Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2024-2025 for international students

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The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is an extremely competitive and fully-funded scholarship that is granted to exceptional postgraduate students from all around the world. This scholarship provides them with an opportunity to study at the prestigious University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. It was established in the year 2000, thanks to a generous donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is renowned for being one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world. The scholarship covers all tuition fees and accommodation expenses and also provides a generous living allowance.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is currently accepting applications for the academic year 2024-2025. This scholarship is specifically for international students who are interested in pursuing full-time postgraduate degree programs at the prestigious University of Cambridge. The application process is highly competitive, and candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others to be considered. To apply, interested candidates must complete an online application form, provide transcripts of their academic records, submit a research proposal, provide evidence of their proficiency in English, and obtain three reference letters, among other requirements.

Eligibility Criteria of Gates Cambridge Scholarship (2024-2025)

1. Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of any country outside of the United Kingdom.
2. Academic Excellence: Applicants must have a first-class or high second-class undergraduate degree, or an equivalent qualification, and be applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
3. Leadership Potential: Applicants must have demonstrated leadership potential in their field of study, as well as the ability to contribute to the well-being of others.
4. Commitment to Improving the Lives of Others: Applicants must be committed to making a positive difference in their communities, their countries, or the world at large.
5. Fit with the University of Cambridge: Applicants must demonstrate that they are a good fit with the University of Cambridge and that their research interests align with the academic strengths of the university.
6. English Language Proficiency: Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of their proficiency in English.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected for the scholarship. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is highly competitive, and selection is based on a range of factors, including academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Courses which are NOT eligible for Gates Cambridge Scholarships:

There are some courses by which you are not able to apply for Gates Cambridge Scholarship, including:

1. Any Undergraduate degree, such as BA (undergraduate) or BA affiliated (a second BA)
2. Business Doctorate (BusD)
3. Master of Business (MBA)
4. Master of Finance (MFin)
5. PGCE
6. MBBChir Clinical Studies
7. MD Doctor of Medicine degree (6 years, part-time)
8. Graduate Course in Medicine (A101)
9. Part-time degrees
10. Non-degree courses
11. Applications for courses beginning in October 2024 and later will no longer be accepted beginning in September 2024 for MASt courses, which are treated as undergraduate courses for fee purposes.

Assessment Criteria of Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship has a rigorous and highly competitive selection process that is based on a set of assessment criteria. The selection process is designed to identify candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Here are the assessment criteria for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship:

1. Academic Excellence: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is awarded to outstanding scholars who have achieved exceptional academic records, and who have the potential to excel in their chosen field of study.
2. Leadership Potential: The scholarship seeks to identify individuals who have the potential to become leaders in their field of study, or in their chosen career. This may include evidence of leadership skills, such as having founded a successful organization, holding leadership positions in community or university organizations, or having demonstrated exceptional initiative and creativity.
3. A commitment to improving the lives of others: The scholarship is awarded to individuals who are committed to making a positive impact on society, either through research or through practical work. This may include evidence of previous work or research that has had a positive impact on a community, country, or society as a whole.
4. Fit with the University of Cambridge: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship seeks to identify candidates who are a good fit with the academic strengths of the University of Cambridge. This may include evidence of research interests that align with the university’s academic strengths, or an understanding of the unique academic culture at Cambridge.
5. Strong academic references: The scholarship requires applicants to submit academic references from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.
6. A well-developed research proposal: The scholarship requires applicants to submit a well-developed research proposal that demonstrates their potential to make a significant contribution to their field of study.

Overall, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship seeks to identify exceptional individuals who have the potential to become leaders in their field of study and to make a positive impact on society. The selection process is highly competitive, and candidates are evaluated against a set of rigorous assessment criteria.

Application deadline for Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

1- US citizens resident in the USA

For candidates who are both US citizens and present-day residents of the USA, this is the preliminary round; it is exclusive to Gates Cambridge. Students who meet these requirements must apply by October 12 and submit all of their supporting documentation (including references) by this date to be considered for the next round. US citizens should submit their applications in the second round if they are currently studying or working abroad (see below).

Application process	Date
Applications open	Friday 2 September 2024
Application deadline	Wednesday 12 October 2024
All applicants are notified of the application result	By Friday 9 December 2024
Review and selection by panels	January 2025
Scholarships offered	Late January 2025
Scholarships accepted	72 hours after the offer

All eligible applicants

It’s important to note that the majority of candidates will submit their applications during this round, which coincides with the University’s postgraduate funding competition. The application deadline you should follow depends on the course you are applying for. Please ensure you submit your application by the appropriate deadline as listed in the University Course Directory for the Graduate Funding Competition.

Application process	Date
Applications open	Friday 2 September 2024
Application deadline	Dependent on your course – either 1 December 2024 or 5 January 2024 (see Course Directory)
Departmental ranking	December – February
All applicants notified of the application outcome	By Friday 3 March 2024
Review and selection by panels	All applicants are notified of the application outcome
Scholarships offered	Late March
Scholarships accepted	72 hours after the offer

Application Process of Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

Here are the steps on how to apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship:

1. Review the eligibility criteria: Before applying for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, it’s important to ensure you meet all the criteria. Ensure you have a first-class or high second-class undergraduate degree, are applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge, and are a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom.
2. Research the available postgraduate programs: Review the available postgraduate programs at the University of Cambridge and select one that aligns with your academic and research interests.
3. Find a supervisor: Identify a potential academic supervisor at the University of Cambridge who shares your research interests and could potentially supervise your research.
4. Submit your application: Complete the online application form, including your details, academic qualifications, research proposal, and other supporting documentation. The academic year 2024-2025 application deadline is expected to be in early December 2024.
5. Submit references: Provide contact details for three academic references who can attest to your academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.
6. Shortlisting: After the application deadline, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship selection committee will review all the applications received and shortlist the candidates who best meet the assessment criteria.
7. Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in an interview, either in person or via video conference. The interview will focus on your academic achievements, research interests, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.
8. Final selection: Based on the interview and the application materials, the selection committee will select candidates to be awarded the scholarship.
9. Acceptance: If awarded the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, you will be notified and given a deadline to accept the offer. You will then receive all the necessary information and guidance to prepare for your studies at the University of Cambridge.

The application process for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship is highly competitive and rigorous, so it’s important to start early, give yourself plenty of time to research and prepare your application and seek advice and guidance from your academic advisors and mentors.

Application form of Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship application form is available online and includes several sections that applicants must complete. Here is an overview of the main sections of the application form:

1. Personal Information: This section requires applicants to provide basic personal information, such as their name, date of birth, and contact details.
2. Academic Information: In this section, applicants must provide details of their academic qualifications, including their undergraduate degree, any postgraduate qualifications, and any relevant work experience.
3. Research Proposal: This section requires applicants to provide a detailed research proposal outlining their proposed area of research, methodology, and expected outcomes. The proposal should demonstrate originality, feasibility, and potential impact.
4. Reference Letters: Applicants must provide contact details for three academic referees who can provide a reference on their academic abilities, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others. Referees will be contacted directly by the selection committee for their reference.
5. Statement of Purpose: This section requires applicants to provide a statement of purpose, which should outline their motivation for applying for the scholarship, their career aspirations, and how they intend to use their studies at Cambridge to make a positive impact on society.
6. Additional Information: In this section, applicants must provide additional information that they feel is relevant to their application, such as extracurricular activities, community service, or any other achievements that demonstrate leadership potential or a commitment to improving the lives of others.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship application form also includes several essay questions that allow applicants to demonstrate their critical thinking skills, intellectual curiosity, and passion for their chosen field of study.

It’s important to note that the application form is only one part of the application process, and applicants will also be evaluated based on their academic qualifications, research proposal, and references. The selection process is highly competitive, and it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare a strong application that demonstrates your academic ability, leadership potential, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Funding of Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship program that covers the full cost of studying at the University of Cambridge, including tuition fees, a maintenance allowance for living expenses, and other additional allowances.

The amount of the maintenance allowance for the academic year 2024-2025 has not been announced yet, but in the past, the scholarship has covered living expenses ranging from £17,500 to £21,000 per year, depending on the length of the course. In addition, the scholarship provides a one-time payment of up to £2,500 for settling-in expenses, as well as reimbursement of the cost of a Tier 4 student visa and the International Health Surcharge.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship also provides opportunities for professional development and networking through various events, seminars, and workshops. The scholarship is intended to support exceptional students from around the world who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others, and it provides them with the resources and support they need to pursue their academic and professional goals.

Student insurance in the UK

International students in the UK must have health insurance as a condition of their student visa. The UK National Health Service (NHS) provides healthcare services that are free at the point of use for UK residents, including international students who are enrolled in a course that lasts for more than six months. However, many international students choose to purchase private health insurance to cover additional healthcare expenses and to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions or treatment received outside of the NHS.

Several private health insurance providers offer coverage for international students in the UK, including Bupa, Aviva, and Aetna. These providers offer a range of plans with different levels of coverage and premiums, and students can choose the plan that best fits their needs and budget.

In addition to health insurance, international students in the UK may also be required to have travel insurance to cover unexpected travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations or lost luggage. Many health insurance providers offer travel insurance as an add-on to their health insurance plans, or students can purchase a separate travel insurance policy from a specialized provider.

It’s important for international students to carefully review the terms and conditions of their health and travel insurance policies to understand what is covered and what is not. Students should also be aware of any exclusions or limitations on coverage, such as pre-existing conditions or high-risk activities. By taking the time to research and purchase appropriate insurance coverage, international students can have peace of mind knowing that they are protected in case of unexpected health or travel emergencies while studying in the UK.

Contact information for Gates Cambridge Scholarships (2024-2025)

1. Gates Cambridge Trust: Address: The Gates Cambridge Trust, University of Cambridge, 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1SB, UK Email: info@gatescambridge.org Website: www.gatescambridge.org
2. Cambridge Admissions Office: Address: Cambridge Admissions Office, University of Cambridge, 9 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 0FB, UK Email: undergraduate.admissions@admin.cam.ac.uk Website: www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
3. Cambridge Graduate Admissions Office: Address: Graduate Admissions Office, University of Cambridge, 4 Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RZ, UK Email: graduate.admissions@admin.cam.ac.uk Website: www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk
4. Gates Cambridge Alumni Association: Email: alumni@gatescambridge.org Website: www.gatescambridge.org/alumni

If you have any questions about the Gates Cambridge Scholarship or the application process, contact the Gates Cambridge Trust or the Cambridge Admissions Office for more information. The Gates Cambridge Alumni Association is also a valuable resource for current and former Gates Cambridge Scholars interested in networking and professional development opportunities.

Gates Cambridge Reference

Gates Cambridge applicants must also submit a reference regarding their compatibility with the Scholarship and two academic recommendations for admission.

On the application form, we ask:

• How highly would you rate the Gates Cambridge Scholarship candidate?
• What broad group do you base this ranking on?
• How many people are in this group?

The Gates Cambridge Reference serves the same purpose as the Gates Cambridge Statement: to narrow down the pool of highly qualified candidates to those who meet the Gates Cambridge requirements.

Referees are also asked what level of excellence, strength, not strength, or weakness they believe the scholarship applicant possesses. In the online reference, they can paste or type up to 4,000 characters, or they can upload a separate letter.

Who should write the Gates Cambridge Reference?

This is a common question. You should not ask friends or family or someone unable to comment on your suitability for a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. You should ask someone of appropriate standing who can answer the question with authority and who understands the criteria and highly competitive nature of the Gates Cambridge program.

The Gates Cambridge Referee must be fully briefed about the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, especially its selection criteria;

It is useful when referees use specific examples of how you meet the Scholarship’s criteria;

While your referees are likely to be busy, you must ensure they understand the need to keep the reference focused on the Gates Cambridge criteria and not, for example, rehash a standard or previous reference.

How Gates Cambridge Scholarship Selects its Recipient?

Gates Cambridge employs Scholarship, a two-stage selection procedure to guarantee that Scholars fully satisfy our requirements.

1-Departmental ranking

The Trust requests that academic departments at Cambridge rank eligible applicants only on academic competence so that only the most exceptional students will be considered. The department’s most academically impressive applicants that year received are those their departments nominate.

2-Interview

Each applicant recommended by an academic department undergoes a quick interview to determine whether they satisfy all four Gates Cambridge requirements. Afterward, scholars are chosen following interviews. When called for an interview, be aware that:

The structure and arrangements for the interview will be provided to the candidates in full. You will have undergone a very competitive procedure before being selected for an interview.

You will receive an invitation for a 20–25-minute interview, which you can participate in in person or virtually, depending on where you are. We strongly encourage you to attend the interview in person if you can.

There are four broadly subject-based interview panels:

• Arts
• Biological Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Social Sciences

Each panel of three to four people typically includes academics, a Trust representative, and graduates from Gates Cambridge.

There are four basic sections to each interview:

1. Welcome and introduction

The Chair will introduce the panel, set out the interview format, and provide any other essential information for a productive session.

2. Gates Cambridge

• What you know about the Gates Cambridge Scholarships
• Your motivation for applying
• Why you think you could be a Gates Cambridge Scholar
• Your thoughts on the opportunities and responsibilities that a prestigious, full-cost scholarship at one of the world’s leading universities brings

3. Academic and career plans

• Your academic work to date – can you convincingly communicate your passion for, and the importance of, your chosen subject?
• Your proposed degree at Cambridge – can you provide a convincing justification for your choice of course?
• Your career plans – can you convincingly link your application for both a Gates Cambridge Scholarship and your proposed course at Cambridge to your future career plans?
• You may also be asked probing intellectual or ethical questions to which there are no ‘right’ answers

4. Final thoughts and questions

A chance to add anything further you would like the interview panel to consider and to ask any questions you may have (having no questions to ask is also fine)

Who was accepted to Gates Cambridge Scholarship in 2024?

The cohort for this year includes 79 new scholars. The scholars from 30 different nations will start their academic careers in October. They are researching various topics, including how gut hormones regulate blood sugar levels and food intake, as well as viral disease reservoirs in bats and food security. There are 38 men and 41 women in the class. They consist of:

1-Mariana Perez Duque, a genetics Ph.D. candidate from Portugal. Mariana completed a medical degree and has experience with Doctors Without Borders in humanitarian crises in Yemen and Brazil. Her study will concentrate on chikungunya, a virus that infects 3.6 billion people in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America and is spread by mosquitoes. Serious effects from infection can continue for months. With an emphasis on Asia, Mariana’s Ph.D. research will shed light on the spatiotemporal distribution of chikungunya infections and their ecological and evolutionary processes.

According to Mariana, Chikungunya is a virus that affects people living in tropical and subtropical areas and is carried by mosquitoes. Due to factors including urbanization, population migration worldwide, and climate change, the chikungunya virus is spreading further and faster. My research will measure the chikungunya virus’s global spread and point out potential areas for control, such as the best way to use the vaccines that will soon be made accessible.

2-Sanjiv Ranchod, a South African who will pursue a Ph.D. in computer science, is also depicted at the top of the story. Sanjiv discovered his enthusiasm for Category Theory and mathematics instruction at the University of Cape Town, where he completed his BSc in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. He studied internal languages in the setting of categorical algebra as part of his MSc in Mathematics and gained experience teaching at the institution. He wants to enhance mathematics instruction at the country’s postsecondary institutions and increase the Category Theory and general mathematical communities in South Africa.

To better understand these areas and how they interact, Sanjiv says: “I wish to research questions in category theory that sit at the intersection of pure mathematics and theoretical computer science. To improve the lives of scientific students at tertiary institutions in South Africa, I aim to deepen my understanding of mathematics instruction.

3- An US citizen, Erin Hayes plans to pursue a Ph.D. in astronomy to use light to categorize various kinds of supernovae. She claims that accurate measurements of the brightness and distance of the stars are necessary for the best outcomes. The information can be used to calculate the rate of the universe’s expansion.

Erin, who served on the board of her University of Pennsylvania chapter of the Women in Physics organization, is passionate about encouraging more women to pursue STEM fields like astrophysics. Looking for black holes and examining microlensing, the phenomenon that happens when a black hole passes in front of a background star and causes the star to bend toward Earth, so it seems brighter, have been the focus of her research up to this point. Most recently, she has been working on a machine-learning technique to categorize various transience in simulated data. As part of this investigation, supernovae—exploded stars—were also examined.

4-.Deus Kansiime is a Ph.D. candidate in English from Uganda. He was fascinated by the discrepancy between the literature taught in classes and the literary works written by a new generation of Ugandan authors affiliated with LINGOs—non-academic, non-profit literary organizations—during his undergraduate and graduate studies at Makerere University. His dissertation will look into the network’s underbelly and literary activism.

“My Ph.D. will assist in articulating the role of literary NGOs in releasing the creative energy of Africa’s peripheral literary enterprise and its particular expression of literary activism,” adds Deus, a poet, editor, and literary activist.

5-Simone Eringfeld from the Netherlands is pursuing a Ph.D. in polar studies. Simone is dedicated to raising awareness about Antarctica. Her dissertation will look at how elevating the silenced voices and underrepresented narratives that are a part of Antarctica’s rich past might change how the public views Antarctica. To begin predicting more inclusive and sustainable Antarctic futures for her Ph.D., she will use podcasting and soundscaping as sonic techniques to record Antarctica’s polyvocality.

“My objective for this Ph.D. is to awaken people to the realization that we all can play a part in determining Antarctica’s destiny and with that, the future of our world,” the researcher says. The narratives we tell about the future are important. They influence what we think is possible, how we see ourselves, and our responsibilities in the world. I, therefore, want to critically examine who has the right to speak about Antarctica. My main objective will have been achieved if I can use the power of storytelling to engage more people in imagining what is feasible for the Antarctic, which is how I view my study as artful activism.

6-An US citizen Eric Munro plans to obtain a Ph.D. in engineering. Eric, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, will study the creation of spectrometers that are smaller than current models and made of cutting-edge nanomaterials. The objective is to support important application areas like sensors, surveillance, and spectrum imaging. According to him, it’s wonderful to have the chance to work on cutting-edge spectroscopic analysis, characterized by a need for smaller devices and better resolution. Such developments in this sector will benefit the daily lives of countless people.

7-Waruguru Gaitho, a graduate student in multidisciplinary gender studies from Kenya. Lawyer Waruguru focuses on sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex traits, as well as race and gender. She has worked on LGBTQIA+ legal and social advocacy in Kenya, where having sex with someone still carries a 14-year prison sentence, and her Master’s thesis research on sexual violence against queer women in South Africa demonstrated the need for multifaceted approaches to complex socio-legal issues. Her dissertation will look at the ways that Black lesbian, bisexual, and queer women use the law to safeguard their rights and promote social change in South Africa and Kenya.

“An interesting and priceless opportunity to explore the legal activism of Black African LBQ women and non-binary individuals is provided through this Ph.D. I hope the study broadens our understanding of how people who experience overlapping vulnerabilities negotiate oppressive systems on a day-to-day basis and express their needs to the state and society. And in this way, I hope this work aids in broader efforts for independence and liberation worldwide.”

Alumni

The Gates Cambridge Scholars Alumni Association [GCAA], which organizes events worldwide to address global challenges and cement links established at Cambridge and participates in a mentoring scheme with new Scholars, is one example of how rich connections are made at Cambridge continue after graduation. Alumni consist of:

Business thought leaders like Kate Brandt, the Chief Sustainability Officer at Google and a recent recipient of the Fortune Magazine 40 Under 40 award. Political activists like Reid Lidow, who is running for City Controller of his hometown Los Angeles, want to reimagine the office and help it be “a force multiplier” to address issues like homelessness and financial hardship, are advocating for this change.

Refugee workers like Dima Krayem, a senior economist at the UN office in Lebanon that coordinates humanitarian aid, have spent a large portion of the past few years assisting in the delivery of emergency aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon during the country’s unimaginable economic and financial collapse.

Academics engaged in cutting-edge research, like Ramit Debnath, a Sustainability Fellow at Churchill College, recently received the prestigious Alan Turing Enrichment Award for using artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve public understanding of climate change.

Frequently Asked Questions: Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2024-2025