Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 for Pakistani Students: Deadlines and Funding
By Faham Baloch · October 27, 2026 · 5 min read
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2027 pays the full cost of a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, and Pakistani students are eligible. Applications for entry in 2027/28 opened on 11 September 2026. For Pakistani applicants the deadline is 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course, at 11:59 pm UK time.
Below are the eligibility rules, what the scholarship covers, the deadlines and how to apply. All of it comes from the Gates Cambridge Trust's own pages.
Global Career Hub has no link to Gates Cambridge or the University of Cambridge. You apply only through the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal. There is no separate Gates Cambridge form.
Gates Cambridge 2027 at a glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Offered by | Gates Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge |
| Level | PhD (full-time or part-time), MLitt, and most one-year master's courses |
| Deadline for Pakistani applicants | 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course (11:59 pm UK time, which is 4:59 am PKT the next day) |
| Who can apply | Citizens of any country outside the UK, including Pakistan |
| Funding | Full fees, £23,152 a year maintenance (2026-27 rate), airfares, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Number of awards | Around 70 a year worldwide |
Who can apply
You can apply if you are a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom and you are applying for one of these Cambridge courses:
- PhD, full-time or part-time (part-time is a pilot scheme)
- MLitt, full-time
- A one-year full-time postgraduate course, such as an MPhil, with some exceptions
Gates Cambridge does not fund undergraduate degrees, MASt courses, part-time degrees other than the PhD, or professional courses such as the MBA, EMBA, MFin, PGCE and clinical medicine. If you have already started a course, you cannot apply to fund the rest of it.
What the scholarship covers
The Trust says the award covers the full cost of studying at Cambridge:
- The University Composition Fee (tuition) at the right rate
- A maintenance allowance for a single student of £23,152 for 12 months (2026-27 rate), for up to 4 years for a PhD
- One economy airfare at the start and one at the end of the course
- Inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge
It also considers extra funding on a discretionary basis, including academic development funding (from up to £750 to up to £4,000, depending on course length) and a dependent children allowance (up to £12,793 a year for one child). There is no funding for a partner.
Deadlines and timeline
There are two rounds. The US round (closed 14 October 2026) is only for US citizens living in the US. Pakistani applicants use the international round:
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 11 September 2026 |
| Application deadline | 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, by course |
| Departmental ranking | December to February |
| Outcome notified | By 8 March 2027 |
| Interview panels | 22 and 23 March 2027 |
| Offers | By early April 2027 |
Your deadline is the Course Funding Deadline shown on your course's page in the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory. Everything, including references, must be in by 11:59 pm UK time on that date.
How to apply
- Pick your course in the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory and note its funding deadline.
- Apply on the Graduate Application Portal. Fill in the admission section (course and College) and the Gates Cambridge part of the funding section.
- Answer the four Gates Cambridge questions, each linked to a selection criterion: academic excellence (about 200 words), why this course (about 200 words), commitment to improving the lives of others (about 300 words) and leadership (about 300 words).
- PhD applicants: add a research proposal. Gates Cambridge requires one for funding.
- Arrange three references: two academic references for admission, plus a separate Gates Cambridge reference on how you meet the scholarship criteria.
Who should write the Gates Cambridge reference
Ask someone of standing who knows you well, such as a former supervisor, an employer or a senior person at an organisation where you volunteered. One of your academic referees can write it, but only if they write about the Gates criteria and not just your grades. The Trust says not to ask friends or family. Brief your referee on the four criteria, and give them examples to use.
Tips for Pakistani applicants
- Your department nominates you first. Only candidates ranked by their department reach the Gates panel, so a strong academic application comes first.
- Give real examples of impact. Teaching in your community, a health or education project, or research with a clear social use fits the "improving the lives of others" criterion better than general statements.
- Work out the time difference. 11:59 pm UK time on 8 December is 4:59 am on 9 December in Pakistan.
- Apply for other funding at the same time. The same portal lets you apply for other Cambridge funding. See also the Commonwealth Scholarship and Chevening.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for Gates Cambridge?
Yes. Any citizen of a country outside the UK can apply for an eligible postgraduate course at Cambridge.
Is there a separate Gates Cambridge application form?
No. You apply for admission and funding together on the University of Cambridge Graduate Application Portal.
Is IELTS needed?
Gates Cambridge does not set an English test, but the University sets English language rules for admission. Check your course page.
Where else should I look?
Our study in the UK from Pakistan guide and the official scholarship map list more options. Before you share documents with anyone, read how to avoid scholarship scams.
Official links
- Eligibility (Gates Cambridge): gatescambridge.org/apply/eligibility
- Timeline and deadlines: gatescambridge.org/apply/timeline
- How to apply: gatescambridge.org/apply/how-to-apply
- What the scholarship covers: gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship
Last checked: 27 October 2026. Rules can change, so confirm on the Gates Cambridge site before you apply.