Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship in any subject area for students to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Cambridge. The scholarships are for one to three years, with a possible extension to a fourth year.
Eligibility and Qualifications
There will be from 80-110 Gates Cambridge Scholars each year, with approximately 40 awarded to students from the U.S. Non-U.S. citizens studying in the U.S. are eligible and should follow the process based on their country of citizenship.
- Applicants from any country other than the U.K. are eligible
- Students must have completed a bachelor’s degree before beginning study at Cambridge
- Candidates will be expected to have excellent transcripts showing evidence of sustained achievement, together with strong academic references
Application Procedures and Selection Criteria
Students do not need to submit their applications through CURF or to obtain Penn endorsement. However, Penn students or alumni interested in the Gates Cambridge Scholarship are encouraged to contact CURF for further advice, guidance and application assistance. Penn undergraduates, graduate students or recent alumni applying for the Gates should also apply for the Thouron Award (US citizens only.) Applicants in math, science and engineering should apply also to the Churchill Scholarship.
There is no Gates application separate from the Cambridge graduate application (GRADSAF). That application includes a supplemental personal essay for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and another for the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the Cambridge Overseas Research Trusts.
The application is entirely electronic although supplemental materials may need to be submitted in hard copy.
Graduate applications to Cambridge may require optional materials which vary depending on the course or research degree the application is for. Students are advised to look carefully at the application materials required for their particular course.
Timeframe
Applications from US citizens are due October 16. Applications from non-US citizens are due December 4.
All applications will be reviewed at Cambridge and selected candidates will be interviewed, US citizens in February and non-US citizens, often by phone or Skype, in March.
Contact
Cheryl Shipman
Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships
220 S. 40th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-746-6488
Fax: 215-573-4869