Gates Cambridge Scholarship Last Date & Deadlines 2026
Application Deadline
3 December 2026
Applications open September 2026 for the 2027–28 academic year. The Gates Cambridge scholarship is applied for within the Cambridge University graduate admissions portal. Deadline varies by course (December 3 for most non-US applicants).
Timeline Details & Extensions
Applications must be submitted and finalized before 11:59 PM on the closing date. We advise students to submit applications at least a week in advance to avoid last-minute server bottlenecks.
- Institute-level verification continues for 15-30 days after the student application deadline.
- Incomplete or unfinalized drafts are auto-rejected on the last date.
FAQs for Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Q.What makes Gates Cambridge different from other scholarships?
Gates Cambridge uniquely requires applicants to articulate an 'intellectual agenda' — a specific, compelling idea they want to pursue at Cambridge. It selects for leadership, commitment to others, and intellectual depth, not just grades.
Q.When does Gates Cambridge open for Indian students in 2026?
Applications open in September 2026 through the Cambridge University graduate admissions portal. The deadline for most non-US applicants is December 3, 2026 for 2027 entry.
Q.How many Indian students get Gates Cambridge each year?
Approximately 5–10 Indian students are selected each year from a global pool of ~80 scholarships. The overall acceptance rate is well below 1% of applicants.
Q.Can Indian students apply for Gates Cambridge for a PhD?
Yes — Gates Cambridge supports MPhil, PhD, and one-year postgraduate courses at Cambridge. It is not restricted to Master's degrees. Part-time PhDs are also now eligible.