November 7, 2012

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world.

Quick facts

  • First class of Scholars took up their awards in 2001
  • Currently over 1,400 Gates Cambridge Scholars and Alumni from more than 100 countries
  • 95 new Scholarships awarded each year: 40 in US round 55 in international round
  • 225 Scholars from c. 50 countries studying in Cambridge
  • Over 1,000 Alumni spread across the globe

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship programme was established in October 2000 by a donation of US$210m from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the University of Cambridge; this is the largest ever single donation to a UK university.

Scholarships are awarded to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. The selection criteria are:

  • outstanding intellectual ability
  • leadership potential
  • a commitment to improving the lives of others
  • a good fit between the applicant’s qualifications and aspirations and the postgraduate programme at Cambridge for which they are applying

While at Cambridge, Scholars pursue full range of subjects available at the University and are spread through its departments and Colleges.

Our Alumni are pursuing further study or employment across many sectors of society and, despite the relative youth of the programme, are increasingly taking on leadership roles and applying their knowledge and skills to improve the lives of others.

The aim of the Gates Cambridge programme is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others.