University of Cambridge Scholarships for International Students in UK
The University of Cambridge is one of the world’s most prestigious universities and attracts talented students from across the globe. For international students, the cost of studying in the UK can be significant, but Cambridge offers several scholarships and funding opportunities that can help reduce the financial burden.
Funding is available for undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students. However, the availability and value of scholarships vary considerably by study level, nationality, course and academic performance. Cambridge advises prospective postgraduate students to begin searching for funding at least a year before their course starts.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available to international students at Cambridge.
For 2026/27, Gates Cambridge is offering approximately 75 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from outside the UK. Around 55 scholarships are available in the international round, with the majority awarded to PhD students.
The scholarship is available for eligible postgraduate programmes, including Master’s and PhD study.
The funding package can be worth approximately £35,000 to £66,000 per year, depending on the student’s circumstances and course. It covers the University Composition Fee and a maintenance allowance, with additional funding available for expenses such as travel, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Applicants are assessed on four main criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Reasons for choosing the course
- A commitment to improving the lives of others
- Leadership potential
The scholarship is therefore not simply about having excellent grades. Applicants must also demonstrate how their work and future ambitions could make a positive difference.
Cambridge Trust Scholarships
The Cambridge Trust is another major source of funding for international students.
The Trust offers scholarships to overseas students across different levels of study. At undergraduate level, most Cambridge Trust awards are partial and may be means-tested. International undergraduate funding at Cambridge is limited, so students should explore College and country-specific awards as well.
For postgraduate students, the Cambridge Trust International Scholarship provides a particularly important opportunity for international PhD applicants.
For 2026/27, approximately 63 Cambridge Trust International Scholarships are available. The scholarship can cover international tuition fees, maintenance and the student Immigration Health Surcharge for the course duration. It is available to applicants from countries other than the UK and Ireland.
Selection is based primarily on academic ability, research potential, examination results and references.
Cambridge Trust Master’s Studentship
International students applying for a one-year Master’s programme can also explore the Cambridge Trust Masters Studentship.
For 2026/27, approximately 10 studentships are available to applicants with overseas fee status. The award is intended to contribute toward international tuition fees and can be held at any Cambridge College.
Applicants who already hold, or are about to obtain, a Master’s or PhD-level qualification are not eligible for this particular studentship.
Because the number of awards is limited, students should have a strong academic record and submit a competitive application.
Commonwealth Scholarships
Students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries can also apply for the Commonwealth Cambridge Scholarship.
The scholarship is available for Master’s and PhD study and is offered in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
For 2026/27, approximately 10 awards are available. The scholarship provides support toward international tuition fees and maintenance, as well as one return economy airfare.
Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements established by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and must complete the external scholarship application in addition to applying for admission to Cambridge.
This can be an especially valuable opportunity for eligible African students seeking postgraduate study in the UK.
Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Nigerian students can apply for several Cambridge funding opportunities because Nigeria is outside the UK and is eligible for a number of international scholarship schemes.
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is particularly relevant to Nigerian postgraduate applicants. Cambridge’s 2026 Gates Cambridge cohort includes Nigerian author and researcher Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, who was selected for a PhD in Digital Humanities.
Nigerian applicants should also investigate Cambridge Trust awards, Commonwealth scholarships and funding offered by individual Colleges and academic departments.
Cambridge Undergraduate Scholarships
Funding for international undergraduate students is more limited than postgraduate funding.
Cambridge states that few full undergraduate scholarships are available, with most international undergraduate awards providing only a partial contribution toward costs. Funding may come from the Cambridge Trust, individual Colleges and country-specific scholarship programmes.
Students should therefore research funding before applying and avoid assuming that admission to Cambridge automatically comes with a scholarship.
How to Apply for Cambridge Scholarships
The application process depends on the scholarship.
For many postgraduate University funding opportunities, students apply through the Cambridge postgraduate admissions application. Applicants can indicate that they want to be considered for funding and may then be assessed for multiple eligible awards.
A typical process involves:
- Choose an eligible Cambridge course.
- Check the academic and English-language requirements.
- Prepare your application and supporting documents.
- Indicate that you want to apply for funding where required.
- Submit your application before the relevant funding deadline.
- Complete any additional scholarship application if required.
- Monitor your application and scholarship decisions.
For 2026/27 entry, the main University funding deadlines included 2 December 2025 and 7 January 2026, although deadlines vary according to the course and funding opportunity.
Students planning for a future intake should therefore begin preparing well in advance.
Final Thoughts
The University of Cambridge scholarships for international students provide several opportunities to reduce the cost of studying at one of the world’s leading universities.
For postgraduate applicants, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship stands out because it provides comprehensive financial support, while Cambridge Trust and Commonwealth awards offer additional routes to funding. Undergraduate students can also explore Cambridge Trust, College and country-specific scholarships, although full funding is much less common.
International students should start researching funding early, maintain a strong academic record and carefully check the eligibility criteria and deadlines for every scholarship.
For the latest scholarship opportunities, prospective applicants should use Cambridge’s official funding search and course-specific funding information before submitting their applications.
