s one combined admission and funding application.

That means your course application and your scholarship application rise or fall together, so every part needs your best effort. A rushed course application weakens your scholarship chances automatically.

Build a strong application

Around 80 scholarships are awarded each year, split between the US round and the rest of the world, so competition is fierce. Your research proposal, references and personal statement have to be sharp. Our guide on how to apply for scholarships helps you structure a convincing application from the ground up.

It also pays to apply widely rather than betting on one award. If the UK is your target, compare Gates Cambridge with other funded routes like the Chevening Scholarship for Nigerians, which has its own timeline and strengths.

Confirm the details and avoid scams

Deadlines, award numbers and allowances can change year to year, so always confirm the current figures on the official Gates Cambridge website before you apply. Dates here are correct as at the time of writing.

And remember, no one can sell you a Gates Cambridge place. There’s no application fee to a third party and no agent who can guarantee selection. Anyone asking for money to secure this scholarship is a fraud.

Quick answers on the Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Can Nigerians apply? Yes. It’s open to applicants from any country outside the UK.

What does it cover? Full course fees, a maintenance allowance of £23,152 for 12 months, return airfare, visa costs and the IHS.

What are the deadlines? US residents apply in the earlier round; everyone else applies by their course-specific December or January deadline, as at the time of writing. Confirm your exact programme deadline on the official page.

Is there a separate scholarship form? No. You apply for Gates Cambridge within your Cambridge course application.

Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.

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